My latest Dungeon Tiles storage solution - EN World: Your Daily RPG Magazine
126953 gamers and counting!

Go Back   EN World: Your Daily RPG Magazine > General Discussion > General RPG Discussion
Not a member yet? REGISTER your account!

Notices

General RPG Discussion For discussion of RPG topics in general, GM/player issues, and topics which don't belong in a specific game forum below.

Visit Our Sponsors
Subscribe!
EN World: Your Daily RPG Magazine
All the latest EN World official reviews, columns, and subscriber articles here. Don't have your subscription yet? It's only $3 a month and you can grab it right here!
Subscribe to RSS Follow EN World on Twitter Use our Facebook App Free iPhone App Free Android App EN World TV Subscribers Content Subscribe! Search Send me a Scoop
 
Share LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 3rd January 2009, 06:21 AM   #1 (permalink)
Ready to roll.

Community Supporter
 
buzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Aurora, IL
Posts: 6,304
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.)

Comments
  
  I love these sorts of tips!
__________________
ENWorld Chicago Gameday: Getting people together to game since 2001.

Last edited by buzz; 5th March 2009 at 02:26 AM..
buzz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 06:59 AM   #2 (permalink)
has no status.

Registered User
 
Treebore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Elfrida, AZ
Posts: 7,620
Thats cool!
__________________
It is the spirit of the game, not the letter of the rules, which is important. NEVER hold to the letter written, nor allow some barracks room lawyer to force quotations from the rule book upon you, IF it goes against the obvious intent of the game. As you hew the line with respect to conformity to major systems and uniformity of play in general, also be certain the game is mastered by you and not by your players. Within the broad parameters give in the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Volumes, YOU are creator and final arbiter. By ordering things as they should be, the game as a WHOLE first, your CAMPAIGN next, and your participants thereafter, you will be playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons as it was meant to be. May you find as much pleasure in so doing as the rest of us do.

-1E DMG, page 230
Treebore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 07:56 AM   #3 (permalink)
knows

Registered User
 
Asmor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Revere, MA
Posts: 4,538
Send a message via ICQ to Asmor Send a message via AIM to Asmor
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?
__________________
-Author of the Encounter-a-Day blog
Asmor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 07:59 AM   #4 (permalink)
:-)

 
Thanee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Germany
Posts: 24,828
Nice. I just have them scattered into four small boxes, seperated by size, roughly. Takes forever to find something.

Bye
Thanee
__________________

“In our world, immortality is not for the living. The legend lives on!”
In Memoriam Dave Arneson († April 7th, 2009) & Gary Gygax († March 4th, 2008).


Wondering what the Dungeon Tiles are like? Take a look here.
Thanee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 08:18 AM   #5 (permalink)
has no status.

Registered User
 
JustKim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,188
Send a message via AIM to JustKim
Those look great, I think I'm going to need a slightly bigger tote for mine though.
JustKim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 08:48 AM   #6 (permalink)
has no status.

Registered User
 
Treebore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Elfrida, AZ
Posts: 7,620
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.
__________________
It is the spirit of the game, not the letter of the rules, which is important. NEVER hold to the letter written, nor allow some barracks room lawyer to force quotations from the rule book upon you, IF it goes against the obvious intent of the game. As you hew the line with respect to conformity to major systems and uniformity of play in general, also be certain the game is mastered by you and not by your players. Within the broad parameters give in the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Volumes, YOU are creator and final arbiter. By ordering things as they should be, the game as a WHOLE first, your CAMPAIGN next, and your participants thereafter, you will be playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons as it was meant to be. May you find as much pleasure in so doing as the rest of us do.

-1E DMG, page 230
Treebore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 05:49 PM   #7 (permalink)
Ready to roll.

Community Supporter
 
buzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Aurora, IL
Posts: 6,304
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asmor View Post
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.
__________________
ENWorld Chicago Gameday: Getting people together to game since 2001.
buzz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 06:44 PM   #8 (permalink)
Ia! Ia! Ktulu Ftahgn!

Registered User
 
Ktulu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yakima, Wa
Posts: 789
Send a message via MSN to Ktulu Send a message via Skype™ to Ktulu
Pretty cool. I've got mine in plastic baggies separated by theme (indoor, cave, streets, etc..), anything larger than 3x3 gets separated by size.
__________________
SAVE HOBART!
Ktulu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 06:48 PM   #9 (permalink)
Appendix N The King of Thieves

Registered User
 
JoeGKushner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 11,618
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.
JoeGKushner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 07:44 PM   #10 (permalink)
Iconic game store owner

Registered User
 
thalmin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Mount Prospect, IL
Posts: 2,855
Looks good. How many tile sets do you have?
__________________
Curt

Games Plus
Mt. Prospect, IL

Support your FLGS
thalmin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd January 2009, 11:26 PM   #11 (permalink)
Alive, well and kickin'

Registered User
 
megamania's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ARLINGTON VERMONT
Posts: 14,256
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustKim View Post
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.

Kewl.
megamania is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2009, 01:32 AM   #12 (permalink)
Iconic game store owner

Registered User
 
thalmin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Mount Prospect, IL
Posts: 2,855
Quote:
Originally Posted by megamania View Post
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.
__________________
Curt

Games Plus
Mt. Prospect, IL

Support your FLGS
thalmin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2009, 03:43 AM   #13 (permalink)
is happy you are angry.

Registered User
 
Holy Bovine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,709
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!
__________________
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson 18th century English author.

"Everything must be at once for six month old puppies, 6 year old children and gamers of any age"
Holy Bovine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2009, 06:50 AM   #14 (permalink)
Appendix N The King of Thieves

Registered User
 
JoeGKushner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 11,618
Quote:
Originally Posted by Holy Bovine View Post
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.
JoeGKushner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th January 2009, 11:22 PM   #15 (permalink)
Ready to roll.

Community Supporter
 
buzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Aurora, IL
Posts: 6,304
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeGKushner View Post
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.
__________________
ENWorld Chicago Gameday: Getting people together to game since 2001.
buzz is offline   Reply With Quote


Tags
dungeon , latest , solution , storage , tiles

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Check out our sponsors!

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:28 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0