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How do you do it? I'm pretty new to wargames, so I don't have a huge collection yet, but I'm building the Lootas for my Ork army, and don't know what I should do with the Burna bits (I have a few Black Reach Boyz coming in, when they do Im gonna try to convert them), and the other various extras. With my Mantic Undead army, I just left what I didn't want to use on the sprues, but with the Orks I need to see how everything fits. Right now I have the tiniest bits in some empty paint bottles i got from the craft store, but that has enough room for these 3 boxes, and nothing else.

So, how do you do it?

I use thread cases and bead cases stored inside file totes. This is a picture of my miniature storage, but it loos the same:


The bead cases (not shown) are about half the size of the thread cases and two of them can fit next to each other and stack with the thread cases. The cases are divided thematically, so I rarely have to open more than one case to find the bit I need.

Thread cases and Bead cases are 2-4 bucks each at Hobby Lobby and a file box is $11 at office max, so it's an nice cheap way to keep all my bits sorted. Right now I've got 4 bead cases, 2 thread cases of bits, one thread case of bases and room for two more layers of cases.

For you, use AOBR boyz to make burnas. You will need to cut off the spikey plate some of them have atop their shoulders, and no other modifications are necessary.

I use these boxes that are made for trading cards - 6" long, about 3" wide., 3" high, labelled with sharpies. The individual bits are in little labelled baggies.

Bitz closet. The only way to go.

I use $2 bead bins from Wal Mart. They have enough compartments to separate bits by type. I currently have 1 for each army, although I have enough human bits to take up a second one if I had the urge to organize my bigger bins. For the most part I simply have a mental inventory of bits that are in the bigger bins.

Ziplock bags, per kit, which are put into one of those plastic storage container things with drawers, so I have room for the NIB kits.

$2 or $3 bead organizer cases from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They stack pretty well and fit in my bookshelf and cabinet.

kronk wrote:$2 or $3 bead organizer cases from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They stack pretty well and fit in my bookshelf and cabinet.

those are exactly what I use. Cheap and effective.

I use "really useful box" 4ltr plastic boxes and the divider trays. Not sure you have them in the US/Canada/Aus but they are a great space saver and a bit more secure than bead boxes.

Wow, some of you guys have an insane amount of bitz. I put mine in bead boxes similar to the ones displayed. Except find a brand that seals/isolates each compartment well. Its annoying to sort/separate your bitz then they get mixed up.

aerethan wrote:

kronk wrote:$2 or $3 bead organizer cases from Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

those are exactly what I use. Cheap and effective.

Ditto.

Element206 wrote:Wow, some of you guys have an insane amount of bitz. I put mine in bead boxes similar to the ones displayed. Except find a brand that seals/isolates each compartment well. Its annoying to sort/separate your bitz then they get mixed up.

Agreed. That's why I definitely recommend the cheap cases mentioned above. They are one piece molded trays without removable dividers, so pieces can't slide up under them and get mixed up.

All of mine are in plastic bags, seperated by kit, army, or part type.

Stored in those, well the off sprue ones anyway

I'm like a hoarding magpie.

Earthbeard wrote:
I'm like a hoarding magpie.

Same here, though unlike you, I'm lazy and haven't taken the time to clip everything off the sprues yet. I'd save so much space doing that...

I use an organizer designed for nuts and bolts.

I also have found scrapbooking organizers are fantastic for sprues, the boxes are designed to fit sheets of paper.

I use Big Bass tackle boxs, customizable sizes for vehicle and monster bits with 5 cases per pack. Plus they come with a nice carry case and I have extras for my actual fishing tackle

I have to admit, those are some pretty impressive bitz collections!

I haven't really sorted mine yet; the pieces I haven't used yet are still on their sprues in the kit boxes they came in. Obviously, this will become impractical at some point due to space, but I haven't reached the tipping point yet.

aerethan wrote:

kronk wrote:$2 or $3 bead organizer cases from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They stack pretty well and fit in my bookshelf and cabinet.

those are exactly what I use. Cheap and effective.

sameeee

+1 to Warboss Imbad... I too use tackle boxes from Wal-mart to store bits and even models that need painting. Keeps them protected and it's easy to pack around if need be.

I have a large box.

I would not recommend this method.

If I had a permanent mancave, I'd use wall-mounted parts containers (shelves with little drawers/bins). Right now, I use a number of those craft store bead storage boxes others have mentioned. Many are adjustable, as well, so you can always leave out a few dividers if you want to store long bits, your stockpile of tubes/rods, etc.

notprop wrote:I use "really useful box" 4ltr plastic boxes and the divider trays. Not sure you have them in the US/Canada/Aus but they are a great space saver and a bit more secure than bead boxes.

I have seen them at Office Depot here in the states.

I get a little OCD when it comes to organizing my bits.


Here's my vehicle bit/terrain bit storage.


And bigger/complete mini storage.

I presently use fishing tackle boxes... with the small compartments, ut looking for an economical alternative

Possibly like that of Foda Bett.

all these neatly organized bitz boxes scare me. i just dump ALL of my bitz into a sturdy cardboard box. right now i am using one of the cardboxes from a M:TG fat pack.

I just toss all my stuff into a Rhino box.

Wow... you guys must make a metric feth ton of money to have purchased enough stuff to have all those bitz.

oni wrote:I just toss all my stuff into a Rhino box.

Wow... you guys must make a metric feth ton of money to have purchased enough stuff to have all those bitz.

Or you have friends.
Most of my bits come from people who build kits and then just toss the left overs. I have over 200 separate cadian lasguns because you get 2 per box of normal guys, and 3 per box of heavy weapons. Add that up over 5 friends with over 5k each and you end up with a ton of left over parts.
Don't be afraid to ask someone "Are you going to use that bit?" if they're done building a kit.

spireland wrote:I use an organizer designed for nuts and bolts.

I also have found scrapbooking organizers are fantastic for sprues, the boxes are designed to fit sheets of paper.

+1 to the above, in addition to the $2 bead containers several people have mentioned. I've heard you can get quite a nice nut & bolt case with divided compartments at Home Depot for something like $9. Which is good considering that it's heavy-duty, built to securely hold a good weight of metal, with reliable latches which won't come undone accidentally like the cheap plastic clasps will tend to if you fill them with heavy stuff. Good solution for metal stuff in particular.

I have a similar setup as above, but if you're fairly new to the hobby I cannot recommend fishing tackle boxes highly enough. Zip lock bags are great, if you have enough left arms to fill a whole bag like I do, but Plano is your friend. Easy to store, transport and find what you're looking for. Get some!


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oni wrote:I just toss all my stuff into a Rhino box.

Wow... you guys must make a metric feth ton of money to have purchased enough stuff to have all those bitz.

I'm not rich, but I've been collecting 40k and other stuff since 6th grade. Let's see...that was....1980? 1981? Throw in some trades and a friend who's addicted to buying kits, putting half of it together and then just handing you the whole thing and....

Yep. A fethload of bitz.

I use the plastic containers the Chinese take-away uses when they deliver. I've got a pile of differently labelled tubs under my table for bits and basing grass, etc.

Ugavine wrote:I use the plastic containers the Chinese take-away uses when they deliver. I've got a pile of differently labelled tubs under my table for bits and basing grass, etc.

thank you for validating my take-out container ways; why put them in a tupperware box you'll need for something else whem you cam use a chinese food box you would just throw out?

oh General Tso, you continue to serve me long after you are gone.