I just ordered components for my first full build and I need some ideas for parts storage/organization for small components. Considering some of the other projects im planning on in the future I need somewhere in the neighborhood of 100-150 compartments.
For a beginner, 100 different parts is a lot.
I use the 60-drawer plastic bins you can buy anywhere. But really, just buy a big box of small manilla envelopes, the ones about the size of a baseball card or maybe a little larger. Larger ones for larger parts. Now one envelope per part type. Write the part info on the flap, and stack them in a box. You can get them at Staples or the office goods section of a department store. At some later point you might want to go to more premanent stuff, but that method works fine, and I still use it for a bunch of old various surplus components I have thousands of.
Stack the resistors in one box, in numerical order, then maybe another box for caps. Or small caps and large caps. Then diodes. transistors, whatever. This will be very compact, and easily stored.
I love the plastic part bins, but those need 18" between shelves, and I have a wall full of them, and still need more. A couple of shoe boxes will hold just a ton of resistors and small parts. And the writing on the flaps keeps them organized like a file drawer.
I use the 60-drawer plastic bins you can buy anywhere. But really, just buy a big box of small manilla envelopes, the ones about the size of a baseball card or maybe a little larger. Larger ones for larger parts. Now one envelope per part type. Write the part info on the flap, and stack them in a box. You can get them at Staples or the office goods section of a department store. At some later point you might want to go to more premanent stuff, but that method works fine, and I still use it for a bunch of old various surplus components I have thousands of.
Stack the resistors in one box, in numerical order, then maybe another box for caps. Or small caps and large caps. Then diodes. transistors, whatever. This will be very compact, and easily stored.
I love the plastic part bins, but those need 18" between shelves, and I have a wall full of them, and still need more. A couple of shoe boxes will hold just a ton of resistors and small parts. And the writing on the flaps keeps them organized like a file drawer.
I'm kind of obsessive and I'm not exactly starting with small projects. So about 1/3 of that is already accounted for and I'm ordering more stuff to experiment with.
I just bought two old (and broken) mixers going to try and mix and match into a new unit, just to see if I can make it work.
I just bought two old (and broken) mixers going to try and mix and match into a new unit, just to see if I can make it work.
It may sound like a lot, but I've got some stuff already and have 30+ new components on the way. (And that's not including the pots switches etc.
Tapatalk seems to be eating posts.
I know it sounds like a lot but I'm going to have more than half of that full by the end of the month. I definitely don't want to use bags/envelopes/boxes exclusively.
I need/want something that's easy to access, open/close, inventory, or I simply won't use it.
I have used those plastic box/drawers in the past for automotive/bicycle parts and will default to that unless I get a better idea first.
I do have a brake press and can fab pretty much anything in sheet metal if that give anyone ideas.
I know it sounds like a lot but I'm going to have more than half of that full by the end of the month. I definitely don't want to use bags/envelopes/boxes exclusively.
I need/want something that's easy to access, open/close, inventory, or I simply won't use it.
I have used those plastic box/drawers in the past for automotive/bicycle parts and will default to that unless I get a better idea first.
I do have a brake press and can fab pretty much anything in sheet metal if that give anyone ideas.
I have one of those ubiquitous parts cabinets with small drawers... labelled A to F across the top, 1 to 10 down the side (that would give you 60). I put resistors, standoffs, small caps, diodes, transistors, LEDs etc. in the drawers. I record the parts in Excel, on the work bench computer (which is also there for playing music, powering my digital scope, displaying data sheets etc.), giving data, quantity, and the specific drawer (ie: D5). If you have more parts, put a second cabinet next to the first and label G, H etc. The 'find' function in Excel works great (set it search columns) to find all instances of the part you might want (ie 1.0 k resistors in 1/4, 1/2, 1 watt sizes).
Tubes, large caps, transformers all find places on shelves.
Works for me ...
Tubes, large caps, transformers all find places on shelves.
Works for me ...
The point of envelopes was that you could, with very small expense, organize all your parts very quickly and easily. I find them quite accessible. And when you decide to move up to drawers for some type part, then the parts are already sorted into individual types for you.
Alternatives to drawers? You could use larger drawers and store the parts in small containers in them. We used to use 35mm film containers, which we could get for free from any film processing place. But no one uses film anymore, so... But places like American Science and Surplus have small containers cheap all the time. When I was in field service, I used film cans a lot. Identify items on their lids with a marker, and they lived in my tool box reliably for years.
