Contacts case for small parts

contactCase010709_1.jpg

Here's something that never would have occurred to me -- using old contact lens cases to hold and organize surface-mount and other tiny electronics parts.

Small Parts Tray made from Contact Lens Cases


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Arthur on January 7, 2009 at 11:53 AM

For the most part, every time I visit the eye doctor I'm handed a contacts case that I eventually throw into a drawer. This is a great idea. Thanks for the post.


Posted by: Josh Kopel on January 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM

cleaning solution bottles

This is an excellent idea!

Also, empty bottles from contact cleaning solutions are great for holding water to keep your soldering iron sponge wet.

They are easy to fill if you pop the top off, they have a tiny hole so you can control the amount of water you use, and they have a connected cap so they don't spil all over when you knock them down (or throw them in your tool box).


Posted by: Anonymous on January 7, 2009 at 12:06 PM

How about those week or month long pill trays with all the little boxes. I think they'd work about the same, but they would be connected together and therefore easier to organize.


Posted by: Matt on January 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM

Bad idea for IC's

I would not store active devices in one, for caps or resistors its fine, but for IC's and transistors plastic cases can causes ESD damage.


Posted by: Spikenzie on January 7, 2009 at 1:27 PM

Sort of like using old mushroom containers to hold parts, see here;

http://www.spikenzielabs.com/SpikenzieLabs/Cool_Tools.html

Also, I just washed some small condiment buckets from Quizno's, they are good for parts that are medium sized.


Posted by: japroach on January 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Josh: buy a brass shavings ball, and you will never have to use water again ($3 on DX).


Posted by: Roofus on January 8, 2009 at 12:47 PM

Been doing it for years...

I had contacts for a few years (bugged the crap out of me) and it seemed like every visit to get more or get a perscription adjusted I'd come home with one of those containers. After I stopped wearing conacts I quickly realized they're great for organizing parts especially for temorary storage when I disassemble small electronics.


Posted by: Roofus on January 8, 2009 at 12:53 PM

etc...

Also old pill bottles work great for holding small fasteners, the lids snap shut securely and you can easily see what's inside (provided you take the label off.)


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television




Check out more videos from MAKE.

Maker SHED

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter



    MAKE Archives

    Make: Money

    Make: Science Room
    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online editors and authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Editor-in-Chief


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | Web | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John BaichtalJohn Baichtal
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Behind the Scenes at MAKE and CRAFT In January, many of the remote MAKE/CRAFT team members (myself included) convened at the Maker Media headquarters at O'Reilly Media in Sebastopol, California. Take a look behind the scenes of your favorite DIY publications as Goli Mohammadi gives us... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    Sign up for the Make: Newsletter

    Our Make: Newsletter covers news from maker Media, has original columns, Shed deals, and more! You can also read the archives of past issues.


     



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog