Carrying my minis... Ideas?

[thud13x]

I just have a pretty basic question. What is the best product to carry and protect my miniatures? Or can I make my own, as in a tool box and foam? My darling wife thinks my growing collection of minis (25-30 as of now) need a better place to be stored and she thinks a regular metal toolbox and some foam inserts will work fine. She just wants them off the shelfs in the living room.

Ideas, suggestions, incoherent babbling all welcome.

 

[Crothian]

I have found a tackle box works really well. You can get on cheap and they are highly compartmentalized. Foam is easy to place in there with the minis and they stay in the little drawers with ease.

 

[JesterPoet]

I use a handgun case to carry mine. The downside is that you have to cut the slots in the foam yourself (which is pretty easy with a hobby knife) and the upside is they're sturdy, relatively large, and super cheap.

 

[Desdichado]

I was going to pick up a handgun case when my wife bought me a Games Workshop case for my birthday. They're a bit pricey, but are probably the best from a quality and ease of use perspective.

 

[Aaron2]

I use a handgun case to carry mine. The downside is that you have to cut the slots in the foam yourself (which is pretty easy with a hobby knife) and the upside is they're sturdy, relatively large, and super cheap.

Back when I was a big time Warhammer player, I heard too many stories of cars being broken into to steal gun cases holding nothing but minis. A gun case is like a box of gold to a criminal-type.


Aaron

 

[JesterPoet]

Back when I was a big time Warhammer player, I heard too many stories of cars being broken into to steal gun cases holding nothing but minis. A gun case is like a box of gold to a criminal-type.


Aaron

Hmmm, I'd still be at risk in that situation with a GW Mini case, as they look the same as my handgun case.

And, to be perfectly honest, considering the hillbilly population in my neighborhood, I'm not sure a tackle box would be any safer.

 

[Lars Porsenna]

Second the GW case, though these tend to be large, you should have plenty of room for expansion over time (IIRC they carry 108 standard sized minis). I use a case I bought from The Armory that uses an "eggcrate" style foam inserts (similar to those mats you put on matresses) and it can carry quite a bit. However, another option would be to go with the toolbox idea, line the bottom with magnetic sheeting, and base all your figures on sheet metal (you can easily get precut sheet metal bases from wargames suppliers, like www.warweb.com). The figures stick to the magnetic backing and won't slide around!

Damon.

PS: I wonder what your wife would say about my collection strewn about the house. I must have well over 1000 figures by now...

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Depends on whether the minis are plastic or metal. I've mostly shifted over to plastic and have purchased a couple plastic shelf units (normally used for storing screws, nuts, nails, etc.) from the local hardware store. They even have a handle on top. I've got over 200 minis and they fit in with room to spare. Plus, I can lift them without causing a hernia; if I tried that with them filled with metal minis, I'd be in the hospital in no time!

 

[DaveMage]

I use three large tackleboxes for storing plastic minis.

They work like a charm.

 

[diaglo]

i've thought about getting: