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Hardware

PC Parts Storage Solution? 62

Posted by Cliff from the for-the-garage-based-computer-operators dept.
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?"
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PC Parts Storage Solution? More

PC Parts Storage Solution?

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  • just buy.. (Score:4, Informative)

    by gl4ss ( 559668 ) on Saturday August 30, 2003 @06:24PM (#6835230) Homepage Journal
    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.

    -

    • Re:just buy.. (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Glonoinha ( 587375 )
      How old is the hardware in question?

      I think hardware becomes less fragile over time - I mean 10 years ago I would dress up in anti-static gear and use special polymer based tools inside the case of a 286 AT class computer but now if I dropped a 286 chip in the mud I wouldn't think twice about taking it to the water fountain, rinsing it off, shaking off all the water and popping it into a motherboard - and I am pretty sure it would still work.

      Keep the parts in anti-static bags and based on what I have seen
      • No, you just care less about the hardware with time. :-)

        The only difference is that today you'd be less antsy about seeing whether the 286 would boot after being wet than 15 years ago when you NEEDED that 286 to work.

  • Expansion Card Storage... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by phraktyl ( 92649 ) * <wyattNO@SPAMdraggoo.com> on Saturday August 30, 2003 @06:27PM (#6835247) Homepage Journal
    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.

    • Any problems with the wood? (Score:3, Informative)

      by bbk ( 33798 )
      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?
      • Haven't had any problems so far. Used whatever is cheap from Home Depot. Pine, maybe? Not treated, and I don't do anything to it. I'm in Southern California, but I always keep the room cool, so I haven't had any problems with sap or moisture.

        But, if you're worried about it, find just about any old PC case, and there will be plastic guides for the full-length cards on the opposite end of the case from the slots. While these aren't as deep as the slots in the blocks of wood, they are enough to keep the
      • A modification of his idea is just to use your extra motherboards as the "wood" and lay them out side by side on anti-static material, sitting on shelves.
    • Another solution for expansion card storage is network card boxes. I have a big D-Link box under my bed that was used to ship something like 60 D-Link network cards. It has lovely little slots for every card. It came from when a local university was upgrading and they ordered a lot of cards.

      If you can get your hands on one of these, it might help you out.

    • i have seen a plastic (i assume anti-static) tray designed to to just this. it was maybe 6-12 inches, orange plastic, and had glooves about every half inch. i have no idea how made this.

      eric
    • For my ISA cards, I find that the trash can next to my desk is the best storage solution.

  • Rubbermaid... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by jabberjaw ( 683624 ) on Saturday August 30, 2003 @06:29PM (#6835255)
    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.

    • Re:Rubbermaid... (Score:2, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward
      You must be made out of nickles!

      I've just been using Anti-static bags, old xerox boxes (lined with a garbage bag) and careful packing.

      My technological solution to remembering whats in the boxes is a sharpie.
    • This is not anti-static...

      JOhn

  • Meh (Score:2, Funny)

    by luekj ( 692478 )
    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.

  • Try the right search terms maybe? (Score:5, Informative)

    by Meowing ( 241289 ) on Saturday August 30, 2003 @06:32PM (#6835259) Homepage
    esd storage antistatic storage akrobins

  • Stackable plastic tubs. (Score:2, Interesting)

    by SW6 ( 140530 )
    I just stuff the kit into stackable plastic boxes, packing the more sensitive items appropriately first. I hoard packing materials rather than throw it away, so I've always got plenty of spare bubblewrap, jiffy bags and antistatic bags around.

    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

  • 3m static boxes? (Score:4, Informative)

    by squant0 ( 553256 ) on Saturday August 30, 2003 @07:46PM (#6835557)
    3M(TM) Velostat(TM) 4025 Conductive Hinged Container, 178mm x 123mm x 13mm [3m.com]

    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 [3m.com] is a little bigger.

  • two layers. (Score:4, Informative)

    by TheSHAD0W ( 258774 ) on Saturday August 30, 2003 @08:18PM (#6835664) Homepage
    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.

    • Re:two layers. (Score:3, Informative)

      by chriso11 ( 254041 )
      Make sure you use the grey metallic bags, and not the pink see-through bags. Make sure the bags have no holes or tears. You also need to COMPLETELY close/seal the bags for ESD protection.

      • Re:two layers. (Score:4, Informative)

        by The Mayor ( 6048 ) on Sunday August 31, 2003 @01:25AM (#6836613)
        No you don't. Basic electromagnetic theory shows that a Gaussian surface (any volume surrounded mostly by metal) will cause any electrostatic charge to exist solely on the *outside* of the surface. Michael Faraday proved this by making a mostly solid metallic surface around a volume, poking a hole through it, then measuring the static electric charge on the inside.

        The same effect works on a car (with massive "holes" in the form of the windows). During a lightning storm, being on the inside of a car is the safest place to be. This is because a lightning string will result in *no* electric charge being transferred to the inside othe Gaussian surface (i.e. the inside of a car). This is why planes don't crash when struck by lightning, even though it is not uncommon for planes to be struck by lightning often during a storm.

        Don't worry about holes or tears, except in as much as it allows humid air to flow inside. Humidity and corrosion are far worse problems than any electrostatic charge.
      • Comment removed based on user account deletion
        • Actually, I prefer the pink bags. They aren't as conductive as the metallic-looking ones, but as a result they tend to dissipate static electricity more slowly, which is safer for the items emplaced inside.

