PlaymoFriends
General => Collector's Corner => Topic started by: Little Jo on January 29, 2006, 23:42:58
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I'm not sure, if it is disapproved of showing own collections around here (or in general), because I have seen rarely photos of other's locations where they store their collection or spare parts.
Nevertheless I take the subtitle of this category ("Show us what you've got! ") for true -- particularly I know that this is only a very small collection compared to some other board members' treasures. (Maybe they post some pictures too ;D) So I want to show you the new residence of my boxed boxes, now that I've finished my tidy away activities after our moving houses activities. The location is a little space under a staircase; for relation I have placed Little Jo right into the scenery, so you can get an impression on the scale (and not by mistake assuming that the boxes are piled up up to the ceiling ;D)
The photo also shows my newest creation: the blue metal cupboard on the left hand side where I store my spare parts (the spare parts are sorted in the drawers in those little white paper boxes like shown on this page (http://www.jr-x.de/playmobil/sammlung/aufbewahrung.html)) ... yes, for sure I haven't created the cupboard by myself, but I've painted it in Playmo-blue ;) and attached the same sort of labels to the drawers like on the storage boxes (cf. link above).
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That's a very neat storage area, and the zipper bags look very useful. I've never seen anything like that before.
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Wow, you are very organized! I also use ziploc bags to store some of my pieces. And I really like your Playmo blue drawer cabinet.
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Your blue drawer cabinet is the envy of the neighborhood.
I have slowly, very slowly, been trying to organize my spares in workshop sorting boxes.
I like the idea of the Ikea boxes.
I have been using plastic storage boxes for this purpose.
I will be "borrowing" the idea of using PM logos to help identify the various themes
Your organization is a wonder to see.
Meg
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This really is inspirational! :o
At the moment, my spares are housed in all kinds of containers of varying shapes and sizes. Hopefully, I will also have something as well organised as this one day, as I'm sure it makes the task of finding things so much easier. :yup:
I'm not sure, if it is disapproved of showing own collections around here (or in general), because I have seen rarely photos of other's locations where they store their collection or spare parts.
That is exactly why this Collector's board exists! We really do want to see what other people have collected. 8-)
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Wow, that's very well organized. But then what do we expect from a man who has every tool in it's proper place in his workshop? :D
I have a closet in my dining room that is filled and piles developing upstairs. I am beginning to wonder if I am committed to my collection enough these days to start recycling the boxes away rather than keeping them all for the possibility of selling later. The stacks of empty boxes are taking up far too much room.
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Boxes do take up space.
When I no longer want the box, I cut it up.
I save the front, the back and any intersting dioramas from the sides.
I know this is scandalous to many a collector.
But what is a person do to?
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One answer is to open the box at both ends and then store it folded flat. You still have the same width and depth to deal with (maybe a bit ore) but you save a lot on height.
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One answer is to open the box at both ends and then store it folded flat.
Yes, I do the same with boxes I have double (especially the smaller ones). Additional benefit is, that it's mutch easier to make a "Little Blue Box" from unfolded boxes: they can better be placed on the scanner ;D
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Robert Dyas do a large tool box which has a lot of small compartments built into the lid (& which in turn has its own see through lid - so its like a fisherman's bait box). Two of these do for my collection, figures in the main boxes and "bits" in the top.
With a handle they're easy to carry too.
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Sounds quite interesting, Dan. Can you provide us with a photo of these boxes?
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A very neat storage system Little Jo.
All of my parts are stored in lots of DIY multi compartment and draw boxes and they are kept in my Playmo shed at the bottom of my garden. My collection is just stored in what little roof space I have left and I keep the boxes complete.
What I do with the boxes of larger set's is to fit lots of smaller sets in them of the same theme. My Viking house 3151 box also contains 6 other sets, specials DS items and small boxed sets like 3158 viking with horse and 3154 king and prince this helps a bit with the problem of space.
