This ongoing project is aimed at organizing the critical mass of electronic components rapidly overflowing onto all surfaces of my workspace.
I previously organized components by project: each batch of parts for a project was stored in their static bags in the cardboard box they arrived in. I later switched to a plastic drawer cabinet. When that cabinet filled, it was back to cardboard boxes, then fishing tackle boxes, then more cardboard boxes…
My "organization method" before embarking on this endeavour. All of these parts belong to a single project.
My "organization method" before embarking on this endeavour. All of these parts belong to a single project.
Reels of SMT resistors stored in plastic fishing line boxes.
Reels of SMT resistors stored in plastic fishing line boxes.
Plastic parts drawers can be used to hold components but they take up a lot of room.
Plastic parts drawers can be used to hold components but they take up a lot of room.
I eventually had no idea what parts I had or how many. I’d order resistors from Digikey just to find 3 identical bags of them downstairs. Into a cardboard project box they’d go, which I’d gingerly stack on top of 2 similar boxes.
ENOUGH!
I’ve seen other hobbyists use binders to organize their components and that seems to provide a high-density, low-size, easily-navigable solution, so I’m going with that.
I started with all the smaller surface mount components: transistors, resistors, MOSFETs and IC’s.
A couple 5 inch binders should provide enough storage space for sheets of components.
A couple 5 inch binders should provide enough storage space for sheets of components.
Business card holder sheets provide a space-saving method of storing electronic components in a 3-ring binder.
Business card holder sheets provide a space-saving method of storing electronic components in a 3-ring binder.
Static-resistant parts bags from Digikey. These are 2x3" with a zipper top.
Static-resistant parts bags from Digikey. These are 2x3" with a zipper top.
Digikey used to provide labels with all the key information about a part, but in 2014 switched to stickers. I cut them off the bag and reuse them in my binder sheets.
Digikey used to provide labels with all the key information about a part, but in 2014 switched to stickers. I cut them off the bag and reuse them in my binder sheets.
The 2x3" static bags can be folded in half and will fit perfectly in a business card holder sheet.
The 2x3" static bags can be folded in half and will fit perfectly in a business card holder sheet.
The labels with all key info is slipped on the other side so each static bag can be identified at a glance.
The labels with all key info is slipped on the other side so each static bag can be identified at a glance.
Front & back view of the business card sheets (with components & labels) in a 5" 3-ring binder.
Front & back view of the business card sheets (with components & labels) in a 5" 3-ring binder.
Once all the tiny SMT components were nestled in their static bags, I moved on to any small-ish reels of components. If they could still fit in a folded anti-static bag, they went into one. A lot of the reels needed re-wound by hand to tighten them up.
Various reels of SMT components in their plastic storage bags.
Various reels of SMT components in their plastic storage bags.
This reel of 0402 resistors has been tightened to fit inside a small static bag.
This reel of 0402 resistors has been tightened to fit inside a small static bag.
A tightly-wound reel of SMT resistors stored in a small static bag.
A tightly-wound reel of SMT resistors stored in a small static bag.
Finally, the large reels of components with 1000+ pcs. These were far too large for the business card sheets, so plastic trading card sheets were used instead.
These trading card pages fit in a 3-ring binder and give 9 pockets for storing components.
These trading card pages fit in a 3-ring binder and give 9 pockets for storing components.
Re-tightening a reel of SMT resistors so it will fit in our binder pages.
Re-tightening a reel of SMT resistors so it will fit in our binder pages.
Tighten the reel just enough that it holds securely in the trading card pocket.
Tighten the reel just enough that it holds securely in the trading card pocket.
Larger reels of components may need slightly squished to get them to fit.
Larger reels of components may need slightly squished to get them to fit.
A couple fully-loaded sheets. Thousands of SMT resistors stored neatly and compactly for viewing.
A couple fully-loaded sheets. Thousands of SMT resistors stored neatly and compactly for viewing.
The 5″ binders proved necessary – some of the plastic sheets are quite thick. They are still quite easy to navigate and parts are very easily identifiable by their stickers.
A large 5" binder will hold a good number of sheets of SMT components.
A large 5" binder will hold a good number of sheets of SMT components.
Several pages of electronic components stored in a 3-ring binder.
Several pages of electronic components stored in a 3-ring binder.
5" 3-ring binders full of electrical components.
5" 3-ring binders full of electrical components.
The binder pages provide a convenient way to quickly navigate your parts collection.
The binder pages provide a convenient way to quickly navigate your parts collection.
The end result is fantastic. I started out with…
11 medium-sized cardboard boxes full of static bags
3 fishing line reel boxes full of resistors
4 large drawer cabinets
… and finished with two 5″ binders that sit neatly in less than 1 sq.ft. on my workbench.
It’s a great start to organizing my workspace and I’m very satisfied with the result. I’m far from done though, so check back later!
