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Something I never see much mention is how the hell to organize all this stuff. Especially if your space is limited. Electronics hobbies are a magnet for collect

Something I never see much mention is how the hell to organize all this stuff. Especially if your space is limited. Electronics hobbies are a magnet for collecting little bits and bots and, while infrequently used, are vital to a project when they are needed.

atoav 4y ago
As someone who runs two electronics workshops (one at home, one at university) the only true solution is to get yourself storage solutions with a ton of seperate compartments and different sizes and label/use them with discipline. Same goes for equipment and cables. Cables either go into boxes or onto the cable holder depending how often you need them. Equipment goes into the labeled drawer. For projects I currently just put them into a cardboard box with their parts and label that box. Beyond a certain scale I recommend using a software like for example https://inventree.org/ https://inventree.org/, especially when you have project boxes with parts in them and need to get ab overview of how much stock you have where.
tpmx 4y ago
I'm pretty happy with lots of stackable plastic boxes with click lock lids in a few different sizes (mostly 1 and 2 liters). Like these: https://cdn.abicart.com/shop/9024/art24/h3597/181473597-origpic-a30c86.jpg https://cdn.abicart.com/shop/9024/art24/h3597/181473597-orig... Examples of labels: sensors, displays, switches, pin headers, heat shrink tubing, microcontroller boards. I like being able to move them around to where you need them. Tools go into a drawer at the desk though.
johnwalkr 4y ago
Pick a stacking container with lids and compartments available in your region. To use even less space, bags in containers. Resist the urge to use open containers with easy access to everything because as you said, most things are infrequently used.
unxdfa 4y ago
All my stuff is in zip lock bags in storage boxes. Avoid drawers which take up a large volume as they’re mostly empty and tend to end up all over the floor when they inevitably fall over.
- ansgri 4y ago
  Thanks for the idea, somehow didn't even think that I can order 100 small zip-lock bags for less than $1.50 to finally organize all that small electronic and photographic crap.
- spookthesunset 4y ago
  That isn’t actually a bad idea. Especially paired with a label maker
tdido 4y ago
Having a 3D printer available, I've been using these two projects to set up my modest workshop and it's worked out great. https://github.com/jeffbarr/gridfinity-catalog https://github.com/jeffbarr/gridfinity-catalog https://github.com/aderusha/DDD-Printable-Wall-Control-System https://github.com/aderusha/DDD-Printable-Wall-Control-Syste...

atoav 4y ago

As someone who runs two electronics workshops (one at home, one at university) the only true solution is to get yourself storage solutions with a ton of seperate compartments and different sizes and label/use them with discipline. Same goes for equipment and cables. Cables either go into boxes or onto the cable holder depending how often you need them. Equipment goes into the labeled drawer. For projects I currently just put them into a cardboard box with their parts and label that box. Beyond a certain scale I recommend using a software like for example https://inventree.org/ https://inventree.org/, especially when you have project boxes with parts in them and need to get ab overview of how much stock you have where.

tpmx 4y ago

I'm pretty happy with lots of stackable plastic boxes with click lock lids in a few different sizes (mostly 1 and 2 liters). Like these: https://cdn.abicart.com/shop/9024/art24/h3597/181473597-origpic-a30c86.jpg https://cdn.abicart.com/shop/9024/art24/h3597/181473597-orig... Examples of labels: sensors, displays, switches, pin headers, heat shrink tubing, microcontroller boards. I like being able to move them around to where you need them. Tools go into a drawer at the desk though.

johnwalkr 4y ago

Pick a stacking container with lids and compartments available in your region. To use even less space, bags in containers. Resist the urge to use open containers with easy access to everything because as you said, most things are infrequently used.

unxdfa 4y ago

All my stuff is in zip lock bags in storage boxes. Avoid drawers which take up a large volume as they’re mostly empty and tend to end up all over the floor when they inevitably fall over.

ansgri 4y ago
Thanks for the idea, somehow didn't even think that I can order 100 small zip-lock bags for less than $1.50 to finally organize all that small electronic and photographic crap.
spookthesunset 4y ago
That isn’t actually a bad idea. Especially paired with a label maker

tdido 4y ago

Having a 3D printer available, I've been using these two projects to set up my modest workshop and it's worked out great. https://github.com/jeffbarr/gridfinity-catalog https://github.com/jeffbarr/gridfinity-catalog https://github.com/aderusha/DDD-Printable-Wall-Control-System https://github.com/aderusha/DDD-Printable-Wall-Control-Syste...