Up until now I have been storing my FT ships in a fairly haphazard fashion but
since my collection has recently undergone a bit of inflation (one fleet to
four!) I would like to find some more organised way to store them and if
possible transport them in the same containers. This is particularly a problem
with the capital ships as they don't fit in any standard figure cases.
So, how are people storing their minis? Foam packaging? Wrapped in newspaper
in an old sock? Any suggestions?
TTFN
Jon
> On Thu, 29 May 1997, Absolutely Barking Stars wrote:
> So, how are people storing their minis? Foam packaging? Wrapped in
I use metal toolboxes I've padded with leftover foam. Working with computers,
I get a lot of leftover foam padding...
They're sturdy, most are lockable. My padding level is not total protection,
e.g. I can't safely turn the container upside down, but it's enough for
transportation in a car. Good to carry.
Plastic ones could be used too. I just like the metal ones, as they're usually
even cheaper and their shelves tend to be sturdier.
Bad points:
Heavy Lots of work Not very compartmentalized (extra work) Only the bottom
shelf is good for anything above cruiser size.
I would love to buy something like this, done professionally for miniatures.
But I've yet to see anything good enough.
I buy floss organizers at craft shops and put one ship in each section. A
floss organizer runs about $4 CAN and holds about 17 ships, though only one
larger than a cruiser. Each cell can be padded, as well.
For larger ships I use a "parts organizer" available from hardware stores and
home supply stores. It's a larger version of the "floss organizer" about 14"
wide x 22" long x 3" deep with about 20 movable dividers so you can make the
compartments hold any size ship you want. I pay around $12.00 each, and then
line the bottoms with thin foam rubber. I've considered using rubberized
magnetic sheets on the bottom, and then gluing thin steel washers to the
bottoms of the stands, just haven't tried it yet.
> At 09:25 AM 5/29/97 -0500, you wrote:
The way to go seems to be a 'parts' box that someone suggested - a box
with sliding sections which you can size as apropriate. I'll look into that.
Thanks for the suggestions folks and if there are any other ones, fire away..
TTFN
Jon
> Up until now I have been storing my FT ships in a fairly haphazard
I found, from an earlier discussion on this way back, that handgun cases work
*wonders*. I managed to pick up 2 of the larger handgun cases (the
ones that have 2 levels to them) before K-Mart stopped carrying them
(they were selling for $11 each). They have foam on the inside (that you can
cut to fit your minis, or not, at your choice) and the hard plastic exterior
will take punishment without affecting the ships/tanks inside.
Anyone know where one can buy these things cheaply still? Or will I have to
drop in on a dedicated gun shop? (been avoiding those with the impression the
cases would be more expensive there). I need 2 more at minimum
now...
Mk
> I buy floss organizers at craft shops and put one ship in each section.
A
> floss organizer runs about $4 CAN and holds about 17 ships, though only
I use empty paper boxes. The kind that reams of copy paper come in. Just cut
the box down to any size you need, Leave the lids uncut, and use the cardbaord
from the cutting to make compartments inside the box. If you cut it to the
right height, you can put metal washers on the bottom of your flight bases and
attach the minis to adhesive magnetic strips you place on the bottom of the
box. You can even turn the box upside down and the minis wont budge!!! I do
this with my Stargrunt guys, but it works well for FT ships too.
> On Thu, 29 May 1997, What was the best thing before sliced bread? wrote:
You should be able to find the 2-gun pistol cases in the hunting section
at "Sports Authority".
> I found, from an earlier discussion on this way back, that handgun
> On Thu, 29 May 1997, Absolutely Barking Stars wrote:
> Up until now I have been storing my FT ships in a fairly haphazard
I mount my FT ships on steel fender washers and use magnetic sheeting in
plastic storage boxes. The boxes are 9"x14"x6" deep and are like Rubbermaid's
plastic storage bins (though from a more generic and cheaper company). I first
line the bottom of the box with a magnetic sheet. I
then use either basswood or 1/8" plywood to make a bridge to support a
piece of 1/8" plywood for a 2nd layer. The 2nd layer gets magnetic
sheeting as well and another bridge to be able to pull that 2nd layer out of
the box, as well as compartmentalizing it.
To mount it this way you really need to adjust the way you mount the ships. If
you try to mount a large ship on a small base it'll topple over
easier. Using the bases that come with the Geo-hex ships, I toss the
pole
that comes with it and mount the ship on a length of brass tubing (1/8"
for big ships, down to 1/16" for escorts). I drill the hole in the ship
as deep as possible. This results in a VERY sturdy mounting that shouldn't
break without serious abuse. I then mount on different sizes of
fender washers -- 1-1/4" for escorts, 2" for capitals. This gives very
good balance, as well as a larger surface area to keep in from tipping off the
magnetic strip. It also has the advantage of keeping the larger ships from
tipping when knocked during a game.
Advantages: Each full fleet of mine (potentially 2 each of the Geo-hex
packaging system) will fit in its own box. You can fit the minis in however
they work the best (as opposed to, say, cutting them into foam) as well as
only taking what you need for a particular scenerio. Added balance during
play. Almost no need to fix breaks in the mounting.
Disadvantages: Takes time to build each box (though I've gotting it down to
about 45 minutes each) and even more time mounting the ships to work best with
this system (you really need the extra support). It's also
kinda expensive (US$10-12 each). Helps to have access to a circular
saw, band saw, and sander. Less sturdier than a toolbox. I'd, in fact, rather
do it in metal toolboxes, but I've yet to find any that stack as easily as the
plastic storage bins.
At any rate I plan on mounting most my wargames with this system, though some
I'll only be magnetising the top layers, leaving the bottom layer to be padded
for armor, artillery and such that look better without a base. Currently my FT
and Battletech is set up this way, and WHFB (yes, I'm a bad boy) is on its
way.
Who is responsible for the Full Thrust FAQ? This topic was covered in depth
and in foam a couple of months ago. I suggest that the storage question be
added to the list, because we all have our preffered methods of figure
storage.
I personally use the Rubbermaid transparent cases and weave two parallel
bands of 1/8" elastic thread into drilled holes. Each box can hold ten
ships and I have made 7 boxes to date. The FT bases slide under the elastic
and are held on both sides of the base.
For all you yanks out there I ship my miniatures for all three games in the
Great American Tool Box (Actual title) from Sears. I put my figures on
magnetic bases and the steel tool box holds them in place and keeps them safe.
Just don't tip or drop it. If you are shipping it in hazardous manner, you can
put paper towels, etc in to absorb the shock.
Phil