Too many FSM mags!! What to do??

Give them to me..!

I know exactly what you meen. I have just about a complete collection of FSM & other model related mags, not to mention all of the hard & soft cover reference books. Storage is a problem, but finding an article from the past is becoming a nightmare. I really should catalog them in a data base, but I cringe at the time involved to do it properly.

Regards, Rick

I think I will try to put them on cd's and then just put the mags in storage. I always enjoy reviewing back issues and I think I should be able to put at least the issues from one year into a cd.

With the way everybody is with todays technology FSM should consider putting issues on cd's as well.

dj- I still want them buddy!

For the first umpteen years, I just clipped out the articles that pertained to my interests. Now, I've saved the last 3-4 years worth.

You could take a few years worth down to the local library and donate them....Sell them to a used bookstore...or like you said scan them onto CDR, that would be rather tedious and time consuming...

I generally keep 2-3 back issues, then I clip out the articles of interest & put 'em in file folders by topic. This works because my interests are "limited" -- see signature. There is nor room or reason to keep all the advertising. If there are two different articles back-back on a page, I xerox one side.

The file folders cover general modelling info, general period info (WW2 camo schemes, etc) applying to multiple end items, and then aircraft, armor, figures, ships by end item or kit (Sherman, Spitfire, etc). The file folders also make handy storage points for any other info I collect (like pix printed off the web) or ideas I jot down before, during, or after a project.

If you want, I can teach you how to scan things into a .pdf file properly. if you have a scanner. there may be some copyright issues if you sell them....

Some years ago the plant where my wife works threw away a bunch of boxes which are the exact size to hold 3 yrs worth of FSM. So now I have the past 2 1/2 years stacked neatly on a shelf in my modeling room and the rest stored nearby in boxes. However, before I store them, I go throug each mag and determine if there are any articles or drawings that I want as quick reference. I mark each article with a stick note and then copy them at the Library or the wife's office (one is free and the other isn't). The copied artricles and drawings are then put into a three ring binder and the mag gets put into storage. So far, it's reduced the amount of time I spend digging thru boxes trying to find something I know I saw in FSM. The wife recently suggested that I dig out each years index, copy it and put it in the top of the box containing that years issues.

Balta1, I have the same problem; I have about 14 years worth of FSM issues. I was able to buy some heavy cardboard boxes made especially for storing magazines. Each box stores about two dozen or so magazines. I got them at either Staples or Office Max.
They have slip-out covers and can even fit on a bookshelf if you want.

Thanks for all the ideas!!! I currently have all my mags stacked in the walk in closet in my bedroom but my wife is complaining that she can't walk in anymore!!

1337- I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Ships n scale, Model shipwright, and The Nautical Research Guild offer their Mags on CD at 10 years a pop. All the way back. I was hoping FSM would do the same. I think you would have guys lined up around the block for that one. I'd buy a set all the way back to the begining.

Unless you have duplicates, inventory them, and buy a few magazine holders, and store them on the shelf. I have a couple hundred dating back to 1964 and they get used a lot. Its funny to see how modeling has evolved over the years.

1964! whoah! i was still 25 years from being born att he time !

balta: go into adobe acrobat v5/6/7/8/a gazillion. go to file>import>import from device. select your scanner. put the page into the scanner, and hit start. it will give you a preview usually on 8.5x 14. select ok or something like that to get it to scan the final copy. then load up the scanner with page 2 and go at it again. if you need more tips just email me, Bbq.of.DooM@Gmail.com

Rick, Balta and anyone w/ a lot of FSM mags:
there is a company that sells a cd based index for FSM.
i am pretty sure it has a way you can create your own index for other mags.

here is a review (from a year or so back, so ignore the availability dates)
http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/books/indy.htm

the website is: http://www.rmwenterprises.com/ , i think, but i cannot get it to open at the moment. and their email is bouncing back too.
not sure if they moved to a new domain, or if their site is down.

in any case - i do have the cd & have purchased updates.
it is very handy.
their customer service people are very helpful

are you willing to "share" the wealth?

1337,
do you want me to look up a subject?

Catalogue them!! Just take a weekend, and go through them all. It'll be fun, trust me
I'm not sure about your scanning idea, but if you want to try it, go for it. If you're doint it page by page on your own, it'll take you some time, but you can go to a digital imaging place, and have them high-speed scan every page and burn to disc.

I'm in the same boat. Just got done going thru old Military Modeler/FSM mags going all the way back to 1978. Have a "keep" and a "toss" pile. Just gotta figure out what to do with the toss ones.

1337- Did you get my email?

yep gotcha balta. thanks.

I know Kalmbach puts out an inclusive index to plans they've published in the Model Railroader, don't know why that idea couldn't be expanded to cover general articles in other publications.

A while back I had about ten years of FSM piled up, I left most of them at the folks' house and took the ones with relevant articles (1/48 WWII USAAF medium and heavy bombers, the good Paul Budzik and Bob Steinbrunn articles) with me to start my new life . . . guess which ones got lost along the way?

@#$%-@$#%%in' $&^$&*$$in' ##@#^&(*@$er!!!!!!!!