Just wondering what you guys are using for mini storage? I use Pathfinder Pawns for most of my monsters, but I've got about 20 "heroes" and a set of dragons and a beholder, and will probably get some BBEG minis as I need them and figure I should find a good way to store them! I guess foam cutouts for heroes are easy enough, but what about bigger stuff that's oddly shaped like a dragon? Any good solution for boxes?
The pathfinder pawns I use their own boxes, put little dividers in there and stand them all up so you can flip through them like a record crate based on type. I can snap a picture if you like :)
I have all three of the Reaper Bones Kickstarters (with most of the expansions and many of the optional figures). That's a lot of figures.
I use two halves of an old entertainment center as shelf space for them. Kinda look like two fancy, giant bookshelves.
Yes, that does mean my minis are one of the first things you see when you enter my apartment. No, I don't mind.
(I also have a Battle Foam container for transporting them, but it's no good for the larger figures which just have to be transported specially; also, I can't transport all of them in the container at once)
I've currently got some random shelf space, a plastic set of drawers (that really don't work that well), some make-up boxes (I think... a friend brought them over and I put them to use) with labels like "skeletons" or "orcs", and plastic bags where unpainted minis sit while waiting for me to get around to painting them.
Eventually, I intend to return to the storage system I had a long time back, before I gave up on using miniatures for a number of years (out of heartbreak for accidentally breaking my favorite piece at the time) and got rid of the storage system and collection. What I had then were parts storage bins in various sizes along the lines of the one in this picture (assuming it shows up correctly), labeled so I could sort the collection by monster type, then monster name.
I use both Battle foam cases and Feldherr cases, both are very nice, but can get a bit pricey depending on how big you need. Depending on what kind of figures you're talking about though you may not need as much protection and can just use bins or storage tubs. Pre-painted plastic and "dip" method plastic minis don't need as much protection as they are pretty durable.
Fishing cases. Link. I use the Plano boxes for fishing, holding fly tying tools, other tools, parts, and of course minis. Label the end of the boxes and stack on shelves, then being the boxes I need in one of the carriers. Open and close easy but secure. See through. Easy to change dividers to fit needs. Etc. Add foam for ones that need it.
I even have smaller ones to carry pencils, post-it notes, my character mini, and even my DM dice.
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--
DM -- Elanon -- Homebrew world
Gronn -- Tiefling Warlock -- Amarath
Slim -- Halfling Cleric -- CoS (future Lord of Waterdeep 😁)
Windrunner is right. You can't go wrong with Plano boxes or any storage equipment you find in most hardware areas. I'll even throw them into a Rubbermaid container with some paper towel if I need to. Since I DM in the home I usually just feature minis on a bookshelf and pick them from there as needed. Seeing the minis all laid out in some sort of battle scene helps stimulate the creative juices too and get players psyched.
I have like fifty something right now and I just use a folding make up case that I found in the trash.
Mine actually has three tray layers rather than two so it has even more storage. honestly they are super cheap and you can find them at second hand stores for basically nothing( or in the trash like I did). I keep all my minis, all my dice (I have a crazy amount of dice ) plus a bunch of other things I use for dming in it and there is still enough room for a lot more stuff. Like I'm not using anywhere near max storage. Plus its way easier to cart around than a box or one of those organizer shelves.
They also make less feminine looking ones that are just like plain black with simple lining.
The Plano boxes are great too I actually live near the Plano molding company so those things are everywhere and work really well frankly they are probably less expensive to buy new than what I use.
I use Stanley SortMasters Juniors (or off-brand) for my prepainted or unpainted minis. I use the regular size containers for my paints and mini bases. They stack and lock together. They're easy to sort generalized types. I store hand painted hero or monsters separately on display shelves.
Admin on MeWe's Conservative D&D Players group, but I believe that no matter what our differences are, our love of D&D is something that should bring us together. So, if you don't start something I won't either. Fair enough?
Method Actor, Storyteller, Tactician type who plays peacemaker at the table. This fall will be my 39th year playing D&D, Gamma World, Car Wars, Talisman, Serenity and Traveller.
We use the plastic boxes for fishing supplies. Wrap your minis in Kleenex, not paper towels. Paper towels are too coarse and will scratch the paint, even with a spray coating.
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Just wondering what you guys are using for mini storage? I use Pathfinder Pawns for most of my monsters, but I've got about 20 "heroes" and a set of dragons and a beholder, and will probably get some BBEG minis as I need them and figure I should find a good way to store them! I guess foam cutouts for heroes are easy enough, but what about bigger stuff that's oddly shaped like a dragon?
