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PC Parts Storage Solution?
OriginalSpaceMan asks: "I have a lot of hardware, so I've been looking for some sort of a static free PC parts storage solution. Preferably this would be something modular. I have Googled this for a while now and, as you can guess, I can't find much other than data storage solutions. I'm picturing something that is specifically designed to store drives, memory, CPUs, expansion cards and maybe mother boards. Also, it could have smaller compartments for screws, cables, LEDs, switches, case accessories and etc. It would be really neat to have built in slots to hold expansion cards in a static free case. Does anyone make anything remotely similar to this, or will this end up being my next project?"
some metallic workshop type desk.
or any desk.. and use those bags.
though.. any closet will suffice for most pc junk in bags so i'd be a bit surprised if there were some manufacturer doing something like you're looking for.. and what exactly are you looking for then, something to use for assembling them? something where they're accessible? something where to store them? something where to forget them for 5 years? because usually long time storage means that it doesn't need to be accessible even and can be tucked in the closet without too much grief, i wouldn't be looking for a spesifically antistatic desk solution though, as anything non plastic suffices for that pretty well.
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world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
I haven't found any decent method for storing most of those, but for expansion cards, I've been taking a length of 1x3 and cutting 3/8" deep slots in it with a circular saw, about 1" apart. The width of the sawblade is just right for the cards. Then, glue or clamp this to the edge of a shelf.
All the cards stand up in the slots, and the faces are all clearly visible so you know what kind of card it is. I've been grouping mine (video, sound, IO), and then in each category I split them by their bus type (AGP, PCI, ISA, etc.).
It's been working great for me for a while. The setup costs just a couple bucks, and that's if you don't have the 1x3 scraps laying around.
Karma: Marginal (mostly due to the border around the website)
After a few seconds storage is no longer an issue.
It might not be exactly what you are looking for, but Rubbermaid makes a wide variety of plastic tubs that are rather sturdy, stackable, and affordable. They can be found at any Target, ShopKo, WalMart or whatnot.
I just throw them all in those big plasic organizer shelvings that college students use. They're humid all by themselves, so you don't have to worry about static..... Better yet, put some old unwashed clothing nearby, like where the shelves are in my closet.
Many Thanks,
Luke
esd storage antistatic storage akrobins
Check out your local crafts store? They usually have storage units that may be suitable for computer parts. Michael's is the best place to look.
OH NOES!!! IT APPEARS YUO DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR DIS HERE PIZZA! WAHT EVER ARE YOU GOING TO DO!?!?
My small boxes came from IKEA, part code 571.923.96 and the last lot I bought were 70p each. I've got some much stronger lidded boxes for heavier items (i.e. the CD-ROM drive collection) and they were five for a tenner down the car boot market. (Obviously, there's no catalogue number for stuff from the boot :)
Although not huge, they may fit expansion cards and the like. No pics on the site, but good starting point.
also: 3M(TM) 8523 single Card Carrier, 254mm x 203mm x 51mm is a little bigger.
First, put 'em in antistatic plastic bags. They're cheap.
Then, put 'em in ordinary sealable plastic tubs. They're cheap too. You'll want to throw a packet of silica gel in each as well.
Static is only one of the enemies you have to deal with in long-term storage solutions; oxidation is the other. To do that you need to reduce moisture, and those plastic tubs are the best way to handle it.
For drives, I scout around cheap hardware stores like Harbor Freight for the generic tool cases with uncut foam in the middle and stack those into two more drawers. Cables take up another two drawers. Finally, CPUs and RAM go into anti-stat bags, which in turn into some small acrylic cases from Tap Plastics with some foam for cushoning. These, with motherboards in whatever box/foam I can find take up another drawer.
The cabinets are great because, my dog can't tip them, my cat can't get into them, they have locks on the drawers and the drawers are usually on some kind of roller mechanism. I keep both in an unused bedroom closet. They even fit perfectly with the sliding closet doors on, but my guitars and music stuff is closet too, so the doors live in the garage.
Now if only there were an easy and compact way to store surplus cases and monitors.
US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
This may not be the best way on earth to store hardware or anything but I just use dead computers to hold my extra boards and drives... it's their natural environment you see ;)
I've always stored my computer stuff in a box, cardboard or plastic. I'm starting to think static electricity damage is a myth ;) because everything I store, comes out just fine (and working, obviously).
so, I recommend you cardboard boxes (cant make static on a cardboard --at least not easily) and for really delicate stuff, stick it on a anti-static bag (supposed to be conductive. old ones, transparent with black stripes are, but have high resistance. newer ones (pink stuff, or blue) are non conductive, at least thats what I can test.
Have you had any problems with the card edge connectors being in contact with the wood - corrosion, sap out of the wood, moisture, etc? What kind of wood specifically are you using? Is it chemically treated in any way?
I personally don't let cards hang around without an anti-static bag over them. Can this setup accomodate both a bag and card?
Build computers out of the parts and give them to your less technical relatives or friends to use. When you really need that 3.8 gig hard drive or your Number Nine video card back all you do is upgrade thier computer with your current surplus of spare parts.
If it turns out that you never need those parts again you will still have the warm fuzzy feeling from helping someone out. (And you may even be able to get some free meals out of the deal.)
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This might not technically be the best solution - but here is what I do:
Motherboards - in an antistatic bag, each one in a box, on the shelf.
Memory - in antistatic bags, all in one small box, on the shelf.
Expansion cards - in antistatic bags, on the shelf (stored vertically, like books)
Hard drives - in HD plastic shells, stacked up, on the shelf.
CD/FD drives - stacked on top of each other, on the shelf.
