Best thoughHole storage? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kingofkya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2015, 01:46:27 am
content: I think i found the best way stop buying the same resistors/diodes/etc over and over. when you cant find the one value you need as...Curiouse if anyone eles has any other solutions? They way the snap together is awsome, too bad it seams be low grade plastic, still hope it lasts a resonable about of time.Not that expnsive ether.http://www.aliexpress.com/item/electronic-case-kit-IC-boxes-smd-storage-box-SMA-SMT-component-container-storage-50pcs-lot-Free/1990153794.html

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2015, 10:13:47 pm
content: Nice, I use the cheap plastic storage bins available at Big lots and Harbor Freight. I will have to investigate those further.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2015, 12:18:29 am
content: I use these, locally available and you can change the size of the compartment.http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Cases-%26-Storage/Storage-Boxes/28-Compartment-Storage-Case/p/HB6313

author: ChristofferB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2015, 11:01:18 am
content: Thatisneat and tidy!I use a combo of these flat tray-like component boxes, that they made in Denmark back in the 70's. Don't have as many as i'd like, though.I like the ones VK5RC uses too, since you can cut IC foam to fit snugly vertically, making little IC "index cards".But even with boxes, I still like keeping passives and analog components in small ziplock bags.

author: andtfoot
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2015, 12:42:53 pm
content: I think I may have posted this before, but this is how I do it for now.Resistors, diodes, and some common transistors:Capacitors organised by value number (so '10' has 10pF, 10nF, 10uF; and so on), other chips, and misc:

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2015, 01:59:49 pm
content: what about us Europeans and even better in Spain? I want to buy storage stuff, I have many old school ICs too (I'm obsessed with 6502 z80 6800...).

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 11:32:12 am
content: Personally if its not static sensitive like resistors, i bag it, tag it and put it in plastic candy boxes... Any store selling candy should have ample supply of empty boxes goint to trash and you often get them just asking for free or few euros...

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 03:20:52 pm
content: Here's how I store mine...

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 03:22:13 pm
content: not to mention...

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 03:56:04 pm
content: Depends how many you need to store...

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 05:44:16 pm
content: That's awesome DaveW, looks like it rotates?

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 09:57:47 pm
content: Quote from: LektroiD on May 02, 2015, 05:44:16 pmYeah exactly, over 700 drawers in a 0.6m circle. Would recommend it if you have the space!

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2015, 09:01:43 pm
content: Quote from: DaveW on May 02, 2015, 03:56:04 pmWow, that's brilliant! Need to look into building something like this.For me the problem isn't storage but keeping track of what I have. I don't track resistors and caps, but instead keep all the standard values and when something gets low I order another 100pc tape section. It's more jellybean diodes (the print being rather tiny) and all sorts of odd I2C interface chips, transistors, switches, op amps, relays, 0.1% 1W resistors, and other things I tend to forget I have and end up buying more of. Or that I bought sometime and never used, thinking oh! that will come in handy. Then when I can use it I forget I even have it. Once I know I have something it's generally easy enough to locate.Might be time to start a spreadsheet...

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2015, 10:23:12 pm
content: Quote from: bson on May 03, 2015, 09:01:43 pmSee below for all the details. Hope more people do build them , they really are fantastic!

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2015, 11:40:25 pm
content: What happens if you need to get something located at the bottom?I expect back problems. Ergonomy?

author: BFX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2015, 07:39:56 pm
content: That is mine solution

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 02:33:21 am
content: Quote from: DaveW on May 03, 2015, 10:23:12 pmNicely done project and video!

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 06:06:24 am
content: I keep all small parts organized in binders filled with tobbaco card holders. Their like regular card holders (i.e. baseball) but they are much smaller.I fold up my thorugh hole resistor tapes and stick em in the pockets. I also did it with inductor tapes, small inductors in bags, loose diodes in bags (zeners variety), small caps, etc.So long you treat it with respects 99% of the parts will stay in the tobbaco cards. Occasionally something will fall out, but for me its worth it. I am so glad I am able to have an entire e96 assortment by decade in one binder, rather then it taking up the entire wall with little boxes!!!they work for SMD parts just fine too. Cut the strips into segments so you can line them up side by side in the tobbaco card slots.http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181338797685?lpid=82&chn=psITS A GOD SAVE. Treat it gently and nothing will fall out. The solutions people have here make me cringe! THE WALL SPACE.As for chips, I have a op-amp bag, a mcu bag, dac bag, vref bag, etc. Each of the bags is made of mylar. Inside of the bag I keep the anti static tubes (and smaller SMD boxes) filled with chips. I label each tube with a sharpie and when I need something I look at my inventory, determine if I have it, spill the bag that I need on my ESD mat and find the right tube. I keep the bags in a tupperware.For stuff that I am using frequntly. breadboarding,etc, I keep a big 6x6 ESD foam, which I jam stuff into.I have a larger collection then some people here using like, 1/10th the space!!!As for things that really don't work with binders, like salvaged larger inductors, larger caps, 3+ legged parts, susceptible to bending damage, larger to packages, etc, I keep in "fishing" tackle boxes, available in walmart.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 07:56:47 am
content: Quote from: SArepairman on May 05, 2015, 06:06:24 amMe too. Can't afford wall space for resistors so I have my COLLECTION of 1/4W trough-hole resistors in tiny mini-grip (resealable) plastic bags. Plastic bags worth of half a decade goes to bigger plastic bag and those half-decade bags are thrown into a tool drawer. AFAIK close to 400 different resistor values, 100-200pcs each100r 1K 10K and 100K resistors I usually keep at hand separately since those are in need most often...Electrolytics et al I keep in Raaco drawers and if I have more than I can fit in one box I'll just keep rest of em in plastic bags.Tip for the scandinavians: Biltema has small plastic "tackle" boxes for really cheap and the quality is pretty nice. Lid is enough fit so that items wont teleport to adjacent compartments.Buy a at least 10 boxes right away so that after years you wont have collection of different looking boxes that wont stack nicelyhttp://www.biltema.fi/fi/Tyokalut/Tyopenkki-ja-sailyttaminen/Lajitelmalaatikko-ja-lokerikko/Lajitelmalaatikko-2000032459/

