SMD storage solutions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 05:22:10 pm
content: I've recently started getting into SMD work, and have decided it's time to invest in a set of 0805 resistors. I'm getting one of the E12 sets on eBay: if the set doesn't state itself as E12 then some less-used values like 39r are left out. I will have 86 different values of resistor (7 sets of 12 + 10M and 0). There seem to be several solutions out there; I'm thinking ofthisbecause I would be able to remove the vials when I am using them, and re-arrange the order if necessary. I could also buy some vials on eBay and fill them with components, then put them in my (currently) through-hole component drawers.There seem to be several pill boxes advertised as smd organisers, I could remove the day of the week label with isopropanol alcohol / acetone although there would still be the irritating Braille. Of course, the other concern is the lid - it looks as though the components could easily fall through the fingerhold!Hereis an example. I sawthiswhich has 144 bins for components, but I wouldn't be able to remove the individual boxes / bins. The last thing I saw wasthis, which is a set of 50 snap-together boxes (I believe they're also available at Adafruit). They would also be good.What do you suggest / use?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 05:43:24 pm
content: You want to keep them on tape - use binder sheets - Farnell do them, but hard to find on the website - I think I have the order code at home somewhereFor random loose bits of tape, you want boxes with plenty of width but not much height. These are the best I've found so far - not perfect as the lid doesn't clip onhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEEL-OFF-CLEAR-PLASTIC-STORAGE-BOX-PAPER-STICKERS-CRAFT-CONTAINER-BOXES-/201010844167?pt=UK_Crafts_StickersScraps_Decoupage_SM&hash=item2ecd2e1207

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 05:56:25 pm
content: Get these:http://www.ebay.com/itm/120943472829They are also available in non-ESD safe versions. They work like a charm. I have about 200 of these boxes.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 05:59:03 pm
content: I was originally thinking of not keeping them on the tape and pouring them into the vials using a small funnel - what are the disadvantages?For long through-hole ceramic cap strips, I use the 0.55L box onthispage (the 0.35L would probably be better). They are good because they stack well and the lid has a clip. The boxes will 'sit' on the lid when detached. Unfortunately I can't find that model on eBay, but I picked those boxes up at Homebase (hardware & home improvement store for those not in UK), I think they were 5 for £5.I've seen the binder sheets before (some eBay resistor kits - not E12 so I won't get them), they look like they could work. How long a strip can they hold?@nctnico: Those look like the ones I mentioned in my first post, although yours are ESD safe. EDIT: I think for resistors I wouldn't bother with ESD protection, but for ICs it could be useful. Do SMD ICs usually come in static safe bags / tubes? The through hole ones do, and if I could fit SMD ICs into the boxes with their anti-static bags (unlikely in my opinion) that would be cheaper.

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 06:01:20 pm
content: ESD isn't really an issue for passives, so I just keep them in cheap plastic containers from harbor freight, I prefer to keep SMD passives in their tapes, it's much easier to go through the tapes and have them all in order, then just tape the tape down for pick and placing, vs having to hunt around for them in a loose container and fiddle with them to place them. Also if you keep them loose in a container, it would be very easy for a wrong value one to get in somewhere and it would be damned near impossible to tell (you can tell on resistors sure, but good luck on caps!).

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 06:05:01 pm
content: I use Aidetek BOX-ALL. 12x12 grid ideal for E12 series. Bottom six rows for resistors 1ohm-820kohm. 0605, 0805 and 1206 sizes in each compartment. Two rows for E6 caps 1n-4.7u. Rest for diodes, transistors, ICs and other. You can close the box and you can store the components safely. We had some SMD compartments, like the one nctnico proposed, that fell on the floor. The lids opened and all components jumped out.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 06:09:12 pm
content: Ah, I hadn't thought about pick and placing - in that case I see why Mike suggested to keep the components on their tapes!I would prefer to have the components loose in an organiser (@owiecc: that one looks good!) for compactness and neatness. The BOX-ALL one would leave space for some caps / other stuff as well; I will need some space for other components.Any views on the first suggestion I posted? It uses small vials with lids - too fiddly?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 06:14:38 pm
content: Tape Vs. Loose : you can turn taped parts into loose, but not the other way round, so keep them on tape til you actually use them.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 06:27:18 pm
content: OK!After a quick Google search, I found another thread where you postedthis. I also foundthiswhich is on a German website (I love Chrome autotranslate!) but seems to be good.Thiswould probably be best for me. USPS ships much faster than China post!I didn't quite realise how small the tapes are - 8mm is pretty small! I don't think there will be any problems with storage space for the book-type organisers...

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 06:38:42 pm
content: For resistors in small quantity use this or make one using business card binder inserts or the like. Save the boxes for loose chips.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/0805-a-practical-SMD-resistor-and-capacitor-assorted-kit-components-sample-book-/330907685211?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0ba2915b

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 07:05:11 pm
content: I've decided to go withthis organiser(binder type) andthis resistor setwhich seems to be a complete E24 series - excellent value for money! They're both from the same seller so I should be able to get reduced combined shipping to the UK. I think 20pcs of each resistor will be enough - I can buy more of the common values (1k 10k etc.).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 07:08:57 pm
content: The reason I got the boxes with lids is that taking components from tape takes a long time so putting a prototype together becomes a cumbersome process.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 07:15:19 pm
content: How big are your prototypes? I have seen trays that hold smd components in small (2cm diameter) recesses, could you not take out components first and then assemble?On the subject of boxes, people are going on about component 'spills', but is that such a problem when each box has a lid?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 08:23:06 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 01, 2014, 05:56:25 pmi got a few thousand of those.entire series E48 in 0402 0603 0805 and 1206 for resitorsand caps in e24 series.work like a charm. snap together, spring hinged lid keeps em closed.i bought them from iteadstudio. but there are many companies carrying those nowi store them in an Ikea drawer cabinet.http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40196241/

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 08:32:55 pm
content: Those do look nice, but at 21 USD each they aren't cheap (cheaper for non-ESD version, even cheaper from China)! It would grate a bit for the storage to cost 3x the component set price, although I'm aware that resistors are cheap in large quantities. I'm thinking of getting the binder organiser with the E24 0805 series (20 pcs of each resistor, tape fits well into binder). I don't see any need to get smaller components yet...I will probably get a set of these for miscellaneous components / ICs, but the E24 series (including 0 and 10M) has 170 values and I don't want to spend $80+ and shipping. Can I get away with the non-ESD versions for ICs? I can keep particularly sensitive parts in their static-dissipative bags.

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 08:40:16 pm
content: I like the binder books for general storage if components. I would only use the boxes for a particular project.Same goes for caps.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 08:44:00 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on January 01, 2014, 07:15:19 pmMy prototypes vary. Between 10 and 1000 components. The trays are for semi production setups but I don't have room or use for that. I have the small boxes in 5x5 configuration which I can stack on a shelve or spread on my workbench. The lids are fine for components down to 0603. 0402 may spill.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 08:51:53 pm
content: I don't know the pros and cons of taping down component tapes vs boxes, but I won't be able to afford enough boxes if I get the E24 kit which has 170 values.I can see the benefit of the boxes for some applications, especially if you can't get components on tape, but I have a set of small plastic component drawers - about 60 of them free - which are just the right size to hold loose components.Those snap-together boxes are available from SparkFun - in looking through the comments I found a video of 0402 components spilling! It's not a problem for me yet as I am avoiding 0603 / 0402 to start with.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 09:14:32 pm
content: I use these little hinged, lock together storage cases. I've found that I can cut down the Digikey label (when they staple it on the bag, not stick it to the bag) and put it on top. You can find some that are 3 wide. I put some small number of ICs in these, using cut tubes.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 10:02:52 pm
content: I use pil boxes like theseA wipe of acetone removes the printing.Turn 90 degrees so it's on end (and conveniently the lid hinges will now be at the "top").\Now you get 4 columns of 6 decades, and a row of 4 at the bottom for out-of-series values which you find useful.Print labels and stick on the lids.I use 1206 mostly, but also have some 0603 in one compartment and they haven't escaped.They are really good actually. I think I paid NZ$3 (about US$2) each.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 10:04:09 pm
content: I use these lab boxes with vessels of 2ml (can hold hundreds of 0603 resistors) one box for each e12series. Got 5 of them 3 for resistors two for capacitors. Costs 23 euro incl. Vessels.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 08:06:01 am
content: Quote from: Kjelt on January 01, 2014, 10:04:09 pmAt least they can't spill.Looks like labeling would be a bit of a challenge though.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 08:26:13 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on January 01, 2014, 10:02:52 pmFor what it's worth, picture...

author: strangelovemd12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 09:08:23 am
content: Film Negative Binder Inserts.They come in a variety of size (Let me know if you find some of the <20mm ones), they're cheap, but most important, compact and easy to organize/navigate. Top loading varieties are the best.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 11:20:27 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on January 02, 2014, 08:06:01 amThe supplierwww.smdshop.nlalso sells the stickers for €1.- or so, they are those round stickers, size of pinkynail and they fit right on the top. If you are worried about them letting off in some years you can put some clear nailpolish on them.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 12:05:17 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on January 02, 2014, 11:20:27 amThanks.Didn't realize they sell pre-printed round labels for resistors and capacitors.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 12:09:52 pm
content: I know someone who works in a lab, they said they would be able to get me some microcentrifuge tubes and a rack or two. I like the idea of small tubes as they're more compact than the boxes but still hold plenty of components.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 03:37:05 pm
content: In in the vials camp and use a couple of different styles (most are already listed here). The disadvantage, compared to tape, is that you can't easily count how many you have, and if you spill a vial you'll probably end up binning the contents (but replacements tend to be cheap enough to do that).The main advantage is that you're not reliant on world+dog supplying you with tape. Buy, say, 5 SOT23 things individually bagged and if you have any residual OCD at all you'll be tearing your hair out as to where they should be filed. Maybe you buy 200 of them, and then use 150 on a project and now you have some empty space in the wrong place of your filing system. With a vial it's just less full.But it is a personal matter, and whatever you're happy with is what works. A more pressing concern is probably how you file them: do you write the contents on the container? Group all E12 together (and assume you'll never get an E24 value, 'cos it won't fit in the allocated space)? Or do you just slap 'em in some numbered box and use a database to track where everything is (a la Amazon).

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 05:53:44 pm
content: I was going to write a database application for keeping track of stuff (MYSQL & PHP), but I got a large set of component drawers for Christmas so I have enough room for all the E24 series of resistors. There are about 80 small drawers I think so there should be enough for other stuff (caps (E12/E6 series?), ICs).The advantage of the database application is that you could (in theory) keep track of how many components you have, but in practise it would be a PITA to register each little resistor you use, especially if you account for some that will be dropped.It's also much more intuitive to be able to reach for the '39' drawer and find 3k9 than to go into your app and find that 3k9 is in 'A32'.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 06:15:53 pm
content: I started with a rotating tower, one side for caps, one for resistors, etc. When I went SMD I got the vial and had one container for 1206, one for 0805, etc. I knew where everything is (except the odd special, which turn up in strange places when I am looking for something else). Then I needed special value, or another type of LED, or... pretty soon there was stuff I knew I had but didn't know where, and I had boxes of mixed (very mixed) parts.My solution was to use Parts & Vendors (which I already used for specific projects rather than for general stock) to keep track, and just slap a numbered sticker on every drawer of vial or container. As I stuck the stickers on I added (or updated) P&V for that location. Took a while, was seriously tedious, but I discovered some long forgotten gems and I put it all down to a learning experience. Now, I can still find original parts by their value (nothing has moved, and no labels removed) but new stuff can go anywhere at all and I can still find it very quickly. I don't end up with a pile of baggies on my worktop because I can't think where to put them - the next empty location of an appropriate size is where they go.Initially, I was concerned that I would lose things or they would be hard to find because dissimilar things are kept together, but that's the Amazon thing: it is better to have, say, an LED, a capacitor and resistor in a 3-part draw rather than 3 close values of resistor because you can't mistake one for another - reaching in for the stuff in the first part when you meant to get the stuff from the back part is not that uncommon, so a resistor looking like an LED tells you to wake up. And once you're used to doing this you tend to have the database at your elbow - when I'm in hardware mode mine is a click away on the desktop or worktop, and an EEEPC takes care of between-desks tasks if necessary.Not for everyone, though. Like I said, you need to have at leas the beginnings of an OCD personality to justify it sometimes

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 07:02:57 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on January 02, 2014, 05:53:44 pmI keep track of components in a database (I use Access and just edit data in a table directly). That way I know what to order for a project and what I already have. I don't just order a whole bunch of components I don't need. Currently my database is around 900 records. The schematic package I use also connects to the database so it has all the right PCB footprints and comes up with a bill of materials including stock level, part numbers and order numbers for RS or Farnell with a press of a button. It couldn't be any easier. Ofcourse I don't count every resistor. If a bin is nearly empty I order a refill.About the labels: I started labeling my storage containers (which is tedious work) but then I suddenly realised I know how to write by hand and had an ink pen. Problem solved!

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 08:05:07 pm
content: That sounds ideal. For E24 resistors I have a set of drawers - there are already some through hole resistors in there, I will put my standard 0805 (or other sizes in the future) 5% resistors in those drawers in microcentrifuge tubes (cheap as chips) and everything else goes in randomly allocated other drawers in labelled bags / tubes. I wouldn't be able to bear the thought of not knowing where basic through hole resistors, caps and diodes are for prototypes, so I'll leave those unlabelled. The problem then, though, is how far to go: do I label LEDs; which types and so on.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2014, 06:17:04 pm
content: QuoteOnce upon a time you could probably get away with a drawer labelled "LED, red". Then you got 3mm ones, square and triangular ones, flat topped, low power, '10000mcd', 22.5 degree, ... You could easily end up with as many labels for LEDs as you had for chips. But now we seem to have gone full circle and you could probably get away with a drawer labelled "LED, blue".

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2014, 08:34:39 pm
content: I got this resistor/capacitor one from Amazon recentlyhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006G0ILS6/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Everything is in a compact binder, labeled and easy to access.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2014, 10:09:54 pm
content: $34.95 seems fairly reasonable, although perhaps a bit steep. I'm in the UK so there's no point in me getting that anyway, but it doesn't have all the E24 / E12 values in.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 08:11:18 am
content: Quote from: microbug on January 03, 2014, 10:09:54 pmThere are many other sources and versions. The binder format is very handy.http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=resistor+sample+book&catId=&initiative_id=SB_20140104000929

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 11:40:52 am
content: QuoteTHat's 170 values of 48 pieces. What happens if you use 45 10K parts and then buy 100 as replenishement (typical MOQ)? Where do you stuff the 57 extra bits?

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 12:05:34 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on January 04, 2014, 08:11:18 amsheesh, if i was going to sped that much money, i may as well go get double the parts and a decent holder; like thishttp://www.aliexpress.com/item/SMD-SMT-1206-1-resistor-kit-E96-144-value-X-100pc-14400pcs-BOX-ALL-10M-Tweezers/909631219.html

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 12:48:27 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on January 04, 2014, 08:11:18 amWell I disagree, I have such a binder with strips, really never ever use them. Hopeless for practical usage, exempt prototyping.For instance I have a project where I need 25 resistors of the same value and total 20 PCB's. So I order 1000 pieces (much cheaper then 500) and put them in the project box, when used I have 500 left, you can not store them in the binder. Also I find it irritating to get the strip out of the holder and back, maybe that is not the case in your binder but mine are really tight and it takes time to get them out a bit and stuff them back. Not very practical. I rather take out al the vials needed and put them on the workbench, takes up less room and take them out when I need them. With a binder you have to take out all the strips first or for every value take the binder and get the resistors out, where do you keep the binder? it takes up room on your bench. And do you leave it open where you left of with the last value or close it after each value.Quote from: peter.mitchell on January 04, 2014, 12:05:34 pm1206 really? This is the 21st century, 0603, 0402 and smaller are what is required nowadays for a design unless you need the powerrating of the bigger components.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 01:12:59 pm
content: I agree. Binders are only handy for having a bunch of values when experimenting to find an optimal value or for repairs. For regular assembly work it is way too cumbersome.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2014, 05:30:37 am
content: You are right. The binder is not intended for production.

author: janaf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2015, 12:59:32 am
content: I see this is an old topic but anyway:I use these, have a dozen of them, each has 144 little bins. Works great.http://aidetek.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=BOX-ALL&Category_Code=Encl