Thought I would post a short article on my current techniques for storing and transporting my 15mm Horse and Musket armies. I have been a fan of magnetic basing and storage for a few decades. This started back in the 80s, as I began basing models on white metal bases (before that I used wood). However, it is not just the bases, it also deals with how you store them.
I originally went to metal bases for a number of reasons. First, they are very thin, which is often better looking to me with smaller figures. Second, they have a little more balanced weight and sit on uneven tabletop terrain better. Thirdly, it makes it easier to store and transport troops securely.
As time has gone on, I have decided on some other advantages. It is easy to make magnetic movement trays for formation games. I also like to display my figures sometimes and have them ready to go when I need to transport them. With that latter in mind, I have slowly been moving to two techniques (depending on the period) to facilitate better basing. One is to continue to use the metal bases and the other to switch to magnetic bases on the figures.
The trick is then the storage. Most plastic boxes on the market are either way to high or way to small. Finding something :just right” has proven challenging. Well, that temporarily came to an end one day when I went to the Container Store. I found some plastic trays with lids that went with a closet system they were selling. These were perfect! They came in different sizes and they locked in when stacked together (so many trays slide too easily and tempt disaster. I started buying them, but then disaster set in. The line was discontinued (I am now looking for a replacement) and I had to settle with what I had purchased (plus some last minute close out items). now, the problem was I had the right tray, but in limited amounts!
Another thing that always troubled me was storing miniatures. I tended to put them away in their assorted boxes, only to see them when I was ready to play a game. for many mini’s, that was rare. I own a number of book cases with glass doors to display my miniatures (thanks Ikea!). However, it is always a pain to take the figures outside the box, set them on the shelves and then reverse the whole thing when I need to take them someplace. I also have far more minis than shelf space, so changing the display was equally fraught.
So, I came up with a solution. I decided to get some mdf and cut it to size. The sections had to be small enough to fit in my display cabinet, sized to fit in the storage boxes, but be large enough to hold a decent amount of troops. So I measured my shelves and storage boxes and came up with a size that would work. Each sheet fits on my shelves (not too deep) and allows my to place two in my storage box. I then covered each with adhesive magnetic sheeting (I glued some down myself to use up some older magnet sheet). I then filled in my storage box with plastic shelf liner to limit sliding around in the box. As some point I should paint the sides of the mdf black to make it more aesthetically pleasing….. Now I have a storage system that works and allows me to fulfill all my needs!
I did a variation on this on my 19th century armies. Instead of metal bases for the figures, I used magnetic bases from Shogun Miniatures. Since I do not use movement trays in this period, it seemed to make more sense. However, I needed mounting board. I would use the same as I did for the other figures, but magnet to magnet basing can be challenging due to polarity issues. So I opted for metal trays. I found some metal cooking trays on clearance and decided to use these. I will be on the lookout for some with lower lips in the future, but now these will work.
So, now things look great! I can store my figures and display them as desired. I will be on the lookout for other trays to add to my collection, but am in good shape for now.
- Manteuffel