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What I do with the boxes of larger set's is to fit lots of smaller sets in them of the same theme.
I do that too sometimes, since many of the large set boxes are bigger than they need to be for their specific contents. :yup:
The only problem I have is remembering that I have stored the smaller sets inside a larger box. A few times I have spent days looking for something and thinking I must have lost it, only to find it 'hiding' inside another box at a later date. ::) I suppose making a list of all sets and noting where they are stored would help, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. :-[
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I'm reviving this thread mainly to show Gus my Klicky storage system - the heart of which is the 3 Litre Really Useful Box. Gus' stories have got me thinking of more Oswestry Tales and Pirates' Tales, and the necessary precursor is re-assembling the castle and the cast.
This size box is usually enough for me to store a theme or sub-theme, as the labels show. My shelves will hold up to 40 of these, which ought to be plenty... but isn't. I have a lot of klickies stored elsewhere, especially Knights.
These boxes mostly hold klickies with their intimate personal items - swords, shields, guns etc. I may eventually put special klickies in a ziplock bag with their loose parts to keep them safer. Some boxes hold cross-theme items like boats, cannon, horses etc. Some are as yet still empty or hold odd bits I haven't sorted out yet.
Alongside these I can put three 1.6 Litre boxes per shelf for larger "stage dressing" items, like barrels, boxes, and bunks, or eight of the smallest 0.9 Litre boxes, which hold smaller parts like wigs, weapons, spare helmets, tools etc.
There are larger boxes elsewhere with vehicles and building parts, and I think I'll be investing in some of the largest 50 Litre boxes so I can store ALL parts of a disassembled building in one place - at present I've got the main Keep and the gatehouse for Oswestry, but the curtain wall is still eluding me.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/Playmobil%20Storage/IMGP9405.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/Playmobil%20Storage/IMGP9406modified.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/Playmobil%20Storage/IMGP9409modified.jpg)
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And now for an example of chaos struggling to come together...
One step forward...
(These handy compartments cost $6 / five drawer unit from Target)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2716861150_e53a5a07e7_o.jpg)
Three steps back...
My dad gave me the tables when cleaning out his basement. The tables are otherwise amazingly expensive. The board, however, stretching across the bottom gives me a tiny bit more real-estate and cost $5.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2716048943_1d97a47eee_o.jpg)
The floor came free with the house. The trestle table cost about $50 to make vs. $400 ($80 x 5) if I had attempted to assemble it with industrial tables placed side by side.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2716861232_06c2a100da_o.jpg)
The shelving also came cheap at $5 for the metal racks and $5 for the single board I sawed up.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2716048867_fcebb8ddf6_o.jpg)
Problem: if we ever have a major earthquake I think that trestle table will collapse.
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Thanks for reviving the topic! It's always interesting and helpful to see how each member stores their stuff.
Martin - you are incredibly well organised and neat. I like the way you have made an effort to clearly label your boxes and it looks like you can get to things easily. :)
Tim - you are very lucky to have so much space to lay out your collection! But I dread to think how much time it would take to dust everything on those shelves and tables. If you're like me, that is a job that doesn't get done very often. :-[
My complete sets are mostly stored away in cupboards inside their original boxes. I used to keep my spare figures and parts in a filing cabinet inside various different types of containers ranging from shoe boxes to ice cream tubs. It was a real pain to find stuff, so a few years ago I finally made an effort to create a slightly better storage system. :P
I cleared some shelving space in my under-stairs cupboard (see attachment). The plastic boxes on the top shelf came free with some muffins I was buying for my kids packed lunches that they would take to school. I noticed they were quite sturdy, so I started buying them regularly in order to get enough boxes to store all of my loose playmo parts. The supply of larger boxes eventually ran out, but I managed to get some half-sized ones which were useful for the very little pieces. (Btw, they now package the same muffins in very flimsy containers with no lid, just a sheet of thin plastic - a sign of the manufacturer trying to cut production costs).