Plano and others make fishing tackle boxes, and one could sort parts into those little bin boxes. I also see similar section boxes marketed for embroidery threads.
I can't think of anything more open and convenient that drawer units. You have a lot of different value small parts. Drawer units do come with dividers, so you can section each small drawer into two or three subsections. I tend to use one drawer per value for smaller resistors. 5/10w resistors, I have drawers for some values alone, plus for intermediate values, I might have a drawer like 1k-5k, 10k-20k, etc.
The 60 drawer bins are great for small parts like resistors, small caps, semiconductors. Pots can fill one up, but they make larger drawers too.
WW GRainger and other industrial suppliers make cardboard parts bins. They come flat, you fold them into shape. I wouldn;t like them for resistors, but for larger parts like filter caps, transformers, pots, tube sockets, fuse holders, etc, they work fine. Organize them on basic metal storage shelving.
Alternatives to drawers? You could use larger drawers and store the parts in small containers in them. We used to use 35mm film containers, which we could get for free from any film processing place. But no one uses film anymore, so... But places like American Science and Surplus have small containers cheap all the time. When I was in field service, I used film cans a lot. Identify items on their lids with a marker, and they lived in my tool box reliably for years.
Plano and others make fishing tackle boxes, and one could sort parts into those little bin boxes. I also see similar section boxes marketed for embroidery threads.
I can't think of anything more open and convenient that drawer units. You have a lot of different value small parts. Drawer units do come with dividers, so you can section each small drawer into two or three subsections. I tend to use one drawer per value for smaller resistors. 5/10w resistors, I have drawers for some values alone, plus for intermediate values, I might have a drawer like 1k-5k, 10k-20k, etc.
The 60 drawer bins are great for small parts like resistors, small caps, semiconductors. Pots can fill one up, but they make larger drawers too.
WW GRainger and other industrial suppliers make cardboard parts bins. They come flat, you fold them into shape. I wouldn;t like them for resistors, but for larger parts like filter caps, transformers, pots, tube sockets, fuse holders, etc, they work fine. Organize them on basic metal storage shelving.
I apologize, I don't mean an alternative to drawers per we but the plastic drawer storage devices I'm familiar with are relatively fragile. (Relative to my plodding self anyway.) I was just wondering about other suggestions I may not have thought of, like the tackle box idea. I've seen several versions like that in use but had all but forgotten about it.
I like these and they're available in multiple compartment sizes. Quite a bit more money though.
Small Parts Clear Tip Out Bin Storage Strip Cabinets - Mfg# QTB 309 GRAY
Small Parts Clear Tip Out Bin Storage Strip Cabinets - Mfg# QTB 309 GRAY
I've cracked maybe two or three little plastic drawers over the last 50 years, I don't consider it a problem. Your mileage may vary. Tippy drawers to me might be better for larger things than resistors and transistors. You may find the storage density on your walls/shelves will be reduced with larger bins. It will always be a compromise, whatever you do.
I run a commercial shop, so I store a lot of parts. One of my favorite things in this shop is a storage drawer unit. It is a metal drawer unit made like office furniture, which it is. Three columns of 10-12 drawers each. SIts on the floor and is about bench high at its top. Each drawer is roughly the size of a ream of paper, well, maybe two reams stacked. A couple drawers are for switches. SOme larger toggles and such are loose or in bags, but the other switch drawer is for smaller ones, and I have a couple section boxes sitting in the drawer. (Small tackle boxes) Other drawers hold jacks, some misc. amp parts, some misc speaker parts (L-pads, terminals, dust domes, tinsel wires, etc), batteries, laser pickups, and other things that don;t fit in smaller drawers. One drawer is full of sliders, and another holds rubber belts.
Google apothecary chest. You might like something like that. They come in all shapes and sizes. A sort of big brother to my little plastic drawer bins, and a smaller brother to my office furniture thingie. Nor for resistors, unless you fill drawers with my envelopes, but good for larger stuff like can caps or tube sockets.
I do use a bunch of larger tackle boxes (section boxes). They sort various jacks, an assortment of jack nuts, sorted metric screws, a selection of smaller pots (12mm and 16mm mostly), odd size fuses that don't go in my fuse box rack, idler tires, and others. They stack on a shelf. I find it handy.
Nothing says you have to use only one storage method.