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 09:08:53 am
content: Quote from: mzzj on May 05, 2015, 07:56:47 amMini-grip?, what is that?, same as zip-lock bags?, I bought some nice-size ziplock bags in some shop in Norway, but they had hole for hanging, right above the ziplock so they are almost impossible to open, and they are very thin.Bought some from ebay also, but those was meant for collecting stones, so they are very thick again, anyone have ideas what thickness and size is usable for allround bags to buy?, I find sellers selling bags with thickness given in mills, what that is.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 09:36:07 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on May 05, 2015, 09:08:53 amYes, zip-lock for english speakers I guess. Term just evaded my head at the time of writing.mill is old imperial measurement of pagans=thousands of inch1mill = 0,0254mm

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 10:39:51 am
content: I checked now, 4 mil was the thickness of the bags I bought, I think it's maybe a bit much, but I don't want ones that are easily poked through either. The latest bags I bougt from china saw solid out on the pictures, but they are thinner than anything when they arrive..Guess I need to try again..

author: savril
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 12:17:25 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on May 05, 2015, 10:39:51 amYes, I received some items from china in such thin bags. They are useless, I don't expect them to last more than a few handlings (and the closing is crap). Why don't you try to source them in your country. Theses bags are produced worldwide and you should be able to get more of them for about the same price.I often found better price in UE for basic items than from china. China is unbeatable only for electronic/pcb from my experience. Even if the produced item came from china, the distributors get them in more quantity and save on shipping by using boat shipping and the end price is often better for you.For example, I bought 10 plastic zip bag ESD safe from china (the metallic gray one), only to find out that I could get them for near half the price from RS(and I picked the smallest price on ebay).

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 11:05:56 am
content: Yes, I could check Farnell etc, it's just a crap to search there

author: savril
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:26:21 pm
content: Quote from: neslekkim on May 07, 2015, 11:05:56 amElectronics suppliers may not be the best source for that.These bags are used by shops and all. So you should be able to find them in office supply, commerce supply and shipping supply shops.For example, there's a euro online shop where you can get them by thousand:http://www.rajapack.se/pasar-och-inpackning/plastpasar/blixtlaspasar/blixtlaspasar-utan-skrivfalt-60-my-rajagrip-super_OFF_NO_0444.htmlThey may not have the best prices though. Is it interesting compared to the price you get them ?And in local shops, you must be able to get them in a lower quantity.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2015, 02:56:39 pm
content: To add to what others had mentioned, the zip-lock bags I bought are the anti-static type with the clearest material. They are normally quite thick. The bags shall go into a transparent game-card holder. The holders go into a 1 inch binder. Get the dimension of the game-card holder and anti-static zip lock bag correct, they shall fit very well and shall not drop off easily. The binders shall go into a document drawer. The drawer shall fix the binders just right, and 1 cabinet has about 4 pull out drawers. And the drawer is labeled outside of what are the binders inside. The binder is labeled of the type and the values that are inside. And each anti-static bag is labeled with an inserted paper of the content it is holding. The anti-static bag cannot hold too many pieces. For parts that I have more, I shall add a ote on the zip-locked bag label that more can be found in the "extra" area (which holds fewer types that are in more quantity).

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2015, 09:19:55 am
content: Sorry for rescueing an old thread, I think this should be edited in a main post and pinned. Several people have organization issues, I'm very prone to lost ICs and all kind of components due to my anxiety and ADHD.Can anyone summarize this and put it in a wiki-like form? It would be very welcome!

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2015, 05:36:29 am
content: Binders full of resistors, see attached image. It's worked pretty well for me.That doesn't solve my organizational issues for caps and semiconductors though. I'm using plastic trays for those.