Parts trays/boxes - having difficulty finding many - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2017, 06:20:41 am
content: G'day all,I have just acquired some metal drawers (see[https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/(au)-target-selling-metal-drawer-cabinets-for-desktop-use-$15/msg1146382/#msg1146382]]https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/(au)-target-selling-metal-drawer-cabinets-for-desktop-use-$15/msg1146382/#msg1146382][https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/(au)-target-selling-metal-drawer-cabinets-for-desktop-use-$15/msg1146382/#msg1146382]) for which I was looking to put some small parts trays/boxes in for my parts storage.I thought there would be thousands of these items online (especially from China) but I am having very little luck finding something appropriate (maximum dimension 363 x 227 x 47mm).Am Ihere?Also, should I be concerned about ESD with plastic storage trays/boxes?If I can't find any, I was also considering making mdf versions (lacquered) to line the drawers for parts - is this appropriate ESD wise? (it's a lot of extra work I'd rather not do though)?I tried searching EEVblog but didn't find much, does anyone have any suggestions for sourcing these?Many thanks.PS I can't manage to get the link to work - doh!Can anyone tell me do I reference another forum topic in a new topic?Edit: Fixed link!

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2017, 09:23:44 pm
content: I was thinking the same the other day, even those drawer type boxes are harder to find now and made so cheaply when you do find them. When I finally get around to insulating/heating my garage (need to build a shed first) I want to look at making my own.Currently all my parts are in their original Digikey packaging in larger bins, it's kinda disorganized.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2017, 08:05:11 pm
content: IMO, you don't want trays or arrays which are not easily rearranged, IMO. There are only a few jelly bean parts that you will use with any regularity. Everything else is going to be flavor of the month. Maybe not touched for years. And if/when you do need said part, you may need dozens or hundreds. Picking them out of a tray may be a pain. And the benefit of SEEING the parts isn't necessarily much. There are so many parts that come in the same package. It's not like fishing tackle, where you always need a sinker and a hook and w/e lure looks the tastiest to you, today. There are way too many things you might need, and way too many things you aren't going to touch for years. Your best friend, here, are small plastic bags +- a heat sealer for the best effect. Save one of the faraday cage, foil-lined bags from your component purchases every now and then, for the static sensitive parts. Then put these into loose boxes that will hold a large number of small bags of quasi-related parts, and which will pack nicely in the drawer and take a label on the top.If you still want a static array of little dividers in a drawer in which to put bare parts? MDF is fine. Wood is fine. Painted metal is fine. Plastics are the main culprits for ESD. Or anything fuzzy. But the only parts I would store in this are maybe TOOLS and random transformers, relays, switches, or the like (actually, I have better place for these, which is the junk bin), for which you may not keep a lot and for which seeing the part is helpful. This ragtag selection of parts is going to vary, and the sizes of these random relays is going to vary a lot. Not something which is going to fit nicely in a thin tool drawer. Your link is broken, but I assume you are talking about something like a tool box with thin sliding drawers. For your go to tools, you probably need to custom make this tray, anyway.

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2017, 07:01:14 am
content: Quote from: KL27x on February 28, 2017, 08:05:11 pmThanks for the feedback KL27x.Yes, I'm considering your suggestions may be the best way to go.Quote from: KL27x on February 28, 2017, 08:05:11 pmI saw a yt video making different size boxes in mdf for his workshop parts so he could 'mix-n-match' them in drawers to accommodate his different sized screws, bolts, etc. (). It's versatile but also a LOT of work!I have larger storage boxes for those bigger items.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2017, 08:13:52 pm
content: That looks nice. But HUGE for electrical parts. All my (non transformer or heatsink or huge electromechanical) parts can fit in one of those drawers with room to spare.Funny, my dad used something similar to Raaco drawers for bolts/nuts/nails/screws. And he couldn't make or fix anything to save his life. He never bothered to properly label this tidy chest of stuff-he-never-used. And I saw him pick up a hammer, once.BTW, the reason I suggest boxes over bins/drawers/dividers is practical. To me, loose electrical components don't exist. If it's not in a bag with a label - if I can't identify the part number and find the datasheet - it is junk. You can fit 4x as many things that are BAGGED into a box that has a closing lid to keep the bags compressed and contained. Also, if storing them in a drawer, this gives a place for a big label on the top. Most important thing is knowing what you have and where to find it... time it takes to access and re-store it is moot compared to the rest of what you're doing (troubleshooting/designing/wiring/debugging/soldering). Having a DMXP9527 transistor right at my fingertips? Oh my. Amazing. Now if only I can snap my fingers and the rest of the work is done, lol.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 01:22:15 am
content: Quote from: MarvinTheMartian on March 01, 2017, 07:01:14 amNice! This is the kind of thing I have in mind myself. Fully modular boxes that can just be swapped around but inside a drawer unit. Once you have some jigs setup and decent assembly process going I imagine it's not too bad, just long. Idealy every single individual component would get it's own box. Even split up resistors by value as I find them. Though that might be a little crazy, so probably split off common values then rest in ranges. My current setup goes by major color groups, as it makes it easier to organize them too, don't need to really think about it. I don't know the colors off hand.The issue with anything you buy is that they stop making it after a while, so you can't rely on anything these days if you want consistency.One way to make it modular may also be to stick with the bigger boxes, but have routed slots to put spacers in. But I think fully individualized boxes might be more versatile.I really need to insulate and put hvac in my garage so I can get into wood working, it's basically wasted space right now as it's not conditioned at all. Too hot in summer and too cold in winter. It could potentially turn into some electronics lab too, for the more "dangerous" stuff like testing a DIY psu for the first time. Fire up the air exhaust flip the switch and get the fire extinghisher ready.

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2017, 10:57:50 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on March 03, 2017, 01:22:15 amI think you are right - you would keep losing parts down in the unused routed slots!QuoteDon't forget the 'take ten steps back" before hitting that switch!

author: NottheDan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2017, 12:26:55 pm
content: Because I had a bunch arrive just yesterday and I find them very handy, I'm gonna recommendthese. Maybe a bit small for you but I find their modularity and size very convenient.

author: frozenfrogz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2017, 12:43:42 pm
content: I really like the Raaco CarryLite and Assorter series. The limiting factor on your drawer however seems to be the max. height.The local hardware store here in Germany (Obi) sells genuine Raaco made sorting boxes re-branded »Lux« for about half the price.The separate sorting containers can be rearranged in a lot of ways.There are some options with only 30mm in height, but they are not as flexible in regard to the box inlays: [urlhttps://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungssysteme/lux-sortierkasten-flexibel-17-cm/p/6640973]Obi »Lux« branded Raaco sorting boxesThese are not cheap though - even the re-branded ones.Maybe you get lucky onelement14's NZ site

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2017, 07:06:30 pm
content: Bin boxes are great if you have to hold slightly bigger things, and custom bin-box shelving exists (although it's pretty easy to make yourself)https://3.imimg.com/data3/UL/LY/MY-4242440/bin-box-250x250.jpgThey're generally sold in sets of 25-100, you fold and put together. I've worked in probably 5 different offices where it was one of the first things I purchased was a bunch of them (I like the 6" width as they hold CDs nicely), but get an assortment of 2" 4" and 6" boxes. You can also get inserts for them to break them into smaller sectionsWhen I had an office and we needed to store a lot of stuff, we happened on an old steel card catalogue, which perfectly fit cardboard bin box inserts. It was an awesome (if very heavy) itemhttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e1/27/53/e12753e6d66464005897304db715e9e9.jpg

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2017, 03:28:43 am
content: @frozenfrogzLook nice but I don't want to spend large amounts of money for tray inserts for a cabinet that only cost me A$15@boffinI might explore the bin-box option but they will probably be too big.@NottheDanI like those SMD containers and I had seen them before. Also they are not too expensive for storing the small components in.Thanks for the info guys.I will probably use a few different solutions - leave some drawers as-is for small tools, etc; make or buy some small cardboard/mdf boxes in different sizes to accommodate through-hole components and use the smd containers for the SMD components. I have bigger plastic containers for the large parts/odds and ends/projects, etc.It's going to be a work in progress as I've been trying to get my lab organised for some time nowand these drawers will be part of the solution. But maybe I'm??

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2017, 04:52:10 am
content: Try and find a source of these for larger parts:https://www.timothywood.co.uk/products/plastic-insert-compartments-for-storage-screw-casesThey seem to be very common - sizes are multiples of 54mm. Not a perfect fit, but..

author: frozenfrogz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2017, 11:21:51 am
content: Shure, the Raaco solution is way overkillOut of curiosity I did aGoogle searchfor parts trays in Australia and there are quite some interesting resultsMaybe you get lucky with something like this:Compartment-Accessory-Boxes

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2017, 11:35:56 am
content: Quote from: frozenfrogz on March 08, 2017, 11:21:51 amThanks frozenfrogz.I did see similar ones but did not come across that site - could be a goer there!Just realised that my current plastic parts drawers (which take up far too much space on the bench) are a reasonable fit for the new drawers, though not perfect. Yet another option I can use.

author: Cartel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 08, 2017, 12:57:16 pm
content: I use these, I'm done with the old drawer type

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 08, 2017, 08:29:10 pm
content: The drawer type are awesome, if you get the good ones. Unfortunately the company in Canada that made Add-A-Drawer went out of business, but their stuff rocked. I always keep an eye open in craigslist to see if I can buy more because the Crappy Tire used to sell the stuffThis is my parts drawershttp://snafu.ca/2015/09/12/finished-cleaning/