Storing instruction manuals - are there ideal album sheets for this?

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by undertaker, Jul 9, 2008.

  1. undertaker

    undertaker Deadman's Disciple

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    Maybe this should have been posted in the general discussion... eh, who knows?

    How do you store instruction manuals?

    For now, I have the highly technologically-advanced "shoebox" storage system for my instruction manuals, checklists, etc. I have a drawer of a nightstand filled with them and I have scattered piles of the rest (most everything after Armada). I was thinking I might have an easier time storing them in binders (like a photo album), but I'm not sure what sort of album sheets to use. I know those pocket pages for trading cards are too small. I went to a scrapbooking store to see what they had, and the best they had could hold only 3 or 4 per page, so the pockets were too large, having too much empty space. Are there album sheets that can hold, say, 6 instruction manuals per page? Any suggestions?
     
  2. Codimus Prime

    Codimus Prime Missouri Toy Hunter

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    I have mine in a medium plastic tub with some other packaging pieces. Not the easiest to go searching through, but I don't have that many manuals.

    Ever think about doing them in like a small photo box and making your own filing system..?
     
  3. Th0r4z1n3

    Th0r4z1n3 PlastiqueBoutique.com Veteran

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    I personally am using the slightly more advanced "Manila Envelope With A Piece Of Cardboard In It To Prevent Bending" Method, easily abrevated as the MEWAPOCIITPB Method. :D 

    Not much for organization, but I never transform my TFs after I put them in bot mode anyways. I cut a piece of cardboard to fit the envelope and unfold them as far as possible so that they still fit and there ya go.
     
  4. EvaUnit13

    EvaUnit13 REBUILD

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    I put them in a chocolate box
     
  5. EvaUnit13

    EvaUnit13 REBUILD

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    I put them in a chocolate box
     
  6. Kingplay

    Kingplay Banned

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  7. BlitzFire

    BlitzFire Herald of Unicron

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    since i dont have many tfs i put all of mine in the envelope that my tftm picture came for a pre-order with best buy...so far so good with 40ish manuals and most fit completely unfolded
     
  8. undertaker

    undertaker Deadman's Disciple

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    Small photo box... I never thought about that. The only thing is, it would probably take a few too many boxes. We're talking about, just a guess here, 300-400 manuals. However, I could dedicate each box to a specific series... I REALLY like this idea. I'll need to look into how much this would cost as compared to doing something like an album.
     
  9. Codimus Prime

    Codimus Prime Missouri Toy Hunter

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    You can pick up a multipack of these at places like Dollar Store or any old cheap places. Dont' have to spring for the expensive stuff...
     
  10. Foster

    Foster Haslab Victory Saber Backer #3 Veteran

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    I use three-ring binders with plastic sheet protectors and if needed, some trading card-sized plactic storage sheets as well. Besides the instruction sheets, these sheet protectors are good for toy cards with the bubble cut off. I sort by size class and store them in the bin with the toys themselves, so I can reference the sheet if needed for a reminder of how to transform.
     
  11. GBNR

    GBNR Well-Known Member

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    I also use the three ring binder with plastic sheet protectors. I have a bookshelf filled with said binders, sorted by line. I have also been pulling the art out of the bubble of deluxes, folding it flat and throwing those in the pocket with the cardback, instructions, any catalogs, etc.

    For non-carded figures, I am just putting the instructions in there. Still waffling on what to do with the box/packaging. I have those in a plastic tub (multiple plastic tubs) now...I am going to either "break them down" for flatter storage or toss them. I can't keep hanging onto them.
     
  12. Takara_destron

    Takara_destron Mainly lurking these days

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    I keep all of mine in the BB Evolution of a Hero box. It can hold alot more than I originally thought, but then I dont have a huge amount of TFs anyway.
     
  13. Foster

    Foster Haslab Victory Saber Backer #3 Veteran

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    I have been flattening those and storing them in the huge box Brave Max shipped from Japan in. It's almost full! :lol 
     
  14. benzo

    benzo Well-Known Member

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    I put mine in a small rubber maid container. gonna need to upgrade to a bigger one since the one I use now is filling up fast..
     
  15. UltraDevmodious

    UltraDevmodious Well-Known Member

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    all mine are in zip lock bags
     
  16. Switchblade

    Switchblade Well-Known Member

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    Shoebox under the bed. Right next to the big rubbermaid bin that I store my Alts and Armada stuff in.
     
  17. undertaker

    undertaker Deadman's Disciple

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    I was using the sheet protectors for G1 boxes or cards (or at least what portions of those I had). I hadn't thought about putting the boxes/cards with the instructions and such, basically organizing all the packaging and paperwork on a per figure basis. However, it wouldn't work too well for flattened boxes, I wouldn't think (so many of the newer boxes are big compared to G1 boxes).

    [And I feel your pain about the boxes/packaging. Both carded and boxed figure packaging probably consume about 10% of all the space my collection takes up. Eliminating packaging would make the difference of having my collection room floor covered with stuff and the floor being clear so a person could walk around the whole room.]
     
  18. Soundblaster1

    Soundblaster1 The Heisenberg of Toys

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    I have a box. I need to update my system because I have to dig through said box every time I mail a package... But it works and it's all I have space for.
     
  19. godbomber

    godbomber Henkei != Hentai

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    Traditional photo albums work for me, I use them for both my tech specs & instruction booklets.
     
  20. Shark Jumper

    Shark Jumper さあ、お前の罪を数えろ

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    I leave mine in a shoebox full of toy parts/accessories.