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Post by Pinwig on Apr 8, 2021 14:13:49 GMT
Big sort going on currently. Why isn't there a proper system on the market for storing archive collections of magazines? I can't find anything with dimensions that will fit old style progs or even modern outsized magazines like Retro Gamer. Unless you go for the traditional comic box type, which is no use unless every issue is boarded and stands up by itself.
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 8, 2021 15:05:38 GMT
Big sort going on currently. Why isn't there a proper system on the market for storing archive collections of magazines? I can't find anything with dimensions that will fit old style progs or even modern outsized magazines like Retro Gamer. Unless you go for the traditional comic box type, which is no use unless every issue is boarded and stands up by itself. I've been on similar journey. Even learning Libre Calc. I havent found a great solution for storage either. My original TF comics are in A4 punched sleeves in folders as they have been for 30 odd years. They'll stay that way for now. Issues bought to complete the run over the last 20 years have been moved to Really useful boxes. Ive been putting them in display sleeves, open at the top and down the left hand side. That means the loose edges of the comics are protected but the comic can easily be removed and put back in and it avoids the problems with the books wrinkling or curling if they are slightly too large for the punched pockets. Also means I can really get in to the corner and unfold creases and pin them flat. They are stood spine upwards as the display pockets are fairly thick and Im using Annuals and other solid ojects as dividers every so often. As long as the box is full its pretty stable. My 2000ad comics are mostly in lots of assorted cardboard boxes. The inventory is mostly about working out what I have and getting everything in order so I can finally try reading them. Oh and getting shot of duplicates. What I have been using and works well is one of those old plastic draw units that usually come in a mix of shallow and deep draws. All the sizes of comics seem to fit them with enough room down the sides to scoop them out safely. Im not sure if I have some of the old 70/80s newspaper type issues in there though? If I find a bunch more of those units cheap I may go that way for as many as I can fit. |
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Post by Pinwig on Apr 8, 2021 15:25:59 GMT
Interesting. I've been using Really Useful 9L boxes for A4 comics like Transformers because they're about right for A4, right width but slightly too long. The annoying thing is having collections like 2000AD which have at least three distinct sizes, so the chances of getting all of them in one storage format are slim. Same for all the Eagles I recently got. I've got the first couple of hundred 2000ADs individually bagged and boarded and in a Really Useful Box the size of which I can't remember, but bagged and boarded the issues fit in perfectly on their sides so all the spines face up. I'd keep doing them that way, but I don't want to board every issue of 2000AD, and putting them in without something to keep them upright wouldn't work in that way, the box is too big. I like Really Useful boxes, because they're the only hard-wearing sealable storage boxes I've found that have properly straight edges.
At the moment, I've got about 1500 2000ADs in foolscap size cardboard box files, but I don't like them like that. Everything else, including the rest of the 2000AD/Megazine collection, 200+ Retro Gamers and 550+ Doctor Whos are just in piles on the carpet in my old bedroom at my parents' house. I'm trying now to get everything stored and sorted. I really don't want to get rid of any of these things, but I'm really having to think at the moment about how I can store them. I just have too much stuff with all the toys too.
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 8, 2021 16:05:05 GMT
Ive never understood how only RU boxes make boxes with straight sides and that when stacked, put the weight on the sides of the boxes and not entirely on the lid of the box below.
Im really liking the display pouches as I've never liked getting comics in and out of the punched pockets or from bags, especially if they are taped closed.
And helpfully Asda have been clearing out packs of 20 for 25p for the last few weeks so buying them hasnt bankrupted me.
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Post by Pinwig on Apr 11, 2021 21:05:56 GMT
Continuing the storage discussion - these postal boxes have internal dimensions of 300x240mm, which is pretty good for all three sizes the new Eagle comics had, which in turn would cover the various 2000ad sizes (although there was a really thin one for a time that might slide about). www.priorydirect.co.uk/cardboard-boxes/standard-postal-boxes/postal-box-0427-white-300x240x100-pb07.htmlI'm wondering being mailing cartons how strong the sides are and how well they'd stand or stack. Should be pretty good. Not sure I'd use cardboard to store really precious comics like the 332, but these might do the big collections. |
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Post by Bogatan on Apr 12, 2021 17:32:11 GMT
Looks reasonable.
How many do you think you'd get in each one?
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Post by Pinwig on Apr 12, 2021 18:00:07 GMT
It says those boxes have an internal height of 10cm, which going by a quick measure up the side of my pile of mid-80s newsprint style Eagles seems to be about 70-75 issues. The illustrative image on that page isn't quite right if the boxes are 10cm high. They'd look more like this:  My only worry is being single walled boxes they may dip a bit in the middle with the weight of the comics inside them if they're stacked 3 or four boxes high - my current 2000AD collection is doing that and they're in a fairly similar type of box - these ones, but stacked vertically in piles as opposed to horizontally like books on a shelf:  |
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Post by The Doctor on Apr 12, 2021 20:57:31 GMT
Phil: make a box thread.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Apr 12, 2021 21:03:55 GMT
Done
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Post by Pinwig on Apr 15, 2021 18:18:24 GMT
Experiments continue. I ordered 10 of the boxes mentioned above as a test, the smallest number possible, which came to £27 with postage. Not that cheap for what they are. Notes: - The company sending them fit them into a large box that they didn't really fit into at all with no padding, so they arrived slightly bent. Would have been better plastic wrapped and sent flat. Because the box they sent them in was mostly air, it was bashed to bits by the time it got to me.
