Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => General Discussion => Topic started by: MAgamer on 06 February 2019, 09:02:54 PM

Title: Storage 10mm
Post by: MAgamer on 06 February 2019, 09:02:54 PM
As I am now reaching the 8th Brigade worth of Napoleonic 10mm pendraken figs finishes (there will be 12 brigades when I finish the project- painting both sides for General D'armee) I have started to reach the point where I need to solve the issue of storage. I live in a flat in London, so space is a minimum and I already have to store all the terrain, paints, buildings, materials etc on one spare shelf. Now I have seen the 'really useful boxes' etc but I am a bit put off by having to spend a decent stack of cash on something no-one but the inside of the cupboard door will see. The hobby isn't cheap (neither should it be, with the skill and passion put into the products) so I'm out for sneaky savings and a bit of my own elbow grease when it comes to the storage side of things if I can manage it.  My solution? I was thinking pizza boxes. I can probably ask the local takeaway for a couple and with the odds and ends of pvc board I have left over from terrain, I could make rows inside the box with a glue gun to keep things organised and offer a little structure to the lid so as to make them stackable. Has anyone tried this? What are your cheap storage solutions? I reckon roughly 3/4 12" pizza boxes might just do it and all fit on the one shelf worth of space I need to get it all into. Any thoughts or alternatives offered would be greatly appreciated!
Note: no matter how well painted, Pendraken Miniatures are not edible.
Happy gaming
MA
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: fsn on 06 February 2019, 09:08:35 PM
Quote from: MAgamer on 06 February 2019, 09:02:54 PM
As I am now reaching the 8th Brigade worth of Napoleonic 10mm pendraken figs finishes (there will be 12 brigades when I finish the project- painting both sides for General D'armee)
Wait ...

Finish a project?

Is that possible?
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Norm on 06 February 2019, 09:14:03 PM
Thorntons get their chocolates delivered in very shallow boxes (lid and base). It's lots of shallow boxes that you want.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: fred. on 06 February 2019, 10:17:08 PM
Shallow boxes are good for 10mm, to save on vertical height.

Pizza boxes are certainly worth a try, I've heard of people using them. I'd probably go for fairly small ones, so that they don't bend in the middle.

I use box files for a lot of my figures, and then put a shelf in the middle so that I can get two layers of figures in.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 06 February 2019, 10:40:07 PM
Lengthy thread here: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,17828.15.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,17828.15.html)

I mentioned Pizza Boxes in reply 22.
It includes a link to a supplier (with different sizes).

Worth reading the whole thread where pros, cons and work-arounds of different solutions are aired in full.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Orcs on 06 February 2019, 11:31:53 PM
I appreciate the cost of really useful boxes, but they  store the figures well. After all he expense of buying the army an terrain and the effort of painting it all, do you really want to save a few quid and risk your models in pizza boxes?

You can maximise the space by getting 4l and 9 L really useful boxes and buying tray inserts from Commission Figurines.  He will do them at different depths.
I base my WSS on 20x 20mm bases  (4 infantry of 2 cavalry).

The RUB trays have 15 compartmnts  60 x 60mm I can get 1080 infantry in a single 4 L box with two trays.  Cost is about a tenner or 1p per figure storage.
.

Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Cavillarius on 06 February 2019, 11:44:49 PM
I strongly agree with Orcs: after putting so much love into painting and basing you minis, it pays to protect them well. I recently bought 5 RUBs of 4l, and I'm awaiting my trays from commission.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: John Cook on 07 February 2019, 02:23:58 AM
This is what I use.  They come in smaller and larger units.

http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/uk/html/onlineshop/rub/tTower7x4lDrawT.php
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: fsn on 07 February 2019, 07:38:03 AM
I use the 9l mostly., but some 4l.

My annoyance with RUB is that they don't still heterogeneous sizes. Would be really, really useful if a 2x4l had the same footprint as the 9l so you could mix.

But you can't.

As a certain Danish prince would have it "there's the RUB."
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Last Hussar on 07 February 2019, 07:52:10 AM
Quote from: fsn on 07 February 2019, 07:38:03 AM
I use the 9l mostly., but some 4l.

