r/LegoStorage • u/Substantial-Dare-563 • 2d ago

How to store bigger bricks

I've brought something for all the small bits and and mini figs. What you people recommend from the more normal bricksand boards eg 2x4 bricks?

Thanks people.

3 Upvotes

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13

u/madkins007 2d ago

To organize almost anything, you can apply the principle espoused by Adam Savage (Mythbusters, TESTED, etc)- the levels of access.

The idea is that more steps out takes to get something, or to put it away, the more annoying it is and more drag it adds to the task.

So...

LEVEL ONE- Reach out and it's right there. Sitting on an open shelf, in an tub without a lid, on a pegboard, etc.

LEVEL TWO- Move one thing to get to it. Open a lid or door, unzip a bag...

LEVEL THREE- Two big steps before gaining access- open the cabinet, open the box in the cabinet. Pull out a divided drawer with a lid and open the lid. You can also add hanging to go to another room or area.

AND SO ON-. Going through the shop door, garage door, trunk, toolbox, and parts bin in the toolbox work be a level 4 at best.

The next part of this making it easier to see the target amongst all the 'noise'.

Finding a red 2x4 brick is a pain if its in a large tub of mixed Lego and other stuff. Just Lego is easier. Just similar-sized stuff of easier yet, just 2x4 bricks is the penultimate. Just RED 2x4 bricks is the absolute easiest.

Putting them away goes the other way- tossing in a typical is easiest, finding the drawer with just 2x4 red bricks is the hardest.

Most builders want a smooth building experience, with the easiest possible putting away part.

So... Maybe start by...

  1. Look at the pile. Take out the annoyingly big things- baseplates, big building and vehicle parts, etc. Toss in one bin.

2 . Pull out any brick bigger than a 2x2. Toss in another pile.

  1. What's left? Little stiff is what causes the most headaches for sorting and storing. I'd go by types- something like plants, animals, people, tires, windows, etc.

  2. Now you should have what I think of as 'sediment'. This is what causes most of my headaches.

Take the basic round 1x1. It comes plain, with hole, or 'flower'. A lot of the time, they are interchangable, but sometimes you NEED a black with hole.

If your 'with holes' are mixed in with the 'no holes', you'll pick up 39 no holes before you find one with a hole- even if you only have three black pieces in the bin!

How YOU sort your sediment depends on how much you have, your available space, budget, and level of patience.

Mine is always evolving.

2

u/Substantial-Dare-563 2d ago

That actually make so much sense in gunna start sorting it this weekend. Got one of these for all the "sediment" bits https://amzn.eu/d/09rQWERF

1

u/YoHasLEGO 2d ago

Those look great! Best of luck sorting!

1

u/madkins007 2d ago

Those are my favorite design for the little bits. You can cut thin cardboard to to divide the drawers further.

That way, the top row or column is plain 1x1- no hole, hole, flower, little peg on top, square, square with to clip, with flat side clip, with vertical side clip, etc 'evolving' as it moves from one end to another.

If I have too many of a piece for the little drawer, it goes in the bigger drawers or a bin in one of my drawer units.

What gives me heartburn here are the little tile pieces. The dang 1x1s- for, square, and quarter come in a million colors. I use three of those lidded multi-compartment boxes for them so I can sort by shape and color, and they are still annoying. More so since I may have a hundred white and three light trans blue.

At least the boxes with renewable dividers helps with this a little.

1

u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 2d ago

I have some Akro Mils drawers and have found 3d printer files to separate them into 2-6 compartments. It works great for those 1x1 pieces that I only have a small amount of several colors. The fit is perfect as well.

https://i.imgur.com/STkJE08.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YAAGQM1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/baw61lw.jpg

5

u/xadriancalim 2d ago

I mean, bins, bags, drawers...whatever works for your space.

5

u/thomasanderson123412 2d ago

Ziplock. The answer is always Ziplock.

3

u/YoHasLEGO 2d ago

My non technic bricks are stored in plastic tubs from a wholesale store, in a few different sizes. It's like what others have said: whatever fits your place and your amount of bricks.

https://reddit.com/link/pfik7zp/video/qgtseq9wc3vh1/player

2

u/isometric_haze 2d ago

That is neat! Thanks for sharing... I just screamed when I saw your living companion strolling in the bricks...

2

u/YoHasLEGO 2d ago

Companion? I don't know what you're talking about!

No, it surprised me too lol. I genuenly didn't know it was there. Cheeky bugger must have crawled in through one of the holes in the back of the cabinet. And i set him free afterwards, don't worry.

1

u/ParticularBanana8369 2d ago

I like those cases with cups in them. You can have the storage density of shelving without the permanent furniture.