Miniatures - Storage/Cataloging/Finding

[ub3r_n3rd]

So I'm looking for some ideas on how people store their miniatures and how to find them quickly. When the new place is built and I have my hobby/game room to set-up. I want to figure out a good way to store and find my miniatures that are unpainted/unassembled. What methods would you use? What types of containers? Bins? Drawers? Shelves? 

 

I think I'll hit up IKEA and pick up a few overhead cabinets for storage above my windows in the room, I'm going to make my own L-shaped desk with drawers underneath the windows and along one of the walls. I'll have a decent sized area behind where I'll be painting to be able to store figures.

 

Really looking to get and stay VERY organized something that'd soothe my OCD and allow for me and my D&D buddies to quickly find figures for our characters and for me to find figures that will be used for display, dioramas, and vignettes. I probably have about 1500 err... 20 figures now. 99% of them are out of their blisters and inside baggies as I was storing them in drawers until I had to pack them away for the impending move.

 

Please no commercial links (unless you PM them to me), but give me pictures or point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks!

[fishnjeeps]

I have a drawer that holds my unpainted minis. Not exactly organised, but it works for me...

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

I always want to have a card catalog set of drawers. Like at the library before the catalog moved to computer.

 

You could have files of painted/unpainted minis by manufacturer.

 

Bonus points if you utilize a decimal system to lablebthe drawers. Then when someone asks whee to find such and such fig, you can quote Conan the Librarian from UHF. "Don't you know the Dewey decimal system?" and then cleave them with your axe.

[ub3r_n3rd]

This is very similar to what I currently have been using, it's umm... full now of unpainted/unassembled minis... all the drawers on mine are the same size tho. I put the minis in alphabetically by monster type and class types for PC figures.

 

Edited November 8, 2016 by ub3r_n3rd

[NomadZeke]

I have small tools part storage bins like you get from harbor freight. It holds most humanoids and smaller sized just fine. for about 5$ a piece. Can label the bins with masking tape on the lid like "Spiders" "Bugbears" etc. I only do this for painted minis. Can get a pic if requested. Larger bins needed for larger figures, naturally.

[amuller33]

I have small tools part storage bins like you get from harbor freight. It holds most humanoids and smaller sized just fine. for about 5$ a piece. Can label the bins with masking tape on the lid like "Spiders" "Bugbears" etc. I only do this for painted minis. Can get a pic if requested. Larger bins needed for larger figures, naturally.I

I use a similar if not identical set-up ... My only difference is I label each with a row and column number which I then cross reference in  an excel spreadsheet that has maker, Description, status etc for every single mini I own.... You down with OCD? Yeah you know me!

 

AJ

[vegascat]

 

I have small tools part storage bins like you get from harbor freight. It holds most humanoids and smaller sized just fine. for about 5$ a piece. Can label the bins with masking tape on the lid like "Spiders" "Bugbears" etc. I only do this for painted minis. Can get a pic if requested. Larger bins needed for larger figures, naturally.I

I use a similar if not identical set-up ... My only difference is I label each with a row and column number which I then cross reference in  an excel spreadsheet that has maker, Description, status etc for every single mini I own.... You down with OCD? Yeah you know me!

 

AJ

 

 

 

...that sounds amazing!  I've only done a little cataloging of the models I own.

[ub3r_n3rd]

 

I have small tools part storage bins like you get from harbor freight. It holds most humanoids and smaller sized just fine. for about 5$ a piece. Can label the bins with masking tape on the lid like "Spiders" "Bugbears" etc. I only do this for painted minis. Can get a pic if requested. Larger bins needed for larger figures, naturally.I

I use a similar if not identical set-up ... My only difference is I label each with a row and column number which I then cross reference in  an excel spreadsheet that has maker, Description, status etc for every single mini I own.... You down with OCD? Yeah you know me!

 

AJ

 

How many figures do you think this holds? 

[Inarah]

Unpainted stuff is in bins, each has a printed spreadsheet taped to the top with the contents listed.  I keep the lists on Google Drive for easy access.  When it gets painted it goes into foam lined boxes which are labeled by genre.  All the bins and boxes are on shelves. Mostly. 

