|
|
 Posted - May 16 2011 : 11:31:20 PM
|
I've been looking out for some holy grail of storage for HO trains, both storage and transport uses. The criteria is just enough room to fit HO scale cars and engines, but not too much, and preferably clear. I think I MAY have found a reasonably priced answer to both. While visiting Dick's Sunday ( Sporting goods store ) I ran across a type made by Plano, called Plano ProLatch. Has LONG compartment walls, is 13 inch by 1 & 7/8 inch, by 3 inch deep. The latch area is a tight squeeze for some of my engines, but smaller ones fit ok. The one I bought at Dick's cost me $9.50, when I went next door to Wal-mart, guess what? Yup, they had the EXACT same model ( # 2-3730 ), and it was $5.96. Huh. So I bought 2 more. LOL. Here's a picture of an unused and one I've got 4 engines in.
The nice thing about this unit is that A) It has reliable, well-constructed latches, and B) the hinges aren't the cheesy solid plastic type which will eventually break off after bending back and forth awhile. THey're the U-type which grabs a plasic peg, and can be removed. Overall, for the price, If you have passenger cars, steam engine and tender, or long diesels, they'll work well. A pair of 40' cars may fit together as well. My main gripe at shows has been ease of access, having to unfold and open OEM boxes, and their fragile nature. THis way, nice TOUGH plastic walls, thick, deep wells to put plenty of padding in, can see into it and what's in it. And best of all, it's not TOO expensive. The website is WWW.Planomolding.com . I haven't transported my engines anywhere in it yet, but with the crisp latching, and durable construction, I think I may have to go buy more of these from Wal-mart's fishing department. At least for my engines and passenger car sets. The tyco passenger cars fit nicely, the front compartment with the latches is tight, will have to not foam that area to allow maximum space. But overall, I give this a two-thumbs up for quality and price!  so if you're in the market for a good quality plastic box, I think this may do it. Wal-mart is definitely the price winner here, too!
Jerry Casper
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - May 18 2011 : 1:23:07 PM
|
that's definately cheaper than an A-line box, now you just need a way to multiple stack the tackle boxes
just me Ray... and just because I have Tyco doesn't mean I am not a model railroader
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 506 ~
Member Since: April 03 2011 ~
Last Visit: November 29 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - May 18 2011 : 3:15:02 PM
|
Rgcw5, I too have mostly Tyco with only a few pieces of Life-Like & AHM with several LL Buildems buildings kits.
I have found that 6X6 tomato boxes work well. Not too big or small, quite sturdy and have grip holes on each end.
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 6279 ~
Member Since: February 18 2009 ~
Last Visit: March 04 2022
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - May 18 2011 : 5:57:14 PM
|
I use those too walt & I also use the apple & orange boxes with lids Worst I needs it small boxes for each loose train or car I has 
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 15021 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: April 25 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - May 18 2011 : 9:55:02 PM
|
quote:.... Worst I needs it small boxes for each loose train or car I has
Originally posted by microbusss - May 18 2011 : 5:57:14 PM
|
Check with your local Computer store to see if they throw out accessory boxes . I've been picking up Dell computer accessory boxes out of a local dumpster near work, they're either 2.5 or 3 inches deep, by 20 inches by 12, roughly. If your local store stocks any Dell PCs, they come with accessory boxes like these. Might be worth a call to see if they have any flat acc. boxes they will give you. Some of these have locking front cardboard latches, others just a single flap that fits in front. But my organization is growing due to these wonderful free boxes I get for a few minutes digging thru my local dumpster after working hours. And keyboard boxes work great for N scale, too. 
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - May 18 2011 : 10:03:16 PM
|
I stopped by a Wal-mart on the way home to pick up a few more of the #3730 Prolatch plastic boxes, and found yet another type there, just SLIGHTLY larger than another one I couldn't use as it was too flat. THis one is made by Flambeau , I think a French company, has english and french instructions on it. about 8.5 by 13.5 inches, and 1 & 7/8 inches deep. My Tyco passenger cars will JUST fit in them laying on their side. has blue latches instead of yellow. But same basic quality construction, and the same price, $5.96. So I bought just one more of the Prolatch, and one of these Flambeau's, and am happy with the new one, too. It will hold 40' rolling stock, but not some of the more modern boxcars, too small for them. But for the price, the size is good, and useability is high.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - May 20 2011 : 3:30:42 PM
|
I have a large Flambeau tackle box I bought several years ago, which contains most of my modeling implements. It has 4 removable tray drawers with modular bins, I assigned as follows:
- couplers
- electric / motors / loco parts
- superdetailing parts
- kit parts / spares / misc
The top part of the tackle box opens up and is very deep, and holds a few other containers. This is where I keep small screws, glues and lubricants, scratchbuilding stock, and other bits. On the very top of the lid are two more removable bins where I keep small tools, and a flip-up lit with 3 partitions that I use for various X-acto blades. It's a great system.
I also have a smaller box I use exclusively for various horn-hook coupler styles, and HO wheelsets.
I don't have pics handy, but there's all kinds of things you can do with tackle boxes. I love the way mine came together; if I had to travel and build stuff or go to club functions, everything I need is there. I would like to build a weathering station / tackle kit but I haven't had much need to make that portable yet.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2798 ~
Member Since: September 17 2010 ~
Last Visit: July 22 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - June 12 2011 : 5:51:58 PM
|
Finally got some pics of my MOW Crate. It's a Flambeau, but I forgot to note the model #. It's several years old and cost about $30 at the time - expensive as tackle boxes went, but is has proven well worth the investment.
Here's the overall kit. The 4 removable drawers have all sorts of bins. The lid has two removable caddies to the sides, (I currently store adhesives in one and small tools in the other) as well as a fixed 3-bay bin near the handle (I sort Xacto blades here). Note the hooks and holes molded on the sides where the lid closes; you can store other tools here as well.
Opened up. The lid area is deep and included more plastic caddy bins. The deep one on the left has misc. parts. The three on the right are assigned for screws; paint markers; and other random tools. There's enough space on the sides the fit other jewel / pill boxes and envelopes of specific labeled parts. The remaining space is one large deep open bin, perfect for larger tools, scratchbuilding supplies, etc... maybe even HO cars in progress.
The four removable drawers. Currently I have them assigned to: couplers; loco superdetails; rolling stock bits and pieces; electrical bits and loco mechanicals. There's almost *too* much storage, but that's never a bad thing. The partitions are removable so you can resize the bins if necessary.
This setup has served me extremely well over the years. There's probably some things I could remove and add to it, but aside from my actual workbench stock, 90% of the things I use on a semi-routine basis are all here and easily found.
Just thought this might be useful or inspiring to anyone trying to get a handle on their "stuff".
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2798 ~
Member Since: September 17 2010 ~
Last Visit: July 22 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