I'm only semi-organised since I haven't taken the time to label any of the boxes. This means I have to rely on a system of colour-coding (red lids for hats, green for body parts, etc) and my memory in order to find things. ::)
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Thanks for reviving this topic . I really like seeing pictures of storage ideas and displays .
When i read Martins idea a while ago about using Really Useful Box I looked them up here in the states . They were not available locally and shipping was expensive . I do like how sturdy they look and the different colors but then I could not help but think that if I did buy them, how many Playmobil sets I could have purchased with the money. My option was, like Tims to go to Target and buy cheep alternatives . The boxes i found are called Sterilite boxes and are actually made is USA . The shoe size is $.99 5.7 liters, Next was on sale for $1.99 15 liters, and the next one up i can not remember but it is large enough to store many landscape base plates .
The small parts drawers i also got at Target and is very useful with the clear fronts. I mounted it to the wall to not loose valuable floor space. Even the kids can get their own spares and easily can put them away.
Hey Tim I also thought about the shelf versus earthquake notion. Living near San Andrea's Fault has me wondering how I am going to deal with this issue. Down south they just had a little rumble of 5.7 and that would be enough to send all my cars rolling to a heap on the floor . Let me know if you come up with any ideas . I was going to put wires in front but i think that will be ugly so i am still trying to figure it out .
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Martin - you are incredibly well organised and neat. I like the way you have made an effort to clearly label your boxes and it looks like you can get to things easily. :)
I fear that is just the choice of camera angle - if I faced any other way, it's box-piled chaos. However I did spend a couple of happy hours last Sunday tidying, and enjoying the process. The process continues in between other tasks, and eventually I'll have a complete system.
Your boxes work well, Sylvia - I fixed on RUBs because the are often on sale here, and fitted my shelves neatly, though they are dearer than some options, as Ras noted. My wife uses them to for her craft supplies.
Tim and Rasputin are lucky to have more space to leave stuff out - it shows how the US house has a tad more room (or maybe more rooms) than our snug UK houses!
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Thank you everyone for this topic, I love to see storage ideas and have wondered how some of you deal with your collections. I also wondered how Martin and Sylvia seem to find parts so quickly.
I also use those plastic drawers from Target and the Sterlite tubs, although after having a couple of them fall with disastrous results I opted for the ones that have locking tabs on the ends.
Rasputin,
Have you thought of using fishing line in front of your shelves to keep things from rolling off? I know several railroaders who use it since it is not as obtrusive as wire but is still strong enough to hold back sizeable loads. I use blue tack for large items and plate railing for smaller ones though a larger size moulding would be needed due to the larger size of Playmobil wheels. Also, that last picture of your room is absolutely amazing! :o :o
Gepetto
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Hi Gus, thanks for any and all suggestions on how to solve a shelf problem . A problem with wire or fishing line is that the reason i like everything out is so my three boys can get at it when ever they want . I feel that a line would cause great frustration on the 3 year olds part and having older brothers he get quite frustrated easily. I guess if we have the size of earthquake they predict on the nearest fault to us i should be more worried about our real house as-opposed to the Playmobil ones ;D
Martin, just to clarify our situation - we live in a 1943, 800 square foot, 2 bed , one bath house with 5 people. The fella who built it in war time was so cheep he put the ceilings at 7 feet instead of 8 or more . It helps in heating costs but if you know me I really do not have a heating fuel issue. The pictures of my playmobil come from my detached office at the farm where I escape to . :cloud9:
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My storage is similar to Tim's. I use a bunch of Sterilite container drawers and a I put my assembled castle parts in cardboard boxes and my ships in giant trash bags. I hate dust on my Playmobil!
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Hey Tim I also thought about the shelf versus earthquake notion. Living near San Andrea's Fault has me wondering how I am going to deal with this issue. Down south they just had a little rumble of 5.7 and that would be enough to send all my cars rolling to a heap on the floor . Let me know if you come up with any ideas . I was going to put wires in front but i think that will be ugly so i am still trying to figure it out .
