Specimen tubes in the shop

Tiny parts that are integral to the operation of some tool or device are easily lost, damaged, or misplaced. My solution for this is to use the sort of small specimen containers used in research laboratories. These allow the tiny part to be protected and kept attached to the parent tool for use when needed. The containers I use look like this...

Attachment 44968

although a wide variety of other forms are readily available...

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Bottl...%2C165&sr=8-11

https://www.amazon.com/Ackers-Centri...1&sr=8-16&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Twdrer-Plasti...%2C211&sr=8-58

https://www.amazon.com/BronaGrand-Pl...&sr=8-152&th=1

As an example, here's the fuse for the router speed controller (used on my Foredom). The little loop that keeps the screw-on lid attached to the container has a twistee threaded through it to confine it to the controller's hanger ring.

Attachment 44969

I've used the little square tubes from end mills to hold small parts, but it's rarely worked out well, Mainly because it's easy to forget what's inside since they are generally some solid color. Your idea is much better. Specimen bottles are generally not opaque so it's easy to see what's in there. The loop on the lid for attachment is an added bonus.

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Originally Posted by ductape

I've used the little square tubes from end mills to hold small parts, but it's rarely worked out well, Mainly because it's easy to forget what's inside since they are generally some solid color. Your idea is much better. Specimen bottles are generally not opaque so it's easy to see what's in there. The loop on the lid for attachment is an added bonus.

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Some of the specimen containers have "write-on" sections where one can pencil-in notations about the contents.

The larger size shown in my first photo lacks the loop provided so nicely on the small size. This can be solved by drilling a small hole (# 60 or 3/64) through the tube and threading a bit of bell wire through the hole. If the hole passes through the cap and the tube the wire will work to retain the cap as well as fasten the unit to whatever.

Florists use similar tubes...

I keep tips for my soldering iron in little test tubes. It keeps them from disappearing so fast. Good tip.

The larger size are good for 18500 battery storage, to prevent accidental shorting and fires. Working in labs we have many sizes, the smaller centrifuge tubes make good apostles for muzzle loading. https://www.worldhistory.org/article...sh-civil-wars/