The Energon Pub

Hey all
i need some help with storaging my transformers.
the problem is i'm running out of space and there are still more figures i want to get and i have no idea what to do about it.
i've thought about putting some of them in their original boxes but i'd rather not.
the ones i like most as display figures are the bigger ones.
so far i have (the ones that i will not put in their boxes):

MP Optimus Prime
MP Starscream
Optimal Optimus
Movie Prime (leader class)
10th anniversary Primal and Megatron (toysrus special)

now for the smaller ones that i am willing to put in their boxes:

Megatron (movie voyager)
TM2 Megatron
Autobot Ratchet (movie voyager)
Blackout (movie voyager)
Barricade (movie deluxe)
Brawl (movie deluxe)
Jazz (movie deluxe)
76 movie Bumblebee (movie deluxe).

at the moment all of them are displayed in their robot modes.

So....you want to display the bigger ones but then store the smaller ones, right? I seriously don't think I'd put the larger ones you have into storage in anything other than their boxes, at least not the MPs... As for the others, I usually store my non-displayed TFs in plastic bins and keep them in a closet. I know of others that bag all their figures, too. Just be wary of places with weird temperature changes. Also, I'd keep them out of direct light if possible. Others will tell you to remove the batteries from battery-operated figures as well. I'd consider putting them in alt mode before storing, by the way.

Bear in mind, if I had my way, all my TFs would be displayed in a room totally devoted to my TFs and off-limits to children, with no stored figures at all. They'd all be in cases by line and be displayed in various modes. I'd call this room "My Happy Place," and when people would make me mad, I'd go there and think about a time when Transformers would be real and blast the people I don't like.

Not realy knowing your space situation, I recomend to everyone, if you can get at least one mostly clean wall, set up some track shelving.

It's very versatile, and can be moved at a whim. It's also inexpensive and easier to move than book cases.


I do have a similar question though, I'm looking to store my boxed and carded figures for a while, but the odd shaped boxes like say the Cybertron figures I can't see how to pack safely without all those curves and angles getting damaged.

Any ideas?

It may not help for boxed stuff, but for all of my loose TF's that I have in "long term" storage, I have a 32 gallon rubbermaid tub (or 3) that I put in a layer of TFs, then a thick layer of white paper (not newspaper for fear of ink) or a nice thick layer of cardboard, then another layer of TFs, etc. It's like a giant TF lasagna .

I have kept that in my garage for 3 years now, and I have never seen any yellowing or damage.

I take them out and look for something or just check on them every 6 months or so.

And TF buyer, I have that same dream room, but it's just not a reality...yet

--B-- wrote:It may not help for boxed stuff, but for all of my loose TF's that I have in "long term" storage, I have a 32 gallon rubbermaid tub (or 3) that I put in a layer of TFs, then a thick layer of white paper (not newspaper for fear of ink) or a nice thick layer of cardboard, then another layer of TFs, etc. It's like a giant TF lasagna .

I have kept that in my garage for 3 years now, and I have never seen any yellowing or damage.

I take them out and look for something or just check on them every 6 months or so.

And TF buyer, I have that same dream room, but it's just not a reality...yet

Good advice on the lasagna thing.

I would add this though, go out to WalMart and buy some cheap white cotton towels. Wash them in hot water with no detergent. Use these as the cushioning for the figures. The towels provide a degree of shock protection, keep the figures from jostling, and as lame as it sounds, probably provide some insulation if you live in a place that actually gets winter.

I have like 10 tubs stored this way right now. (God almighty, I hate moving...)

If you're storing loose G1 figures, I'd use the same technique, but with much smaller and shallower containers.

Hmmm, I never thought of that, that's a good idea.

I've used bubble wrap in between too, but it gets on my nerves.

Thanks guys but let me rephrase that.
i don't necessarily want to store them. i just want to find a way to display more figures.
the ones i have right now are lined up on 2 shelves, so maybe i could transforms some of them into their vehicle mode and display them in an unconventional way like maybe put them next to my speakers or something creative like that and that would make more shelves space for more figures.
what do you all think ?
selling my least favorites is also an option.
i might wanna sell my voyager movie megatron and get the new premium leader class one instead, i might also have to sell my deluxe brawl and barricade although i really like their alt mode.
ahh the dilemma... life's hard

robotrik wrote:Thanks guys but let me rephrase that.
i don't necessarily want to store them. i just want to find a way to display more figures.
the ones i have right now are lined up on 2 shelves, so maybe i could transforms some of them into their vehicle mode and display them in an unconventional way like maybe put them next to my speakers or something creative like that and that would make more shelves space for more figures.
what do you all think ?
selling my least favorites is also an option.
i might wanna sell my voyager movie megatron and get the new premium leader class one instead, i might also have to sell my deluxe brawl and barricade although i really like their alt mode.
ahh the dilemma... life's hard

Well, that's a horse of a different color. You could always go the suggested way of track shelving. I myself have an added bonus of wandering children to worry about, so I've gone the way of barrister-style bookcases (with opening doors on each shelf), on which I've installed magnetic locks so the little ones can look but not touch. Not exactly the cheapest thing to do, by the way...

As for storing your figures it really is up to how you package them in the boxes or bins and where you store them. Don't overpack figures or overstack them. Over time they'll warp or get crushed. Store your figures in a cool dry place some basements work fine or attics. I've been the unfortunate victim of ruined figures or boxes because of where or how i stored my stuff. Mostly because of the grotesque amount of figures, toys ect. i have. I display most of my G1's in a room on bookshelves and track shelving. Very easy and actually affordable. You can change the shelving and move the bookcases as needed.

robotrik wrote:Thanks guys but let me rephrase that.
i don't necessarily want to store them. i just want to find a way to display more figures.
the ones i have right now are lined up on 2 shelves, so maybe i could transforms some of them into their vehicle mode and display them in an unconventional way like maybe put them next to my speakers or something creative like that and that would make more shelves space for more figures.
what do you all think ?
selling my least favorites is also an option.
i might wanna sell my voyager movie megatron and get the new premium leader class one instead, i might also have to sell my deluxe brawl and barricade although i really like their alt mode.
ahh the dilemma... life's hard

Well yeah, I do have the rooms with the track shelving and some cases, but strewn around, I have some randome bots hidden around. Realy though I have more of my old McFarlaine demons and stuff hidden in crevices and what not.

But basicly, it's your stuff, in your space, stretch out and enjoy!