At 03:19 PM 11/24/2008, you wrote:
>Artie Jones wrote:
> > Can anyone suggest inexpensive containers that might be suitable for this
> > purpose??? Storage containers should be inexpensive.

I have bene using this style of container: 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270172299622&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123 
for some time. They come in several sizes and colours. I have black 
ones that are anti-static as well as the colours. Each one is totally 
separate so that you can re-arrange them when you need to add another 
value in the resistor tray.

I usually keep them in blocks of 50 ( 5 x 10 ) which is really 
convenient to put on the bench when I am loading a board. Because 
they are separate they can never "bleed" form one compartment to the 
other, and each one has a lid which is held by a spring. The larger 
sizes are great for things like connectors, switches, push-buttons 
etc. The little ones are fine even for things like SOT-23 and SOT-223 
transistors and regulators.

Just label the lid with a permanent marker.

John


>I've been using the Raaco A45 and A46 boxes for component storage -- they're
>fine for larger SMDs, as long as you push the orange dividers down 
>all the way
>(they're a bit stiff and tend not to go all the way down). I've had issues
>with 0805 parts slipping under the dividers and getting mixed up 
>though. A bit
>of hot glue or Araldite sorts it, but for what they cost they aren't 
>up to much.
>
>The A4 Assorter boxes are much better built, and have separate moulded
>compartments (no dividers). Not as versatile, but less risk of SMDs getting
>mixed up. They are expensive though (which is why I've only got two of them!)
>
>Maplin have recently started stocking these:
>http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=26150
>
>They're relatively cheap, the dividers are movable and lock into the plastic
>with a nice 'snap', and there's no gap between the divider and the 
>box itself.
>   I've been using them for resistor kits -- one box will divide into twelve
>compartments that are just the right size for axial-leaded resistors on paper
>strips. Three boxes are enough to cover the E12 range from 10R to 1Meg.
>
>I tend to keep SMDs on the plastic or paper tapes though, with a 
>written label
>on the tape to ID them (usually just a Farnell stock number, component value
>and size -- e.g. "MF25 680R 123-4567 RoHS" = metal film 1/4W, 680 ohms, P/N
>123-4567, RoHS compliant). I tend to use a silver or gold paint marker for
>black plastic tapes and a black Stabilo Write4All for the paper tapes. Works
>pretty well for the most part, but the silver/gold marker tends to wear off
>after a lot of handling. The black marker, not so much.
>
>--
>Phil.
>piclist@philpem.me.uk
>http://www.philpem.me.uk/
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