  • File Cabinets (Score:4, Interesting)

    by BrynM ( 217883 ) * on Saturday August 30, 2003 @08:43PM (#6835758) Homepage Journal
    I've been using two old 4 drawer file cabinets (you know, the big metal ones for offices). I put cards into anti-stat bags and store them in regular old drop files (the ones with the mtal hooks so they hang). A bonus is that you can put labels on the drop files. That fills two drawers.

    For drives, I scout around cheap hardware stores like Harbor Freight [harborfreight.com] 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 [tapplastics.com] 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.

  • Erm... (Score:5, Funny)

    by eggstasy ( 458692 ) on Saturday August 30, 2003 @08:53PM (#6835791) Journal
    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

    • Re:static? bulls*** (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Meowing ( 241289 )
      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 co
      • I didnt literally mean that it was a myth, it was just a way of saying it. I dont know whats wrong with moist weather. Right, you shouldn't run some hardware on high humidity, but that has nothing to do with static. Moisture reduces the chance of generating static, that is true. We've been having a week of really dry days and static was terrible, sparks jumping off your fingers whenever you touched something metallic. That does not happen on a humid day. Antistatic coating does nothing about the static alre
        • Lots of moisture is a problem simply because it promotes corrosion. Yes, some of the metallic pouches are indeed intended to act as cages. There is more than one kind metallic pouch in use. Some only have metal on the outside layer, others integrate it into the plastic and do let it come into contact with the device. Okay, found a link to a detailed explanation here [esdjournal.com]. My god, there's such a thing as an ESD Journal? And I thought that reading Slashdot was bad enough.
    • 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
  • 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.)
    • Yes, well said. It's better that someone can get some use out of the stuff instead of it just sitting there and becoming worthless. It's not as if computer parts retain value over time. But stuff I don't give away I just toss into cardboard boxes. Seems to work fine.
  • 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!

  • why? (Score:2)

    by toast0 ( 63707 )
    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.

    • Inevitably you'll need to use something a week after you throw it out.

      That's been my experience, of course it could just be chalked up to my poor judgment of what's garbage.

  • My solution (Score:3, Informative)

    by Feztaa ( 633745 ) on Sunday August 31, 2003 @02:30AM (#6836802) Homepage
    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 [ikea.com] (multiple size/colors)

  • Google Tricks (Score:3, Informative)

    by fm6 ( 162816 ) on Sunday August 31, 2003 @04:59AM (#6837109) Homepage Journal
    I have Googled this for a while now and, as you can guess, I can't find much other than data storage solutions.
    When you go Googling, remember that there's more than one way to skin a cat. (To quote one of my favorite TV bad guys, I happen to know that's factually true.) If your keywords keep pointing to things you're not interested in, use different keywords. Usually it suffices to use synonyms or words that describe a similar concept. If you get stuck, refer to thesaurus.com.

    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.

  • Conductive Bins (Score:2, Informative)

    by SEWilco ( 27983 )
    I haven't run out of antistatic bags so I haven't had to improvise or build something...
    • If you want to hold cards upright, cut slits in a material softer than cards and copper. Also consider plastic book binding spines (I am not remembering the name for that type of binding), wire guides (some are plastic rings with gaps between), coarse brushes...browse stores for other soft bristly things.
    • Test the resistance of the surface to see if it is already conductive.
    • To make the surface conductive, paint it wi

  • Cardboard box (Score:3, Informative)

    by foonf ( 447461 ) on Sunday August 31, 2003 @05:38AM (#6837240) Homepage
    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.
    • I'd have to agree with this one. I used to work at a school district, and the entire warehouse was packed with computer bits that were just tossed into cardboard. Everything from memory, to processors, to entire computers, to expansion cards, etc. It looked horrible, but it was fast, cheap and effective. I don't recall ever taking a part out of a box and not having it work. It's really surprising how robust most of that crap is.

  • Steel (Score:3, Interesting)

    by adolf ( 21054 ) <flodadolf@gmail.com> on Sunday August 31, 2003 @09:45AM (#6837947) Journal
    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.

  • 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.
    • 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.

  • USPS (Score:4, Funny)

    by jeffkjo1 ( 663413 ) on Sunday August 31, 2003 @08:11PM (#6841402) Homepage
    Mail all of your spare parts to me, I've got plenty of "storage" space for them!
  • 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 w
    • So how did I solve my problem? I bought a SPARC.

      Just had to post to agree with you, even though it doesn't have much to do with the topic. I got a mint condition Sparc 20 earlier this year, and boy are they a well designed box.

      Not too snappy in terms of todays computing, but the hardware is still just as good as it always was. It's not too late my friend! You can still find good SS20's around, I don't know what you were thinking when you got rid of it. Actually, I think I'll add you to my foes list

      • I didn't say I got rid of it!

        It's in my closet, along with an SS5, a Sun Blade 100, and an AlphaServer DS10. :-)

        I just said I miss it! It got to be too slow for the job.... besides which, Mac OS X is a more practical desktop OS than Solaris. . .
    • >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....

      The question is, was it warped by 20 degrees like the last jaton modem I had to install (5 years ago)?

      That was interesting, making that fit...

  • Vertical storage solution! (Score:3, Funny)

    by technos ( 73414 ) on Tuesday September 02, 2003 @01:28PM (#6851443) Homepage Journal
    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!
    • Only the last part was tongue in cheek, I used this way of storing hardware for years. The last part was inspired by a neighbor, who after being invited up for a beer looked at the wall and assumed I was an art-student doing an installation piece. She wanted to take photos, the whole nine yards, despite my dissuasion that I really was just a computer geek too lazy to put up shelves..

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