Comic storage

[TheDemon'sHead]

So I'm going to be buying a house pretty soon and I'm trying to find the best possible way to store my comics in something other than white long boxes. I found this on the internet but was wondering if you guys have seen anything else or use anything else. The drawers in the link are nice but are kind of expensive and probably only fit up to 1000 books. I have around 5,000 that I need to store.

http://www.stanpikedesigns.com/cb3x4.htm

 

[Roughneck]

Hmmm....Reminds me of the little mini ones at the libary...that hold all the cards.

Actually those do look pretty damn sweet......but is it worth it to you to get five if they are expensive?

I think I might actually design and build myself something very very similar......

 

[Roughneck]

Hmmm....I see that Stan Pike does other designs and configurations...

http://www.stanpikedesigns.com/dsu.htm

I've also heard of folks using filing cabinets....though you have top store the comics sideways in most......I guess it's alright for the three issues put out in Marvelscope.....

 

[TheDemon'sHead]

Yeah, they are reminiscent of old library card catalogs. They look really awesome but they're probably around $250 for each one. A buddy of mine and I are going to try and build them. I hope he's a lot handier than I am.

File cabinets? That may not be a bad idea either if you can find the right ones. If building doesn't work out, I at least have an option.

 

[Elijya]

you'll have more luck int his forum. Products is more for Action figures.

That filing cabinet you linked to looks very nice, but it's probably ungodly expensive since they're made to order, and out of wood no less.

a few months ago I purchased a HON legal sized filing cabinet based on recommendations from other collectors, and that's worked out pretty well for me. I'd like to get a second one, but space is a little tight. The legal size allows you to fit two rows of comics in each drawer, and it's a simple matter to cut up an old long box for a divider. The model I purchased is also lockable, and while I'm not really worried about security, that's a nice feature.

You can get through Staples or another office supply store and have them delivered to your house. Delivery guys will even bring them up or down stairs for you. The four drawer model (which I recommend) runs about $200 and fits about 8 long boxes worth of comics. Here's a photo of someone else's collection stored this way.
http://www.comiccovers.net/images/filecab01.jpg
http://spider-bob.com/comics_corner/images/ComicsCabinets 001.jpg
http://spider-bob.com/comics_corner/images/ComicsCabinets 002.jpg

and his comments

Boxes: Comics storage boxes are designed to not only protect your comics from the fading effects of light exposure, but also allow you to organize your collection. Boxes come in a variety of materials ranging from cardboard, acid-free cardboard and plastic. They range in sizes from short (150 comics) to long (250 comics) and magazine sizes.

Comics must be stored in an upright position to avoid spine rolling.

Instead of boxes I use HON brand legal-size vertical filing cabinets. Each cabinet drawer can store 500 golden-age size comics. The comics can be stored side-by-side and the length of the drawer can be adjusted to ensure the books stand upright. I purchased my cabinets at Office Depot for about $150 each, but you can purchase them at any office supply store or possibly second hand at a military or government surplus dealer.

*{I have received a lot of e-mails concerning the model number of filing cabinets that I use and what I recommend. I have determined that the model number is irrelevant as to the interior width and height of the cabinet, although there are apparently differences in interior depth. As to the overall exterior size of the cabinet, I recommend using whatever best fits your storage needs and available home space. There appears to be only two configurations for drawers; two and four. The later being about 5 feet tall.

When determining a cabinet that will work for your needs the best suggestion I can make is to go to your local office supply retailer and using two golden-age-sized backboards, hold them side by side in the drawer and if there is a reasonable amount of space between them than the cabinet should accommodate any standard comic book published since 1938. The other suggestion I would make is that the adjustable slide at the back of the cabinet have a reasonable amount of surface space as to not cause creasing or bending of your comics at the back of the drawer.

 

[PhotoJones]

Those wooden boxes look amazing, but like Eliyja said, they would be extremely expensive. It's definitely something worth considering, though, for the serious collector.

 

[Steve Rogers]

I just graduated college and am starting out on life, so I'm not too rich yet. But someday my goal is to have a much more elbaorate comic storage place. Something like book shelves specifically desgined for comics. I was over this lady's house a few months ago. She loved to read. She had her own library. Rows and rows of books on shelves in her house. I want that, but for comics some day. Some day...

 

[TheDemon'sHead]

That's my goal. To have a nice media library with books, comics, movies and music. That's why I'm looking into a good storage solution because white long boxes stacked up isn't that pretty to look at.

 

[TheDemon'sHead]

The file cabinet solution looks like it works really well too. Albeit a bit sterile looking.

 

[Elijya]

The file cabinet solution looks like it works really well too. Albeit a bit sterile looking.

There's a certain type of common adjustable metal shelving alot of people use to keep their longboxes on. That might be something to look into, and it'll be cheaper.

 

[Steve Rogers]

I want a basement full of long boxes and Stu Cicero.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Are those fire proof Peck?

 

[Elijya]

Are those fire proof Peck?

What, the filing cabinets? Not technically, no, but they're less likely to catch ablaze then, say, wood and cardboard, obviously.

The one time I looked into a fireproof safe for comics, I was told that what makes fireproof safes fireproof involves chemicals which actually damage comics, so it's a bad idea.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

What, the filing cabinets? Not technically, no, but they're less likely to catch ablaze then, say, wood and cardboard, obviously.

The one time I looked into a fireproof safe for comics, I was told that what makes fireproof safes fireproof involves chemicals which actually damage comics, so it's a bad idea.

Ahhh, well I just remember seeing...I think it was Sebastian Bach (the rock guy, might have his last name wrong.) And he was on MTV cribs or something, and he had big file cabinet filled with comics and he said it was fireproof.