Storing PSA Graded Cards

krisd3279

I have less than 200 graded cards at the moment so storing them isn't such a big deal. I'm working on the 71T set so I will have many many more in the next few years. So far I have been using the PSA storage boxes available on the PSA website. I have purchased them a few times in the past at $7 each. I just went to purchase a few more and the price has gone up. I'm pretty sure cardboard prices haven't increased 43% recently so I'm not sure what is going on. We use tons of corrugated where I work and I realize it goes up every year, but not 43%. Maybe they are trying to help fund their recruitment and grading efforts?

Anyway, it got me thinking maybe these cardboard boxes aren't the best option. I don't want this to become a rant about cardboard box prices, but I would like to see what everyone else is using to store large quantities of graded cards.

I have seen a few threads on here about building some nice wooden boxes. I will probably do that at some point since my other hobby is woodworking. I even saw one talking about using White Castle boxes. Has anyone found any new storage methods?

LarkinCollector

I've been using these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-BCW-Graded-Card-Shoe-Storage-Box-2-Row-PSA-Beckett-Other-Graded-Lid/112839798509 There's a lot of different quantity packages (a bundle of 5 can be had for under $5/ea delivered), just search 'bcw graded card boxes' on eBay; they have single row ones also if that's what you prefer. The 2-row shoeboxes hold 120ish normal thickness PSA cards, obviously fewer if you'll be storing thick/patch slabs, which is about as heavy as I want a box. I'll have to count one of my full boxes to get a more precise count.

VoteDizzy

cardcasepro.com

PopeyesSpinach

I like the look of those two row bcw boxes. They look really well-made and stable. The single row boxes I have seem like they would topple over under the right circumstance. Especially having to stack them 6 levels high and growing

LarkinCollector

@PopeyesSpinach said:
I like the look of those two row bcw boxes. They look really well-made and stable. The single row boxes I have seem like they would topple over under the right circumstance. Especially having to stack them 6 levels high and growing

I've got some of the two-rows stacked 4 high, nearly fully loaded and the bottom one has not been crushed in the slightest.

Also, just confirmed right at 120 for standard thickness.

PopeyesSpinach

@LarkinCollector said:

@PopeyesSpinach said:
I like the look of those two row bcw boxes. They look really well-made and stable. The single row boxes I have seem like they would topple over under the right circumstance. Especially having to stack them 6 levels high and growing

I've got some of the two-rows stacked 4 high, nearly fully loaded and the bottom one has not been crushed in the slightest.

Also, just confirmed right at 120 for standard thickness.

Awesome thanks for the info!

countdouglas

I use actual shoeboxes to store my graded cards... and they're free with the purchase of a pair of $200 Air Jordans! Roughly 6 stacks of 24 cards with a tiny gap between the 2 horizontal stacks that you could use a piece of foam or filler, if you so choose.

wadevl

4 sets of These

NGS428

I was actually looking at the PSA boxes that the OP mentioned. $10 seemed a little steep.

I currently use this case from Harbor Freight. Works well. When full it holds around 180 or so. The interior foam can be pulled out to match the slab width.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-6-in-x-13-in-black-aluminum-case-62271.html?utm_referrer=https://m.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&p=1&q=Tool+Cases&utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot+provided

Darn that is a long link...

NGS428

@LarkinCollector said:

@PopeyesSpinach said:
I like the look of those two row bcw boxes. They look really well-made and stable. The single row boxes I have seem like they would topple over under the right circumstance. Especially having to stack them 6 levels high and growing

I've got some of the two-rows stacked 4 high, nearly fully loaded and the bottom one has not been crushed in the slightest.

Also, just confirmed right at 120 for standard thickness.

How tight is the fit width wise? Will the slabs fit if they have the PerfectFit sleeves on them?

StamkosFan

I make my own. Bought 10 of these boxes for about $50 delivered. They're the 3000 count boxes. I remove the dividers or you can leave one in, and it'll still be fine. Fits about 256 PSA cards. Not good for travel, but great just to store away in your office, closet, mancave, etc.

HighGradeLegends

@StamkosFan said:
I make my own. Bought 10 of these boxes for about $50 delivered. They're the 3000 count boxes. I remove the dividers or you can leave one in, and it'll still be fine. Fits about 256 PSA cards. Not good for travel, but great just to store away in your office, closet, mancave, etc.

