Really Useful Question

[Jimmy James]

Morning folks - right, at the event the other week I noticed that lots of guys were using Really Useful boxes to store and transport kit. They look really good aye, and I quite fancy getting some myself.

Any good suggestions for where best to get them from at a reasonable price? I've looked at the manufacturer online and though there's a lovely range of options I'm grimacing at the shipping cost, frankly. Where do you all get yours from?

All the best
Jim

[Moggy]

Apart from the odd sale or reduced item I have found hobbycraft the cheapest.

9ltr boxes are £6 and the trays about£4 each if I remember right. The trays can hold 60 30mm bases each. Only issue I have found with them is they are slightly too shallow if you have cavalry with raised arms/spears/flagpoles etc. That's why I usually only have 3 rather than the 4 the box will take.

Cheers

Derek

[Wardy64]

I buy mine from Rymans on line, cheapest I have found. Over 40 pounds is delivery free.

David & Ben

[Nick]

Always bought mine from Hobbycraft.

Nick

[martin goddard]

I too have used Rymans and Hobbycraft.
Do order enough James to get free postage.
The great thing is that the "litre size" applies to a specific box dimension.
Thus, a 4litre defines a particular box.

I personally use the 10 litre box.
This puts my army all in one box to stop me forgetting  some extra box etc.
For travel, I add a generous layer of  bubble wrap ( sounds lie a cook programme).


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Jim,

They are good - very robust and stack nicely.

I have bought from Hobbycraft (usually only when they have an offer on) and also from Viking Direct [https://www.viking-direct.co.uk/en/archive-storage-c-110/storage-solutions-c-11001/storage-boxes-c-11001004/Really%2BUseful%2BBoxes/Really%2BUseful%2BBox?q=%3Amost-pop%3AbrandName%3AReally%2BUseful%2BBoxes%3AbrandName%3AReally%2BUseful%2BBox] - I bought some racking for the shed and got a bunch of boxes from them at the same time.

You'll likely want to think about how to stop the figures jumping about and fighting each other in transit. Options include:
- steel sheet under figure bases and a magnetic sheet stuck to the base of the box
- some slightly sticky mesh material that Martin G, Dene and others use to good effect
- the plastic insert trays being discussed on another thread that I've only just discovered myself (and may well adopt in the future)
- putting a sheet or two of bubble wrap over the figures to limit their leaping abilities.


Hope this helps.

Simon

[Wardy64]

Meant to say with Ryman if you have kids in college or uni you can claim 15% discount by signing up to their education scheme. Knew Ben would help.

David & Ben

[Moggy]

Have also sometimes found a stack or two of the RUB outside Robert Dyas on sale from time to time. Its probably a case of keeping your eyes open and being selective. When they are available cheaply buy them. You will soon fill them up and then need more. 


Another good thing about them is they are waterproof (as long as you put the lid on correctly). I have the majority of my 30 or so boxes in the metal shed in the garden which suffers from condensation. Never had a problem with water seepage or mould.

Derek

[Nick]

The tray inserts are very good in the sense that they are perfect for storing 4 of 30x30mm infantry bases in each compartment.

Nick

[Jimmy James]

This is brilliant! Thank you all so much gents - looks like I'm off to Hobbycraft (it's the nearest and priced bestest) for a bit of a mooch and I'll get picking some up then.

V much appreciated all

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Very interested to learn of these. My current storage are the basic plastic storage boxes which have a taper and their stacking capabilities are somewhat limited. I use magnetic basing on the figures in metal biscuit tins. The added weight of the base gives plastic models extra stability. I like the idea of seeing what's inside the storage...

[Moggy]

I also use the larger deeper ones and make trays to fit for buildings as such-like.  Helps when you have to store in an outside shed.

Derek

[Rittervonbek]

I made my own shelves using 3mm cut by Leon at Pendraken to the 4 and 9 litre size, topped with Tiny Tin Troops steel paper and supported by Wilko lego legs held in place by blue tack.

[Smoking gun]

Hi Jim,
The Range and B&M also carry Really Useful Boxes. The non slip mesh mat is for tea trays to stop plates slipping around. I got mine from Poundland a few years ago.

Best wishes,
Martin Buck

[AndyT]

Commission Figurines make MDF trays of varying depths designed to fit in RUB 4 litre and 9 litre boxes