Cartridge storage?

[Mock]

What do you guys store your cart in? Anything that is widely avail that they fit well in for storage if you want to play them on occasion? Don't want to dig through 3 layers of games to get to the one on the bottom I want to play..

 

Right now I have my stuff in a couple of old containers built for 2600's and I don't have the tools or skills to build one from wood...so...figured some of you probably have a good solution.

 

(I read the FAQ already btw...saw the plastic rubbermaid type storage boxes...)

 

I am going to order some of the pages for the manuals and some sleeves for my boxes....just need to figure out a good system for the loose carts now.

 

 

Thanks,

Mock

[sku_u]

There are these Rubbermaid storge cases that I get from the Container Store for 5.99 each that work well because I can actually see what's in them and the containers keep most of the dust out.

[Atari Rescue Group]

For loose cartridges I use old 100-slot wooden tape (recording) holders and remove some of the wooden slats. You can get 100 cartridges in them and the holes in the back are good for hanging on a wall (or they can slide under a bed too.)

 

There are a number of threads around here about storage with some great ideas. The search function works well to find them.

[BoOchan!]

I use Flat Plastic Containers that are the just above the EXACT height of a normal 2600/7800 Cart and Box. These Can Be Bought from a Store Called Red Dot, which is one of them real cheap stores for A$10.

[Myrmidon]

Back in the day, a friend of mine had an 'official' Atari cartridge holder, that was made of black plastic, with wood veneer trimmings (to match the 2600 :-) ), and held 20 or 50 (don't remember how many) carts. It was really cool.

 

I suppose trying to get one of those holders these days, would probably be scarcer than hen's teeth, or rocking-horse shit.

 

Cheers

Olaf

[Mock]

There are a number of threads around here about storage with some great ideas. The search function works well to find them.

 

Yep...I see that...even read the faq as I said in my post...just wondering what people were currently using, never know what new info you'll find when you open or in this case re-open a conversation.

 

Thanks for all the info...I'm going to go out today and take a look around...there is a guy who does woodwork and restoration across the street from my office...might see what it would cost to have something custom made up or to modify an old cabinate or dress or something with drawers...just an idea.

 

There are no Red Dots around here from what I can tell....going to check out the major chains and see what they have in the Rubbermaid variety...lol.

 

Thanks guys...

 

Mock

[Edit_5]

I use radio cart storage racks, there's not a deal of difference in size, but sadly they are only available to the trade, I thought about reselling them, but they cost too much to buy, luckily I managed to get hold of a load of them when stations went on to PC playout systems...

[SS]

There are these Rubbermaid storge cases that I get from the Container Store for 5.99 each that work well because I can actually see what's in them and the containers keep most of the dust out.

 

 

I'm using the Rubbermaid cases as well right now. The work well because the fit 4 columns of 22 carts almost perfectly w/o much headroom left. They stack well and would likely fit under most bed frames too. Mot a bad choice for those among us who are space challenged.

[slapdash]

There are boxes from business stationary/letterhead and/or envelopes that I've been using for years -- fairly heavy cardboard stock, and fit 48 carts by most manufacturers very nicely. The only problem is that some carts and some boxes vary in size, so it doesn't always work.

[gulag picture radio]

Funny that you mention difficulty in locating those storage thingies for Atari games. I have found them to be quite common in thrifts. Usually they're the sort of bin that the Atari goes in as well as a stack of games, but I have found plenty of just standalone cart storage products. I have them for various Nintendo systems and even Genesis. They're sort of cool, in a terribly geeky way. I even found one made by K-tel I think that explicitly states that it's for Atari, Intellivision, Ti-99 (someone thought that was a selling point? ) 8-tracks or audio cassettes. It's nutty and not at all practical, but the box is fun.

 

Speaking of which, I've found 8-track cases with handles and fitten compartments that serve for Atari storage pretty well.

[llabnip]

What do you guys store your cart in? Anything that is widely avail that they fit well in for storage if you want to play them on occasion? Don't want to dig through 3 layers of games to get to the one on the bottom I want to play..

 

Unfortuantely, that's the setup I have! I have a half-height bookshelf setup next to my TV. It's a rather neat arrangment - all my carts, game CDs, etc are stored there. The top shelf has my systems (with a small circular cutout in the back to route wires through). The other shelves store my games. But my Atari collection is only "allocated" 2 cart-wide slots. They are stacked about 15 high for a total of 30 that can be easily reached/displayed. There are 3 rows of those -- so I can store about 90 carts, but the back two rows require me to take out the front row(s).

 

It's not optimal, but it's neat and semi-functional. I could store them in clear totes (I like that idea) but then I'd have to store them elsewhere and it might be even more trouble for me to lug them into the main game room. As it stands, when I play Atari, I just pull out the first two rows and set them on top of the bookcase or on the floor so I can get at my collection easily. Of course, having only 80 carts (I'm almost done with my "collection") helps!

[Video]

What do I use to store games in? Several things.

 

Rubber Maid storage containers. Four colums with a total of 88 carts in all, plus you can lay some on top flat ways, but that'd defeat the purpose of using a shallow box. $4-$5, great price.

Grapefruit boxes I got a friend that loves grapefruits. These boxes come with a single layer of grapefruits and is exactly the height of an Atari cartridge. They allow a fair nomber of carts, not quiet as many as the Rubber Maid box, but it packs a lot tighter, and storse in a smaller place. Free, if you can find them.

Shoe Boxes Pathetic, I know. But they're free with the shoes I buy, so why toss em? Depends on your shoe type/size. Useualy hold 2 or three rows of games, about 15-20 carts long. Free, and sometimes you can catch a local store that sells shoes and get the left over boxes from them.

Cassette storage box They sell these at walmart. The one I got holds something like 48 cassettes, but rather than slats, it only had six dowls to seperate the cassettes into sections of 6. The atari carts will fit five to a section. Heavy, though, and doesn't offer any actual protection to the games as the whole side is open to everything. Also, most expensive at $20 apiece.

GI Surpluss Ammunition boxes They have shallow wooden boxes with rope handles that are great. However, this is the heaviest option. You may not want to lug out a box that may weigh 25-50 pounds for a few dozen carts. Second most expensive at (depends on your surpluss store) $10-20

 

Over all, I'd say the grapefruit boxes are the best, if you can find someone that has them. The rubbermaid would be second best.