Never underestimate the basic shelf!
- Chuq
Since nobody else has asked this question, why do you need to store all these parts?
I've found that for most of the parts I have left over after working on computers, I'll either reuse them quickly, or not at all. For the ones I do reuse quickly, leaving them wherever seems to work ok, and the ones that I don't use don't seem to care either.
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I just put things into anti-stat bags, and then throw them all into a larger anti-stat bag.
As stated earlier, I never encountered any real static problems.
So, I'm using this (multiple size/colors)
#include "coucou.h"
As you observed, most of the top Google hits for "storage" refer to data storage. So try "containers". "Parts" also seems to generate a lot of noise, so try "components".
It also helps to throw in related concepts that narrow the search. Since static electricity is an issue, "static" makes a good keyword.
I used to get uptight about static and proper storage. I actually lost a hard drive to static about 10 years ago, giving me reason to be paranoid. But really, given how hardware depreciates in value, you shouldn't worry about anything you're not actually using.
I have a shoebox filled with old ISA cards. No static wrap or other packaging, I just threw the cards in there. Every one of them that I have actually tried to use still works. Same with hard drives I have just stacked bare on shelves. And some CPUs I've been using to decorate the top of my (metal!) computer case, they still work too. This danger of breaking your stuff is not nonexistent, but in practical terms its overrated. There are so many other things to worry about, I just don't care so much about this junk. If it was damaged somehow by improper storage, I'd just have to get rid of it, which actually is what I should do with most of the parts I have anyway.
"(Man) tries to live his own life as if he were telling a story. But you have to choose: live or tell." --Sartre
I've been using a small roll-away toolbox for PC parts, for years.
Being steel, static electricity problems are negated. It's easy to stack cards/RAM/drives/case hardware neatly in the drawers (with, or without ESB bags).
And with wheels, it's easy to store the whole kit in out-of-the-way spots.
Kid-proof tablet..
I've solved the same issue for me with cheap plastic drawers from walmart and then lining them with the thin antistatic foam you find in like mainboard boxes and other places... Never had a card go bad on me in that storage so I guess it works good enough :)
I found some antistatic boxes branded by IBM at a computer show. I have not seen them since but presume they are made for the IBM laptop MBs. They work well for small parts (memory, laptop HDDs, PCI cards, etc.) I tried googling for them but didn't find any refrences. I don't know if I can post a picture so I will include a description (12"X9", branded IBM and engraved: conductive container. it has two windows, a single snap on the front and pink foam inside)good luck, I hope this helps.
Mail all of your spare parts to me, I've got plenty of "storage" space for them!
You can not find it because it may not exist. HD and boards come pre-packed. The number of people who would buy such a item is small. Try "Anitstatic Tote". Or go to Contact East ,Jensen , technitool, or one of the other electronic tool sellers. They have Rubber maid type totes with dividers. Not cheap, but probably what you are looking for. If you use regular totes or boxes, make sure yuo use the black type bags not the pink ones.
I had the same problem you do .... motherboards, ISA Boards, PCI boards, hard drives, SIMMs/DIMMs, various cables, etc.
.....
So how did I solve my problem?
I bought a SPARC.
Who needs all those silly Jaton motherboards?
Wow, I just checked..... Jaton's still in business? That's amazing! They sucked rocks! I had a Jaton VX board and that's what convinced me that I need to stop playing with Wintendo hardware and pick a real platform....
First it was SPARC (And I *still* miss my SPARCstation 20!), and when OS X was released, I bought a PowerMac G4. Best damned investment I've ever made......
Seriously though, The Problem goes away once you're away from the Intel world
--NBVB
Nobody else has brought this up, so I will.
Computer parts need to be stored in an environment with very little dampness. Store them in a damp place, and they will fail.
that this page is now the top google result for those search terms.
I typically use the plastic bins with cards stored in antistatic bags.
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I also save any recloseable boxes I get, and will refold them inside out so whatever printing was on the outside is turned in, leaving the outside of the box blank. I fill it full of cable or parts of some sort and write on the outside with a marker what it is and stick it on the shelf. usually this style of box.. http://www.cactuscontainers.com/boxtypes-mailers.
if you want to get really fancy and have cash to burn. or are lookig at a way to transport boards to do service work, a circuit board container may be the ticket.. http://www.jensentools.com/product/group.asp?pare
1. Look around your apartment/office/workspace. Find a big ass expanse of wall.
2. Go down to the local hardware, pick up some dressy brass brads. Package of 50, $1.29.
3. Tack the hardware to the wall you selected in step #1 using brads you bought in step #2. A discarded Seagate hard drive works well to pound in the brads.
As an alternative, if you are truly concerned about static electricity and insist on storing things in static bags.
1. Look around your apartment/office/workspace. Find a big ass expanse of wall.
2. Go down to the local office supply store, pick up some plastic headed thumbtacks. Package of 100, $1.99. I suggest bright colors.
3. Tack the lips of the static bags to the wall you selected in step #1 using thumbtacks you bought in step #2.
If you want, you can prolong the life of your new storage solution by first lining the wall with adhesive cork. (Under $3 per 1.5x6 foot roll), and you can dress it up with some crown moulding (Under $4 per 8 foot section). If you chose not to, a quart of paint is $3.29 and a quart of spackle is $1.99 when you move.
You now have a vertical storage solution that is not only artsy (impress the ladies, call it "The Woe of Societal Obselecence" and moan about Karl Marx.) but allows you to instantly visually catalogue your hardware! No more coworkers making off with your spare raid controllers, they'll leave a huge visual gap in the wall!
.sig: Now legally binding!