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case to keep small parts? — Parallax Forums

case to keep small parts?

MatthewMatthew Posts: 200
edited 2010-01-10 03:57 in General Discussion
Is there any specific case that you all recommend for storing IC's and small misc. items? I guess you're supposed to look for anything that's anti-static?
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Comments

  • Armored CarsArmored Cars Posts: 172
    edited 2004-11-07 19:59
    I dont know about antistatic parts but I use tackle boxes to keep all my tools and parts for my RC cars.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2004-11-07 21:06
    This is what happens when you have TOO MANY PARTS!· shocked.gif·· Ok, so there's no such thing!· smilewinkgrin.gif

    http://www.lightlink.com/dream/chris/img/bench01.jpg

    http://www.lightlink.com/dream/chris/img/bench02.jpg

    These are 2 pictures of my design bench, where all my BASIC Stamp and other electronics goodies reside.



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    Chris Savage

    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    P.O. Box 97
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    Business Page:·· http://www.knightdesigns.com
    Personal Page:··· http://www.lightlink.com/dream/chris
    Designs Page:··· http://www.lightlink.com/dream/designs
    ·
  • MatthewMatthew Posts: 200
    edited 2004-11-07 21:21
    freaked.gif·freaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.giffreaked.gif
  • Dave PatonDave Paton Posts: 285
    edited 2004-11-08 02:37
    Chris Savage said...
    This is what happens when you have TOO MANY PARTS!
    I'm jealous Chris. Almost all of my active parts are still in the anti-static bags they came in, or in a bundle of chip rails I keep in an old coffee can on the floor. Plus I only have about 3' of bench space.

    Yup, veeeeeery jealous.

    -dave

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  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2004-11-08 02:55
    Chris, you are WAAAY too organized. I only organize stuff when it takes longer to find something that the length of time I left go of it. (I just used that chip 5 minutes ago and it takes 15 minutes to find it) LOL

    Bean.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2004-11-08 04:10
    In all fairness...This is at my Computer Shop, which has 2 benches for computers...The benches in the pics are where I do my design work.· The laptop is where all my code and software for Electronics is, for example the BASIC Stamp Editor, SX IDE, OptaScope, GUI-Bot, ExpressPCB/Schematic, etc.

    As for being organized, the pics were taken after I got some new cabinets to store all the Parallax parts that were overflowing on my bench...As of this moment, you can't see the left bench because of all the piles of parts and stuff on it.· The cabinets on the far right I have had for MANY years, since some of the parts date back to 1991!· The newer cabinets on the left were an attempt to clean up my shop, because computer parts and electronics parts were getting mixed up.·

    IN fact, there are 2 more 60-drawer parts cabinets like the ones on the right that I moved across the room to the computer benches.· So I'm not really organized...I just get overwhelmed sometimes and am forced to make a hasty cleanup!


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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com


    Post Edited (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 3/31/2006 7:09:04 PM GMT
  • SuperwormsSuperworms Posts: 118
    edited 2006-03-30 15:31
    chris

    links are broken
  • Jeff DegeJeff Dege Posts: 85
    edited 2006-03-30 17:06
    I put pieces of 8 1/2x11 anti-static foam in clear plastic document cases.

    I can't find a picture on the web, but they're something like this, 90069_bu.jpg but only 1/2" thick.

    You can stick the parts in any kind of layout or groupings as makes it easy for you to find them. An 8-pin DIP voltage regulator looks a lot like any other 8-pin DIP, but I know that the 8-pin DIPS stuck alongside my 7805s, 7809s, and LM317s are the voltage regulators.

    You can use both sides, and you can see what's in them without opening them.

    The cases are easy to stack, and to shelf, and to get parts in and out of.

    Post Edited (Jeff Dege) : 3/30/2006 5:14:00 PM GMT
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2006-03-31 15:51
    If you use boxes like the above, or the newer "tackle box" boxes from Plano or "Tackle Logic", etc., you can also use the "milk crates" from Staples (and eslewhere) to hold them. If you stand the crate on the short side, the smaller boxes fit just right. Sand them on the long side, and the larger size fits rigth. The staples crates also have the ability to stack. and interlock for a little bit of stabiltiy.

    Chris: The links still appear broke. I'd really like to see your setup.

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2006-03-31 17:09
    I'm with John R.'s thoughts.

    Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart - the great American retail giant with all things from China! They have a great selection of Flambeau and Plano boxes with many small compartments. They have both polystyrene and the softer types of plastic that don't shatter.

    In our office, I'm the box-crazed nut. In the early days of Stamps in Class, we packaged components in small plastic boxes. I spent lots of time researching suppliers and boxes. Ultimately, a trip to Wal-Mart proved to be my best solution. If you need more than 30 units (their normal stock) then you can go directly to the manufacturer's representative.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.

    Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 3/31/2006 5:14:42 PM GMT
  • Jeff DegeJeff Dege Posts: 85
    edited 2006-03-31 21:30
    I like the divided organizer boxes for caps, resisters, switches, plugs, etc.

    But for DIPs and the like, I find it easier to find things when I stick them into sheets of foam.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-03-31 22:16
    Superworms and John R,

    ·· Those links are from well before I came out to CA.· That was from when I was in NY.· I got rid of many of the extra cabinets, but if you want to see what things look like now...I now have half my parts in 2 separate cabinets in our place because I don't have the room anymore.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
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  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2006-03-31 22:38
    Chris;

    Thanks for the pics. I didn't notice the dates on the posts. I've been waffling back and forth between the drawer cabinets like you have and the "tackle trays". I've pretty much delved into the tackle trays so far, but haven't quite hit the point of no return.

    I like the concept of the tackle trays because I can easily grab the groups stuff I need, and keep some of the less common stuff in less convenient areas (or even in other rooms), but still easily grab it, and more importantly put it back. This seems a bit tougher with the parts drawers. They (the parts drawers) also seem more susceptable to the cat. (I've learned to keep the tackle trays closed.)

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-03-31 23:00
    John,

    ·· My drawers are either mounted on the wall (They were in NY as well) or in the big cabinet (as shown) so I don't have that problem (Even if I had a cat).· My problem is I have so mnay parts that a tackle trays would just be too much of a mess for me.· For those that are curious some of the cabinets I have include little plastic partitions/dividers for dividing a draw into more than one compartment.· So it is possible to cut down on the number of cabinets required.· I didn't think about that when I bought these cabinets though and would have to order dividers for the ones that do have the slots.· Oh well.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Paul BakerPaul Baker Posts: 6,351
    edited 2006-03-31 23:35
    Living in an apartment, I dont have space for permanent cabinets of parts, instead I use the divider boxs with removable partitions, like the ones here··(just the boxes, not the tote), I also have a box like this one but with an additional divider box that slides out of the bottom, the tackle box is good for holding larger supplies such as solder as well as having storage for smaller parts. I also have several of the 6" x 4" x 4" clear body, snapping top boxes availible at Target for around $3 for current projects.

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  • PLJackPLJack Posts: 398
    edited 2006-04-01 01:53
    Chris Savage (Parallax) said...

    <clip>
    but if you want to see what things look like now...

    I paused when I saw the fist picture.
    I have the exact same work bench (the black one).
    I even have the lamp on the left and the "clamp base" in the middle.

    I was just thinking tonight that I need to replace the bench.
    I find it a terrible work bench. The work surface is too narrow.

    I'm wondering how you find it as a work bench.

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    - - - PLJack - - -


    Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
    It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-04-01 02:30
    Never got that organization bug really.
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  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-01 03:47
    PLJack,

    ·· If I had the room I would have a wrap-around desk.· PJ Allen, my bench used to look like that...But this week was Spring Cleaning!· =)

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2006-04-01 05:30
    PJ Allen:

    When you vacuum that room, do you use the vacuum to push the stuff under the table, hoping that nothing gets sucked up in the process?

    Interesting thread.

    Ken
  • SSteveSSteve Posts: 808
    edited 2006-04-01 06:25
    Well if we're just going to show our mess...

    Two weeks ago (before I discovered the Basic Stamp) this was my kitchen table. We have friends coming up from San Francisco tomorrow so I will have to clear it off. But my wonderful wife has yet to complain.

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  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2006-04-01 10:56
    Nice picture PJ. Do you ever throw anything out? In all honesty, I'm sure my workbench would look like that if it wasn't for my wife. I especially like the 1980's era Atari keypad on the floor - have you got it working with a Basic Stamp?
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-04-01 11:59
    the photos are very comforting.
    Before Parallax, my room was tidy --- now it has a similar corner for 'work in progress'.

    To reply to the intial question, one might buy the conductive foam [noparse][[/noparse]it is a black foam] in sheets at a local electronic supply. It is nice, but a bit spendy. For me, I buy styrofoam sheet [noparse][[/noparse]about 1/2" thick] at a local stationary store and cover it with aluminum foil after fitting it to the inside of the box.

    I personally prefer som 8 1/2 x 11 plastic boxes for paper folio as I can keep a lot of chips together. Usually I have to drag out a magnifier to recognize the lables and it is much easier to open a few folios that lots of boxes. [noparse][[/noparse]I never seem to get anything in the right box].

    [noparse][[/noparse]Okay, I am cheap]

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    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-04-01 19:10
    Spring Cleaning, vacuum, mess, ever throw anything out?· Hey, what's with you "guys"?

    There's a name for ICs placed in foil-wrapped styrofoam: land-fill
  • MikeKMikeK Posts: 118
    edited 2006-04-02 00:42
    This is great stuff. SSteve's got a Calculus textbook, an analog VOM (with a mirrored scale!), and what looks like a bill for trash collection (ironic). smile.gif

    Mike
  • Alan BradfordAlan Bradford Posts: 172
    edited 2006-04-02 12:48
    Hey PJ,
    When did you break into my shop and take a pictue of my work bench?
    I am out of town now or I would send you a Pic of mine. But trust me it looks just like yours. I have to carve out a hole everythime i need to do something.
    2 years ago when business was slow it was nat and clean, now that I am busier than ever, it looks like a hand grenade hit Chris's setup.


    As a great sayer of great sayings said: A clutered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind.

    So what does an empty desk mean?

    Alan Badford
    Plasma Technologies
  • SSteveSSteve Posts: 808
    edited 2006-04-02 22:26
    MikeK said...
    This is great stuff. SSteve's got a Calculus textbook, an analog VOM (with a mirrored scale!), and what looks like a bill for trash collection (ironic).
    I'm hoping that getting an A in two semesters of Calculus after not having taken a math class in almost 25 years means my brain is limber enough to learn electronics.

    I ordered a DMM from Mouser that'll be here tomorrow. smile.gif

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  • Vern GranerVern Graner Posts: 337
    edited 2006-04-02 23:14
    If a cluttered desk is the sign of an active mind... I most be over-active!! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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    Vern

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  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-04 16:18
    It occurred to me we have been down this path, err, thread before...· =)

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=531927

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=531809

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2006-04-04 18:25
    AS far as storage goes....if you got the wall space, the drawer cabinets will allow you to really organize properly...

    There's nothing worse than having a 'RESISTOR' box and having to go through them to find the resistor you want...when you can have a drawer with a given value stored in to it....

    Luckily, we have the wallspace at work! tongue.gif

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    ·

    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
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  • SSteveSSteve Posts: 808
    edited 2006-04-04 18:35
    Now that's storage!

    Canada: land of huge tracts of wall space. smile.gif

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