MOTM

It seems that since I've returned to the hobby of electronics
via MOTM, I find that I am accumulating quite a few 
discrete components for other projects as well. My preferred
means of component storage and organization are the plastic,
modular organizers manufactured by Plano Molding and
EMPlast. The most common size plastic drawer size that
I use is 2 inches wide by 5 and 1/4 inches long.
My Question: Does anyone know of a supplier of 
non-conductive foam that is cut in this size?
It would be great if there was a satellite company that produced
foam sizes that fit all common plastic storage drawer sizes.

2nd Question: I am currently using the old DYMO label maker
to identify the contents of each drawer. I've tried using laser-printed
labels that I've taped to the interior (facing out) of each clear drawer
but this is much trouble as I have plenty of PC's in my shop but
no laser printer. And I just love the immediacy and tactile feedback
of the whole DYMO label thing (retro 70's tech --- dig it?).
My apologies if this topic just seems to damned anal for the list,
but I think those of you that take pride in your shops can understand.
I'm just interested in how everyone else is approaching this.
Now --- back to Sunday shop organization and the Newcastle
Brown Ales which await me in the shop refrigerator.

Thanks,
Kevin

For storage, components go into MOTM plastic bags or the original
packages from Mouser, DigiKey, etc.  These are sorted into some small
flip top lid boxes I acquired some years ago, but shoebox style plastic
storage containers would work just as well.  For me this is more compact
than plastic storage containers with individual bins.

For labeling, a Brother P-Touch Labeling System, available at any office
supply store.  This is today's version of the old Dymo labeling, except
now you can get multiple font sizes, several font types, boldface,
italic, etc.

John Loffink
jloffink@... 

The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com/

The Wavemakers Modular and Integrated Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com/

> It seems that since I've returned to the hobby of electronics
> via MOTM, I find that I am accumulating quite a few
> discrete components for other projects as well. My preferred
> means of component storage and organization are the plastic,
> modular organizers manufactured by Plano Molding and
> EMPlast. The most common size plastic drawer size that
> I use is 2 inches wide by 5 and 1/4 inches long.
> My Question: Does anyone know of a supplier of
> non-conductive foam that is cut in this size?
> It would be great if there was a satellite company that produced
> foam sizes that fit all common plastic storage drawer sizes.
> 
> 2nd Question: I am currently using the old DYMO label maker
> to identify the contents of each drawer. I've tried using
laser-printed
> labels that I've taped to the interior (facing out) of each clear
drawer

> but this is much trouble as I have plenty of PC's in my shop but
> no laser printer. And I just love the immediacy and tactile feedback
> of the whole DYMO label thing (retro 70's tech --- dig it?).
> My apologies if this topic just seems to damned anal for the list,
> but I think those of you that take pride in your shops can understand.
> I'm just interested in how everyone else is approaching this.
> Now --- back to Sunday shop organization and the Newcastle
> Brown Ales which await me in the shop refrigerator.
> 
> Thanks,
> Kevin
>

> For labeling, a Brother P-Touch Labeling System, available at any office
> supply store.  This is today's version of the old Dymo labeling, except
> now you can get multiple font sizes, several font types, boldface,
> italic, etc.

Definitely a "today's version": it produces basically the same end result
from a functional standpoint, but is substantially more complicated and
expensive, requires electricity to operate, consumes more resources to
fabricate, and probably isn't nearly as durable.

Just a thought.

I keep my smaller parts (components like resistors, etc.) in the shipping
bags, sorted into cardboard boxes by project (one box for the Expressionist
breakout panel, one for the MiniWave, etc.). Usually I use the same box that
the stuff arrived in. I keep bigger parts like jacks in plastic tubs that
previously contained yogurt and cottage cheese, labeled with self-adhesive
paper labels and a felt-tip pen. I bought some stackable plastic bins at
Home Depot awhile ago, but they don't seem to achieve the same storage
density and accessibility as the plastic dairy tubs.

--Adam