So, if you’re reading this post, my assumption is that you are trying to find a better way to store and organize your action figure parts and accessories. Accessories could be weapons, additional gear, jetpacks, missiles and other projectiles—basically anything that is made to be detachable from the figure itself.
When storing your action figures, you may want to store accessories separately, but you don’t want to just throw everything in an old box and call it a day; because when the time comes to look for a particular weapon or missile, it’s going to be a major headache sifting through all those other pieces to find the one you’re looking for. So, what are your options? What are some ways to keep things organized? Hopefully, I can help you out with those questions.
Storing Action Figure Parts in Plastic Bags
You can use sealable bags to store action figure accessories. If you have a figure with a lot of accessories, you may want to dedicate one bag to that figure’s accessories. In the case that you have multiple figures with only one or two accessories, dedicating a bag to each of those figures is going to be overkill. In these cases, its fine to store accessories for multiple figures in one bag.
The best bags to organize your action figure parts and accessories in would be polypropylene bags. Polypropylene bags are used in museums as well as to store medical and dental equipment. They are durable, non-staining, and non-toxic. Don’t just use regular old sandwich bags or bags from Wal-Mart or Target. These are made for short-term use only and could damage your figures/figure accessories if used for long-term storage. Chemical interactions will eventually occur which could lead to plastic becoming sticky and paint being damaged. Those bags are meant be disposed of after short term use. Polypropylene bags are a much safer option.
Here are some options for you:
| Name/Brand: | Quantity: | Size (inches): | Purchase from: |
| Airsunny | 100 | 5-1/2″ x 7-1/4″ | Amazon |
| Mat Board Center | 100 | 6″ x 9″ | Amazon |
| BakeBaking | 200 | 4” x 6” (other sizes available) | Amazon |
| Bonison | 600 | 6 Assorted Sizes | Amazon |
Store the Bags of Action Figure Parts in Small Tubs
If you’re storing action figure parts in multiple bags, you will likely need some way to store and organize the bags you’re keeping the parts in. Plastic tubs are probably the best option. You can use one big tub if you like, but, for the sake of keeping things organized, it is probably best to use multiple, small, stackable tubs.
Here are some options you may want to consider:
| Name/Brand: | Quantity: | Size: | Purchase from: |
| IRIS USA, Inc. | 10 (other options available) | 14.10″ x 7.99″ x 4.53″ (other sizes available) | Amazon |
| HOMZ | 5 | 16.25” x 7” x 6.125” | Amazon |
| Ggbin | 4 | 10.6″ x 7.6″ x 6.3″ | Amazon |
Use a Divided Organizer Tackle Container to Store Your Action Figure Parts
If you don’t want to mess around with bags, you may want to consider an organized storage container/tray or tackle box of some kind. This is a good way of keeping everything in one place, while keeping parts to different figures divided and organized at the same time. The ideal thing to do would be to get a container with adjustable dividers. This will allow for you to store longer and wider pieces with ease, while maintaining small storage spaces for the smaller parts.
| Name/Brand: | Quantity: | Size: | Purchase from: |
| FSC Lighting | 3 | 10.8” x 7” x 1.7” | Amazon |
| Plano | 4 | 11” x 7.25” x 1.75” | Amazon |
| SGHUO | 2 | 10.86” x 6.5” x 2.2” | Amazon |
How to Keep All Your Action Figure Accessories Organized
Okay, so even if you have all of your action figure parts compartmentalized in different bags, in tubs, or in a tackle container; you may still find it difficult to keep track of everything that you have. This is why you need a system in place to keep track of everything, so you know what specifically is in that bag, or in a certain section in the tackle box.
This may seem like overkill to some, but I would recommend getting a label maker and labelling the different bags or sections of the tackle box. Have a label on everything so that when your collection gets exceptionally large, and you’re looking for that one missile to that one figure’s gun, you’ll easily be able to find it because you have that tub labeled and all the bags within that tub also labeled.
But how should you go about labeling everything? Ultimately, you want to find a system that works for you, but here is what I would do. Let’s assume for this example that you have a large collection of Transformers figures (which I do), and you want to store all of the removable pieces such as weapons and what not in multiple tackle containers like this. Here is what I would do:
- Create a spreadsheet in Microsoft Office Excel or LibreOffice Calc—Name it whatever you like.
- Create a separate sheet in that document for each of your tackle containers (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.)
- Create labels with your label maker for each tackle container (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.)
- Create labels for each section in each tackle container. We’ll keep it simple and stick with the sequential numbering format (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.).
- Now, organize the action figure accessories into different compartments in the tackle container. You can put them in whichever section you like as long as you keep track of what is going where.
- Example: You put the weapons and firing projectiles for Transformers Energon Landmine, Prowl, Rodimus, Downshift, and Cliffjumper in container 2, compartment 5. Go to the spreadsheet you created and go to sheet 2 (which corresponds with container 2). List the figures pieces that you just put in there in one column, and, in the column next to it, put the compartment number.
Okay, so I think that makes sense. Basically, you want to be able to open that spreadsheet up and easily track down the specific figure part you are looking for. Another thing I would recommend doing is updating the spreadsheet whenever a figure part is removed or added to any of your containers.
Where Should You Store Action Figure Parts and Accessories?
Closets are probably the best option, because the temperature and humidity can be controlled and probably remains moderate for the most part. Avoid attics, garages, and basements because of the extreme temperatures and humidity. Extreme temperatures (especially extreme heat) can cause the plastic to become sticky and/or possibly warp. It can also contribute to discoloration and paint peeling. So, yes, pick a room in your home that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures and humidity. Also, try to avoid the sunlight (I have a whole post on that here).
Conclusion
When storing your action figures, sometimes it can be difficult to store all of a figure’s accessories with that figure. It’s easier just to store them separately, but you don’t want to just throw all of those parts in one box or tub; because then it’s going to be a major pain to find anything. Try to keep things organized either with bags, small tubs, or in a tackle box. Then go the extra mile and label everything, and keep a digital inventory of all that you have so that when the time comes to find a specific weapon for a specific figure, you’re not pulling your hair out trying to find it.