How do you store all your parts?

[musiclikscreams]

My parts are currently a wadded up rats nest in 3 different bins. Lemme see how you store your stuff so I can learn how to get organized

[Earthscum]

Honestly, in slide drawer bins and scattered in bags all around me (slowly consolidating stuff, though).

ETA: If anyone has ever come across a needle storage bin that would work for resistors, where the heck did you find it? I've seen them, but I can't find them anywhere... were translucent white ones. Most I see don't have slots long enough for resistors, or slots are too small for anything over about 10.

[NazzTazz]

Left column, from top to bottom:

Metallic labels: ICs and transistors.

071, 072, 074, OPA2134 (and all other common ICs) have their own tray.
2N3904, 3906, J201, 2SC1815, BS170 have their own tray too.
Others value share remaining trays (two or three values per tray, not more, with separators).

Yellow labels: Caps, adjustable resistors, sockets.

One value per tray, from 47pF to 470uF. 1000uF and more share a single tray.
SMF, tantalums and Electros are mixed. I buy colored NP Electros (1u, 2u2, 3u3, 4u7) so it's easy to pick them (my standard electros are black).
Adjustable resistors: from 1k to 470k, three values per tray.
IC sockets.

White labels: resistors:

Full E12 range from 10R to 8.2M, two values per tray (1 + 1.2, 1.5 + 1.8, etc)

Right column, from top to bottom:

LEDs: each usual type has its tray (3mm red / yellow / green, 5mm red yellow green blue...). Others types share a single tray (KEEP them in separate labelled bags).
Pots: Two trays per value (one tray for B, the other for A and C)
Regulators: from 78L05 to 7815, one tray = 78 + 79 with a separator.
Hardware: 3pdts, 2pdts, rotaries, DC jacks, relays, sticky spacers... A few M2, M3, M4 hardware. Each family has its own tray.
Larger trays hold 1/4 jacks (PCB mount and panel mount), and TO220 coolers.
Last tray (the huge one): Vero's, stripboards, etc.

Hope it helps !

[musiclikscreams]

Brilliant! Where do u find those bins?

[NazzTazz]

Mmmmh, anywhere ?

www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1341377787&sr=1-1&keywords=akro+drawer

[Earthscum]

Got mine from Harbor freight and used a label maker from Best Buy

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-bin-organizer-with-full-length-drawer-94375.html

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Brother+-+Personal+Electronic+Handheld+Labeler+-+Metallic+Red/1181761.p?id=1218231017996&skuId=1181761&st=label%20maker&cp=1&lp=1

[defaced]

Everything I can, I fit into coin envelopes.  Right now it's mainly resistors, caps, diodes and transistors/regulators.  I'm working out a solution to store all my ICs in these too.  I just need to start cutting foam and stuffing parts in them. 


Everything else (mainly things like knobs, jacks, really big caps) go into these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/24-divider-storage-container-94458.html

[Earthscum]

Forgot that I also use multi-slot storage bins, got one of these:

http://www.rimax.com.co/en/content/organizador-port%C3%A1til

and a couple extra bins (wish I would've just got 2 sets of bins with the carriers, but hindsight, ya know...) Picked them up cheap at Big Lots (store).

These things are pretty handy for storing stuff you don't typically need right at hand, or making a "to-go" kit for repair or something to do when you have to spend a week away from home for the holidays, lol.

I like the envelope idea for resistors... easy to file! I have too many parts to fit in envelopes, but I may have to look into that one for my resistors. +1

[ChuckZilla]

I have recently invested about 300$ into electronics stock. I can fit all of this into a nice big three trey tackle box, but its getting full. I like the idea of a tackle box, can throw your soldering iron and perf boards in there too.

[danielzink]

Dan

[chromesphere]

Love your set up Dan!!

I've made a video on how i store some of my resistors / caps in values etc (and some suggestions on bulk quantities).  Might vary for you, depending on how much stock you have, but could be a place to start: