Author Topic: Storage solution for lots o' nibs  (Read 4501 times)

Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2017, 09:13:05 AM »
I've looked at collecting cases you hang on the wall, like for toy car collections, but it's hard to find one with shelves the right size far enough apart. I'm thinking of making my own and getting some pre-cut plexiglass strips for shelves. I can make the wood boxes for the frame and back, but thin stock for shelves is much more work since I only use hand tools in my woodworking. And I think the plexiglass is less likely to react with the paper boxes. But that's a future project. I have to finish the reorg first.
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Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2017, 07:09:34 PM »
My tower so far. The bottom six drawers are finished, the top three are partial. I've left about three boxes in empty space behind each row, stuff with the jeweler's cottton. Please excuse the poor printing, it's not easy writing on the small upturned edge of the box. I also attached a couple of the drawers.

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Offline Elizher Luz

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2017, 07:43:52 PM »
Oh my goshhh im so jelly!!! ;D

Also if i may ask, where do you personally buy your nibs? I'm just starting to adventure into the world of nibs, and have been wanting to expand my experience with trying more out

-elizher

Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #18 on: September 24, 2017, 09:01:50 PM »
I've been collecting for a few years now. A lot came from the Bay of e, but careful purchasing. Prices seem to have gone more than a little crazy in the last year. But you can still find some good deals if you look carefully. You don't find many in antique shops as most dealers have pushed their "smalls" all to the internet. But still ask. I found a bunch of old 303's at a shop when I asked. The lady pulled down and old box that was in her private collection "not for sale" above the desk and opened it up to show a bunch of pens. Good luck!
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Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #19 on: September 27, 2017, 09:02:33 AM »
The nibs are all in and in order. I left enough room in each drawer to add up to 15 additional boxes before I have to shift between drawers. I ended up using 10 drawers plus one row in an 11th. I used about 650+ boxes. It is now soooo easy to go and find my nibs. I owe a couple of people some nibs and last night after finishing this all, I was able to go in and pluck out just what I wanted without having to look through stacks of plastic trays, and looking at individual nibs in those trays to find what I was looking for. And now I no longer have plastic bags of un-stored pens lying about!

Next will be to go through and confirm the contents of each box are counted and entered into my inventory correctly. That's something I can do drawer by drawer.

Now I have stacks of cheap, plastic bead/parts trays. I'm going to see if the school could use them. If not, I'm sure a day care or scout troop could find a use. I'll save a few for myself, but most of them can go.
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Offline sheila247

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #20 on: September 27, 2017, 01:54:07 PM »
Nicely done!!!   Looks great. 

Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #21 on: September 27, 2017, 01:56:46 PM »
@AAAndrew
Where did you get the small boxes for your nibs?
I find the units I've stored my nibs in (subdivided small drawers' capacity (about 300)) have been exceeded, and, like you, have a bunch of plastic bags around that I would like to empty.

Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #22 on: September 27, 2017, 02:43:07 PM »
If you have Amazon Prime these were the best deal I found.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OV9BLLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If not, then I found these for just slightly less, but you pay shipping.
https://www.papermart.com/natural-kraft-jewelry-boxes/id=11230

You want the #11 size unless you have long barrel pens or lots and lots of the same kind. If you need the bigger boxes, the #21 works as well, but since for most of my pens I have between 1-100 nibs, for all but big falcon or long shoulder style pens, I could fit quite a few in one box.

I got the drawers at Target. They're the Sterilite® 3-Drawer Medium Organizer - White. I got the 9x12 size rather than the 12x12 size. The bigger drawers were just too big.

I started with my pens in bags, but then quickly switched to boxing up my sorted and stored pens first, then added in the bagged pens. I was trying to avoid duplicate boxes, but I still manged a few examples. Once I filed them in order it became clear and I just consolidated.

I left room at the end of each row for three more boxes. I put two empty boxes and then a little of the jeweler's cotton for cushioning. This was enough to keep the boxes from sliding around as I opened and closed the drawers, but made it easy to pull a box out. If you use the #11 boxes you can wedge them in completely front to back and side to side. It all works perfectly, but then they're wedged in.

Good luck. I find this system so much more user friendly than others I've tried.
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Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: Storage solution for lots o' nibs
« Reply #23 on: September 27, 2017, 05:35:40 PM »
If you have Amazon Prime these were the best deal I found.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OV9BLLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@AAAndrew
Thanks very much.
 I do have prime. My boxes will arrive on Friday.
Time to clear this area up.