Slitherine

Hi guys

How do you all go about storing figures at home?

I have lever arch files with metal sheeting base for transporting my armies but need an efficient way of storing them at home.

Currently I have a set of drawers full of them and the odd shelf in my bedroom but it scares any ladies I get back.

Rob

Having something that can be easily closed to hide figures is an important requirement. After 10 years, my wife stiff doesn't fully understand haow many are lurking in the basement.

I have foudn for 15mm you want boxes about 15 MU by 10 Mu no larger and jsut deep enough for flags, pikes and lances. Then you can stack them conveniently. Put a little paper placard at one end identifying the army and obscureing the view. Then it stacks ncely on shelves or closet and they can can be taken on the road. for years my 25mm were in the boxes they ship fruit into peoples home. Eat the fruit before putting figures in. Box was sturdy and closed.

Box files work well for 15mm. For 25s I use a mixture of toolboxes (steel so takes magnabase if the enamel isn't too think) which are also good for transport as they have a convenient handle, some deep heavy duty cardboard boxes (about box file size) or shoeboxes for elephants and lancers.

Friends have used filing cabinets (the ones that take documents lying flat - the drawers come out for transport) which also look smart and efficient.

Ikea used to make little sets of drawers for storing paper/office stuff, no idea if they still do.

The first ones I got were quite sturdy and had three shelves, but then they switched to two shelves and a thinner wood, not quite so good as they are a bit "sticky". Each draw is bigger than A4 surface, and about 10cm deep. Approximately an army per shelf, depends on what it is though. They look fine on wooden bookcases or similar.

A fellow wargamer here buys these things (I think it's this maker, I'll ask):

http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1 ... 57&PID=417

Same idea, just more flexible. There's a shop in Leeds

If you really wanted something that would look nice, but pricey, it would be map drawers. Especially an antique one.

I just have stacks of box files with metal sheet in the bottom.

That way when you come back from a comp you can just put the boxes back in the stacks.

Draws and display cases are all well and good but they take up valuable space in the games room.

Where do you get yours from Hammy?

Just checking on the web but can't spot them with metal bases on them. Maybe should just look out for them at shows.

Rob

Robert241167 wrote:Where do you get yours from Hammy?

Just checking on the web but can't spot them with metal bases on them. Maybe should just look out for them at shows.

Rob

Every so often I buy another 10 file boxes from Viking or when they have them discounted in Tesco I pick some up. I think I pay perhaps £3 each on average. Not a lot anyway. That said It means I have spent over £150 on file boxes :O

The metal is harder to sort out but I am now using a metalised rubber that I buy from one of the traders at shows. There is a company I have a web ling for that sell the metlaised rubber in industrial quantities.

If you are a bit of a handy man, or know someone who is, have a look at this:-
http://www.nwa.org.au/index.php?option= ... Itemid=229

These are used by number of club members. Scott, the author, has modified his by adding "pockets" at the back to hold his rules, army list and hills.

I use Oates Stackable Drawers SD-002 & SD-012 with a thin piece of sheet metal inside for the magnetic bases to grip to.
http://www.oates.com.au/ProductDisplay. ... eProduct=1

John Mc

I've been using plastic scrapbook boxes, available from Michaels hobby shops in the US. They are just the right height to contain 15mm cavalry with upright lances, and they are stackable. I line the bottom with sheet metal, and then magnetize the bottom of my bases. When I want to use an army, I just pull the appropriate box out.

Peter C
Sword and Sandal Gaming Blog
http://swordandsandalgaming.blogspot.com/

I make my own:

There is a great description with blueprints and pics for simple carry boxes that double as storage.

http://www.nwa.org.au/index.php?option= ... Itemid=229

I just have stacks of box files with metal sheet in the bottom.

I do the same. So you can store and transport really easily.

I use magnetic sheet in the bottom of the box and all of my figures bases have steel paper on the bottom. The steel paper is really thin and is self adhevise. Both can be bought at shows - I'll be stocking up on my next batch at Derby, hopefully.

Staples usually do special offers on the boxes. Kev might flog you some of the steel sheets. Why didn't you mention this on Saturday?
I recommend closed boxes. Your figures might be scared by some of the ladies you bring back.

The metal is harder to sort out but I am now using a metalised rubber that I buy from one of the traders at shows. There is a company I have a web ling for that sell the metlaised rubber in industrial quantities.

You can also cut out metal sheets form the base of biscuit/cake tins. Havent done this myself but someone told me they work just as well.

I get my sheet metal from Home Depot. It is sold as sheets to make air conditioning ducting, but I buy a piece and then just cut it up with metal sheers. I then magnetize the bottom of my bases using blank refrigerator business cards purchased at staples. These are glued to the bases with standard rubber cement, available from almost any convenience store.

Peter C
Sword and Sandal Gaming Blog
http://swordandsandalgaming.blogspot.com/

Box files are ideal for 15mm, as generally you can get a complete army in one box file. Some armies go a bit over, so I have a few half sized box files for them. Normally they are about £3 each, but they have some at Wilkinsons for £2 at the moment.
I don't bother with steel bases and magnets, and I've never had any disasters whilst transporting figures in the car to and from games. Just sit the box files flat on the floor of the car or in the boot, and they are fine.

I have often thought that really magnificent armies ought to be put up in shallow, lighted shadow boxes (securely!) hung on the wall, with generic or historically specific landscape or architecture in the background. Typical example in the style we are all familiar with: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rE3YAFW6LqM/S ... 0_0622.jpg These effectively become wall mounted dioramas.

This has long been a staple for the large scale miniatures collectors, and not just mancave decor. A friend of mine in Austin has his (54mm - 120mm) miniatures in walnut display cases, some of them are X divided pedestals in the center of the floor. They all look splendid. For us, a paint to shuffle the armies back and forth from display cabinet to carrying case, but so is the stacking and removal.

Bisley steel 15-drawer filing cabinets are ideal. Not cheap, and you need to use the 9-drawer one for elephants, pikes and some cavalry though.

You can google them and sometimes find 2nd hand ones for well under £100.

I've just got a load like these stacked on top of each other.
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Plastic-St ... YYKg%3D%3D

Each drawer takes an army. Need more soldiers, buy another set and click it on top.

Robert241167 wrote: but it scares any ladies I get back.

Rob

I bet it does? BTW what scares them again.

Dave I think it is the long poles most of them have between their hands !!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, there are plenty here for me to ponder.

Rob