Component drawers/storage

[SpidersWeb]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but it's driving me nuts.

Look for a cheap / cost effective drawer set - I want lots of small drawers, or a set with long drawers and multiple components (happy to pay more for that).

Jaycar has a 33 drawer set for $35, but I'd rather something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC
But shipping from US to NZ kills the bargain.

Is there any good options in NZ or China where I wont get beaten up by shipping charges or high prices?
What do you guys use? Should I just suck it up and buy the ones from Jaycar? Or suck it up and pay shipping on my cheap drawers from the US?

NB: I know I'm being a cheap ass, but I have to keep my workshop project low budget.

[aargee]

The thing that's the killer is volumetric shipping charges. How about Element14 free shipping? They have a selection of (sometimes) cheap drawers.

If you buy more than $45 worth and they send it out for free, no matter what the volume.

[sleemanj]

Have posted this before, but the Yellow Drawers from The Warehouse are my favourites.  I have rather a number of them, here's the ones I have inside, I have a few more outside in the shed for various things, and a couple spares for future expansion...



If you strike it lucky they come on sale for $10 or so each occasionally.

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Yellow-Storage-Box-with-12-Drawers?SKU=1510323

I like these because of the mix of drawer sizes, and importantly down here in Christchurch the drawers fairly well latch closed - that is they don't open unless you specifically open them.

Bunnings does similar ones which are larger, but I seem to remember the drawers don't latch as well, but I might be misremembering.

http://www.bunnings.co.nz/craftright-storage-box-with-40-plastic-drawers_p00286469

I'm sure I've seen large ones with both drawer sizes at Bunnings too, but maybe not.

[Psi]

yeah $10 each is a good deal you see from time to time. Usually at the hardware store on the specials table
That's NZ$10, so US$6 or so.

[SpidersWeb]

Cheers guys, that gives me a few places to hunt.

One question, with Element 14, they have some Duratool D00465's - 41 drawers - which look ideal.

But there is two listings. One is just shy of the $45 free shipping, and the other one is $16 - so I can get three of them + free shipping and even after tax it's barely $56. That would be an absolute bargain.
http://nz.element14.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CompareProductsDisplay?catalogId=15001&langId=64&storeId=10189&catentryId=65128979,90251496&pageType=PLP

The quantities in stock are identical, product number is identical, but order reference is different.

Is this normal with Element14 or am I risking my $16 sets turning up missing drawers or containing some kind of rare disease?

Edit: If I don't get that, then I might go with those 40 drawer sets at Bunnings or something on a specials table as mentioned. I've got lots of bins and larger drawers, just need lots of mini-drawers for little capacitors etc. I'm ok with drawers not latching, we get bad earthquakes here too on occasion but I don't mind if I have to clean up occasionally, I may wall mount them on a slight angle to discourage it though.

[deadlylover]

Usually the 01 at the end of the product number is its code during a special sale, I think you'll be fine. 

[SpidersWeb]

Awesome, credit card here I come.

Since you guys posted some photos, I thought I'd show a couple as well.

The whole thing is being done on a "what can I do for almost nothing" budget, which I'm finding fun and it's kind of necessary because I've got other commitments. Started with a big pallet our new kitchen bench came on that I saved from an axe.



Then some lining, and then some half price tool racks from 1day fitted (lots of bins!) with some cheap discounted toolsets from The Warehouse (which actually aren't too bad for this kind of stuff) combined with my existing electronics gear. I also added a fluoro tube for better lighting, and have another to go in once I work out how to mount it.



On the right side of the desk is a soldering station, and a desoldering station with air pump. Off the desk is a 20Mhz analog scope, but I really need to buy something new.

Component drawers will be stacked off to one side of the desk, monitor will move up to be a wall mount, and I plan to home make some drawers to go under the desk (inside the pallet frame). Wood for pallet legs I actually found under my house - so that was a win too. Has to be all perfect by early next year because we're expecting our first mid-next year - so no doubt I'll be lacking time, money, and space after that.

[Shock]

I like the way the Amstrad is poised for action.