[Mad Jack]

 My organization system would make a Lovecraft villain's brain bleed if I explained it, so I'll just stay out of this one, lol.

(My brain is twisty, and full of spiders. But don't worry, they're all carefully labeled...)

[amuller33]

 

 

I have small tools part storage bins like you get from harbor freight. It holds most humanoids and smaller sized just fine. for about 5$ a piece. Can label the bins with masking tape on the lid like "Spiders" "Bugbears" etc. I only do this for painted minis. Can get a pic if requested. Larger bins needed for larger figures, naturally.I

I use a similar if not identical set-up ... My only difference is I label each with a row and column number which I then cross reference in  an excel spreadsheet that has maker, Description, status etc for every single mini I own.... You down with OCD? Yeah you know me!

 

AJ

 

How many figures do you think this holds? 

 

Quite a lot Mine has  6X6 little drawers with hold a total of 573 metal  humanoid size minis. I also have 9 larger bins that I dump my bones into I dont have them Cross referenced but several hundred for sure. You can get roughly 10-20 per drawer, obviously depending on size.  Also note these are mostly bulk mini from ebay. New  ones from Reaper I keep safe on a shelf :)

[Auberon]

...

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All 28mm metal minis are in tiny Ziploc bags with their sku/name clipped off of the package and tossed in.  These were all tossed in the same box.

 

Minis with their own little fancy box like KD or Pegaso get to stay in their box, all of which go into one larger box.

 

Loose resin got their own box for safety^TM.

 

Very efficient for moving.

 

Oh, and I guess all unpainted Bones 1 & 2 are in the white vampire box.  Mixed together.

[Thes Hunter]

Currently I use a mixture of bins: https://goo.gl/photos/usKVEoee57oeyHet8

 

And Card Catalog: https://goo.gl/photos/r9zEYUeUxWUdJV4z5

 

I want to switch to all drawers, and drawers that are a bit variable in height without switching type or where I have stored my minis. I like drawers because I find switching around bins to be a pain in the butt.

 

Currently I am contemplating getting things like these: http://www.shopirisusa.com/10-drawer-rolling-cart-with-organizer-top-mc-3100-top-white

Or these: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=329&view=0&picture=1&tab=Specifications&ProductCategory=186&section=1

Or:http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=629&view=0&picture=1&tab=Specifications&ProductCategory=186&section=1

 

I have considered: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50192822/, or http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40196241/ with lots of subdividers, but I have leaned away from anything that may help dust get on the minis.

 

I haven't stored painted minis in these containers, but would like to eventually. Part of why I am trying to find the best and most durable base coat because I want to put prepaints, painted bones, painted metal all in the same drawer, so I know exactly what I have available when I look for Orcs. (My OCD would sub-categorize them as Orcs with swords, Orcs with swords and shields, Orcs with pole arms, orcs with axes and etc. but the husband wants them all lumped together). 

 

I am starting to wonder if what I really want is what others have suggested, a drawer either made of metal, or with a thin sheet of metal at the bottom, and that I place magnets on the bottom of ALL my minis.... the expensive is prohibitive, but I wouldn't have to worry about paint getting worn during storage. 

 

 

---

 

Note I only plan on organizing things that are already painted. For me the non-painted stuff can remain a bit more chaotic. Though there is some base organization, it won't be as tight as the stuff that is already ready to play.

Edited November 8, 2016 by Thes Hunter

[ub3r_n3rd]

Love the card catalog!

 

Great ideas, thes! Would you mind sending those links to me instead of posting them here. I don't wanna get anyone mod batted.

 

Keep em coming everyone.

[NomadZeke]

 

 

I have small tools part storage bins like you get from harbor freight. It holds most humanoids and smaller sized just fine. for about 5$ a piece. Can label the bins with masking tape on the lid like "Spiders" "Bugbears" etc. I only do this for painted minis. Can get a pic if requested. Larger bins needed for larger figures, naturally.I

I use a similar if not identical set-up ... My only difference is I label each with a row and column number which I then cross reference in an excel spreadsheet that has maker, Description, status etc for every single mini I own.... You down with OCD? Yeah you know me!

 

AJ

Getting a spreadsheet is above my lazy level. It drives me nuts to not have the minis I'm an order that makes sense to me