>>I've been trying to come up with something easy to obtain 
>>(or make) to
>>use in order to create a usable storage space for various 
>>tubes of
>>components.

Wine racks of various sorts (often available by dumpster 
diving :-) ) do an OK job.
Some of my IC tubes live in wine racks. Copying my dungeons 
may not be a good idea :-).

Some wine racks are space frames with rods twixt front and 
rear - these may be unscrewed to allow greater depth.

Thin board (particle board, other ...) of suitable 
dimensions with a rail of suitable height (probably wooden) 
attached on either side provides a unit which can be stacked 
as required. These can be fastened together (glue, nails, 
...), or you can free stack and live dangerously.

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X                X
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X                X
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X                X
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X                X

Ex postal service (etc) sorting cubby holes make excellent 
storage for all sorts of things. Ones with no rear wall, 
when stood away from wall, allow longer component tubes to 
be pushed through to protrude at rear. Enough room to be 
able to ooze yourself along behind makes recovering from the 
occasional disaster easier.

Precut particle board (etc) planks of a fixed size (eg 3 
feet or 6 feet x 10 inches or whatever) allow rapid 
construction of rough shelves with no cutting - 2 planks as 
uprights and N as shelves. Do use some cross bracing. If 
using as shelves with engineering class loads keep inter 
support lengths modest to avoid the dread bowing.

Plan drawers are superb for component storage generally - 
whether tubed or other.

For general components the cheapest open plastic boxes that 
suit the drawers, whiffed with nickel shielding spray 
(expensive but little needed) or perhaps galvanising paint 
spray, allows lots of pretend-ESD-safe boxes.


        Russell


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