Storing extra PCBs

Altan

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How do you guys store your extra PCBs?

I have a couple sitting in bubble wrap, which I'm pretty sure isn't the best.

Just stick them on a shelf?

Get some of that electrostatic free semi-dark plastic stuff? I'm thinking that's the best. But where do you get that stuff at a reasonable price and large enough for old PCBs (like an Atari system 1 PCB)?

Or, is there a better idea?

... Altan
 
I individually wrap each one in the cheap pink plastic anti-static bags and then carefully stack them on top of each other in a box. So long as you don't just drop them or are forceful about it, the bags are just thick enough to protect each board from the pins of the one above/beneath it.
 
Depends on how many you have. I used to have around 20 or so PCBs that I collected over the years. So before I had them stored in plenty of anti-static bubble wrap that I bought them in, and had them placed in a huge plastic bin container. Now that I'm down sizing my collection, I thought custom made boxes would be a cool idea.

I love the NEO GEO style boxes and based my idea off of that. I went to office max and got some reversible boxes and printed out some custom made artwork that I did. I made a few since I only have a few PCBs that I'm keeping. The small box is a used USPS box that I'm using for extra/hacked SFII ep-roms.

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I typically wrap each one in pink antistatic wrap and stick 1-2 per USPS box. Then stick a bunch in a big blue WalMart storage bin. And write the contents on the side with sharpie.

Whoever buys my shit when I keel over is gonna be one happy motherf#cker. :/
 
Thanks guys! Great info.

Any recommended sources for the antistatic wrap?

I know where the USPS boxes are :)

... Altan
 
You guys are so lucky you get free USPS boxes here in canada we gotta buy our own boxes. I usually use the ones you guys send me when I buy pcbs off you guys lol
 
USPS boxes are kinda small aren't they? Capcom CPS-1 SFII boards can fit in there pretty snug with anti bubble wrap. The older Capcom games like my Final Fight and Street Fighter 1 can not.
 
most boards are best kept on an edge instead of stacked flat. I static bag and bubble wrap before I box and label the end.
 
Depends on how many you have. I used to have around 20 or so PCBs that I collected over the years. So before I had them stored in plenty of anti-static bubble wrap that I bought them in, and had them placed in a huge plastic bin container. Now that I'm down sizing my collection, I thought custom made boxes would be a cool idea.

I love the NEO GEO style boxes and based my idea off of that. I went to office max and got some reversible boxes and printed out some custom made artwork that I did. I made a few since I only have a few PCBs that I'm keeping. The small box is a used USPS box that I'm using for extra/hacked SFII ep-roms.

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DSC01766.jpg

DSC01770.jpg

Let me be the first to say that is a really awesome job and idea!!
 
Thanks gorffdaddy!

For those that PMed me I'm trying to post more picks for those that wanted to make something like this. But my camera battery died and I have no idea where the charger is.

If you have openoffice I can send my word files and you can just print them out.

I have:

Street Fighter II: WW
Street Fighter II: HF
Street Fighter II: CE
Street Fighter II: CE RW
Final Fight
Tekken Tag
SF hacked eproms
Wizard of Wor
Sinistar

More to come later.....
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Free USPS boxes!

Exactly! When I used to have a bunch of spare pcbs (before I sold a bunch of stuff) I had an entire shelf with USPS Priority Mail boxes standing up with pcbs in them.


MKplayer1start said:
You guys are so lucky you get free USPS boxes here in canada we gotta buy our own boxes. I usually use the ones you guys send me when I buy pcbs off you guys lol
We can even "order" boxes to be shipped to our doorstep. They'll drop off a big box of flattened boxes for free. :)
 
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You can buy a small amount of the large pink or mirrord antistatic bags on ebay.

Locally if you have a Uline nearby.. they sell them but in bulk.

I need to buy some as I have more boards then bags.
 
You can buy a small amount of the large pink or mirrord antistatic bags on ebay.

Locally if you have a Uline nearby.. they sell them but in bulk.

I need to buy some as I have more boards then bags.

Should I be bagging boards? I've never bagged a board and never had a problem...
 
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