Skip to main content

Lego organiser DIY






Completion date: April 21, 2020

I have a small table in my room. 35x50cm.  The Banbao Lego I bought from Taobao come with a really nice Lego organiser, 13 compartments. However, it takes up half of my little table.  It’s hard to work with half the table. But the interesting thing is, I came to realize that space is not the constraint, but accessibility.

1. Imagine, if I have 2 of these organisers, what would happen?  I would have to get up or hover over to the trays take the parts that I need. This means that I have to “travel” in space, so it is a disadvantage.
2. The needs to Hover suggests that the viewing angle is not desirable.
3. I usually just need 3-4 parts max on an instruction page, the rest of the compartments sitting here are idle.

This solution addresses above 3 problems and offers more flexibility:
- features a container of containers
- the internal containers are custom-made sizes to suit Lego lover needs
- both internal and external containers are movable, stackable — mix and match combinations
- take out internal containers and see the parts up close at eye-level, instead of hunching to table-level.
- gain visibility to the layering of Lego parts

Materials
- 3 x clear/transparent external container (100x200x52mm) (HK$12/each, Family House)
- clear/transparent plastic folders (I have too many scrap at home)
- double-sided tape
- A4 printing paper

Steps:
1. (Optional) I match the Banbao internal container dimensions (above the line) with my new proposed dimension (below the line). The final dimensions are (all heights are 3.5cm):

- 11x3 cm
- 7.5x6 cm
- 19x3 cm
- 13x6 cm
- 9.5x8 cm
- 6x6 cm
- 3x5 cm (I used CHINESE dumpling trays)


2. (Optional) I tried fitting them the box and see the number of mix and match combinations, and the usability of the combos. 
My tip: the width and depth to be in multiples of 3cm. 





3. Go to https://www.templatemaker.nl/en/#section-boxlid and Print the templates. You don’t need to print the lid, you only need the base. 

My tip on the 19x3cm container.  Print a 19x3x1.5cm (height) on the template website. Then with a pencil add the extra 2 cm height on the template. 

 4. Cut the paper templates out and transfer to plastic folders.  Cut plastic out. Use double-sided tapes to tape the corners. Put them inside the external container.


More Photos:

My organiser (above) versus Banbao organiser (below)

Stacked up external containers



In mid of Lego fun!




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Python script - pop-up reminder based on data from Excel

Completion date: December 17, 2018 Changes to the script (Dec 14 2018): 1. Used Date format to compare dates.  2. Show message for update AR if the date is overdue and due today. Changes to the script (Dec 17 2018): 1. Corrected the ws.max_row+1 to ws.max_row. 2. Changed to loop from bottom up (so the the newest records gets checked first) =========== The script =========== #! python3 -- Modified on Dec 17 2018 import openpyxl import tkinter.messagebox from datetime import date import os #Get the workbook, worksheet file = "AR.xlsx" wb  = openpyxl.load_workbook(file) ws  = wb['Sheet1'] #Iterate through the rows of column "Next update on" = Column D = 4, from bottom up (the newest record to oldest) for i in range(ws.max_row, 2, -1):     next_update_datetime = ws.cell(row=i, column=4).value     if (next_update_datetime is n...

Mahjong table frame

Purpose: To make a collapsible frame for a portable table.  Completion date: 2025-01-12 The main purpose of the frame: Provide raised step (~0.5cm height) for aligning the tiles in a straight line A place to put turned-over tiles along the frame Raised step design to prevent the tiles from falling off the table Portable table: 34” x 34” Mahjong mat: 31” x 31” Materials: Cardboard Adhesive wallpaper Double-sided tape 4 x L-shape brackets Paper Nano tape 8 x snap button bottom part Old ziploc bag Non-slip mat backing Steps Cut 8 strips of cardboard.  4 pieces: 1” x 34” 4 pieces: 0.75” x 34” Fit set of four strips (0.75”) on the table with the mat.  Mark and cut two ends 45 degrees.  Fit the strips around the mat snug with its inner edge against the mat's edge. To check if snug: push the frame strips and see if it moves the mat. If yes, good. If not, try to reduce the slack gap in between the frame and the mat rim (could swap the strips to find best fit).  Mark the...

Gear investigation: Klutz Lego Blender

Completion Date: May 31, 2020 After I finished with Banbao gears collection, I search on web for other building instructions.  I came across the Klutz Lego and saw the picture that I just built from looking at it.  It was quite easy and fast, however, I would like to convert it to vertical winding, but I don’t know how yet.  So here is the original one. Gear ratio is 40:8=40:24 = (40/8)*(40/24)=8.3 times faster then the hand-winding motion.