Saint Louis is about 200 miles from the New Madrid Fault, which has periodic quakes (last one was in January). They say the next major one (6.8 in 1895) isn't due for another century, but probably 5.0 would rattle my table enough to crush everything I store under it.
Which is why I keep my system X there!
But seriously, Rasputin, your setup looks great, including the beer bottles.
And, we need to all chip in and buy Justin a digital camera... Or a cheap artist who can do quick sketches...
-Tim
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And, we need to all chip in and buy Justin a digital camera... Or a cheap artist who can do quick sketches...
;) I have a digital camera, Tim. I just need some time to learn how to upload pictures! Maybe by the end of this summer, I hope!
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That's what I like to see boxes of spare parts and lots of them. :)
My main collection is still stored in my roof which is just about full now.
The Playmo Shed is also getting a bit over crowded, I have sorted a few bits into sets and they are stored in my roof all cleaned ready to sell.
I still have lots to sort yet and I have about 40 sets still waiting for parts to complete them, so I'm going to have to buy some more large lots soon to try and find those missing parts. ;D.
The shed is still fairly organised and I can just about work on my bench.
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It now accrues to me that there are some rather large collections out there . Playmobil might listen a little more if they knew what size many of these collections were ( or maybe they do ) Also i was thinking if anybody has ever tried to value a large collection . Richard was going to get me a figure someday so i can start reverse payments but what about for insurance purposes . With the talk about earthquakes and then seeing Sir Garth's wall outlets crowded with cords i started to wonder what a shame a fire would be . I doubt Gordon and his giant fleet would get there in time to save many klickies . I often have guests over who ask me what it is all worth and i have no idea ( does anybody ) . Can you just put a price per pound on this stuff ???
Justin what is the obstacle ? the camera , putting it on the computer, resizing it, attaching it ? There may be people who can help speed it up .
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uff.. better i dont show my pictures.. iam only collectin since 3 weeks ehhehe.. u guys are amazing.. thats way more as my local dealer stocks.. lol!!!
i love`in it!!!!
looks like i have to go to wob next year as i have to meet u guys in real life!
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Justin what is the obstacle ? the camera , putting it on the computer, resizing it, attaching it ? There may be people who can help speed it up .
I just need time to set up some of my stuff and photograph it. I could, however, take some quick pics of my storage and attempt to post it. If I can't figure it out I'll ask for help.
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That's what I like to see boxes of spare parts and lots of them. :)
The shed is still fairly organised and I can just about work on my bench.
Hi Sir Gareth
The egg liners for storing your figures is a clever idea.
-Tim
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I have a closet in my dining room that is filled and piles developing upstairs. I am beginning to wonder if I am committed to my collection enough these days to start recycling the boxes away rather than keeping them all for the possibility of selling later. The stacks of empty boxes are taking up far too much room.
Quoting my own post from February 2006. I did indeed get rid of almost all of the boxes. Since then I have sorted everything out by type into various plastic bins similar to what others are using. My Playmo closet in the dining room could use a sort out, things get messed about over time. I am due for a photo shoot, I will do a few new storage photos.
The thread about 5 favorite Klickies got me started thinking about getting out all of mine to look through to figure it out. I think it would be fun to set up every loose Klicky I own for a photo, but I don't have any flat spaces anywhere near large enough. I can just see myself getting all of them almost set up and then bumping a few and down they all go like dominos.
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I think it would be fun to set up every loose Klicky I own for a photo, but I don't have any flat spaces anywhere near large enough. I can just see myself getting all of them almost set up and then bumping a few and down they all go like dominos.
