Capacitors, resistors, micro-controllers, oh my!... god it's a mess. I keep finding spare parts between my toes and under pillows.
"Open-Air Desk-top" storage is no longer an option.
What types of storage do you use? Are you subscribed to an organizational philosophy? Do you sort your resistors by resistance?
Please and thank you ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra_9zU-mnl8
https://gridfinity.xyz/
https://all3dp.com/2/gridfinity-simply-explained/
- a good supply of passive SMT books from the usual suppliers (mainly the "notebook" style ones with cut tape in the pages)
- various larger SMT & PTH parts, connectors, switches, etc in modular parts boxes (Eclipse Tools #900-041 mainly; larger in #900-039). These boxes stack nicely, are adjustable, are pretty cheap, and can be found at Microcenter (though ordering direct from Eclipse Tools is cheaper in quantity). I keep things in them in ESD or small zip bags, with those labeled as they get allocated. I try to keep each box assigned to a type of component then label the front of them ("Toggle Switches", "Motor+Stepper Ctrl", "Gaskets & O-Rings").
- even larger parts end up in plastic boxes from IRIS or IKEA, in 3 standardized sizes.
Key to this plan was buying bins in bulk (qty 10 or 20 pcs minimum) since they store well empty, can be used as replacements when lids/bases break, and inventory always tends to grow. Plus, wire shelving is easy when everything is standardized... "buy once, cry once" and you can't count on the same cheap bin being available in 10 years when current extras are out.
Starting to look into setting up a database tool to keep track of stock - partsbox, inventree, google form+sheet, ??? - but not there yet.
Pre made resistor and capacitor kits are a nice way to keep a selection on hand that's pre-organized for you.
Lots of people are suggesting 3D printed bins but I'd recommend something anti-static, for example:
https://www.techni-tool.com/product/429BE9038-554-4ESD?srslt...
My default organizational philosophy for all things is YAGNI. Search is often more efficient than developing, enforcing and maintaining a taxonomy because documentation.
If that doesn't work, I organize a little at a time as I go along and usually a little differently every time. The things I use more often become more organized -- the things I merely hoard not so much.
Caveat, my organization is personal not shared. Shared organization is a different animal...it must be negotiated.
https://www.printables.com/model/49785-allit-varioplus-drawe...
Larger items go into various sized stackable Rako or Euro style boxes.
https://www.utzgroup.ch/stackable-containers-euro-containers...
SMD components I keep in these small trays for which I print small labels.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIUgu9b
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I read some reactions in the style of 'toss most of it and buy it when you need it' but those strike me as odd; one of the big advantages of having a comprehensive parts supply is that you can repair most equipment when needed without being dependent on external suppliers. The mere fact that parts are 'cheap' does not make them 'worthless', the cheap transistor in your drawer is worth a lot more than the one in the warehouse when you need it.