I'm starting to put together my "work bench" this weekend

[nebucanazza]

I use Ziploc type lockable plastic covers which I label. Pretty compact and one box is enough to hold all my components. You can't get too organized with it, but it works out just fine when space is at a premium.

[Shepherd]

I undid the magnifying glass & replaced it w/a third roach clip

alligator clip?

[nbabmf]

LOL @ roach clip!!

[ambulancevoice]

I undid the magnifying glass & replaced it w/a third roach clip

alligator clip?

roach clip is like, a slang word for something to do with weed, holding it or something with an alligator clip, oh my brother

[petemoore]

  busted or stretched tupperware type bins, also the clear lettuce boxes are very nice, have lids/see throug/stackable.
  I mounted an iron in the super-lit-up soldering box [under exhaust tube], and have storage above/below, also a solder reel-mount 'nail' above, the solder roll on it to dispense solder.
  I've been known to take a large roll of solder and make smaller 'spare' rolls out of it, I'll wrap a length right around the iron cord..I hate not being able to find the solder, and have been pretty good about having only 1 droor in which to set it.
     

[runmikeyrun]

small fan for blowing toxic solder fumes from out under your nose

good strong lighting above the bench or a small directable light

light up magnifying glass

hard smooth work surface like masonite.  Splinters from plywood suck!

hard single high contrast color mat beneath workbench to catch parts that get dropped

Miniature tool kit- needlenose, sidecutters, pliers, small screwdrivers, small crescent wrench or socket set (for jack and pot nuts)

xacto knife

small file and hacksaw for cutting pc board

wall space for hanging/storing tools

several empty coffee cans or other similar sized containers for odd bits- mine hold salvaged wire, unfinished circuits, enclosures for future projects, and other junk.

stool for those extended sessions

LOTS of space... because while your work will always fill up your bench no matter how big, make your bench about 1 1/2 times as large as you think it will need to be. 

[nbabmf]

Now that is exactly the kind of list I am looking for... the "oh shit I can't believe I didn't think of that!" list.  Thank you!

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

roach clip is like, a slang word for something to do with weed, holding it or something with an alligator clip, oh my brother

Believe it or not, the giant japanese Casio company, started off - making roach clips!! For ordinary cigarettes, right after the war, wehn tobacco was much scarcer than grass is today. This is why the Japanese companies (Roland, Yamaha, Casio) have survived - unlike USA companies, they don't have all their eggs in one basket & so they can survive a dud synth product.

Back on topic, I find plastic tackle boxes better than drawers for small components. I stack them in four high piles in bookcase shelves.

[ambulancevoice]

Back on topic, I find plastic tackle boxes better than drawers for small components. I stack them in four high piles in bookcase shelves.

my dad gave me a entire bag full of those

[cab42]

I keep my parts in ordinary paper envelopes. The envelopes I use, fits perfectly in a shoebox so they are easily browsable. Cheap and effective.

Regards

Carsten