Subject:
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A simple tray system using storage drawers
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.storage
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Date:
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Sun, 20 May 2001 16:55:11 GMT
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This is a tray system I use for LEGO building at home sometimes. Whether or not
this method would work for you, of course depends on the type of building you do
and how you like to work, etc.
But I thought it may be of interest to some people whose collections are housed
in Akro-Mills type drawers and/or those with little building space. I always
sort my LEGO this way (like the following, only in reverse). The basic idea is,
you use trays to take specific supplies elsewhere for building.
My trays
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I have about 10 boxes from 5561 Model Team 4x4 with their lids ripped off. With
nothing inside, it serves as a cardboard tray with hollow-box edges. I've been
using the same ones for years now and have yet to kill one, even with loads of
weight, and being held by one corner.
The Fright Knight's castle, big Adventurers sets, an Aquazone base, and the
train sets also came in this type of box. Under a flat lid, they have an edge-
to-edge display window that's made to come off. Some have wider edges than
others. Wider edges make for stronger trays. I personally like the dimensions of
the 5561's - they're kinda squarish. I'd suggest using the exact same size
trays, whatever their dimensions. And don't think you're being smart by not
ripping the lid off! It needs to be removed.
Of course, you don't have to use LEGO boxes. I only do because I have them from
piece auctions. But you don't need to spend a lot of money. And I've had such
good luck with these, that I recommend using something similar.
Loading each tray
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I'm assuming your sorted collection is housed in clear pullout drawers in
cabinets, like the popular Akro-Mills ones. When you're ready to build, start
pulling out drawers of the elements you may use, one by one. Configure them in a
tray to fit tight and be arranged logically. When looking down at the tray, you
should see into all drawers. I usually have some big drawers and some small
drawers in there together. Continue filling trays until you're comfortable with
the selection, for whatever it is you plan to build.
You might plan a whole tray of slopes, and another of TECHNIC beams, for
example. On the other hand, if you know you'll be building an orange model,
you'd have pulled all the orange parts drawers, regardless of element type.
That's one of the advantages of this system. You customize a palette.
Sometimes I cheat and squeeze a few extra drawers in the trays on a second
layer, going crosswise over the first. Only do this if this second layer makes
the clearance of the trays. That is, don't overflow a tray. I typically get 16
drawers in each tray.
Setting up
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Take your filled trays, a few at a time, to where you'll be building and spread
them around. For me, that's in the living room: 5 trays on the sofa, a few on
the coffee table, a few more on the floor. I then sit on a footstool or squeeze
in on the sofa. All my trays end up fanned out around me and I can just about
reach all of them. Don't pile any on top of each other!
Trays should have some logical relative placement. (Though you'd be surprised
how fast your arms learn where to get pieces from) Don't forget to leave an
escape route through the trays for telephone, bathroom, etc. and be sure you
have the TV remote within reach.
Building
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I sit with a plastic tray on my lap to build in. This is my usual sorting tray.
It's similar in dimensions to the boxes, just a little larger. I like this one
because it's off-white, has curved corners, is made of a vinyl-like plastic and
is too heavy to tip.
As I'm working, I might have 5 or so of the clear drawers moved into my building
tray, and various pieces strewn around in there. The TV, beyond the trays, can
play Star Wars movies, gardening shows, or whatever you're into. Sometimes I do
realize I'm missing parts I need, so have to get up, but not very often. Before
you know it, you'll have been sitting there, building, for hours and you'll
wobble when you stand up.
Clean up
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If you expect to be working again soon (like in the next couple of days), leave
everything alone. Except, stack your box-trays one on top of the other, against
a wall or other secure structure. For me, they get stacked next to the sofa, up
against one arm of it. My heavy plastic tray (empty) gets flipped over and
placed on top like a lid. So I end up with a handy side table. seriously. (I
guess if you like that idea, you could throw a fancy cloth over your tray pile
and your company would never know what's under there.) It's surprisingly stable,
even when there are 10, because of that extra cardboard edging. Be sure to leave
any unfinished model in a highly visible location (atop TV works well) to show
it off, gaze at, and remind you that half of your LEGO collection *is* the end
table.
When you finally clean up for real, the drawers need to go back into the storage
cabinets. This is a good time to consider switching some elements to larger or
smaller drawers, and also to rethink where the drawers should go back to. While
working, you may have discovered that two elements are more related than you had
thought.
I think this "drawers and trays" building system works great, especially for an
AFOL without a LEGO room. It's inexpensive, packs well, and makes for easy
access while building. It's dust free, light tight, and overall very flexible.
hope this helps somebody..
btw, anyone in my area is welcome to the surplus boxes I have.
-Suz
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: A simple tray system using storage drawers
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| Thanks Suzanne! Very helpful. I snipped it but I have one question. I have found the 5561 and other boxes to be not all that strong. I use a razor to slice the display window cardboard off so the tape doesn't rip the cardboard and weaken it, then I (...) (23 years ago, 20-May-01, to lugnet.storage)
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