Storing Loose Figs

[Nathan]

I have maybe 1/4 or 1/3 of my figures in a Rubbermaid tub; the rest are scattered on shelves, my computer desk, stacks of books, and so on. Most are just strewn without rhyme or reason, but one bookshelf has a fairly organized Clone Wars display on stepped plastic mini-shelves (so the ones in the rear can look over the heads of the ones in front).

[Stim]

I found something kinda cool for storing loose figures -- picked them up at Wal-Mart.  They are open-front, stackable tackle boxes with removable cases that slide in and out.  You can slide 4 cases into the front of the tackle box, and the cases are basically just PLANO 3700-type cases.

What's nice is you can stack these things (or even hang them from a wall, they have holes for that) and you're still able to slide out the cases on the very bottom.  Really convienent, and the cases hold most figures, except the really large or action-posed ones.  Probably much like the Plano cases.  And the tackle boxes have handles too.

They're like 15 bucks each and in the Fishing section of Wal-Mart.  There are two sizes -- the blue ones are the larger ones that I use, and then there are smaller ones that won't fit figures -- these are black or maroon, can't remember.

I'll try to post pictures, but if you're in a Wal-mart, check them out.  They really made my life easier with all these loose figures.  I just have 2 tackle boxes (8 cases/128 figures) for each movie, and 2 for EU.  Works GREAT, and might be a little easier to deal with than just loose plano cases.  Hell, the plano cases might actually slide into these things, I don't know. 

[Ook]

Have any of you guys who use the tackle boxes ever found the plastic to interact with your figures? Has there ever been any discoloring or figs getting stuck to the case in heat, or anything?

I'm thinking of getting some of those for loose figs that I need to store. I used to keep a bunch of loose figs bagged in ziplocs and stored in a plastic container, but I'd like to go with something that has individual compartments. I have way too many figs now to be piling them on each other in a big box. That's a recipe for disaster with all those delicate guys like battle droids and whatnot.

I thought I'd ask about any problems because I've heard people complain about certain plastics. I know one guy posted about wrapping some of his 12" figs in bubble wrap and said it turned R2-D2 yellow! I about **** when I read that and started worrying about all the ones I had in ziplocs. So far I don't think I've had any problems, though. One or two figs from the mid '90s seem to be a bit sticky, but I don't know if it's enough to blame the baggies....

[DoctorPadawan]

Ook, the only things I have ever had a problem with as far as plastic reactions in the Plano cases had more to do with the figures and their accessories than they did the storage medium.

I've had my figures in Planos since around the time of the 2002 AOTC product launch, and the only figures who have had adverse reactions are the following:

-Episode I Chancellor Valorum (paint on staff sticks to the figure)
-Episode I Qui-Gon Jinn (Naboo) (paint on cloak sticks to saber)
-Saga Deluxe Obi-Wan Kenobi (Kamino Showdown) (lightsaber hilt paint sticks to robe)

Other than that, I can't tell any reactions have taken place.  I have read about Episode I era figures with painted accessories having this "stickiness" problem in general, so I doubt that has anything to do with the cases.  As for the Saga Obi-Wan, I don't know.  As always, it's really difficult to say as to how they will be in there long-term, but as yet, I've had no problems from them and it's much more convenient than digging through stacks of bags to find a figure too.

[Ook]

Thanks for the input.

[SilverZ]

I've meant to do an update in here but just haven't put the information together until now...

Target is carrying a new Plano-style utility case in their housewares section. Its roughly the same size but a tad deeper, while only being 3 compartments wide. What it gives you is a case that more easily accomodates action-posed figures or slightly oversized sculpts. They're 5.99 if I remember correctly.

Here's a comp next to the Plano case:

[DoctorPadawan]

Those look cool, Jared.  While the 3750 has worked for me as far as larger figures go, they do present some problems from time to time and the more I use them, the less happy I'm becoming with them.  These might be a good solution for the larger figures and, in particular, the Clone Wars animated figures, which are easily the most difficult figures to store due to the lack of articulation.

Thanks for the heads-up! 

[blaster_e11]

i store my vintage figs in ziplock bags, they are stored by category (armyuilders, vintage, modern) in A4 paper boxes

[Jayson]

My loose figs… Vintage through VOTC (ROTS line won't fit)

Soon I'll be adding 2 Ikea bookshelves into the mix to spread out the figures a little and give them some breathing room…

[Morgbug]

Nice display jjb.  Awfully compact space for a ton of figures, that's for sure. 

[Jesse James]

This thread is kicking me in gear to get back to my shelving and get my butt to Target for some of those cases you have there Jared.  I really need to start widdling crap down that I just don't really want displayed (not right now anyway) like the POTF2 figures.

[Ook]

That's a nice unit. What are the dimensions? Got a model number or URL for a site?

[Jayson]

I bought it years ago from a HOM Furniture store for around $150.00.

Dimensions: 26" x 12" x 72"

It originally came with 5 glass shelves but I went to my local glass shop and added 4 more.

I'm using the case now for my Unleashed figures (the big ones), since I am in process of setting up new shevling units from IKEA for the 3.75" line.

[Scott]

Here was my stuff the way it was for a few long long months

[BrentS]

I'm thinking about getting some of these plano boxes.  How many loose figures can you fit in each one (assuming standard figures and now squishing them too much).  I've got most of my figures big rubbermaid tubs and I'm worried about the long term squish factor.