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So in my last order I decided to pick up a couple of Neal's new Econoboxes. I've been fascinated by the idea of cheap miniature storage (like most gamers) for years, and always meant to pick up that other company's (sorry I can't remember the name now) similar product.


As with all of Neal's shipments, it came in good order and quickly. The boxes themselves are cardboard, about the size (closed up) of a medium-sized textbook (more on that in a minute). The 'contents' are sabol-style cut-away foam with a glued on bottom and a foam sheet for the top. It's 1.5" deep, so thicker than a normal tray (which is 1"), but narrower than the usual sabol tray as well.

I found the cardboard to be good thickness and sturdy: the lid secures into the box without much give. I filled the two boxes VERY quickly (they're not especially big: official dimensions are 12x9"), but because of their smaller footprint and the secureness of the lid, I was able to store them on their sides on a shelf, just like a book.

While I wouldn't want to use these as a long-term carrier, they are sturdy enough and small enough that they might be an okay short-medium term option as a portable case, especially for skirmish gaming. Just the box in your knapsack with your rules etc. and go. They would also make sense if you move a lot; secure enough to keep the minis safe, but easily stackable within packing boxes, and keep you organized, instead of trying to find the figures in with the kitchen stuff, etc.

If you're like me, you have painted miniatures from various projects lying around in all kinds of storage contraptions. I'm probably going to get the 5 pack at some point to start consolidating and reorganizing my lead mountain.

If you're looking for a way to store a limited number of your figs compactly and securely, either for short-term transport or for keeping them organized around the house, this is your box. If you're looking to keep a 3000 point 'nid army secure and ready to be carried out the door, you probably want a different product.

Final score: 3.5 out of 4 boxing rabbis.

Pic of your minis in the case?

In terms of long term, non-transporting storage, how do these guys stack up compared to Sabol foam? I have more minis then I'll ever need to transport, and I'm looking for a cheap way to store them long term.

Polonius wrote:In terms of long term, non-transporting storage, how do these guys stack up compared to Sabol foam? I have more minis then I'll ever need to transport, and I'm looking for a cheap way to store them long term.

Dude, that's what furniture is for.

"Honey, your army is in the leftovers again!"

Polonius wrote:In terms of long term, non-transporting storage, how do these guys stack up compared to Sabol foam? I have more minis then I'll ever need to transport, and I'm looking for a cheap way to store them long term.

Well, it IS Sabol Foam (according to the press stuff), so it should hold up just fine. Think of this as storing your sabol trays in the closet/on a shelf, just with it's own box around it.

hmm, ok thanks. the box is a little small, but I'd imagine they'll release a four banger eventually.

malfred wrote:

Polonius wrote:In terms of long term, non-transporting storage, how do these guys stack up compared to Sabol foam? I have more minis then I'll ever need to transport, and I'm looking for a cheap way to store them long term.

Dude, that's what furniture is for.

"Honey, your army is in the leftovers again!"

I was getting flack from all angles about that. Between collecting my Eldar army and being on an Ebay jihad, I had minis all over the dining room table, the beer pong table, the kitchen counter, my desk, and my dresser. I was even using the couch when I pulled stuff up from my storage locker. My girlfriend and Roomate both became quietly horrified by how much lead and plastic I really own(ed). So, i've been posting auctions, buying trays, and generally consolidating my collection.

Sweet, sounds excellent. I might get one to put into my grim dorkness bag as a portable temporary painting storage.

Its a cardboard box with foam? How much do they charge? I could make one of those for under $5 I bet.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

Quantity
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SKU: econobox
OUR PRICE: $10.99
Regular Stock, Usually Ships in 1 Business Day



A great idea just got better!

Looking for an inexpensive way to store and protect your valuable miniatures? TheWarStore and Sabol Designs has conspired together to bring you a TheWarStore exclusive - the New Econobox Figure Storage Case!

Each Econobox Figure Storage Case is made with strong 32lb test cardboard with a custom sized Sabol Designs figure tray inside! Trays measure appro 12"X9" and are 1.5" deep. The trays are packed lose into the box but you can glue them down if you like. The top and bottom of the box are covered with 1/'4" foam so your minis can enjoy extra protection. We are working on more box sizes -- watch this site for more info!

Get Sabol style customizable storage for a low TheWarStore price -- only $10.99 each or our special below - buy 5 for $49.95!

