Organizing Parts

[cbell]

Hello,
I'm quickly building my inventory of parts (everytime I do a Mouser order, I get a few extra resistors, capacitors, etc. just in case) however I haven't quite figure out how to organize all these parts so that some day down the road when I need a 680 ohm resistor, I can find it quickly. Can anyone share their techniques and or pictures of their solutions?

[deplanche]

Perscription pill bottles would great for these type of things if you are just getting a few extra, not 100s extra. Put a label on the top, or for something like a resistor, tape one to the lid.

[tdx]

Its probably the geek in me, but I have a Excel spreadsheet with inventory of many things, and put small parts into whatever kind of jars or other containers I can reuse (baby food jars, pill bottles, old Tupperware, etc.), each one with a number on it that corresponds to the spreadsheet. So long as I keep it updated, I know exactly what I have and which container to find it in.

[WakeFan]

For the non ESD products a clear tackle box works well. It has dividers that you can move around and you can apply labels to them as well.

[toodle_pipsky]

I've got one of these http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/49712373120a65ac273fc0a87e0106ce/Product/View/H4587 a 25 drawer parts cabinet. I also have a 12 drawer cabinet and a smaller 3 drawer one. The 12 drawer is the same size, so the drawers are bigger. And the 3 drawer one is just 3 big drawers, so it's good for the stuff I keep in anti-static packaging. I was going to get ultra organised this year and do a spreadsheet of the parts I have (especially resistors), but for the moment I've just written on the front of the drawers with nikko (magic marker). A lot of parts I have organised by what board they're for rather than what type of part it is, makes it easier for me not to screw it up!

My other half drinks protein shakes (beefcake!!!!!) so the containers and buckets that stuff comes in is really good for the bigger stuff like spare plugs and wire.

[bmcgeeny]

I've got one of these http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/49712373120a65ac273fc0a87e0106ce/Product/View/H4587 a 25 drawer parts cabinet. I also have a 12 drawer cabinet and a smaller 3 drawer one. The 12 drawer is the same size, so the drawers are bigger. And the 3 drawer one is just 3 big drawers, so it's good for the stuff I keep in anti-static packaging. I was going to get ultra organised this year and do a spreadsheet of the parts I have (especially resistors), but for the moment I've just written on the front of the drawers with nikko (magic marker). A lot of parts I have organised by what board they're for rather than what type of part it is, makes it easier for me not to screw it up!

My other half drinks protein shakes (beefcake!!!!!) so the containers and buckets that stuff comes in is really good for the bigger stuff like spare plugs and wire.

Yup, I got one of those. Only bought it at Menards and it has 39 Compartments. I take the label from a Mouser bag, cut it down to just the part number and desc and tape it to the front of the drawer.

About $12 I think. Good investment considering I have about $1500 worth of parts in it.

[Wayne J]

I also use the same as the above two posts. Very neat and organized, though I still have bags of parts laying around. I need to buy a couple more of them.

[Brad Riley]

Its probably the geek in me, but I have a Excel spreadsheet with inventory of many things, and put small parts into whatever kind of jars or other containers I can reuse (baby food jars, pill bottles, old Tupperware, etc.), each one with a number on it that corresponds to the spreadsheet. So long as I keep it updated, I know exactly what I have and which container to find it in.

So are you saying you never have to experience the pleasure of have to search for hours for that little do-dad that you are just positive you put on that shelf.....or no, maybe this shelf....no, maybe this one....or this one....:)

Brad

[Brad Riley]

I have three of those. One for new parts - resistors,capacitors, a few common IC's, one for used/recycled parts, one for hardware - small screws, nuts, standoffs, spacers, fuses.

Brad

[WWNF911]

So are you saying you never have to experience the pleasure of have to search for hours for that little do-dad that you are just positive you put on that shelf.....or no, maybe this shelf....no, maybe this one....or this one....:)

Brad

I've had that experience a while back. Now when I go to look, by the time I get there, I forgot why I went there. (sigh)

[omzig]

Somewhere on about page 3 of my "To Do List" is to build something like what's in the attached picture. I have three decades of accumulated electronic stuff that is semi-organized now.

[tdx]

So are you saying you never have to experience the pleasure of have to search for hours for that little do-dad that you are just positive you put on that shelf.....or no, maybe this shelf....no, maybe this one....or this one....:)

Brad

That's why I started organizing things, I grew tired of searching for hours for something I knew I had, but could not find. So I ended up buying more, and as fate would have it I would then find the parts I searched for. Its like they say, when you're looking for something you can't find it, and as soon as you don't need it anymore you will find it ;)

[fkostyun]

http://www.planomolding.com/images/0974002a.jpg

I have two of those myself - and I have static foam sheets that I use to line the ones that are used for static sensitive parts.

