Resistor Organizer

Hello my dear friends! :)

When I was making some electronics devices, prototypes on breadboard and I needed to connect some resistors it was always trouble with searching the right one for me. I had one big ugly box with all the resistors in it. One day I said NO! So I was searching what to do with it... I found that the 10ml plastic lab test tubes has the right shape to store the resistors. So I ordered some, made CAD file of rack for the lab tubes, 3D printed it and sort the resistor by its value. Voila! My problem has been solved and it is so helpful, that I would like to share the plans with you!

Step 1: What Is Needed?

Lets start with things you need to make it.

• Several pieces of 10ml lab test tubes
• Possibility to 3D print
• OpenSCAD for the customization of model
• Super glue
• Labels
• Resistors

And, also a little bit of patience and time (and chocolate) :)

I also ordered kit of THT resistor from ebay. The kit contains 600pcs of 30values of resistors, so my rack is for 30 tubes. :)

Step 2: CAD Model

Once I have received the tubes I started designing the rack. I chose to use OpenSCAD, as it is free software. In the world of OpenSCAD I am quite new (about one week). I took it as good experience and good start to discovery what i can a how it can. So I started modeling thetube first. Then the several tries of designing racks followed, once I was satisfied with it. Then I reduced the code, edited it and I made it customizable. The final version of model is in the attached files (ResistorRack.scad). In the first few lines is the customizable section, which allows you to set number of rows, columns and spacing between the tubes. Once the customization is done you export the file as STL. I divided it into three parts. Bottom, upper part and the corners, which holds the bottom and the upper part. The selection of what you want to render is also in header section of code. The pictures will show more specifically.

So, we have done the CAD model with STL export, so, there is no barrier to make it real. Send it to the 3D printer! I printed it every single part separately with PLA material and settings of one bottom solid layer, two top solid layers, 20% infill with 0.2mm layer and 0.4mm extruder. The result surprisedme! Now, the only thing to build the rack is to glue the parts together. I used ordinary super glue.

P.S. while you do not have a OpenSCAD it is easy to get it :) But if you do not want any differences from my design there are the STL files, also. :) Or I can generate it for you! :)

Step 3: Finish

So we have made rack for the lab tubes! Now it is the time to sort the resistors and to label the tubes. It is time consuming and boring work, but while it is done, it is absolutely perfect! :P

Best wishes!

DiggingFox :)

Comments

[Static Meat Man]

This is remarkable. I've been struggling to find an easy solution, and boom! Here it is.
I have sooooo many "doob-tubes" laying around that will be PERFECT for organizing my resistors. Happy Easter!

[DiggingFox]

Oh, Thanks for your comment! :) Happy Easter! :)

[Handy_Bear]

I love the look of that!

[DiggingFox]

Thank you! Have a nice day! :)

[nikdo_nic]

hello
I using this 2mL tubes for SMD components and 30ml tubes for clasics resistors

[DiggingFox]

Ooo! To je moc hezký, asi si taky něco takovemho udělám! Děkuji! :)

[jeanniel1]

What a great idea! I suspect this can also be used for items that are long and thin (colored toothpicks? LOL), too. Can also color code the caps for even easier searches!

[DiggingFox]

Yes, exactly, great ideas! :) thank you!

[artmez]

I liked the idea so much that I "made it" -- or will, when my Amazon order arrives today.
It may be cheating, but I got 90 tubes and matching stand for less than $14: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SC089HQ
Wondering if I can laser engrave the values without destroying the tubes? I guess I need to research that now.

[yrralguthrie]

Don't take offense, but since you have a laser printer why not just try to print on one test tube. Lots easier than wading through what could be garbage on the internet. Especially since the test tubes are likely from China and there's no way to tell what kind of glass they are made of.

[jeanniel1]

Yes, can laser engrave onto the test tubes if they're glass.

[DiggingFox]

Thank you, artmez :)
Yes, I think if you colored by black marker, the power of the laser could be dissipated to tube and mark them :)

[pgs070947]

Old idea I'm afraid.
A lot of the suppliers throw in the stand for free.
The only advantage of doing all the 3-D printing work is if you want your stand to fit a particular space.
One of the problems with disposable plastic test tubes is there are too many changes of stock, material and design.
I used to use some nice screw cap tubes with white writable caps, but seem to have gone the way of all good things.
For really small component storage, look up micro centrifuge tubes.

[DiggingFox]

Thank you for your comment :) There are a lot of different ways to solve this :)

[frarugi87]

I did something similar, but with 1.5ml test tubes (for SMD resistors).
One thing I suggest you is to organise them in rows of 12 elements. Why? Because the resistors values are arranged in the E12 or E24 values range; the E12 is 12 values in a decade, so if you organise them in 12 elements rows you will have them sorted properly. If you have an E24 series you will have two rows occupied by one series, and then this will start again.
In my setup I use some 72-holes containers (6 rows 12 columns), and I managed to store three decades of E24 resistors in a single box; consequently I have a 1-910 ohm box, a 1k-910k box and a >1M box (ok, this is not full, so I also have other values in this one).

[DiggingFox]

Thank you fot your comment! :)
I understand you! It is great solution for the every values. But I do not have resistors in these series. So I decided to make it 10x3. But it is very customizable and everybody can remake it by own. :)

[WORMSS]

Thank you. I've wanted something simple myself for a while.
Though, I think I might just start with the 10ml tubes and throw them into a box. I know it's not as nice and elegant, but it's a lot better than I have now.

[DiggingFox]

Thank you! Maybe, this is a solution for you, than have them in a box :)

[schmitta]

Thanks for offering to make things for us.

[DiggingFox]

Thank you for your comment :)