So eleven bucks vs. five bucks, I wouldn't mind spending
the six on someone else putting the two objects together.

Eh, I'm just not impressed. Of course, I just use a wheelable toolbox that fits 2 x 14" worth of Sabol form. Can fit a crap-ton of models in there.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

You are, seriously, willing to spend $11 for a cardboard box with foam in it?

Damn.

Missed another opportunity to become wealthy.

Yup. Shame on you, fellblade.

What toolbox, Ozy?

Between this an bottled water....man, so many opportunities have passed us by!

Thanks for the review, Syr. It does seem like it'd be good for storage. The tool boxes I use definitely take up a good bit of space.

But yeah, pictures of one of this with minis in it might be good, just to get a better idea of scale. Or just a rundown of what you were actually able to fit in one, perhaps?


Also, at 1.5" deep, I imagine this isn't going to be good for holding 28mm tanks or large characters or monsters, right?

I didn't know I was a trend setter. I've been using cardboard boxes with foam packing for years.

Balance wrote:What toolbox, Ozy?

This isn't the exact one I have but it's close:

http://www.graphicice.com/index.php/action/prodspec/itemID/522513384

I got mine from Costco for $15. It fits 2 sabol trays side by side up to 14" high. I can literally fit 100 marines and several tanks in it. The only expensive thing about it is buying all the foam at ~$7 a pop.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

If the foam is $7 then they're charging you $4 for the box. The cardboard box. Somebody is gonna get rich.

OK, I'm going to weigh in here on cardboard boxes for storage.

I actually made a custom cardboard box to store my tanks (9 at a time), and will probably make a second one. It is fully glued and taped, so it'll be quite durable. I'll still need to buy foam, but that isn't such a big deal.

What's a big deal is designing and building the cardboard box. It's actually rather time-consuming, though a second box would go a lot faster. I probably spent a couple hours on making a freaking cardboard box.

Paying someone $4 to mass-produce a sturdy cardboard box for figure storage isn't a bad idea if you're pressed for time and don't have broad stock of cardboard conveniently available.

I have a shoebox that holds 12 Chimeras, 3 Hellhounds and 11 Russes, plus their turrets. Why would I pay that much for a box full of foam?

BYE

That's one big shoebox.

KiMonarrez wrote:That's one big shoebox.

You know what they say about guys with big shoeboxes...

I'm guessing it once contained boots or something.

You know what they say about guys with big shoeboxes...

That they play miniatures games and require a lot of primer.

Yes, it had boots in it at one stage.

BYE

I'll try to get a couple of shots.

Yes it's more expensive than acquiring a box and filling it with eggcrate foam, or magnetizing your army (well, maybe not), or keeping all your figs in a variety of tupperwares and shoeboxes under the bed (along with the rest of your shame). This is not the cheapest option, but it's cheaper than keeping everything in a variety of army transports, and if you don't have the time to troll Joanne Fabrics etc. or don't have the wherewithal to keep a bunch of toolkits handy, this is a nice option, methinks.

But yes, a fool and his money are soon parted, especially if said fool plays with little metal and plastic dollies.

JohnHwangDD wrote:
Paying someone $4 to mass-produce a sturdy cardboard box for figure storage isn't a bad idea if you're pressed for time and don't have broad stock of cardboard conveniently available.

Thing is, these cardboard boxes are not custom designed for miniatures. Somebody just found a cardboard-box manufacturer, looked through their wholesale catalog, found a box or boxes that fit the pre-existing Sabol foam inserts, and put the two together.
I'm betting the unassembled boxes wholesale for like, $1 ea for 1 to 100, or $.92 ea for 1000 or more.

Long years ago when I worked in delivery, I was able to scavenge many boxes similar to these from the companies I delivered to, and I filled them with cheap egg-crate foam from a fabric store. They work perfectly for long-term storage. So I take a rather jaundiced view of paying a lot for something that you can obtain for free. I guess I'm not doing my part to help keep the economy out of recession. Oh, well. More money for little dollies.

The challenge is finding out who makes the box, and buying them singly, rather than by the pallet.

From what Neal says, the foam is custom made to fit the box, so it's not as bad as all that.

I was looking at Sabol's site and their normal foam is larger than would fit in that box.

Wal-mart sells cardboard boxes for shipping stuff. I don't know how much, tho. You can get free boxes from grocery stores. Just make sure you get a clean one.