[SpidersWeb]

haha yeah, photo was snapped when I was repairing the upturned color display on the left.
It's moved out now, have a 1979/1980 serial terminal taking up the bench now, that might be there a while :S

Anywho ordered 3 of those Duratool sets off Element14, 123 drawers should keep me amused 

[agronaught]

OMG An Amstrad CPC-464!   I had one of those, albeit with the colour monitor.  I remember spending hours typing in code from magazines to see if I could get the apps to work.

Nice...  long gone but nice

[nctnico]

I'd be wary about the cheap component drawers because they usually are a waste of money. Better spend more or try to find good/cheap second hand ones.

[SpidersWeb]

I'm not sure if anybody cares, but just in case (and partially for laughs), these guys arrived today.

Now I do have to tip my hat to Element 14 - not only did they custom cut the box, but they also padded it and bubble wrapped each set of drawers individually - all for basically 50 bucks NZ total.



So the next question is how much quality did I get at that price.

Are the drawers easy to open flick open quickly without fuss? No, you really have to pinch and pull straight or else this happens:



The annoying thing here, is this only happens because they cheaped out on a tiny amount of plastic - the drawers are only really supported properly on the front half, so if you lift the front then the bottom drops.

Are the drawers stable? Easy to stack? No accidental openings? No, you really have to watch it or this happens:



Multiple compartments per drawer? No
Comes with handy labels in pack? No
Units can be attached to each other? No (but there are attachments on the back to make wall install easy which is what I plan to do)

But overally I'm very happy, I don't really need all those things and for $50 delivered getting 123 component drawers - I'm stoked.
However it's worth mentioning, if I had paid the full retail price for each unit, I would've been quite disappointed - but I'm fine with cheap when it's actually cheap.

I'd be wary about the cheap component drawers because they usually are a waste of money. Better spend more or try to find good/cheap second hand ones.

Yeah I can appreciate the difference between garbage and good stuff - just on a tight budget and limited timeline for my mancave area. I'll make do

OMG An Amstrad CPC-464!   I had one of those, albeit with the colour monitor.  I remember spending hours typing in code from magazines to see if I could get the apps to work.

Nice...  long gone but nice

Yes! I've got two colour displays (working) as well. Currently trying to find a 6128 for a reasonable price and that'll polish off the Amstrad part of the collection. I think I can skip the 664.

[metalphreak]

http://au.element14.com/raaco/126762/cabinet-organiser-44compartment/dp/136709101

The Raaco ones are quite good. Steel frame with decent plastic trays. It's still that softish sort of plastic though.

I got mine for ~$15 when they had a special years ago, but even $35 is pretty good value (as it includes delivery too).

These Treston parts trays were 25c each on clearout and have been amazing for storing parts. Sadly no longer available.

[eugenenine]

I don't care for drawers myself opting instead for small divided plastic boxes.  The fishing section at Cabelas has the best prices plus it gives me an excuse to go to Cabelas

[rdl]

I haven't used those little drawer boxes for components since the 80s. I now prefer to store parts in the original bags they were shipped in. I sort the bags into plastic boxes (shoe box size) that have flip clamps to hold the lid on. This works most of the time, but occasionally parts are shipped in bags that are way too large or individually bubble wrapped and have to be re-bagged. Also, it helps to write any useful info on the labels with a Sharpie because the original printing sometimes fades.

[KL27x]

When you go SMD, you will find out each of your drawers is 99% air, and every time a drawer falls on the floor, you will say goodbye to most of those parts.

With SMD parts, plastic bags in various sizes, label printers, and a heatsealer can be your friends. Your 123 components drawers will be able to hold 1000's of different components.

[vector31337]

Just go to harborfreight.com

[SpidersWeb]

When you go SMD, you will find out each of your drawers is 99% air, and every time a drawer falls on the floor, you will say goodbye to most of those parts.

With SMD parts, plastic bags in various sizes, label printers, and a heatsealer can be your friends. Your 123 components drawers will be able to hold 1000's of different components.

Cheers, bags are a good tip, certainly an effective way to compartment the drawers!

For SMD projects I tend to keep them in the original bags and actually keep the entire project all nicely bundled together in it's own container. I mostly repair (or at least try to) equipment from the 1980's so for the most part it'll be DIP and through-hole stuff. This is just so when I need a 2.2uF electrolytic or a 74S08N, I don't have to dig through piles of miscellaneous junk.