I run a commercial shop, so I store a lot of parts. One of my favorite things in this shop is a storage drawer unit. It is a metal drawer unit made like office furniture, which it is. Three columns of 10-12 drawers each. SIts on the floor and is about bench high at its top. Each drawer is roughly the size of a ream of paper, well, maybe two reams stacked. A couple drawers are for switches. SOme larger toggles and such are loose or in bags, but the other switch drawer is for smaller ones, and I have a couple section boxes sitting in the drawer. (Small tackle boxes) Other drawers hold jacks, some misc. amp parts, some misc speaker parts (L-pads, terminals, dust domes, tinsel wires, etc), batteries, laser pickups, and other things that don;t fit in smaller drawers. One drawer is full of sliders, and another holds rubber belts.
Google apothecary chest. You might like something like that. They come in all shapes and sizes. A sort of big brother to my little plastic drawer bins, and a smaller brother to my office furniture thingie. Nor for resistors, unless you fill drawers with my envelopes, but good for larger stuff like can caps or tube sockets.
I do use a bunch of larger tackle boxes (section boxes). They sort various jacks, an assortment of jack nuts, sorted metric screws, a selection of smaller pots (12mm and 16mm mostly), odd size fuses that don't go in my fuse box rack, idler tires, and others. They stack on a shelf. I find it handy.
Nothing says you have to use only one storage method.
I have several utility boxes like this: Amazon.com: Plano 23620-01 Stowaway with Adjustable Dividers: Sports & Outdoors
and a few of these style cabinets: Akro-Mils 10164 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet, 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch, Black - Amazon.com
and of course a bunch of good old plastic bins like this for bigger stuff: Shop United Solutions 6-in W x 8-in H Black Plastic Bin at Lowes.com
I use a cheap Casio handheld label maker to mark everything
and a few of these style cabinets: Akro-Mils 10164 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet, 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch, Black - Amazon.com
and of course a bunch of good old plastic bins like this for bigger stuff: Shop United Solutions 6-in W x 8-in H Black Plastic Bin at Lowes.com
I use a cheap Casio handheld label maker to mark everything
Check your local hardware stores, My local Ace sells the nut and bolt storage bins/boxes whenever thr suppliers bring new displays. Some of them are the stackable type of close top box with compartments inside.......
I think there's a lot to be said for the small envelope idea. The majority of components used in solid-state circuits are rather small, and a typical cabinet of plastic drawers has more volume full of air than full of components. If you stock even the E24 (5%) series of resistors between 10 ohms and 1 meg you'll need over 100 compartments or containers. Do this for 2 or 3 resistor power ratings, some capacitors, a dozen varieties of small-signal transistors, and you soon fill a lot of storage space.
I'm rather happy with the box-of-little-boxes idea shown at http://www.harborfreight.com/24-container-storage-box-90243.html Each small container has its own lid, which reduces the bad effects of accidentally bumping the container when its sitting on the bench.
Dale
I'm rather happy with the box-of-little-boxes idea shown at http://www.harborfreight.com/24-container-storage-box-90243.html Each small container has its own lid, which reduces the bad effects of accidentally bumping the container when its sitting on the bench.
Dale
I think about every industry has a need for tiny parts sorting bins. I have a niece who makes bead jewelry, has her beads all sorted into little bin boxes.
For small parts I use the coin-envelopes Enzo was talking about. The attached pix shows 8 boxes 18" long, each with up to 50 bags that can hold 100 resistors each. Space efficient!
For anything that approaches production I transfer the parts into small bin plastic boxes. But be warned: if they tip over, you will be sorry! E
For anything that approaches production I transfer the parts into small bin plastic boxes. But be warned: if they tip over, you will be sorry! E
Attachments
I too have found envelopes to be the least space-consuming method of storing small parts (resistors, diodes, etc). Things kind of fall apart for parts that could be big or small (caps, tubes, etc). I've taken to subdividing (small, med, large caps bins, for ex). Works ok. Most important I've found is to keep a database (excel or maybe TCJ My-Stock DB). Works great provided you actually itemize everything you own there ..something I drop the ball on too often.
One thing about envelopes (and I use them too) they are made of cheap high sulfur paper. The sulfur will tarnish the leads and make them hard to solder.
Interesting. that was news to me. I have used paper envelopes for 30+ years without soldering difficulties, but then, I use Canadian made coin-envelopes....
Just jesting, of course, E
Just jesting, of course, E
With one exception, the Canadians have higher value coins.
The exception? Our new one of a kind $17,000,000,000,000 coin.
The exception? Our new one of a kind $17,000,000,000,000 coin.
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