rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 19, 2009 15:56:35 GMT -5
On Labor Day weekend my SO and I are taking on the task of reorganizing the Studio with the Big Front Door (garage). I have slabs and small cutting rough stored in plastic shoe box size storage containers, plastic 1.5 inch high jewelry trays, plastic drawers, small plastic storage cubes, and of course a bunch of milk crates, etc.
My goal is not to hang on to every rock, after all I am in the rock and jewelery business, but to keep a small portion of every different stone I come by in inventory.
The plastic shoe box storage containers have their limitations in that you can't stack them more than 3 or 4 high if they are at least half full of stone because they crush and fall over. The jewelry trays can only hold about 1 inch high in slabs. The dollar store doesn't carry the mini storage cubes any more. etc...
So what low cost solutions have you came up with in storing slabs and small cutting rough?
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 19, 2009 16:22:24 GMT -5
I use cigar boxes for slabs and small rough.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 16:32:06 GMT -5
I use the plastic shoe box size containers as well. Honestly, unless its a REALLY pricey slab, I never worry about breakage. If it breaks while laying in a container, it was meant to break. As in, a weak spot, a fracture etc. Better to break at that point than to have it break after you have more time and money into it. Such as during cabbing/wrapping, or even worse.......after a customer buys it.
Sidenote: I will even be a little rough on my cabs after they are finished......actually somewhat TRY to break it. Again, if they are going to snap that easily, better while in my hands than in someone's hands that just spent money on it.
Shan
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 19, 2009 16:46:57 GMT -5
I use Sterilite shoebox size containers. I have them full of rock (rough and tumbled) and have them stacked 5-7 high. I haven't had any of them crush (so far).
Chuck
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Post by Bejewelme on Aug 19, 2009 19:27:51 GMT -5
Gosh this is a good post, I am such a mess with stuff! I have everything seperated by who sent it. Now people I have seen that use the clear shoebox containers, they seem to work well, Maryann has hers stuffed and has quite a bit in them. She stackes them staniding sideways, and can get 20 or so slabs in a bin. We have Dollar Trees out here where we buy plastic bins and such, sometime you get 2-4 for $1, and I save every jar, plastic tub, etc, so everthing is a miss mash, but I figure if I file by who sent it, then they can help me remember what it is! Organizing is a nightmare!!!! We need more of those orgazined people to post pics, we need before and after pics Rockdewd!!!!!! Good luck!!!!! Let us know how you make out! Amber
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 19, 2009 19:57:37 GMT -5
Yep, I use the plastic shoebox sized tubs too. I was using two different types with snap on lids but recently I found a slightly more expensive type with swing lock lids which are much stronger. I did have quite a problem with the snap on lids deforming or popping off if I stacked them more than two or three high. Main problem I have with all this Texas humidity is keeping the darn labels on the tubs. Everything I try seems to peel off in a few months time....Mel
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Aug 20, 2009 8:46:13 GMT -5
I too use the plastic Sterlite boxes (and yes I have had them crush & shatter). I found placing a sheet of 1/4" masonite the depth of the box and as long as all the boxes are wide on each layer, I can stack 5 boxes high and they slide out individually! I also use the cardboard bins used in parts rooms for works in progress. www.uline.com/Grp_324/Corrugated-BinsIf your really serious (and cheap) build permanent bins (cubbie holes) from scrap wood against a wall to attach it to. Drywall screws and an electric drill can change your life, (freecycle.org is great for scrap wood). Dr Joe .
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2009 9:25:30 GMT -5
Oh my gosh Dr. Joe............thank you soooooooooooo much! The obvious always escapes me, I make things much harder than I need to. Mine are all stacked against the wall about 6 high. And it seems I always need the container at the bottom. So then I have to move every single one to get to it. The masonite idea is excellent!
Shan
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Aug 20, 2009 9:54:11 GMT -5
Labeling... Either buy the permanent labels from an office supply store (not a wallyworld) or place regular labels over the Sterlite label on the bin already (not as pretty, but they stick) (wipe label clean with alcohol). Next would be a permanent marker (again, wipe surface with alcohol to remove surface oils). Then there is placing clear envelopes on the front of the bins and placing inventory/history cards in them that you can update. If your not serious about your rock inventory, there is something to be said for putting everything in a box and digging thru it every time...like buried treasure! Dr Joe .
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 20, 2009 10:09:14 GMT -5
All very good suggestions. Thanks one and all!
I'll try to get some before and after pics. Hopefully I'll find some stuff I've been looking for, for the last few years...
Dr Jo, I'm a big fan of label makers. I'm a bit on the OCD side but still things have gotten out of control in the Studio with the Big Front Door.
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 20, 2009 11:53:33 GMT -5
The big slabs. I had a zillion plastic shoe boxes of smaller slabs and cab rough so I went to Costco for this bin shelf thinking that I could get all of the shoe boxes into bins. Almost. Unfortunately I can't fit another bin shelf into the remaining space. Also, there was no load rating indicated on the box or literature for the bin rack. I've probably got it overloaded, but I really like the easy accesibility of the bin rack. Now what to do with the rest of the filled shoe boxes. And what to do with the empty plastic shoe boxes. Bob
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Aug 20, 2009 12:01:09 GMT -5
I have a used TV stand that has slide out DVD holders. These work great. I also use old cigar boxes for my best material. When my kitchen was remodeled, the old cabinets were hung in the garage. These are packed with slabs now.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 20, 2009 12:23:02 GMT -5
Holy cow Bobby! You have enough material there to last a couple of lifetimes. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Chuck P.S. I hope you don't have to get anything out of the bottom milk crates very often.
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 20, 2009 13:44:57 GMT -5
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 20, 2009 14:17:07 GMT -5
rockdewd, I eyed the racks at Harbor Freight and they looked OK. I went with the Costco unit because the Costco products have a reputation for quality whereas Harbor Freight is just cheap. So far even though it is probably overloaded I don't see the shelves or frame distorting on the Costco unit. In my case the only way it can fall down is to fall forward. All the three other sides are blocked by things. I haven't a clue whats in the bottom milk crates. In some of them I haven't been to the bottom of the crate in years. I think I have somewhere between 3 to 5 lifetimes of cutting materials. That is why my wife says "NO MORE"....... but I always sneak in a slab or 2 on occasions. I didn't show a picture of the 60 crates of rough rock. They are to the left of the crates with slabs. Bob
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 20, 2009 15:35:45 GMT -5
Holy crap on a cracker Bobby! You must have your saw gong 24/7 365 to cut all those slabs. I thought I had a few, but you blow me out of the water....Mel
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 20, 2009 16:53:19 GMT -5
Since I have to be portable I've gone the ziploc baggie route. Labeled with what they are and who they are from on the bag. Have them in plastic storage bins and organized by: local stuff, RTH friend stuff, purchased stuff. At some point when I have a permanent work area I'll probably use the plastic shoebox/cabinet method. Jo
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Aug 20, 2009 20:56:26 GMT -5
Rockdewd, maybe keep an eye out for a "store closing" sale. Many times (around here anyway) they sell the fixtures, racks, etc from in the store.
Nate
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Post by bobby1 on Aug 20, 2009 21:09:14 GMT -5
Mel, I have to confess. When my dad died in 1995 I inherited his slabs and rocks. About 1/3 of the slabs came from him. About 1/4 of the rough rocks did too, so it isn't all my doings. Bob
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Aug 20, 2009 21:49:59 GMT -5
Nate,
I'm constantly on the lookout on Craigslist for shelves and storage. Got some great deals and some out right free!
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