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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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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.
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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
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.
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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 ;)
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?
The static problem isn't mythical or anything, but chips attached to boards do stand a a better chance of surviving than bare ones. Simply, there's all that extra metal to take the hit.
Someone else mentioned that too much moisture can be a bad thing, but so can too dry an environment (static likes to come out and play then).
Someone mentioned the pink pouches. Those usually just have an antistatic coating (same idea as the antistatic clothing sprays and furniture polishes). They aren't intended to be conductive or anything like that.
The metalic pouches are supposed to act as a shield or cage around the components inside. These cost more, that's why cheap components aren't packed in them.
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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I just put things into anti-stat bags, and then throw them all into a larger anti-stat bag.
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 did a little further searching and googled for "conductive cantainer". The company that makes them is Conductive Containers Inc. and the ones that I have are a version of the CFP and Plastic Shippers. another company is Century Container Corp.
Mail all of your spare parts to me, I've got plenty of "storage" space for them!
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!
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The biggest problem with static is not immediate catastrophic damage, but with shortening the life of components- the static may not have killed it first off, but the components will be more likely to fail. A static discharge that you can't even feel will weaken the oxide (the O part of CMOS) to cause it to eventually fail.
I worked in a factory where they tried to "clean up" for a quality inspection by painting the walkways. We had an immediate surge in the number of failures due to static, but what was more interesting was the long term failures- parts that passed all the tests initially, but ended up getting returned a few weeks or months later (at a much higher rate than normal).