This is what I use. Cheap and does the job well

LarkinCollector

@NGS428 said:

@LarkinCollector said:

@PopeyesSpinach said:
I like the look of those two row bcw boxes. They look really well-made and stable. The single row boxes I have seem like they would topple over under the right circumstance. Especially having to stack them 6 levels high and growing

I've got some of the two-rows stacked 4 high, nearly fully loaded and the bottom one has not been crushed in the slightest.

Also, just confirmed right at 120 for standard thickness.

How tight is the fit width wise? Will the slabs fit if they have the PerfectFit sleeves on them?

There's plenty of room for cards with sleeves, especially the PerfectFit, but you'll lose some capacity from the slabs not interlocking. I use the same boxes for storage of raw stuff in CS1s, the off brand of those I use is 1/8" wider than a PSA slab and there's still a touch of wiggle room left side-to-side.

dictoresno1

I use a few Apache 3800's and a huge Pelican 1520 to store my stuff.

PopeyesSpinach

@LarkinCollector said:
I've been using these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-BCW-Graded-Card-Shoe-Storage-Box-2-Row-PSA-Beckett-Other-Graded-Lid/112839798509

I wonder if the seller saw this thread? The other day the price was 85.00 now it's a 119.00.

LarkinCollector

@PopeyesSpinach said:

@LarkinCollector said:
I've been using these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-BCW-Graded-Card-Shoe-Storage-Box-2-Row-PSA-Beckett-Other-Graded-Lid/112839798509

I wonder if the seller saw this thread? The other day the price was 85.00 now it's a 119.00.

Could be, I just grabbed the first link I saw, there's plenty of other sellers out there. Direct from BCW it's still under $90 with free shipping at the 25 qty.

PopeyesSpinach

@LarkinCollector said:

@PopeyesSpinach said:

@LarkinCollector said:
I've been using these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-BCW-Graded-Card-Shoe-Storage-Box-2-Row-PSA-Beckett-Other-Graded-Lid/112839798509

I wonder if the seller saw this thread? The other day the price was 85.00 now it's a 119.00.

Could be, I just grabbed the first link I saw, there's plenty of other sellers out there. Direct from BCW it's still under $90 with free shipping at the 25 qty.

Awesome thanks again

StamkosFan

https://www.ebay.com/itm/7-3000-COUNT-3-ROW-BASEBALL-TRADING-CARD-MAX-PRO-CARDBOARD-STORAGE-BOXES-zx/131350593053?epid=1212037213&hash=item1e951afe1d:g:U9cAAOSwe51aAd~m:rk:1:pf:0

For the cheap collector like me who doesn't need bulletproof storage. Remove 1 divider if you're not using sleeves. Remove both dividers if you are.

NGS428

Here are some pictures of the Harbor Freight case I linked in my above post.

https://m.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-6-in-x-13-in-black-aluminum-case-62271.html

pdub1819

I used something similar to the Harbor Frieght box.

initialD

@pdub1819 said:
I used something similar to the Harbor Frieght box.

Nice treasure chest!!
Are those cases over the slabs??
Do tell....

NGS428

@PopeyesSpinach said:

@LarkinCollector said:
I've been using these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/25-BCW-Graded-Card-Shoe-Storage-Box-2-Row-PSA-Beckett-Other-Graded-Lid/112839798509

I wonder if the seller saw this thread? The other day the price was 85.00 now it's a 119.00.

Last time they sold one was October of last year. Not sure they can raise the price just yet.

PROMETHIUS88

I use Hefty bags. Yeah, they move around a lot but you can just sling it over your shoulder with your booty in tow!

NGS428

@PROMETHIUS88 said:
I use Hefty bags. Yeah, they move around a lot but you can just sling it over your shoulder with your booty in tow!

I prefer Glad ForceFlex with drawstring.

PopeyesSpinach

Trash bags are fine as long as they're not the scented kind. Those things give me a headache

DavidPuddy

@dictoresno1 said:
I use a few Apache 3800's and a huge Pelican 1520 to store my stuff.

This is what I've moved to as well. The Apache 3800 and now the 4800 are great for slabs.

ReggieCleveland

I'll second what Kyle said. I just get mine from the BCW site directly. They're perfect for slabs and you can't beat the price but I actually find myself using them for CS1s more than anything else.

Come to think of it, I really need to organize my collection.

Arthur

LarkinCollector

FWIW, I recently discovered removing the divider and adding a little padding on the bottom, the BCW boxes work great for tallboys too ...

I need to get more level padding, but fit 51 tallboys in there and was still able to squeeze the lid on.

Also, after discussing this topic with a former member here, there are some ammo cans (cheap from a military surplus store) that work nicely for regular size or jumbos too.