Storage Bin

See also: wire shelf

Info about divided bins, totes, etc

Not sure about divider/lid compatibility between them. Price comparison is based on the assumption that bin and lid price is proportional and that compariing bins of about the same size is fair. Most bins seem to conform to about if not exactly the same size. Unclear who actully makes these.

Some is based on bulk pricing and some isn't which is a bit unfair

I ended up settling on the following Akro-Mils boxes from Zoro tools:

• G2839365: Modular Tote Boxes, Divider Box,16-1/2 x 10-7/8 x 6 In,Gray
  • $9.46 each
  • Akro-Mills 33166GREY
  • Come in cases of 8 but Zoro will break cases if necessary
    • Akro-Mils on amazon sells for $101.25 ($12.66 each)
• G3084593: Modular Tote Boxes, Divider Box,16-1/2 x 10-7/8 x 8 In,Gray
  • $10.16 each
  • Akro-Mills 33168GREY
  • Come in cases of 6 but Zoro will break cases if necessary
• G4385455: Lid for Grid Container
  • $7.16 *each*, not per carton of 4
  • Cheaper on Amazon
  • Akro-Mills 33061
  • I didn't use these initially

NOTE: search for Zoro coupons, you may be able to get as much as 25% off if you make a big order

I mostly got 6" ones to favor shallow boxes for easy access: 8" ones are reserved for items that do not fit in 6" boxes.

I put a lot of larger equipment in pelican cases. But I'm thinking about some alternatives. Maybe

• DuraGreen 45" x 48" x 34" Medium-Duty Collapsible Bulk Container
• These are basically foldable box on a pallet

Big bins

Mine

• 17 w x 21 l x 12 h
• Have several brands, they don't all stack
• TODO: take inventory
  • 4 big bins?
  • 2 have plates on the side, 2 don't

Lewis NDC3120

• Outside Dimensions Top L (in): 22.4
• Outside Dimensions Top W (in): 17.4
• Outside Dimensions Bottom L (in): 20.9
• Outside Dimensions Bottom W (in): 15.9
• Inside Dimensions Top L (in): 20.5
• Inside Dimensions Top W (in): 15.5
• Inside Dimensions Bottom L (in): 20.1
• Inside Dimensions Bottom W (in): 15.1

LEWISBins+ NDC3120-SQ Gray Divider Box Container, HDPE, 22.4" x 17.4" x 12", Gray

• Amazon: 22 each but out of stock

u-line

• Outside: 22 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 12"
• Inside: 20 x 15 x 12"
• $23.65 for 3+
• They are similar style to two of the bins I have
• Order gray or black?

Lewis bins

http://www.lewisbins.com/Products/Containers-Totes/ESD-Safe-Divider-Boxes

Sample:

• DC2070XL
• Black ESD
• Outside Top L : 16.5 (in)
• Outside Top W : 10.9 (in)
• Container Height: 7 (in)
• Container Weight : 1.7 (lb.)
• Price: 16.65 link
  • 2014
• Value: 16.5 * 10.9 * 7 / 16.65: 75.6 cc / $

Quantum storage

http://www.quantumstorage.com/media/catalog/category/070_1.pdf

Sample:

• DG92080
• Black ESD
• 16-1/2" x 10-7/8" x 8"
• 8 pack individual price: $94.36/8 = 11.80 link
  • 2014
• Value: 16.5 * 10.875 * 8 / 11.80: 121.7 cc / $

Akro-mills

http://www.akro-mils.com/Products/Industrial/Totes-Containers/Akro-Grids.aspx

As far as I can tell, while they make ESD safe drawers, they do not make ESD safe bins. However, their quality is good and can be found at good prices (ex: seller zorotools on eBay). I settled on Akro-mills for non-ESD applications

Sample not-ESD safe (polyethylene):

• 33166
• 16-1/2 x 10-7/8 x 6
• Price: $8.07 link
  • July 2014
• Value: 16.5 * 10.875 * 6 / 8.07: 133 cc / $
• As of July 2014 I have 6 of these

Sample not-ESD safe (polyethylene):

• 33168
• 16-1/2 x 10-7/8 x 8
• Price: $113.64/6 = 18.94 link
  • 2014
• Value: 16.5 * 10.875 * 8 / 18.94: 75.8 cc / $

Metro

totes/Storage_and_Handling http://www.all-spec.com/products/metro totes/Storage_and_Handling|Containers|CON-0C/

Have them at work: stamped metro on the bottom. Quality is generally good with some die marks on the larger bins.