[rstehle]

That's why I started organizing things, I grew tired of searching for hours for something I knew I had, but could not find. So I ended up buying more, and as fate would have it I would then find the parts I searched for. Its like they say, when you're looking for something you can't find it, and as soon as you don't need it anymore you will find it ;)

I hate it when that happens.....................:mrgreen:

[cbell]

Thank you everyone for the great ideas. I love how fast responses are given in these forums, probably the best experience I've had in any forums anywhere.
It seems like these are pretty popular with everyone and look pretty handy... Have to see if I can find something locally rather than pay for shipping.

I've got one of these http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/49712373120a65ac273fc0a87e0106ce/Product/View/H4587 a 25 drawer parts cabinet.

[Virtus]

That's why I started organizing things, I grew tired of searching for hours for something I knew I had, but could not find. So I ended up buying more, and as fate would have it I would then find the parts I searched for.


I can't tell you how many box cutters I have. I'll buy one, use it, and then think about where to store it...only to find 8 of them in that spot. I can apparently remember where to put them after using it but not to find them in the first place!

[Mudsculpter]

I've had that experience a while back. Now when I go to look, by the time I get there, I forgot why I went there. (sigh)

All your memories are stored in the buttocks.

That's why you remember what is was you were looking for after you sit down and get comfy.

[toodle_pipsky]

... Have to see if I can find something locally rather than pay for shipping.

They should be at any local electronics or hardware stores - pretty easy to get. You won't need to go searching over the pond! ;) Some of the different ones I've noticed around have notches or indents to allow you to stack them easily (so they don't slide off each other) which is super handy if you need more than 1.

Good luck with your tidying and organising!

[omzig]

Have to see if I can find something locally rather than pay for shipping.
They should be at any local electronics or hardware stores - pretty easy to get. You won't need to go searching over the pond! ;) Some of the different ones I've noticed around have notches or indents to allow you to stack them easily (so they don't slide off each other) which is super handy if you need more than 1.They have "Stack-On" brand organizers at Wal-Mart for less than $10.

[bmcgeeny]

Somewhere on about page 3 of my "To Do List" is to build something like what's in the attached picture. I have three decades of accumulated electronic stuff that is semi-organized now.

OMZIG

Just make sure you don't put the trays in backwards.

[Trip]

I got a lot of cheap clear tackle holders for dirt cheap from a tackle store that went out of business. They work great. Used a sharpie to write on top what is in it.

[wjohn]

I use a lot of the Sectioned Parts boxes, they come in a range of sizes and stack neatly.

Placing a label on the side means that I can quickly find the Hardware, LED, Sockets, Semi Box and then find the part inside the same box.

For ICs, I keep them in antis static foam, inside the box, or keep them in the tubes. I place a piece of Tape around the tube and write the part details on the tape. Easier to find a H1AA1 vs. a 485 chip.

[RJY]

I have an old car amp that the computer board broke in , and Im going to put my ren64 board in its place, along with the SSRs. One nice little package.
Just a few more modifacations,and it should hold everything rather nicely.

[daviddth]

I've got one of these a 25 drawer parts cabinet.

Same here, but a Jaycar 30 drawer version. I bought a cheap one before and they kept breaking, so I went for a decent one this time. I have 4 of them mounted on the wall behind the work area, each labelled with the contents

http://www.lithgowlights.com/graphics/2008/DSC_6461.JPG

[tlorek]

Somewhere on about page 3 of my "To Do List" is to build something like what's in the attached picture. I have three decades of accumulated electronic stuff that is semi-organized now.

Where'd you find that picture? Talk about organized! Be interesting if there are plans for it, although they could be pretty easily created based on the dimensions of the individual organizers, which look like they came from the Ace Hardware wsebsite...

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2793691&cp=1912488.1254945.1259421&parentPage=family

and

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2973429&cp=1912488.1254945.1259421&parentPage=family

[omzig]

Where'd you find that picture? Talk about organized! Be interesting if there are plans for it, although they could be pretty easily created based on the dimensions of the individual organizers, which look like they came from the Ace Hardware wsebsite...

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2793691&cp=1912488.1254945.1259421&parentPage=family

and

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2973429&cp=1912488.1254945.1259421&parentPage=familyI found the picture on the Internet a few years ago. I don't think that there were any detailed plans on the site. I can't find it now. I was planning on doubling it and putting a swing open compartment on the right side too. Maybe someday...