My annoyance with RUB is that they don't still heterogeneous sizes. Would be really, really useful if a 2x4l had the same footprint as the 9l so you could mix.

But you can't.

As a certain Danish prince would have it "there's the RUB."

The 4 and 9 litre are the same footprint, just differ in height.

It pains me to say this, but I agree with Orcs. Stopped clock and all that.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Techno on 07 February 2019, 10:06:38 AM
Quote from: fsn on 07 February 2019, 07:38:03 AM
As a certain Danish prince would have it "there's the RUB."

No, no, no, Nobby.....That's the title of a Wishbone Ash album.

I wish you lot would concentrate. ;) :P

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: fsn on 07 February 2019, 10:47:13 AM
Do a lot of bowling, Wishbone Ash, did they?
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Techno on 07 February 2019, 01:11:34 PM
Look up the 'cover' of that album, Nobby ;)

You're SO very close.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

(I used to be able to play some/a lot of the guitar 'riffs' from their albums......I wouldn't be able to do that now.)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: fsn on 07 February 2019, 02:35:27 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Techno on 07 February 2019, 03:00:02 PM
Bog off.....You OIK !!  ;) :P

Cheers - Mr Guitar Hero.....(What does top 'E' sound like ?.....Oh yeah..... I remember....and I really can, you know...Very sad  X_X.)
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Leman on 07 February 2019, 04:30:38 PM
RUBs look good, are neat and tidy in a small apace, provide excellent storage, and can often be bought in multiples with a few quid knocked off. On top of that Warbases and Commission Figurines sell MDF inserts for the 2 and 4 litre variety. Commission will supply if you contact them direct, Warbases' are on their website.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4862/31191339007_59ec6ae3f9_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Techno on 07 February 2019, 05:03:36 PM
FAR TOO NEAT !!

Cheers - The scruffy oik. (who works in a tip......and dresses like he's just come out of one.) :D
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Orcs on 07 February 2019, 05:37:43 PM
Quote from: Techno on 07 February 2019, 05:03:36 PM
FAR TOO NEAT !!

Cheers - The scruffy oik. (who works in a tip......and dresses like he's just come out of one.) :D

I quite agree, "A clear desk is the sign of a sick mind"
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: MAgamer on 07 February 2019, 07:28:49 PM
I agree RUB look good and are a great product and that the warbase inserts are very good too: but even with just one 4L box plus two mdf stackable inserts from warbases and I'm looking at £16/£17 which for my wargaming budget is far too close to 2 or 3 battalions of the new Dutch/Belgian troops. Where as for £5 flat I can get all the pizza boxes I will ever need and use my left over pvc bits to add structure. I don't mind spending my time on making cheap storage effective, but I don't think I will be at peace with spending potential "more shiny stuff" money on a bit of useful plastic and wood. Especially when really I will need at least two boxes/4inserts- £32, that's almost another Brigade.
Cheers for posting the other topic from this forum the:storage, I hadn't seen it, useful stuff!
Cheers all,
MA
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Orcs on 08 February 2019, 07:23:36 AM
You seem to be looking at expensive suppliers

Commission figurines do the trays at £3 each if you buy 3 or more.

The 9l RUB is £6 on amazon with free delivery. This will take four trays.  So you could pack all your figures nicely away for £18,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Really-Useful-Storage-Box-Litre/dp/B0146PSD9O

Obviously its your choice, but I have seen so many disasters and spoiled / lost figures when  a cheap box gives way on the way to the car after a club night. I would still say that getting a decent box to keep what you have already bought and spent a whole lot of time painting is money well spent, even if you have to wait a while to get the next lot of figures.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Leman on 08 February 2019, 09:46:25 AM
And here's the other side of the equation. I started wargaming at 13; I am now 66. I bought my first RUBs about 5 years ago. I wish I had bought such things much earlier, but a good point has been made about wanting to spend money on figures to start with. Having amassed a large number of figures storage does then become a priority and the better the quality the more effective it is. I am also lucky in that I belong to a club with premises and full membership includes the use of storage there as well.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: MAgamer on 10 February 2019, 09:52:28 AM
Quote from: Orcs on 08 February 2019, 07:23:36 AM
You seem to be looking at expensive suppliers

Commission figurines do the trays at £3 each if you buy 3 or more.

