Dear Pete;-
        The size box you buy depends upon the size shell you collect. Althor is
a good company and their boxes stand up well. The ones I use most are 1"sq. But
I collect Eps and most of them are pretty small.
        I prefer the friction boxes as they have no hinges to get in the way.
You don't need inserts as you can use any packing foam that comes in packing
for many products. Heck, you can use cotton.
        There is no "One size fits all".
            Art

Peter Egerton wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm just contemplating buying plastic boxes for my collection. I've been
> looking over the Althor Products website and am a little unsure what size
> boxes are the most useful for shell collections, in general. Anyone out
> there use them? What sizes do you find you need the most. I was thinking of
> getting the friction-fit ones rather than the hinges(?). Any help would be
> great. What about foam inserts (they list 2 kinds).
>
> Peter Egerton
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Peter Egerton, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
> Collector of worldwide Mollusca, lifetime student
> of zoology and computers.
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Step into my website:
> http://www.intergate.ca/personal/seashell/index.html
> (includes "Seashells of British Columbia", links and my resume)
>         -Links to add, remove, alter?  Just ask!
>         -This is an on-going project.
>         -Suggestions always welcome :-)
> -------------------------------------------------------