[sdiy] parts bins

[Tim Parkhurst]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 10:31 PM, Danjel van Tijn<danjel at gmail.com> wrote:
> My parts collection is in dire need of a better storage and
> organisation system. I have a collection of dollar store plastic jewel
> boxes, cheap parts bins array (the little drawers keep falling out),
> and various other containers. I have seen modular parts bins that lock
> together and have tight fitting drawers that look ideal but I am not
> sure where to buy them. Some that I have found have been shockingly
> expensive and I unfortunately need to buy hundreds.
> What are you guys using?
>
> cheers,
> Danjel

I have a really cheap solution that works very well. I simply keep my
Rs, Cs, and other similar parts in small envelopes, and then I keep
the envelopes in small cardboard boxes. The envelopes I use are about
half the width of a standard "letter" size, and the cardboard box is
simply the top half of a model car box. The envelopes fit nicely along
the narrow axis of the box, and each box will hold several dozen
envelopes. Of course, I write the part value on the outside of the
envelope, and sort them in order. All of my Rs fit in one box, and
most of my caps (except the larger electrolytics) and diodes fit in
another one. Basically, about 80% to 90% of the passive parts I need
fit into two small boxes. I keep these boxes and all the other parts
(pots, ICs, hook up wire) in a couple of short four-drawer cabinets
with wheels so they're easy to move around. Trying to do all of this
in an apartment has forced me to look for space efficient solutions.
Paying rent, bills, etc, etc, has forced me to look for cheap
solutions. ;-)

Tim (where DOES the money go) Servo
-- 
"Sire, the church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers."
- H.L. Hastings