so, i'm not sure about the correct section, but i think its quite possible the right section.
so, as we know, electronic parts are small, some are fragile, etc.
now, i've got a bunch of electonic parts, some vibramotors, many buttons, hundrets of resistors, some LEDs, and all the other things.
as for now, i've got a box with divided compartements for the different resistors (it was one of those sets).
most of the other things are kept in a small plastic bags (the ones you get the weed in ^^ ), but are not really organised.
further i have two medical pill boxes with 28 little boxes.
they are great for small parts (buttons etc), but are too small for things with Pins, like LEDs.
so, what do you use to organize your electronic parts
I use boxes with lots of compartments (Plano 3700 series tackle boxes from your favorite sporting goods store). The deep size (3730?) is just right for an arduino, arduino + shield, avrispmkII, etc. The standard size is good for components.
Small ziploc bags (2"x3") hold components that aren't ESD sensitive. ESD parts stay in a static bag which is rolled up to fit in the box. Sets of bags (resistors, caps, xtals, etc) go in a single slot in the box to group like components and make them easier to find.
I find the bag+box combination pretty space efficient.
If ICs are in tubes, cut down the tubes so that they'll fit in the box in a long (undivided) slot.
I have a large tackle box with 5 small boxes and three large 3700's. I just got finished with some new shop furniture, and may dispense with the tacklebox and small boxes, and just use the 3700 boxes (possibly in a custom cabinet or shelf).
If you're storing ICs or MOSFETs that are static sensitive, line the compartments in the storgae box with black conductive foam or something similar. Even tinfoil will work!
The "gold standard" I always see in established electronics labs are upright cabinets with about fifty clear drawers, each with smaller dividers. However, if the cabinet is tipped over, the drawers will jam or slide open and parts will fall out or leak from compartment to compartment.
Plano cases can be flipped over and carried sideways once you latch them closed. I prefer the size of the Plano 3650 over the 3700 series, going for more cases over bigger cases. I also use them to organize the smaller LEGO machine parts like gears and pegs. The individual cases are quite cheap, and can be found in the Wal*Mart fishing department. The only downside is that Plano refuses to sell tackle boxes without cases, so you have to devise some other storage for all the cases you buy individually.
Anyone have a good source for uncut SHEETS of estat foam? I prefer it to tubes, but have only gotten a few scraps with parts from vendors.
For 3700 and similar boxes, I use plastic file crates on their sides as "cabinets". You need to shop carefully, because they're not standardized: some are designed to handle letter size in one direction and legal in the other, but some are not.
I mostly use the 3700 series for Lego. I have several smaller ones for electronic parts. I also use a file crate for them, but I insert them the long way, a couple or three across.
Most of my electronic parts are in those white mailing boxes about the size of a ream of typing paper. I used to get them from one of those pack-and-ship stores when I lived in the city, but I'm probably going to have to order them by mail now that I live in the country.
I also use a lot of those plastic shoeboxes for bulky stuff. The best value now is the ones being sold for a buck by Home Depot. I bought scores of the ones Rubbermaid made for Wal-Mart, but they changed the design a few years back to one that really sucked. The current design is okay, but more expensive. The reasons I like the old Rubbermaid and current Home Depot designs is that the lids latch pretty securely and they're stable when stacked. Most of the low-cost ones fall short in those apsects.
Anyone have a good source for uncut SHEETS of estat foam?
I think I saw rolls (12" wide and maybe perforated for 12" long tear-offs?) at Office Depot on the packing/shipping aisle recently. It was the pink stiff about 1/8" or so thick.