Any good solution for boxes?
The pathfinder pawns I use their own boxes, put little dividers in there and stand them all up so you can flip through them like a record crate based on type. I can snap a picture if you like :)
I have all three of the Reaper Bones Kickstarters (with most of the expansions and many of the optional figures). That's a lot of figures.
I use two halves of an old entertainment center as shelf space for them. Kinda look like two fancy, giant bookshelves.
Yes, that does mean my minis are one of the first things you see when you enter my apartment. No, I don't mind.
(I also have a Battle Foam container for transporting them, but it's no good for the larger figures which just have to be transported specially; also, I can't transport all of them in the container at once)
I've currently got some random shelf space, a plastic set of drawers (that really don't work that well), some make-up boxes (I think... a friend brought them over and I put them to use) with labels like "skeletons" or "orcs", and plastic bags where unpainted minis sit while waiting for me to get around to painting them.
Eventually, I intend to return to the storage system I had a long time back, before I gave up on using miniatures for a number of years (out of heartbreak for accidentally breaking my favorite piece at the time) and got rid of the storage system and collection. What I had then were parts storage bins in various sizes along the lines of the one in this picture (assuming it shows up correctly), labeled so I could sort the collection by monster type, then monster name.
I use both Battle foam cases and Feldherr cases, both are very nice, but can get a bit pricey depending on how big you need. Depending on what kind of figures you're talking about though you may not need as much protection and can just use bins or storage tubs. Pre-painted plastic and "dip" method plastic minis don't need as much protection as they are pretty durable.
Fishing cases. Link. I use the Plano boxes for fishing, holding fly tying tools, other tools, parts, and of course minis. Label the end of the boxes and stack on shelves, then being the boxes I need in one of the carriers. Open and close easy but secure. See through. Easy to change dividers to fit needs. Etc. Add foam for ones that need it.
I even have smaller ones to carry pencils, post-it notes, my character mini, and even my DM dice.
--
DM -- Elanon -- Homebrew world
Gronn -- Tiefling Warlock -- Amarath
Slim -- Halfling Cleric -- CoS (future Lord of Waterdeep 😁)
Bran -- Human Wizard - RoT
Making D&D mistakes and having fun since 1977!
Windrunner is right. You can't go wrong with Plano boxes or any storage equipment you find in most hardware areas. I'll even throw them into a Rubbermaid container with some paper towel if I need to. Since I DM in the home I usually just feature minis on a bookshelf and pick them from there as needed. Seeing the minis all laid out in some sort of battle scene helps stimulate the creative juices too and get players psyched.
For me nothing beats Ziplock bags
(for context: I have over 10k pre-painted minis, and I've been using them several times a week for 18 years)
I have like fifty something right now and I just use a folding make up case that I found in the trash.
Mine actually has three tray layers rather than two so it has even more storage. honestly they are super cheap and you can find them at second hand stores for basically nothing( or in the trash like I did). I keep all my minis, all my dice (I have a crazy amount of dice ) plus a bunch of other things I use for dming in it and there is still enough room for a lot more stuff. Like I'm not using anywhere near max storage. Plus its way easier to cart around than a box or one of those organizer shelves.
They also make less feminine looking ones that are just like plain black with simple lining.
The Plano boxes are great too I actually live near the Plano molding company so those things are everywhere and work really well frankly they are probably less expensive to buy new than what I use.
I use Stanley SortMasters Juniors (or off-brand) for my prepainted or unpainted minis. I use the regular size containers for my paints and mini bases. They stack and lock together. They're easy to sort generalized types. I store hand painted hero or monsters separately on display shelves.
I lined two 3/4" video tape cases with foam. This is how my minis look after 20 years - pretty good.
I'm passing them on, BTW!
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/4251052/ericwalls
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/4250857/ericwalls
Admin on MeWe's Conservative D&D Players group, but I believe that no matter what our differences are, our love of D&D is something that should bring us together. So, if you don't start something I won't either. Fair enough?
Method Actor, Storyteller, Tactician type who plays peacemaker at the table. This fall will be my 39th year playing D&D, Gamma World, Car Wars, Talisman, Serenity and Traveller.
We use the plastic boxes for fishing supplies. Wrap your minis in Kleenex, not paper towels. Paper towels are too coarse and will scratch the paint, even with a spray coating.