[tlorek]

I found the picture on the Internet a few years ago. I don't think that there were any detailed plans on the site. I can't find it now. I was planning on doubling it and putting a swing open compartment on the right side too. Maybe someday...

Hehe...doubling what's there gives you *only* 792 compartments. Do you really have that many different items that you'll be using in the future? Wow!

[omzig]

Hehe...doubling what's there gives you *only* 792 compartments. Do you really have that many different items that you'll be using in the future? Wow!Yes! I've been doing this for a long time. I started tinkering with electronics when I was 10 (1975), so I've accumulated quite a bit of stuff that is only semi-organized now. When I was younger, some of my friends used to call me Radio Shack.

[bmcgeeny]

Yes! I've been doing this for a long time. I started tinkering with electronics when I was 10 (1975), so I've accumulated quite a bit of stuff that is only semi-organized now. When I was younger, some of my friends used to call me Radio Shack.

I can tell it takes you a while to organize. You still have some of the letters in your user name disorganized.

ROTFLMAO

[51fordf2]

Finally getting some of the parts organized...

http://shanghaiscrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/dsc05705.JPG

Now, on to the computer stuff...

http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PEN1466.jpg

:D

R

[wvengineer]

These work very nicely. I actually need to get these for home I still use
the bags the parts came in.......

We upgraded at work 3 years ago from cardboard to these...

http://www.akro-mils.com/home_office/subcategory_display.asp?id=54

I labeled each compartment with a brother labeler and even put the allied or mouser part number on the label for easy re ordering, took 4 months to do... a couple of dozen 64 compartments and a dozen of the larger24 compartments.

I think we have close to 200 different resistor values and even more capacitor values. the nice thing is that they interlock and have mounting holes...

[DIY Guy]

Does anybody have a portable parts organizer they can recommend? I have had sever different types and none seem to be very good.

For instance, you put your 4-40 washers in one compartment, your #6 washers in another compartment and your #8 nuts in a 3rd.. by the time you get where you're going you might as well put them all in the ziplock and shook vigorously.

I have learned that fora portable organizer the movable dividers are not viable. You need molded plastic to keep the parts from mixing underneath the dividers.

The next problem is the cover does not seal tightly against the dividers and the parts mix over the top of them.

Unfortunately my family does not take enough drugs to make prescription bottles an alternative :)

Maybe some metal organizers? Like the ones you see in some hardware stores that slide out of a larger box. They have a cover and a handle.

Price is always the sticking point.

[omzig]

@DIY Guy - Do you have a craft store nearby? There is a chain in our area called Pat Catan's, but I don't think that they are national. They have a fairly large jewelry making department that has an entire isle devoted to tiny part storage ,including many portable solutions that would probably work well for you.

[Brad Riley]

I don't do it this way, mostly cause I'm just not very organized:o
My grandfather used to use glass baby food jars, He would screw the lid to the underneath side of a shelf on his bench, fill the jar, attach to lid. All the different sizes are visible and right in front of you.
Come to think of it, I should do this. I have several different containers, including the obligatory Folgers can, filled with fasteners, none of which work very well.


Brad

[dirknerkle]

I use see-through pill bottles for a lot of the stuff I store in the workshop. Great for screws, nuts, washers, etc. I've found they also work pretty well for electronic parts.

They're also cheap -- you get them with medicines and typically when the medicine is gone, we throw them out, right? Not me. My wife even gives her empties to me and I always have a couple dozen empties ready to go...

If you're of the near-geriatric set like me (:() then you have an ample supply of them... (You Lipitor users out there know what I mean...)

[DIY Guy]

I've had several different types from Home Depot et al.. I am going to buy one of these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#5158t43/=4wg4em

Steel small parts drawer. The dividers are plastic, but they're molded and have a scoop bottom. So, I'll let you all know how it goes. If they don't travel well then I guess I'll just buy the cabinet too :)

[DIY Guy]

Okay, I received the organizer from McMaster. It's pretty nice.

Put my stuff in it, turned it upside down and did the "shake test".

The #6 washers did move out of the compartment. The #4 screws and nuts stayed put.

The compartments are molded plastic with a rounded bottom. Real nice.

So, not perfect, but a real nice product. I'm just going to keep the washers in resealable baggies and stick them baggie in the compartment.

[Entropy]

For portable, you might want to try finding a Rolykit. Not sure if they're made any more. They unfortunately take a lot of space when "rolled out" and aren't seethrough though.

[fathead45]

ill have to post a pic of my hole, i mean garage. talk about unorganized, but i know where most things are, lol. its when i clean it i lose track of it all. i have about 4 parts bins but nothing in them, yet. one of these days.