LEGO filter or sieve?

[kibosh]

I've acquired several LEGO collections lately, and I need to start sorting them. At first, I want to sort by general size. I could have sworn I saw instructions at some point to build a LEGO sieve. I'd love to create something that I can pour my pieces into, and gather up all the big, bulky pieces. A next level may sort out everything bigger than a 2x4 brick. Lastly, I'd like to end with everything that's 1x1. It doesn't need to be perfect!

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

[bonox]

Cardboard with holes?

www.science-sparks.com/2014/09/01/easy-lego-filter

[DrJB]

There was actually a set of lego sieves, for sale about 10 years ago (or a bit less). It was three circular trays (yellow/blue/red) that would stack on top of each other. They served the dual purpose of storing and sorting by size. You may still be able to find one off eBay.

There is a newer version ... it's a big minifig head and currently available.

[pugmom]

we have this one, although not perfect, it helps. Maybe you could model something like that?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004UJFUP2/wwwbox4bloxco-20/ref=sr_1_107?ie=UTF8&qid=1412225552&sr=8-107&keywords=lego+storage

[kibosh]

I like the looks of that box for bloxes. Could you tell me how big the holes are? I'm thinking of making light weight PVC frames, drilling holes along the sides, and stringing them with fishing line or something like that. Kind of like a wide holed screen. In various sizes of course.

[Vorkosigan]

At an arts and crafts store you can buy different sizes of metal mesh, like a finer grade of chicken wire. Used as a structure under a paper mache sculpture among other things. I think you could pick one or more for different size bricks.

[deraven]

Here's the best DIY sorting tray system I've seen, and it's basically what you describe- wood frames with meshes made of nylon finishing line:

http://moz.net.nz/lego/2012-08-19-lego-sifting/

[kibosh]

Here's the best DIY sorting tray system I've seen, and it's basically what you describe- wood frames with meshes made of nylon finishing line:

http://moz.net.nz/le...9-lego-sifting/

Thanks! That's EXACTLY the tutorial I was thinking of!

I'll check the arts and crafts store, too. If I could buy a mesh that would work, that would save a lot of time!

[Vorkosigan]

http://www.dickblick.com/products/amaco-wireform-mesh/

The "gallery mesh" is 1/2" so that would probably work well for getting the small bricks separate. $11 for 3 sheets: http://www.dickblick.com/items/33408-2550/

[ElCrab]

I made one using a wire oven rack and a cardboard box lid. It's good enough to sort out the bigger stuff for me. I had looked at Box4Blox and decided to save the 40 bucks and build my own. If there was a similar product with a finer final sorting tray for small pieces, I'd be all over it. Alas, I've yet to find something like that, and will probably have to make my own if I want it.

[deraven]

I had the same feeling about the Box4Blox, ElCrab. It looks like a nice product, but not quite what I want and a little more than I'd want to spend. That wood and line sorter I posted looks great, but I just don't have that much time! I wonder if some mid-sized Sterilite-type flat plastic boxes could have holes cut in the bottom to accomplish something similar. Or cardboard reinforced with packing tape or something before being cut so it wouldn't deteriorate so quickly with all the ABS going through it?

All things considered, it'd probably be best for me to just spend the $40.