I did this very thing recently on my 4'x5' workbench - or tried to! I was sorting out my Klicky-bins to see what I had and who needed their photos taken. (The group photos did not turn out, sadly.) I made lines of men, fat men, women, boys, girls, all lined up by torso-colour (unchangeable mostly, easy to spot). Black, red, and white are the runaway leaders in frequency among men, for your information; women, surprisingly evenly distributed except for white. It took days, but I was finally defeated by the cats, who, even if they were careful, set off the domino-effect every time they jumped up. It was an interesting exercise, showing me, for example, that someone I thought had a white shirt was actually cream or vice-versa; there are (at least) two distinct shades of both light blue and light green; and that Melchior (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30%2000%208550) and the Fairytale King (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=k4587) have the same shirt. You should try it, Tim, even if it's just a subset at a time - just a new way of looking at what you have.
I still haven't picked my favourite five - keep changing my mind!
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On a slight tangent to Heather's post, when I started buying on eBay I would take the klickys apart and wash them. But as the lots became larger I couldn't remember how to put them back together correctly so I would take group photos so I could reassemble them later. Now ,I am afraid I don't put them back together at all but sort them by components (feet,hands,heads) unless they are a special figure (monk) and 'bag and tag' them.
Gepetto
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well its nice to see how every body is ceeping their spare parts.
BUT how do you sore your sets??
and then the sets you can not display....
and how do you hold track off them??
database????
Richard
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OMG ... Me and my kids (it's saturday and they can stay up late) just went through all of these foto's and we are all sitting here mouth wide open, while my wife is just the opposite ... Seems I am only a little, very petite amateur with just 80 playmobil, the Zoo, A prison and a "princess carry pack" box .
How did you guys get your wife so gentle that she allows a collection like that? I dream of having this all, I just use two storage boxes and that's it ... really, I salute you guys and gals ... it seems I'm here for a reason that I wasn't aware off ...
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If there were an award given for "chaos" I think I am the front runner! :-\ The photos don't show the tubs and buckets of bits and pieces!!!! ;D
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Hmmm it looks like I never did post the promised storage photos. Here they are, from a couple of years ago but all pretty much still the same.
animal bins:
(http://animobil.info/playmo/PlaymoBins.jpg)
larger storage boxes for plants, rocks, and the very large for Steck and assorted related hardware
(http://animobil.info/playmo/bigboxes.jpg)
a few of my smaller bins
(http://animobil.info/playmo/bins.jpg)
the Playmo Closet
(http://animobil.info/playmo/closet.jpg)
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Interesting to revive this topic again, storage is always a major issue once you get beyond a couple of boxes of Playmobil.
My neat shelves of 3 Litre "Really Useful Boxes'' from June 2008 survived right up until we started clearing the house in August 2009, though my collection had spilled over into the attic space. Then everything had to come out and go into a storage facility, for which purpose I acquired a number of 84 Litre RUBs, but at 18 GBP each I didn't get enough, and moved onto cheaper plastic boxes, and cardboard boxes. I keep very little in the original boxes, mostly just the very biggest sets and of course unopened stuff.
Sometime in early January we should receive our shipped goods, and then I'll be re-sorting the collection so I can hopefully get at some of it again.
In total (i.e. all my worldly goods) I have 135 boxes and bags labelled and in storage, of which 41 are entirely Playmobil, ranging from 16 of the 84 Litre boxes entirely stuffed with Playmobil, through various cardboard boxes, down to 3-litre boxes which I just sealed with cable ties and labeleld as they were. The total collection I've (under)estimated at a value of 4,000 GBP.
Compared to the 27 boxes of books, or 7 bags of clothes, it becomes clear that if we'd moved about 3 years ago I'd have a lot less to ship!
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This is the perfect time to revive this thread since post Christmas offers the best selection and prices for storage containers. I tried some of the smaller RUBs after seeing Martins bookcase but I had problems with them cracking so gave them up
and went back to Sterlite tubs and smaller zip lock baggies.
As far as inventorying goes, I just keep track of an item to be sure I reach my minimum requirement and after that I don't worry about it (this can lead to some pleasant and/or embarrassing suprises later on).
Gepetto