EMRFD Message Archive 9806

Message Date From Subject
9806 2014-03-06 12:04:59 kg9dk_john Storing small parts
What works for me is coin envelopes.  I put all small parts in coin envelopes size 2 1/4 x 3 1/2, also like the next size smaller.  On the out side I write the part value and in the case of transistors I identify the pins.  I store the coin envelope in a larger box, 7 x  11 x 4 inches.  I think the large box was originally sold as photo storage box.  I glue dividers the width of the coin envelope inside the box.  I put the coin envelope in alphanumeric order.  On the out side of the large box I identify it by category, resistors, capacitors, IC's, and surface mount parts.  The SMD part I leave in the original packaging and cut the strip to length to fit in the coin envelope. 
John kg9dk


9813 2014-03-07 07:04:32 bob_ledoux Re: Storing small parts
I looked at coin envelopes.  My local coin store offered to give me cardboard boxes used to ship coins.  These are sized so the coin envelopes stand on end, like a deck of cards.
9814 2014-03-07 07:43:51 n2msqrp Re: Storing small parts
I order most of my SMT parts from Digikey and Mouser. Each type of part comes in a small plastic bag, ESD type of necessary, with a label on the bag with the description and part number.

I keep the parts on original bag and store them file card style, in boxes according to component type, resistor, capacitor, transistor, etc.. Resistors and capacitors sorted by value; active components by part number.

I decided on this method because the bags lay flat and don't take up much space, are easily identified and the part number is available when I have to order more.

Mike N2MS

----- Original Message -----
9815 2014-03-07 08:39:12 Robert Fish Re: Storing small parts
I just use business envelopes and lots of them. I bought several 500
count boxes of business envelopes at the local office supply place, then
I bought several stackable plastic tubs just wide enough to hold an
envelope and deep enough to hold a bunch of full ones.
I put both through hole and SMT parts of the same value in the same
envelope. I put the envelopes in ascending order by part value.
Capacitors start with 2pf in the front and 3300uf in the back. I have
one tub for resistors and one tub for caps and a third for inductor,
toroid cores, ferrite beads etc. I leave most parts in the bag with part
number that they come in. This keeps the esd sensitive one protected and
in the case of Digikey and Mouser I have the label with part number for
reorder or in the case of some projects where the designer calls for a
specific Digikey part number I can see if I have the exact part called
for. When I need to remove an envelope to look through it, I just leave
the flap of an adjacent envelope up so I can easily find the spot to
return the envelope I was using to. You can fit alot of parts in a
business envelope but they do get full (my .1uf, .01uf, 10uf and 1K
resistors are overflowing) you just add a second envelope right behind
it in the stack.

It is simple and cheap and uses up a very small footprint in my shop. I
tried the plastic drawers and other than ESD concerns they were a pain
in the neck to keep organized and occasionally one of them would fall
over spilling drawers and parts every where causing me to take a stroll
down expletive lane.

I attached a couple of pictures.

Best Regards,

Bob K6GGO

> I order most of my SMT parts from Digikey and Mouser. Each type of
> part comes in a small plastic bag, ESD type of necessary, with a label
> on the bag with the description and part number.
>
> I keep the parts on original bag and store them file card style, in
> boxes according to component type, resistor, capacitor, transistor,
> etc.. Resistors and capacitors sorted by value; active components by
> part number.
>
> I decided on this method because the bags lay flat and don't take up
> much space, are easily identified and the part number is available
> when I have to order more.
>
> Mike N2MS
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
9816 2014-03-07 11:06:21 Anthony DeStefano Re: Storing small parts
I'm in the process of finally cleaning up all my parts and am using coin envelopes. I bought a 500 pack of #3 coin envelopes from Amazon and have been labeling them with a system similar to the one at http://www.macdweller.org/2012/10/13/the-macdweller-part-storage-system/. I just use a Sharpie on the envelope instead of writing them out.
 
So far I just have them in some shoe boxes with dividers, but a better storage contained would be helpful. The envelopes don't work very well for things like pots and switches, but so far I haven't had an issues with bulkier items like ICs and toroids. Even BNC connectors seem to fit well.
 
--
Anthony DeStefano
adx@fastmail.fm
 
 
9817 2014-03-07 12:38:00 bob_ledoux Re: Storing small parts
9818 2014-03-08 10:14:16 Bob Re: Storing small parts
Coin envelopes: 

These are cheap, easy to write on, fit nicely upright in small boxes, easily store caps, resistors, SMT,whatever.  It won't hold the big stuff, but of course it is the small stuff that is so easily lost.  If you pull up the flap of one, it becomes a section tag to separate one group (say 100k -999k resistors) from the next size (1000k-10,000k, etc) .  

I can't tell you how much time this saves.  It is much better than trying to figure out colors from the bands.  

73
Bob
WA2I
9819 2014-03-08 21:07:48 Jim Strohm Re: Storing small parts
A little OT ...

Ditto on coin envelopes.

We had a swapfest today, and I finally got around to finalizing the implementation of one of my marketing projects -- involving coin envelopes.  I had an excess of Motorola 2135 keys; and also a plan to put three little Phillips screws in an envelope to sell a "screw kit" to replace the baseplate screws for Astatic UB-8 mic bases.  I used coin envelopes to contain the parts, and printed some little Avery labels to identify them, complete with my company name and contact info.

I sold completely out of the keys, and did a tidy business on the screw kits, selling them for the outrageously inflated price of $2 for three screws in a coin envelope.  Buying screws in bulk, these cost me like a penny each for the screws and about the same for the envelope.  The labels were the price killer -- I think they cost me two cents each to make.

The thing with these Astatic screws is -- the screws ALWAYS go missing, and the most convenient replacement is the screw for an electrical outlet cover plate, which is the same size but has a rounded head.  They are notorious for scratching counter tops.

And by sampling one kit, I made a bunch more sales (free stuff ALWAYS pays you back) and learned what people really want to see in the way of replacement Astatic parts:  base screws, base plates, and the identifying labels for the UG-8 stands and the D-104 (and other) mic heads.

Besides the usual crystal mic elements and amplifiers, of course  :)

So there's a lot more you can do with coin envelopes besides store parts, especially if you sometimes sell stuff.

And now I've got to get steppin' with making Astatic replacement parts, and maybe find somebody who can re-chrome the stands and element cases without charging and arm and a leg.

73
Jim N6OTQ

Shameless semi-commercial plug -- Red Label Specialties, Austin TX