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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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25th Jun 2017, 5:34 pm | #21 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK.
Posts: 5,215
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
On the mailing lists and fora I am on, I suspect almost all people would know what it was and most would be able to read it. But that's hardly an unbiased sample.
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25th Jun 2017, 5:47 pm | #22 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 14,007
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
Quote:
In times past I built lashup circuits on 80col punched-cards: it wasn't too hard to work out which holes were punched-out for each of the letters/digits, and then punch a card with the holes in the right place to take component-leads, to be hooked together underneath with 25gauge tinned-copper wire. You could even draw the circuit on the card to help you! Also, the 'chads' punched-out of the cards occasionally got repurposed as confetti when computer-types got married. [hint: when thrown it gets *everywhere*] |
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25th Jun 2017, 6:14 pm | #23 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK.
Posts: 5,215
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
Don't! The chads have sharp corners and if a piece gets in somebody's eye it can be very hard to get out again without causing problems. The round chad from paper tape is also difficult to get out of eyes.
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25th Jun 2017, 8:17 pm | #24 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,724
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
I can certainly confirm that the chads from paper tape were used as confetti from my Dad's days at Olivetti in the 60s and 70s. Not only does it get everywhere it is exceedingly difficult to remove from carpets!
Peter |
25th Jun 2017, 8:22 pm | #25 | |||
Moderator
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Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
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26th Jun 2017, 11:05 am | #26 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 1,571
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
When I first became interested in radio it seemed compulsory for amateurs to smoke a pipe. At the local amateur radio club it was hard to see through the fug that resulted from the smouldering bowls of Golden Virginia and St Bruno. I still have components stored in the array of tobacco tins that I was given by a kindly amateur when I was a schoolboy.
I wasn't a smoker but we must have been a family prone to sore throats because I have a similar array of Strepsils tins which were ideal for smaller items. I'm also a user of ice cream tubs though these mostly contain DIY stuff for use around the house. They date back some years and show little or no deterioration so are probably from before the biodegradable period. The problem with degradable plastics is that the resultant tiny particles are eaten by animals and fish injuring them and now in the food chain. Perhaps non-bio and re-use is more environmentally friendly? |
26th Jun 2017, 11:19 am | #27 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 2,511
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
Don't ignore the fact that not all plastics are compatible. I have had problems with foam in particular, and I suspect it was caused (or exacerbated) by being in proximity to other plastic materials. The foam deteriorated into a sticky goo which was very difficult to clean off the fragile items it was supposed to be protecting.
Andy |
27th Jun 2017, 11:01 am | #28 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wellington, New Zealand.
Posts: 653
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
As a smoker, I found the empty cardboard flip top boxes of 20's were ideal for resistors. I store mine face down stacked vertically with the value on the lid. Stopped smoking back in 1993 but seem to have plenty of boxes left.
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27th Jun 2017, 12:41 pm | #29 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cottesmore, East Midlands, UK.
Posts: 858
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
H'mm, not exactly boxes, but I find a ring binder useful for storing and indexing the modern small 1/2W and 1/4W types that come in kits containing sections of bandolier-mounted resistors.
You can buy from Eblag (for not too much money) the plastic sleeves that collectors use for holding stamps, cigarette cards, postcards etc - these are designed to fit in ring binders and the A4 9-pouch plastic sheets are the ideal size for the 10-packs of resistors. The photo will explain more clearly... Cheers, Frank Last edited by frankmcvey; 27th Jun 2017 at 12:54 pm. |
27th Jun 2017, 12:47 pm | #30 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,536
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
There are also rather more rigid multicompartment A4 filing containers- often used for off the shelf development kits of small components. These have a snap on lid which exposes all compartments at once, so there can be errrm "issues" if you're clumsy!
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27th Jun 2017, 12:57 pm | #31 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cottesmore, East Midlands, UK.
Posts: 858
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
Yup, you can have issues with the ring-binders as well if you turn them upside-down, hence the little pieces of green insulating tape over the tops of some of the more well-filled pouches!
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27th Jun 2017, 4:45 pm | #32 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
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27th Jun 2017, 5:42 pm | #33 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
That tends to be caused by PVC and similar with phalate plasticisers being stored in polystyrene compartment boxes. The plasticiser migrates into the box which softens and engulfs it slooooowly! Even RS sell (or at least sold) PVC grommets packed this way, which I transferred into an equivalent box made of polyethylene. My O-ring kits, Viton and EPDM, are all in polypropylene packaging so no problem there. It is the same mechanism that gradualy embrittles electrical installation cables when in contact with expanded polystyrene thermal insulation, although that tends to be accelerated by the heating of the cables.
Side note- always slip a polythene bag over any PVC flexes on appliances stored in their original expanded polystyrene packaging. The appliance case might be OK in contact with the foam but the flex will gradually become part of it. |
27th Jun 2017, 6:42 pm | #34 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK.
Posts: 5,215
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
And be careful of storing PVC flex against a plastic cabinet. The cabinet can end up with quite deep grooves in it where it was attacked by the PVC (simplification, but you know what I mean). Maybe I am over-cautious but I don't keep the mains lead of my Dansette-type record players bundled inside as the makers intended, I am worried it might attack the plastic turntable, pickup arm, etc if it get in contact with it for any length of time.
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27th Jun 2017, 8:03 pm | #35 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 5,346
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
The cable of the transparency scanner unit of my Epson scanner, packed in an expanded polystyrene box, was shipped sleeved in a plastic bubble-wrap bag. I continue to use it, having seen the effect of polystyrene on unprotected cables with my original ZX81.
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27th Jun 2017, 10:18 pm | #36 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,273
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Re: DIY component storage boxes
I was so pleased with the plastic tupperware-style tubs from the local chinese takeaway that i sometimes buy them from Wilkinson etc. These are of variable quality, with the blue-tinted ones becoming brittle very quickly, but most of them are fine.
Re - polystyrene container problems. I pulled my old computers out of the wardrobe the other day; my Commodore 64 and my Spectrum. Both in their original polystyrene packing and both have melted over the mains leads making a nasty mess.
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