The Dreaded Sorting.

It has come round to that time of the year again, it is time to sort or more re-sort the LEGO into a new system.
Got a whole bunch of containers today, Any advice on how best to sort everything, and Systems people use that
are really good.

I'm about to switch to a new system too. My previous system was containers with individual types of brick in each container, And colour organization for the 2x4 and 1x6 types. As more and more bricks entered my life, I need sooooo many containers that I ran out of space. My new idea is to use ice-cream containers and sorting the bricks in genre rather than type. Pirateish bricks in that container, castleish bricks in those ones and so on. Seems to be working well so far.

I'd find that the ice-cream system works better for a lot of individual bricks, and the colour and types system works best for a more "standard" collection.

Im thinking about keeping my colour codeing but pulling all my heavy use items that are small and putting them into containers. I have found that fishing containers are very good for this as there is lots of little compartments.

I was actually about to head out to office works to get some more containers (I am thinking of adding the blitz containers they have for my larger groupings).

Once (many years ago) I loved sorting, now I dread it (I have about about 4 large containers of unsorted lego...

What containers are you using?

I have a crazy, makes no sense sorting system. Small specialty parts I tend to divide into those hardware drawer systems and clear fishing tackle box systems.

Except big specialty bits kind of get themed together, wheels, trains, roof and wall pieces.

Bricks get divided by colour, so all my white bricks are in one box and white plates in another.

Although my more favourite colours (dark red, light blue, lime and pink) get divided into fishing tackle boxes into piece types and sizes.

So don't take my sorting advice, I need a new and more logical system.

mine is colour sorted, all mini fig accessories are in tackle boxes as are round bricks, all trans, and round 1x1 round plates along with other small bits.
I then have a sectioned tray I load up for what ever I'm working on.
but with my ever growing collection my tubs have begun to over flow so a better system is needed. I'd love to do a pick-a-brick type wall set up but not practical in a rented house........but one day!!

I have found myself in the position of acutally having to travel down to sydney to go to ikea to get another cabnet to hold the colour coded peices and I then have to modify some of the draws to hold the containers. I am considering getting some more tackle boxes to divide some of my smaller peices like guns and tools, getting to a more specific level. Although all vaugly Police peices seem to have there own little places

bunnings have some good cheap containers thats what I use :D

I use 3 different systems to sort my LEGO collection(s).

One is to colour code the bricks into the old 4 litre round ice cream containers.

Another way I sort is to put the all the smaller things like caps & helmets, flowers & trees etc into a purposely built 4 draw LEGO container which was available throughout the 1980's.

Lastly I have begun to buy small refrigerator containers to put all spares of each purchased set into order to make my life a bit easier which will at some stage be stored into a 20kg container once it becomes to big to handle.

I guess I have my sorting until for now

I have over 80L of LEGO in my to sort pile and its just getting over the top. The sorting head that captain Zuloo got is very usefuly for this acutally

I am just about to start sorting mine again Going to be a big job....

My bricks are sorted mainly into colours, but within each colour box I have bags which hold smaller parts together (for example in one of my black containers I have a bag of black 1x2 plates and 1x1 round plates etc).
All my LEGO is contained within draws in shelves. Pretty much half of one of the walls in my LEGO room is covered by drawers. I also have a minifig drawer which makes use of ziplock bags. I have all my minifig heads in one bag, all my torsos in another, legs, accessories, hats etc.
I also have one drawer full of black jumper plates, that's how many I have.
I'm planning on sorting some of the parts I have in larger quantities into seperate bags. I need more storage containers to do it as I'd like to, but for the time being what I have will do. I'm in Barcelona at the moment, but when I return I'll take a new photo of my collection.

I have started sorting, here is my crazy looking collection at the moment.

Brickshelf link

I dream of one day having a better system, but this is all I have for now.

AnitaE your folder is not public.

I haven't used brickshelf for a few years now, I can't remember how long it takes to moderate them. (I had completely forgotten about that, I am just coming out of my second dark age).

I posted two photos in the 'picture of your collection thread'.