My Stockpiles are out of hand, how to use bins?

[Sminky]

By far the largest part of my fort is stockpile space, and it's just getting worse. I've read you can use bins to stack items, but for the life of me I can't figure out how.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Philtre]

By default, stockpiles allow bins if they are set to accept any items that can be put in bins. If you have empty bins, your dwarves will use them automatically. So if you want your dwarves to use bins, just make some bins, and make sure you haven't manually turned off bin use in any applicable stockpiles.

However, most stockpile sprawl is caused by stones and maybe logs, neither of which can be put in bins.

[Sminky]

Originally posted by Philtre:

By default, stockpiles allow bins if they are set to accept any items that can be put in bins. If you have empty bins, your dwarves will use them automatically. So if you want your dwarves to use bins, just make some bins, and make sure you haven't manually turned off bin use in any applicable stockpiles.

However, most stockpile sprawl is caused by stones and maybe logs, neither of which can be put in bins.

thanks, stones indeed are very much the main sprawl. Any container i can stick them in?

[Philtre]

Originally posted by Sminky:

thanks, stones indeed are very much the main sprawl. Any container i can stick them in?

Nope. However, if you don't mind being a bit exploit-y, look up how to build a "quantum stockpile".

[Sminky]

bugger, maybe i'll have to look into that.

[Rainbow Jeremy]

quantum stockpiles are on the level, legitimate, authentic, totally legal and morally righteous dwarven black magic

[Sminky]

out of interest is there a way to easily allow all but one (in this case stone)? it seems to be either 'all', or just one type.

[AlP]

Originally posted by Sminky:

out of interest is there a way to easily allow all but one (in this case stone)? it seems to be either 'all', or just one type.

Click the "custom" button, and disable stone.

Don't make stone stockpiles, leave them where they are. The only problem they cause is occupy a space in a stockpile, so only remove them from other stockpiles. You can hide the stone by going to the stocks menu and clicking the eye button.

[ShadowBastard69]

you have to manually designate stuff as trash for it to get put in the dump(quantum stockpile) so the only sorting method is just be careful what you tag as trash.

[RiggedQuarter]

here's a tutorial.
https://youtu.be/Tgmkte0LScg?t=1145

As for the stone problem set them to make bricks. Those can be shoved into bins. Make a new stockpile of rocks every floor. Have them set to feed the pile above or below them. Chain it until it reaches the production floor. A minecart system might also help you transport them.

[Dark]

the dump zone quantum stockpile is the early fix, that requires some manual intervention

Then you look into minecart quantum stockpiles for stones (and possibly large amounts of bones if you have a meat industry) which helps automate the process.

also also: the mass trash/forbid/untrash/unforbid tool in the bottom right is your friend. When you aren't using the stock menu and want to focus on a specific area. like the bedrooms you just dug.

[SquirrelTeeth]

Well, there's another way too: don't stockpile the stone at all!
Leave that chert on the ground! The dwarves don't mind, everything is made of rock anyway. And if you ever need something built, well, the construction material is just under your feet.
Although i you don't like looking at the loose boulders in the corridors, you can hide it from view. It will still be there and dwarves can interaction with it normally, but it just isn't displayed. If you open your 'stocks' menu, select 'stone' and toggle the eyeball for each category of stone and you won't see the hallway-boulders anymore.
I think it might also hide things made from the stone as well, so it might be confusing, but I'll have to test it.

[Gedsaro]

Also if you do want to stockpile the stone, I like to make a bunch of large stone stockpiles connected by stairs, have the ones closest workshops that will use it pull it from the next closest, etc etc.
Also, if you are going to haul lots/all stone to stockpiles, use wheelbarrows, the setting for those is in the same place as the bins/barrels, I like to set around 6-7 to use for each such stockpile, that way the stone all gets moved fairly quickly, otherwise if you are going to haul all the stone it will take forever if you have much at all.

[Teemo]

If you'd like an alternative logistical approach, try quantum stockpiles:
https://youtu.be/M0rUEEb8oSI

[McFuzz]

You don't need to store every rock that exists.

I keep my stone stockpiles small or non-existant intentionally. Only store the rocks you need or valuable ones like ores. Use custom stockpiles for rocks and only use the ones you need, never a catch all. Assign a couple wheelbarrows.

[LastChime]

Make catapults that fire at will into trenches near the masons