Comic storage question

[kw18]

I have all my floppies bagged and boarded, and stored in drawer boxes. I recently decided to go for a more long-term and more aesthetically pleasing storage solution, so I picked up a metal filing cabinet for cheap. Problem is the drawer height is about half an inch too short.

Can I store the bagged and boarded floppies horizontally? If so, spine down or up? If not, why not? I know there are issues with spine roll, but I would like to believe that wouldn't happen if they're stacked right next to one another and all are in bags and boards.

Apologies if this isn't the best board to ask the question ...

Thanks!

[glennsim]

I'm going to guess that spine-up would be better, as that doesn't put the weight of the book on the spine. And that might be marginally easier to flip through.

[kw18]

I'm going to guess that spine-up would be better, as that doesn't put the weight of the book on the spine. And that might be marginally easier to flip through.

Hmm ... see, I thought it'd be better with spine down. As the spine is a bit thicker, it could form a base or foundation, where as the spine being on top would weigh down on the rest of the book. But I dunno ... it's why I asked! Thanks for your input, glennsim!

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[needler420]

Proper comic storage should have every other comic flipped whether storing horizontally or vertical you don't want the spine to be on the same side every time. When weight shifts if the spine is all on the same side you'll get spine roll. Just like stacking a huge stack of magazines. One spine down and one up one down one up etc.

[DrawerBox]

I have all my floppies bagged and boarded, and stored in drawer boxes. I recently decided to go for a more long-term and more aesthetically pleasing storage solution, so I picked up a metal filing cabinet for cheap. Problem is the drawer height is about half an inch too short.

Can I store the bagged and boarded floppies horizontally? If so, spine down or up? If not, why not? I know there are issues with spine roll, but I would like to believe that wouldn't happen if they're stacked right next to one another and all are in bags and boards.

Apologies if this isn't the best board to ask the question ...

Thanks!

Comis and magazines should always be stored with the spine vertical. This is because the fold in the spine provides support for the magazine. Try this simple experiment: Take a sheet of paper and lay it across two vertical supports such as books so it creates a bridge. It will sag under its own weight, Now take the same sheet of paper and fold it with alternating folds so it zig zags. Lay it across the same two supports with the fold running from one support to the other and place a few coins on it. Now it is strong enough to support the coins. The take the same, folded sheet and lay it across the supports with the folds running between the supports. The paper will collapse under its own weight again.

The exact same thing happens when comics are stored horizontally with the spine either horizontal across the top or bottom of the comic. Over time this will cause the comic to develop a warp. Boards and bags will minimize this but not prevent it since the there always has to be a certain amount of slack in the bag to be able to slide the comic into it.

They should never be stored tightly, either. This is what causes spine roll, just as it does when comics are stacked. And alternating them does not help since the problem is caused because the spine is thicker than the rest of the comic. While it may not seem like much on one comic, when you have 50 or 100 in a box or drawer, the thickness adds up. Alternating just ensures that there is additional thickness pressing against both sides of the comic instead of just one side, doubling the affected area.