Sample:

• TB92080CAS
• Black ESD
• Outside length: 16-1/2" (419 mm)
• Outside width: 10-7/8" (276 mm)
• Outside depth: 8" (203 mm)
• Price: 25.01
  • 2014
• Value: 16.5 * 10.875 * 8 / 25.01: 57.4 cc / $

McMaster

http://www.mcmaster.com/#divider-bins/=smbe62

not sure who actually makes these

Sample not-ESD safe (polyethylene):

• 40355T59
• Outside length: 16-1/2" (419 mm)
• Outside width: 10-7/8" (276 mm)
• Outside depth: 8" (203 mm)
• Price: 12.43
  • 2014
• Value: 16.5 * 10.875 * 8 / 12.43: 115.5 cc / $

Panel Controls Corp

Found some of these at Weird Stuff. They were light construction and thus not suitable for me

FIXME

there is a light type that I see a lot but I can never remember its name

Quantum

NOTE: u-line bins are Quantum (at least the large ones I order are). Akro-Mills does not, to my knowledge, make large divided bins

u-line: about $40 shipped per box

• Divider Box - 20 x 15 x 12", Gray
  • quantum: DG93120 Dividable Grid Container
  • u-line: S-16979GR Divider Box - 20 x 15 x 12", Gray
  • Out: 22 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 12"
  • In: 20 x 15 x 12"
  • Each unit: 23.65 (3+)
  • Carton: 3
  • http://monsterbins.com/dg93120-2826
    • Lower price but doesn't provide a shipping estimate. Also no clear lids
• Divider Box Lid - 20 x 15"
  • Quantum: COV93000
  • u-line: S-16978LID Divider Box Lid - 20 x 15"
  • 20 x 15" Divider Box Lid
  • Each unit: 11.45 (8+)
  • Carton: ?

Drawers

Use Akro Mills

Bolt pattern

• 18.25" wide
• 13.75" high
• 5 bolts, 2 on each side and 1 in the middle

I mount these to metal utility things because they provide a general grid to mount things to (Wall Control 30-P-3232GV Galvanized Steel Pegboard Pack)

To make bracket:

• Cut to 24" section by cutting off one side on band saw
• 12" center will mount center bolt
• Cut slots on first row between 3-4 column for bottom shelf row
• When mounted this way its flush at top
• Bottom holes
• y: 0.25" from bottom slot center

Wish they were on 1" centers, or at least 0.5". Explored drilling 1" holes (quick since I can use template...) but could not convince myself I'd keep structural integrity doing so

Used the bolt pattern to help locate, drew cross, center punched, then drilled

I use 10-32 X 1/2", although shorter would be fine. Longer helps guide it in a bit. Use extended drive to insert them if you have it, otherwise use pliers + allen key

Note: some slots factory cut will fit #10, some won't. When they don't I slightly enlarge with Dremel

To mount to standard lab wire shelves (60" wide) cut 1" t-slot to ~57.25" lengths. This is a good compromise between securely fastening and still allowing nuts in. Bolt to the second from the top and second from the bottom rows. Use at least a 1 x 2 l-bracket, or 2 x 2 if your t-slot is a little short. Attach l-bracket to sleeves using a hose clamp

Get 60" sections such as https://www.amazon.com/80-20-Inc-T-Slotted-Extrusion/dp/B00BMU05BG/

Flat containers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H2NW8TS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IRIS 8" x 8" Slim Portable Project Case, 10 Pack, Clear

Generally good, although a bunch broke during shipping