I'm stuck on crates and scatter terrain

[dwbullock]

I have a significant collection of crates from various manufacturers.

Some of these:
https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/catalog/product/920x950/99120199092_ArmouredContainersLead.jpg

Bunch of these:

https://ttcombat.com/cdn/shop/products/Ammo_Crates.png?v=1571767775


Various other odds and ends, even some wooden blocks that I want to lay a tarp over to look good.  Problem is ... I have zero idea how to stack these things.  I've worked in a warehouse, and know how they should be stacked, but that looks boring.  I think about making an 'L' shaped stack, but can't settle on anything.  Then, I get frustrated with the 'base' or 'no base' or even just keep them loose and stack when setting up the terrain.  That last one just seems like a terrain Jenga game with waiting to knock it over.  Not thinking for barricades or the like, but more as a 'storage room' 'warehouse' use.

So, in short.  Suggestions?  Maybe show me your scatter / crate setup?

[has.been]

Bottom row neat, (more than one neat row if crates are small)
Then irregular placing.  As per Hollywood, you want to create cover, fire-steps & obstacles.
Mix it up with short lines, also  'L' & 'C' shapes.
Base them up on clear plastic. Even the very thin stuff will do.

Well that is what I would do.

[snitcythedog]

You can kick around the based or unbased question forever and not make a decision.  My suggestion would be to finish a stack without a base or with a clear base.  See how that takes you as you can add a base later to a finished piece.  If you are stacking crates for a warehouse setting they will be neat but much would be on shelves.  In the field where people are grabbing what they need it will be a little more hap hazard and other items will be left laying around on top of the crates. 
TT combat does some nice shelves that will fit the 40k size boxes.  https://ttcombat.com/collections/city-scenics/products/warehouse-shelving
Sorry that I don't have any pictures of them individually but this should give you an idea of scale as they are next to the buildings and 25mm based models.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhu5mSiuvqI/YKQqo5Dsx7I/AAAAAAAAD3E/U2dWqCo02zIGGHejm8cY52t0brgyXLnUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2097.jpg
If you do decide to base you have a couple of options.  Either with landscaped bases or if it is for interiors you can do drop in scenery.  For the drop ins they will match the interior colors of your builds.  Here are a couple of examples.  Not boxes mind but you will get the idea.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAuShdUE1CY/Xr1vdAgNWfI/AAAAAAAACrI/-lSixCDjWIslxLb-8Fx48TRtDC8-c62NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1502.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCeS9Ef4cXM/XZyAmOAsWHI/AAAAAAAACKA/0Nlv6fOLS9Y0KL4e9cQVAsCqSmpaaOQOQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg
If you are partially or fully covering the stacks with tarps you can use insta mold to make a simple press mold and then cast a bunch of bad copies to get the basic shapes that will be covered and use the real pieces where they will be visible.   

Hope that helps. 

[eilif]

I'm partial to L shapes for in game usefulness. I like stacks on pallets especially.

I've got a whole bunch of possible arrangements here from when I was in a similar situation as you are:
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2014/09/scatter-terrain-for-sci-fi-and-pos/

[zebcook]

This Wikipedia article has some good photos of Britiish supply dumps and warehouses during WW2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_logistics_in_the_Siegfried_Line_campaign

[ced1106]

Museum Wax is good to keep things temporarily stuck together.

I also like to use Locktite blu-tack, except that it's... blue.

[syrinx0]

A tub of the Museum Wax lasts forever too. I also use it to attach weird sized bases to painting handles when magnets won't work.

[dwbullock]

Leave it to the British to be organized even in supply depots.  I'm just not sure it makes for very fun wargaming when things are that organized.  Working on a few arrangements and I'll post when I get some good shots.

As for museum wax ... I've never heard of it, but now that I know what it is, I sort of need some just for my house!  Brick Brack that never moves!

[eilif]

Personally, I'd skip the wax connections.  It might seem like a good idea to keep a whole bunch of small reconfigurable cargo piecs, but I've found over the years that groups of cargo, glued permanently together are easier to store, use and protect from scratching.