My day job is architect, and I have the steel flat files which are being
used less now with all the electronic files.  I use one for my shell storage
and there is a lot of room in them.  You can pick them up used for usually
$100 -200, might check with a local Architecture or engineering firm to see
if they have any they want to get rid of.

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Leslie Crnkovic
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 11:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] Shell storage drawer ideas?

Hi Maureen,

There are so many ways you can go about this, depending on budget,
aesthetics, and space.
Many of my storage drawers are homemade, or modified dressers etc.  Tutu
Eclectica.

Others... STEEL
Vizidex - the old file drawer system to store 5.5 x 8 Index Cards.
The drawers were only 1" high (cards laid flat and flopped back and forth),
perfect of the 1x1, 1x2, & 2x2 plastic boxes etc.
I have 3 units, totaling 36 Legal Size 1" high Drawers.  Very compact.
Problem,  Difficult to find these anymore.

Summer 2012 I also bought Flat File Cabinets ...used for storing Blueprints
and Maps.  I have 1" high and 2" high drawer sets.
Should have stuck with all 2".  I don't seem to have enough under 1" high
shells to fill 20 - 1" x 3 ft D x 4 ft W Drawers.
You can often buy these used reasonably priced at the local used office
furniture co.

PLASTIC BOXES.

AMAC makes a premium product.  You can buy direct with an order minimum.
There boxes ate well made, squared corners,  crystal clear, and a full OD of
1x1, 1x2, & 2x2
These products are also sold at the Container Store... so a good way to try
them out.
www.amacpackaging.com

Althor, has a less expensive product.  Rounded corners, and closer to 3/4"
rather than a full 1"
The plastic is not as brittle and is not as clear.    You can buy direct
with an order minimum.
Micro collectors such as Emilio Garcia prefer Althor it because it is
smaller than the full 1", thus more will fit in his drawers.
www.althor.com

AMAC and Althor both have a wide variety of sizes of boxes other than the
ones above.
Also, both have been easy to work with in the past, but I have not needed to
buy in 10 years.

Over the years, I switched back and forth using the old paperboard boxes
with clear tops,
to plastic boxes, to zip-lock bags of different sizes then back to the
plastic boxes.  What I have is a mix.
Till last summer, during the previous 3 years I had been blessed to travel
for work and brought back many shells from across the US and abroad,
Plus I have finally started doing some trading.  ...Today, I received a
lovely bunch of common shells from Spain.
Now, in addition to the above, I have many plastic shoe boxes filled with
shells awaiting processing into the collection.


Just more to think about...


Leslie

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