|
Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
|
Thread Tools |
1st Jan 2009, 6:30 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Garforth, West Yorkshire
Posts: 26
|
No cost parts storage!
I don't know if this is still true, but five years ago Haribo used to deliver their loose sweeties to the sweet shops in some rather useful plastic boxes with attached lids. Once empty the sweet shops throw them out. These are a perfect size and shape for storage of various electonics bits and having perfectly square corners they stack easily on shelves - shoebox shaped, but a little smaller.
I collected about 50 of them from a local shop who were happy to just get them out of the way for free. |
1st Jan 2009, 6:41 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,947
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
These are certainly useful containers, but it's understandably difficult to persuade shopkeepers to save them for you if you're not a regular customer. You sometimes see them put out with other rubbish and can liberate them
Litre ice cream containers make good storage boxes too. Paul |
1st Jan 2009, 7:00 pm | #3 |
Hexode
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Devon, UK.
Posts: 307
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
Another free storage option are the plastic trays used for mushroom packing. These trays are great for storing medium sized bits and will stack quite well. Thanks to some dodgy EU Regulation these are NOT returned for reuse but usually dumped. Try your local green grocer if one exists!
Definitely useful & helping your local shop to get rid of waste at zero cost also helps them. Absolutely amazing what is thrown away in this country. Phil |
3rd Jan 2009, 9:02 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
That's a good idea Phil
I have recently started using Mushroom crates to store valves. Most of the B9A based series of valves(and any smaller) will fit upright in their boxes, and most others lying down. Of course the mushroom crates themselves are stackable, thus protecting your precious valves. Some boxes even have space for an index card
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |
3rd Jan 2009, 10:58 pm | #5 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK.
Posts: 799
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
Quote:
Mike |
|
23rd Mar 2009, 4:28 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,482
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
I use plastic milk bottles quite a lot - 1, 2 and 4 pint. Either cut the top off where it ceases to have parallel sides or, my preference, just cut off the spout and an area around it and you've got storage complete with a handle!
Graham |
24th Mar 2009, 10:16 pm | #7 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 749
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
Try your local fruit shop, as well as the blue mushroom crates you should find much stronger and sturdier black or dark green trays which i think are used for butternut squash. Again they are just waste to the fruit shop so in most cases you should get them for free
All the best, Chris. |
26th Mar 2009, 11:09 am | #8 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
Posts: 2,853
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
If you, or anyone you know, drinks Nescafe Cappuccino coffee - save the wee brown plastic containers that hold the chocolate powder. They are the ideal size for storing or transporting most B7G or B9A valves. Very tough, and there is just enough diameter to wrap the valve in some tissue paper.
For bigger valves, or for transporting the smaller valves complete with their original box - ask you local draper to save the h/duty cardboard tubes that bolts of cloth are rolled around, and cut to size. The internal dia is usually big enough to also take a layer of bubble-wrap. Regards, David |
26th Mar 2009, 11:51 am | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
The boxes used for bottles of cough syrup and the like are perfect for some Octal valves.
I imagine 35mm film cans would also be useful for small parts, but I don't know how available they are these days. And of course baby food jars.
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |
26th Mar 2009, 12:05 pm | #10 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,947
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
The cardboard boxes used for compact fluorescent light bulbs are excellent if you need to post valves. They're big enough to hold the smaller octal types. If you live in southern England, Robert Dyas are currently selling 10 for £1 - worth buying just for the boxes!
For bigger valves, the cardboard tubes containing bottles of single malt whisky are ideal. You just need to cut them down to the right length with a good pair of scissors. It gives you an excuse to buy more whisky too Paul |
26th Mar 2009, 12:09 pm | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 979
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
I changed which Chinese takeaway I go to in order to get stronger plastic containers.
|
26th Mar 2009, 12:21 pm | #12 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,947
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
Quote:
Paul |
|
26th Mar 2009, 12:31 pm | #13 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
Quote:
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |
|
26th Mar 2009, 3:17 pm | #14 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 749
|
Re: No cost parts storage!
Quote:
All the best, Chris. |
|