weavil Posted February 15, 2014 I keep them in a file cabinet, arranged by theme. This brings up one of my annoyances with "modern" lego, 2,3, sometimes 4 instruction books per set. They are starting to take up too much space! I wish Lego would go back to the old way of presenting instructions, with a significant amount of pieces used in each step, instead of 2 or 3 per step and requiring all of these books. I waste too much time... flip, add 3 parts, flip, add 2, flip, add.... NOT JUST ONE PIECE!!!! I would have finished my 8043 a lot sooner. I got my instructions everywhere right now because of my dark ages and need to round them up into one place Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Leg O Brick Posted February 15, 2014 I keep them in plastic wallets inside a regular folder. They keep them in OK condition, as long as they're stored flat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dazmundo Posted February 16, 2014 My other issue is that the older instructions are in metric sizes (A4 & A5) and the newer instructions are in English system sizes (letter, etc). Stores in the US don't sell metric sizes. I can order A4 sheet protectors off of Amazon, but for the two pocket pages, I'm at a loss. Martha Stewart for Avery makes a two pocket sheet protector, which works great for the half page instructions. Apparently the same brand in the UK makes the same thing with A5 pockets, but the UK Staples online store doesn't ship to the US. That's exactly what I use, I have lever arch files with a mixture of A4 single pocket, twin pocket & 4 pocket protectors for the different sized instructions. http://www.staples.co.uk/filing-binders-organisation/filing-folders-pockets/punched-pockets/heavy-duty-embossed-pockets http://www.staples.co.uk/martha-stewart/martha-stewart-binders-accessories/martha-stewart-sheet-protectors/sheet-protectors-2-sections-a4-clear?r=rh http://www.staples.co.uk/martha-stewart/martha-stewart-binders-accessories/martha-stewart-sheet-protectors/sheet-protectors-4-sections-a4-clear?r=rh D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badbob001 Posted February 18, 2014 Stacking or storing in folders seems to cause the instructions to curl, so I keep them nice and flat in a 4-inch binder with sheet protectors filled with a rigid card-stock sheet. Case-it D-186 4" Binder http://www.staples.c.../product_271275 Heavy-Duty Sheet Protectors http://www.staples.c.../product_489131 Card Stock, 8 1/2" x 11", White, 110 lb http://www.staples.c.../product_490887 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bricktimus Posted February 20, 2014 I keep mine in a drawer presently but it's now overflowing.... Definitely need to upgrade! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B Technic Posted February 20, 2014 Mine are in a large plastic crate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xyver Posted February 20, 2014 After reading through these, I think I might give ring binders a try, with the instructions in individual plastic sleeves. I will use 4 D ring binders rather than lever arch as the extra rings should stop them from falling and getting crumpled on the bottom edges. A thick card as badbob001 suggested sounds like a good idea for the thinner instruction booklets, and I will try to find some 2 pocket protectors for the smaller size ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AncientDayz Posted February 20, 2014 Stacking or storing in folders seems to cause the instructions to curl, so I keep them nice and flat in a 4-inch binder with sheet protectors filled with a rigid card-stock sheet. I used to do this exact same thing, but I started getting sick of all the binders. I finally just decided to store them in plastic sheets and lay them flat in a large plastic container with a lid. This way all the instructions are in one case (in I ever want to move them all), and they are still protected by the lid, by the sheet, and by laying flat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iamwhoiam Posted February 23, 2014 I have a clear plastic bin that is starting to fill up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ficbot Posted March 10, 2014 I have not bought any overly large sets, so what I have been doing is storing each of them in a baseball card tim (my fiance has many of these) with the booklet inside. I also have a file folder for the instructions which are not needed for a kit---a few of the Lego Friends tiny impulse buys which got mixed into general parts, and also all of his Star Wars ones which he displays and does not tear down. I like my tin system because then when I feel like building something, I can just pick a tin and have a little project ready to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AusAFOL Posted March 10, 2014 Like others here I use document wallets (plastic type) in sizes A2-A4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RTZX9R Posted March 12, 2014 Like many others, I keep mine in plastic sheet protectors in 3-ring binders. They are organized by set #, low to high. I have three or four 5 inch binders full like this, as well as a few other binders with the (mostly ) older shop at home catalogs and the neat older books that came in sets showing all the other offerings. I also have stack of instructions from buying bulk that I need to go through, but they are not in nearly as nice of condition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drgordy Posted March 20, 2014 I use three ring binders with sheet protectors for the instructions, then dividers to separate themes. The only issue is some of the older, larger set instruction books are too long and hang out of the sleeves by an inch or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReplicaProfile Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) Mine are in shoe boxes...stored away... I do the same thing only limitation is the size. Edited March 21, 2014 by TrentonC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
syy89 Posted March 26, 2014 I just leave mine in the box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OriginalJK555 Posted March 27, 2014 Stacking or storing in folders seems to cause the instructions to curl, so I keep them nice and flat in a 4-inch binder with sheet protectors filled with a rigid card-stock sheet. Case-it D-186 4" Binder http://www.staples.c.../product_271275 Heavy-Duty Sheet Protectors http://www.staples.c.../product_489131 Card Stock, 8 1/2" x 11", White, 110 lb http://www.staples.c.../product_490887 I do something similair. I buy comic book bags and boards and store them in a box just like comics. The only booklets that don't fit are from the larger sets. I just leave them in their original sleeve with the cardboard and store them in the same comic box, just on the side. Works very well and very cheap. 1 box will hold instructions from about 200 - 300 sets and only cost 10 cents for a bag n board and about $8 for the box. Go to any local comic shop and ask the clerk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DuckBricks Posted March 28, 2014 I sorted my manuals by theme and year back in 2009, but afterwards I have been really lazy and just shoved them into a big bin... Guess my summer break is planned out :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xyver Posted March 28, 2014 I took a chance and bought some four 4-ring binders on the weekend. I only managed to fit the larger instruction booklets into them though, sorted as follows: 1 - Modulars 2 - Creator (houses) 3 - Creator (other), Winter Village and other specials (eg Haunted House) 4 - Star Wars & sundries This will make it a lot easier to find what I am after now, rather than having to dig through drawers to find the one that always seems to be on the bottom. This has also freed up a lot of space in my drawers for the smaller instructions. If I ever find A4 size sheet protectors the have two A5 pockets in them I will be able to put everything into the binders and keep it all neatly ordered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JakePley Posted January 13, 2015 sometimes a plastic sheet inbetween each book helps as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welfycat Posted January 13, 2015 My collection is still relatively small (around 150 sets, plus a fair amount of bulk pieces), but I sort them into gallon ziplock bags based on theme (or by theme and year if I have quite a few of a series, such as Friends and Marvel Super Heroes). The gallon bags go into one of my clear storage containers (sadly I don't remember the brand offhand, but it's one with a flip top lid and it is wider than it is tall). The gallon bag approach makes it easy for me to find what I'm looking for as well as keeps the books from getting bent or torn. Plus, I already have the bags hanging around for sorting Lego! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mpfirnhaber Posted January 13, 2015 I use comic book boards/bags for most instructions, either regular (current) size or magazine size. These are then stored in comic boxes. For polybag instructions, I have a binder with trading card sleeves, which fit 12 instructions per page. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites