component storage

[blackjames]

hello forum members, does anyone happen to know where i can get 60 drawer storage units. i found the akro mils 10164, 64 drawer unit on amazon for $38.70, but with shipping icluded, to australia, it costed over $60 (US). i also checked the local hardware store (bunnings), jaycar and altronics. the best i could find was a insufficient 33 drawer unit. does anyone know good places to buy such thing in australia, or where did you buy yours? please leave a reply or comment to help in my endeavours.

[Psi]

60 draws per unit is quite a bit.
I have 11 x 25 draw units. I think they were NZ$15 each from DSE (before they dumped all their electronic stuff)

http://psi.abcom.co.nz/components.jpg

[blackjames]

I used to like dse, but all they sell now is cameras and laptops. The only components, they sell is battery snaps and speaker cable. I half agree 60 drawers is a lot, although 48 drawers of more should be fine. I want a drawer for every different value of each component.

[minime72706]

I went on Amazon looking for something else and found "Stack-On DS-60 60 Drawer Storage Cabinet", though I'm not sure if they'd ship for Australia and for how much...

[minime72706]

I also must say that the price of the Akro Mils product isn't too shabby and the shipping cost seems understandable to me. This is what I own and it appears to be nearly the identical product. I'm kinda mad that The Container Store doesn't have the 64-bin version and I'm curious if it's completely physically compatible (stackable) with what I have.
Do what I do to justify things with high shipping cost... buy a couple so that the shipping is a lower percentage of the total cost so you feel less shitty about it!

Here's a better question:
Why MUST you have a SINGLE UNIT with 60+ storage bins? I would just get two of the Jaycar 33-bin dealies if the shipping was more cost-efficient than the Akro Mils stuff from Amazon. (wow I just said "dealies")

[blackjames]

I would prefer 50+ drawer units becuase i wont keep much stock of each value and less wasted drawer space means my work are will be more effeciant.

[nctnico]

Ever thought about these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/configurable-storage-toolboxes-3-pack-4727?item=42
You can link these boxes together into compact 'pads' with components which are easy to store and move around. There is also a smaller version 'on the market'.

[blackjames]

These dont look very time efficient. Also, i only have wall space and little bench space. Sorry im so picky!

[minime72706]

I rather like the product you found on Amazon. It might just be worth it if that's what you really NEED.
The one on Amazon is a good price and the shipping costs are what you should expect. I looked for the same products on eBay and they'd cost about the same. It's a bulky object and it takes up a lot of room.

My only gripe with the identical product I found at The Container Store is that you take your sanity into your own hands if you try to move it somewhere. I decided to put all of my hobby electronics junk in my car to bring to my boyfriend's place (includes 3 similar shelving units) so that I wouldn't have a "oh shit I wish I had X right now" moment when designing him a replacement IR repeater for his entertainment system. I spilled 2-pin shunts and power connectors on my driveway and had to pick them up with sweat pouring off of my face. It was not fun.
I might improvise something with cardboard to secure the shelves in place when moving the thing... or just avoid doing it again.

You'll enjoy the product, certainly, and I don't know about Akro, but The Container Store had bags of dividers (to allow for a total of 128 compartments) to supplement the ones molded onto the back of the thing (which I did not use). If you want, I can help you procure...nevermind, I found them: http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-40716-Accessory-Dividers-Hardware/dp/B0009FHJVY/ref=pd_sim_hi_5
Either that or use cut poster-board like a reviewer suggests.

Most such cabinets are much more expensive than this, and the price does show through, but I rather like the product.

EDIT: Here are some outdated pictures of part of my collection showing the storage shelves in use: http://imgur.com/a/Nurjk

[mariush]

I've simply decided to use large match boxes to store some components... they're made from cardboard and, as there's a double layer of cardboard when box is closed, they're quite sturdy, and won't open accidentally (due to friction if it's not obvious). Each one is also just a bit larger than the regular slot in those 24-48 slot racks.

As a real world example, here's my box with some of the capacitors I have:



The battery is for size reference, it's an AA (R6) battery .

These boxes are about $0.90 for a set of 3 (in regular shops, if I go to some large order stores - similar to Costco in US i guess- they're cheaper) , they hold 240 matches (approximately) and can also hold 6 smaller match boxes (so perfect to put 6-10 capacitors in smaller match box to differentiate brands/series) and it's also just the right dimension to put the digikey/farnell labels inside.

Now the only problem I have is what to do with so many matches... I already have thousands of match sticks in a bag I have no use for.

[minime72706]

I've simply decided to use large match boxes to store some components... they're made from cardboard and, as there's a double layer of cardboard when box is closed, they're quite sturdy, and won't open accidentally (due to friction if it's not obvious). Each one is also just a bit larger than the regular slot in those 24-48 slot racks.

As a real world example, here's my box with some of the capacitors I have:



The battery is for size reference, it's an AA (R6) battery .

These boxes are about $0.90 for a set of 3, they hold 240 matches (approximately) and can also hold 6 smaller match boxes (so perfect to put 6-10 capacitors in smaller match box to differentiate brands/series) and it's also just the right dimension to put the digikey/farnell labels inside.

Now the only problem I have is what to do with so many matches... I already have thousands of match sticks in a bag I have no use for.

craigslist advertisement entitled "PERFECT FOR THAT SPECIAL SERIAL ARSONIST IN YOUR FAMILY"

EDIT: Here's some more images showing how I store some of my other things, including my 'lytic capacitor kit. http://imgur.com/a/tRATF

[Short Circuit]

Now the only problem I have is what to do with so many matches... I already have thousands of match sticks in a bag I have no use for.

Here's an idea http://www.hobby-en-modelbouw.nl/contents/nl/d1662_Lucifer_bouwpakketten.html
(match -> lucifer in Dutch)

[nctnico]

These dont look very time efficient. Also, i only have wall space and little bench space. Sorry im so picky!

These boxes are very time efficient! I'm using them to store SMD components. Just pop the lid open (it is spring loaded to stay open), pick a component en close the lid. I store them on a shelf near my workbench. At a previous employer they had the components in wall cabinets but they turned out to be extremely cumbersome when assembling a PCB. After a while I ordered a couple of hundred of these boxes and had an intern move the contents of the wall cabinet into them.

[minime72706]

These dont look very time efficient. Also, i only have wall space and little bench space. Sorry im so picky!

These boxes are very time efficient! I'm using them to store SMD components. Just pop the lid open (it is spring loaded to stay open), pick a component en close the lid. I store them on a shelf near my workbench. At a previous employer they had the components in wall cabinets but they turned out to be extremely cumbersome when assembling a PCB. After a while I ordered a couple of hundred of these boxes and had an intern move the contents of the wall cabinet into them.

I'm going to have to disagree here. Not all components one would like to store in a parts cabinet are going to be practical using those SMD storage containers you suggested. I have enough of some components personally that they almost overflow (and jam) the cabinet.

[T4P]

Since most SMD is tiny, it's alright to use these :
Unless you talk about 144 pin uC's ...
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=600

[minime72706]

I'm pretty sure that OP never said anything about this being explicitly for SMD parts... though I don't know how to read.