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Old 3rd January 2009, 07:21 AM   #1 (permalink)
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My latest Dungeon Tiles storage solution

I've recently been cleaning up (and cleaning out) my collection of gaming paraphernalia, trying to get things organized. One of my goals was to find a storage solution for my Dungeon Tiles that would keep them both handy and portable. I was poking around OfficeMax today for ideas, and I spotted these:

InFile Hanging Storage Case (link removed; looks like this product is no more)

I remembered that I had a portable filing box sitting mostly unused, and figured that there was a solution here. So... I bought a bunch of cases.

I punched all the tiles (yes, they were sitting unpunched on my shelf) and started sorting them by size into separate cases. Trial and error showed that you can stack tiles about 7-8 tall and still have the cases close securely. The hinges on the cases are not that strong; they popped out of the sides on one case while I was packing it. I think a little superglue would remedy this, though.





Then, I placed them in the file box. This is an OfficeMax brand file tote; it can fit eight of the hanging cases with a little room left over. I was able to fit all of the tile sets released to date in this one tote, with some space left to add a set or two more. File totes like these come in all kinds of sizes, so one could fit more or less, depending.



Voila! Packed up and ready to go.



The total cost of this solution is probably around $55. The hanging cases were $5 apiece, and the tote about $14 or so. I just lumped tiles together by size, but you could probably sort them thematically, too. And, of course, you could use these for any company's tiles/counters/maps/whatever.

Anyway, just thought I would share. This seemed about the best solution I could find. Not to mention, it cleared space on my shelves for more D&D books.

(I'm not sure if any other companies make these hanging cases. If someone knows of similar products, please speak up.)
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Last edited by buzz; 5th March 2009 at 03:26 AM..
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Old 3rd January 2009, 07:59 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Thats cool!
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Old 3rd January 2009, 08:56 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Beats my solution.

I've got a gallon ziploc baggie for cavern pieces, a gallon ziploc baggie for city/sewer pieces, and several baggies and boxes for regular dungeon tiles sorted mostly by size, though I do for example have a baggie that's just doors...

I thought Office Max went out of business?
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Old 3rd January 2009, 08:59 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Nice. I just have them scattered into four small boxes, seperated by size, roughly. Takes forever to find something.

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Old 3rd January 2009, 09:18 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Those look great, I think I'm going to need a slightly bigger tote for mine though.
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Old 3rd January 2009, 09:48 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Asmor View Post
I thought Office Max went out of business?
I believe they only filed bankruptcy. I know Kay Bee Toys and Mervyns went, or are going, out of business.
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Old 3rd January 2009, 06:49 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
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I thought Office Max went out of business?
OfficeMax has neither gone out of business nor filed bankruptcy. I know because I work for them.

You're maybe thinking of Office Depot, which recently closed about 120 stores and laid off over 2,000 employees.
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Old 3rd January 2009, 07:44 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Pretty cool. I've got mine in plastic baggies separated by theme (indoor, cave, streets, etc..), anything larger than 3x3 gets separated by size.
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Old 3rd January 2009, 07:48 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Thanks for sharing.

When I point out some of the things I don't like about the D&D mins/counters, it's because people are well, forced to come up with solutions like this. It's like a fire and forget strategy for WoTC instead of supplying the solutions to problems that long term buying of their own products would create!

Anyway, that's pretty neat.
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Old 3rd January 2009, 08:44 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Looks good. How many tile sets do you have?
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Old 4th January 2009, 12:26 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Those look great, I think I'm going to need a slightly bigger tote for mine though.
Me too. I have over 20 sets. I'ld need 4 - 5 totes now! Ouch!


Still- it would be quicker to find individual tiles than my Baggie in a box method.

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Old 4th January 2009, 02:32 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Me too. I have over 20 sets. I'ld need 4 - 5 totes now! Ouch!


Still- it would be quicker to find individual tiles than my Baggie in a box method.

Kewl.
I just picked up some of these. The tote holds 8 files, and it looks like each file will hold 1 set. But they also have some larger stackable boxes. I picked up one that will hold 15 files, and it is on sale for $7.50 and even comes with one of the files in it! No carrying handle though.
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Old 4th January 2009, 04:43 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner View Post
Thanks for sharing.

When I point out some of the things I don't like about the D&D mins/counters, it's because people are well, forced to come up with solutions like this. It's like a fire and forget strategy for WoTC instead of supplying the solutions to problems that long term buying of their own products would create!

Anyway, that's pretty neat.
Yeah - imagine how these would sell to gamers with a dragon painted on the side!
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Old 4th January 2009, 07:50 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Yeah - imagine how these would sell to gamers with a dragon painted on the side!
You joke but Games Workshop and other miniature companies seem to think that these things have value and price them accordingly. Which in turn lead to other miniature companies making their versions.

I'd like to think that WoTC, knowing the exact dimensions of the products their making, could make specialized compartments for the handling, sorting, and ease of retreiving specific pieces.
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Old 5th January 2009, 12:22 AM   #15 (permalink)
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I'd like to think that WoTC, knowing the exact dimensions of the products their making, could make specialized compartments for the handling, sorting, and ease of retreiving specific pieces.
The question is whether they could do it profitably.
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Old 5th January 2009, 12:23 AM   #16 (permalink)
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Looks good. How many tile sets do you have?
I have one copy of each set released to date. Nine or so?
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Old 5th January 2009, 01:46 AM   #17 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by JoeGKushner View Post
You joke but Games Workshop and other miniature companies seem to think that these things have value and price them accordingly. Which in turn lead to other miniature companies making their versions.

I'd like to think that WoTC, knowing the exact dimensions of the products their making, could make specialized compartments for the handling, sorting, and ease of retreiving specific pieces.
But those things also cost way more than what the OP is talking about. I've seen the stuff GW does and it is crazy expensive. Really I use clear crafting boxes and pay very little.
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Old 5th January 2009, 01:48 AM   #18 (permalink)
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Very cool, buzz!
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Old 4th March 2009, 08:58 PM   #19 (permalink)
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D&D Dungeon Tile Organizer and Storage Case Available!

Hi all,

I'm new to this site, but I just wanted to let you know that the Dungeon Tile Storage Issue was what got me here in the first place. I was looking for a way to store D&D Dungeon Tiles myself, but couldn't find a good solution. So I made one. I have designed a D&D Dungeon Tile Organizer and Storage case to address the problem, and have placed a prototype on eBay if anyone is interested in taking a look at it. It can be found under D&D RPG Mapping Tile Terrain Organizer Storage Case. Take a look, and see if it might be the Solution you were looking for! It was for me!

Thanks!

Talk with you later,

Larry Cormier
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Old 5th March 2009, 02:41 AM   #20 (permalink)
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Might want to refresh that link in the OP. Looks like it's not pointing to the correct spot anymore
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