- They aren't quite as big inside as I was expecting, but they do measure to the dimensions stated 300x240x100 and the old newsprint style 80s IPC comics do fit pretty much perfectly as you can see from the photos. That then means A4 will fit with a 1cm gap down the side.
- Being pizza box style, the ends are folded over and make top and bottom walls stiff enough to stack boxes on top of each other, but I can see there's going to be a bit of dip over time on the bottom because of the weight of the comics inside.
- The bases are a single sheet of flat cardboard, so not like a normal cardboard box bottom that would be uneven.
- The flap folds down the full length of the side and tucks in securely, like a pizza box, or come to think of it, Generations Selects boxes (cardboard isn't as thick as those though)
- I've managed to get around 65 issues per box in the two boxes I've tried so far.
  Initial conclusion: these are a step up from no storage at all and will at least keep natural light off the comics to stop them fading and they stack squarely without leaning (which was a problem with the file boxes I was using). The cardboard is thin though, so may bend and sag over time, but they look neat and tidy. Not the level of protection a Really Useful Box would offer so maybe not something to use for really important/expensive comics, but for massive collections of paper that just needs keeping tidy they could be an option. |
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 20, 2021 8:32:41 GMT
This thread has been very helpful. The big reorganisation of the hobby room is ongoing and a better storage solution is needed for the comics that are staying. Orders made.
PINWIG BE PRAISED.
-Ralph
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 20, 2021 8:43:09 GMT
They're doing well those boxes. I've got eight now full of Eagles and they stack very neatly. Next step is to order a load more and do the 2000ADs.
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 21, 2021 14:34:58 GMT
10 postal boxes filled. Ordered another 20.
-Ralph
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 21, 2021 15:10:02 GMT
You must build a postal box wall.
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 21, 2021 16:07:22 GMT
I am!
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 22, 2021 15:43:28 GMT
Remember and label them clearly first...
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 22, 2021 17:23:40 GMT
I don't have many comics these days. Mostly TFUK and Tooth.
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 23, 2021 14:40:39 GMT
Four Really Useful 9L boxes arrived. Very impressed with these so another 4 ordered. I can see myself getting others as different size.
-Ralph
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 23, 2021 16:14:14 GMT
They're nice for A4 because they're one of the few storage boxes with straight sides and corners. My sacred 332 are in 9L Really Usefuls.
18L ones are good for CDs. All my BF stuff is in those.
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Post by KnightBeat on Aug 23, 2021 22:42:18 GMT
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 23, 2021 22:55:03 GMT
Cheaper than Really Usefuls yes. The thing I don't trust about comic boxes is that unless the comics are all bagged and boarded, there's the chance they will warp over time because they're standing on end rather than flat. The postal boxes are great because the comics aren't put under any stress being stored. My first 200 2000ads are bagged and boarded, but I'm not doing that to the other 2000 odd!
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 24, 2021 7:52:55 GMT
Yeah I will stick with the postal boxes for that reason.
-Ralph
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Post by Benn on Sept 8, 2021 14:05:14 GMT
Having read through this thread and understood very little (me and comics have never really been 'serious') I find myself in need of a box or boxes for the Marvel UK stuff. Which of all these is the best for that? I just want to keep them safer than they have been kept, and somewhere where I can stick 'em under the bed or something in safety.
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Post by The Doctor on Sept 8, 2021 18:40:17 GMT
I keep them in the boxes from the Priory link upthread.
-Ralph
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Post by Benn on Sept 8, 2021 19:18:46 GMT
Cheers!
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Post by Pinwig on Sept 8, 2021 21:23:56 GMT
Depends how solid a box you want. The really useful 9 litre boxes are sturdy plastic with snap on lids and fit A4 pretty well. They also stack well because they're designed to. My TF comics are in three of those. The priory mailer boxes are a little wider and fit bigger sizes like 80s 2000ADs. They're sturdy but are effectively like pizza boxes so they aren't as robust. Very good though, they stack 4 or 5 boxes high without losing their shape or leaning over.
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Post by Benn on Sept 8, 2021 21:57:57 GMT
Well, I'm hoping not to stack. Very space limited atm, so the piece of furniture that housed them has now got to leave. If I can get them in a wardrobe or under the bed, that's the plan.
It's all part of an ongoing cull of STUFF in my life, and I suspect there will be several of my old childhood TF's that might be getting moved on too. And a bag of Star Wars toys that have been siting here since I moved in here ten years ago, being moved around the room.
Too much STUFF!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 9, 2021 23:18:34 GMT
£26 for 3 Mag boxes + delivery!
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