The 9l RUB is £6 on amazon with free delivery. This will take four trays.  So you could pack all your figures nicely away for £18,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Really-Useful-Storage-Box-Litre/dp/B0146PSD9O

SOLD! Don't know how I managed to inflate my costs so much (rather worrying!) I will hold on until the RUB can be purchased without a months wait though.
Cheers everyone, I'm glad I asked before plunging in with pizza boxes
MA
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: ronan on 10 February 2019, 11:46:29 AM
Quote from: fred. on 06 February 2019, 10:17:08 PM
(...) so that they don't bend in the middle.

I use that kind of boxes ( not pizza,  from electronics parts but it's the same). I glue a small  cartboard part in the middle, shaped like a +  and the same height as the side. So It will protect the whole thing when stacking.
(sorry no pics, everything is packed since July, as I can't play here.)
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 10 February 2019, 02:16:21 PM
Quote from: ronan on 10 February 2019, 11:46:29 AM
I use that kind of boxes ( not pizza,  from electronics parts but it's the same). I glue a small  cartboard part in the middle, shaped like a +  and the same height as the side. So It will protect the whole thing when stacking.
(sorry no pics, everything is packed since July, as I can't play here.)

Some folks in the UK will be familiar with the fully little plastic tripod that holds up the middle of a delivery pizza box.
Anything that performs a similar function is good.

I'm working on a pair of MDF bases (30mm square) with a length of chubby dowel holding them apart.
All sorts of offcuts will do a similar job.

The main qualities are vertical strength, lightness (don't want it rattling off your figs of it gets loose) and ability to sit alongside the troops.
DBA players could even create a combined lid support / Barker marker.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: fsn on 10 February 2019, 03:03:13 PM
For a while I was an IT manager.

I used laptop boxes to store 20mm stuff. They all came with layers of foam which I cut up to hold the figures and also give some internal strength.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: MAgamer on 12 February 2019, 08:19:11 AM
Has anyone tried WestonBoxes A4 stackable? Don't know how strong they are- 5 for £20 quid free delivery on Amazon- they are available now (not two months) which is nice!
MA
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: mmcv on 12 February 2019, 01:03:22 PM
Quote from: MAgamer on 12 February 2019, 08:19:11 AM
Has anyone tried WestonBoxes A4 stackable? Don't know how strong they are- 5 for £20 quid free delivery on Amazon- they are available now (not two months) which is nice!
MA

Yes I've been using them. The boxes themselves are relatively sturdy. They're not clipped like RUB ones are but there is enough of an overlap on the lid that I've not had any issues. They're a good height too so you won't have issues with banners and the like. I have them in the stack shelving that came with the pack of 5, it's not the strongest to be honest, it's fine for storage and around the house but if you intend to travel with it it may be a bit flimsy, though it wouldn't take much work to add a brace to the back for strength. I have two of them stacked under the desk which gives 10 boxes and can just slide out what I need without having to unstack them all. So if you're just looking for convenient storage they do the trick okay. If you're looking to travel with your figures you may want to invest in a few RUBs...
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Leman on 12 February 2019, 02:29:30 PM
Quote from: Leman on 07 February 2019, 04:30:38 PM
RUBs look good, are neat and tidy in a small apace, provide excellent storage, and can often be bought in multiples with a few quid knocked off. On top of that Warbases and Commission Figurines sell MDF inserts for the 2 and 4 litre variety. Commission will supply if you contact them direct, Warbases' are on their website.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4862/31191339007_59ec6ae3f9_z.jpg)
[/quote That was then, this is now:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7851/47020040032_a3fb0927f0_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: Subedai on 19 February 2019, 09:24:06 PM
I use the slimmest vegetable boxes from my local supermarket, tick all your boxes (sorry), strong, stackable and most important, free.
Title: Re: Storage 10mm
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 20 February 2019, 10:04:03 PM
Quote from: Subedai on 19 February 2019, 09:24:06 PM
I use the slimmest vegetable boxes from my local supermarket, tick all your boxes (sorry), strong, stackable and most important, free.

Do you have a photo?

Vegetable box isn't registering on my inventory of known things.

(Sybil Fawlty Voice) - "He's from Glasgow".