How best to pack Legos for storage

[earl9371]

I put together a small Lego Christmas village this year with the Village Bakery and Toy Shop along with a number of small pieces from the advent calender from the past two years. It's time to take it down, and I'm not sure about the best way to pack it. If I just throw it in a bin I'm sure a number of the piu\eces will probably come apart - if I fill the bin with packing peanuts it might protect the figures but I may lose some pieces in the process. If anyone has any insights on how best to pack pieces like this for storage I'd really appreciate hearing them. Thanks as always for the terrific expert insights on this board!

[natelite]

Not sure what the fuss is about? Lego is meant to be taken apart and rebuild. Just store in ziplock bags. If you don't like rebuilding, get a new hobby! :d

[earl9371]

Not sure what the fuss is about? Lego is meant to be taken apart and rebuild. Just store in ziplock bags. If you don't like rebuilding, get a new hobby! :d

My house is very Grizwald-ian. Takes 2 days to take down our tree alone. I love building, but when these go up I need the process to be as hassle-free as possible.

[vynsane]

I don't think anyone needs to get a new hobby for merely desiring to keep a few sets stored in a built state.

I think your best bet would be to get some large, sturdy cardboard or plastic boxes. Place the models in plastic shopping bags, put them in the boxes, and use some other, smaller pieces of cardboard to create 'cells' for them, almost like these ornament storage boxes but on a larger scale. Then pack the 'cell' with tissue and/or newsprint paper (hence the plastic bag, to keep the newsprint from rubbing off) in order to prevent them from shifting around, and place a large piece of cardboard on top, to create a new layer. Rinse, repeat.

[ncbarrett]

Put sets into ziplocs with the instruction booklets, and put in big plastic storage bins

[ImmortalShark]

I don't think anyone needs to get a new hobby for merely desiring to keep a few sets stored in a built state.

I think your best bet would be to get some large, sturdy cardboard or plastic boxes. Place the models in plastic shopping bags, put them in the boxes, and use some other, smaller pieces of cardboard to create 'cells' for them, almost like these ornament storage boxes but on a larger scale. Then pack the 'cell' with tissue and/or newsprint paper (hence the plastic bag, to keep the newsprint from rubbing off) in order to prevent them from shifting around, and place a large piece of cardboard on top, to create a new layer. Rinse, repeat.

You could also use the packing peanuts for Vynsane's suggestion of "packing the cell". Putting the model in a bag would be key to make sure no pieces got lost if they did pop off during storage. You could use cardboard bankers boxes from Staples (or wherever), for the two large sets. The boxes are about 12" x 12" x 15" and they are fairly strong. I might suggest some sort of tray system like a tackle box for the advent pieces so that each one has it's own section.

Let us know what you come up with, with pics if possible. We're always interested in storage ideas.

Good luck

IS

[legitimatealex]

Put it in a ziploc bag, pack the box with peanuts, toss the instruction manual in there and seal. If that doesn't work you can always just your sets in a box, then pack that box in another box.

[Asterios]

I use Plano and storage tubs.

[Luciant]

I currently have each set broken down into Ziplock bags, and then stored by theme into 66 Gallon Sterlite Containers. I figured this way they are safe from dust and moisture. I keep the instructions separately stored grouped by theme.

[legohunter]

I am using Sterilite 3 Drawer Storage units to store my lego build. The drawer can't keep the big set in one piece, so a little of break-down was required.