Collating sets while bulk sorting

TenaciousJDD · 12-08-2025, 02:46 PM

I use the ten pile sort by 1s>10s>100s method which has always worked well and I think I'm reasonably fast. Where I struggle is when I'm trying to collate sets when opening multiple boxes or even a case. I've often just done that as a fourth step after the 100s sort but it feels like that's too slow, and I have also tried doing it while I'm sorting the 100s but that can be more piles than I have space for. I'd love to hear if any of you guys have built a better mousetrap so to speak. I did a search before posting and couldn't find this specific aspect of sorting discussed before.

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bigdog2003 · 12-08-2025, 02:47 PM

I've seen people use sorting trays. I've never used one.

TBTC Baseball · 12-08-2025, 03:15 PM

Sorting tray worked great for me doing teams (30 slots/30 teams).
30 slots as 10's gets you 1-300. Or you could do 1 tray and each section is by 20's or 50's.

Boredlawyer · 12-08-2025, 03:27 PM

Sorting tray - each stack is 1-20, 21-40 etc.

Stack all cards ending in _1-_20 first regardless if they're 1, 115, 219, 308.
Then do all cards ending in _21-_40 (38, 125, 230) and so on.
I get tired of hunching over and this seems to be efficient.

crazy4kinsler · 12-08-2025, 04:15 PM

I've got a sorting tray. I love sitting in my recliner sorting out cards to put into sets. I start by breaking lots into 100s. Then I break the 100s into 10s. From there, I break into 1-10. Makes it easy to put the sets together.

TenaciousJDD · 12-08-2025, 04:18 PM

Thanks guys! Nice to have a few new things to try.

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TenaciousJDD · 12-08-2025, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Sorting tray - each stack is 1-20, 21-40 etc.

Stack all cards ending in _1-_20 first regardless if they're 1, 115, 219, 308.
Then do all cards ending in _21-_40 (38, 125, 230) and so on.
I get tired of hunching over and this seems to be efficient.

I forgot to follow up. Once you've got them grouped this way what is the next round? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious but it m having a hard time visualizing it.

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12-08-2025, 02:46 PM	#1
TenaciousJDD Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 154 Dodgers105 TenaciousJDD	Collating sets while bulk sorting I use the ten pile sort by 1s>10s>100s method which has always worked well and I think I'm reasonably fast. Where I struggle is when I'm trying to collate sets when opening multiple boxes or even a case. I've often just done that as a fourth step after the 100s sort but it feels like that's too slow, and I have also tried doing it while I'm sorting the 100s but that can be more piles than I have space for. I'd love to hear if any of you guys have built a better mousetrap so to speak. I did a search before posting and couldn't find this specific aspect of sorting discussed before. Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

12-08-2025, 02:47 PM	#2
bigdog2003 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Newberry, SC Posts: 9,542 jammons52 bigdog2003	I've seen people use sorting trays. I've never used one. __________________ Looking for Football: All South Carolina Gamecocks. Baseball: Carl Edwards Jr, Nick Ciuffo, Jackie Bradley Jr, SEARCHING FOR BILLY O'DELL PSA/SGC GRADED CARDS FOR THE PC

12-08-2025, 03:15 PM	#3
TBTC Baseball Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: USA Posts: 1,152	Sorting tray worked great for me doing teams (30 slots/30 teams). 30 slots as 10's gets you 1-300. Or you could do 1 tray and each section is by 20's or 50's. __________________ Looking for: 2011 Topps Trevor Cahill - Platinum,and Printing Plates. Cards of players in Throwback/TBTC/TATC/Negro League jerseys.

12-08-2025, 04:15 PM	#5
crazy4kinsler Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 16,491	I've got a sorting tray. I love sitting in my recliner sorting out cards to put into sets. I start by breaking lots into 100s. Then I break the 100s into 10s. From there, I break into 1-10. Makes it easy to put the sets together. __________________ Twitter & Instagram: @et_cardcollectr Just created a new Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=et_cardcollectr

12-08-2025, 03:27 PM	#4
Boredlawyer Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,188	Sorting tray - each stack is 1-20, 21-40 etc. Stack all cards ending in _1-_20 first regardless if they're 1, 115, 219, 308. Then do all cards ending in _21-_40 (38, 125, 230) and so on. I get tired of hunching over and this seems to be efficient.

12-08-2025, 04:18 PM	#6
TenaciousJDD Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 154 Dodgers105 TenaciousJDD	Thanks guys! Nice to have a few new things to try. Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk