3 ms·

Same here! Also found, using printed labels on clear bins helps me find things faster.

fuzzfactor 2y ago
Successive rat's nests are the key, that way you can make intermittent progress without having the available time or desire to carry it to completion in one session. I like to end up sorted then sub-sorted. Generic Audio Specialized Audio Generic USB Specialized USB Generic Video Specialized Video Generic Power Specialized Power Etc. For anything unique and/or essential to particular gear, one spare copy of the cable stays with the device. If plenty of spares are available, one goes with each device where it's conveniently useful. Like one HDMI in each laptop case and one USB extension cable. The extra-long cables of all types can be stored together in their own (usually less-convenient) location if there is only a small number of them. Then the sorted containers of nominal cables can be less sizable and more convenient. OTOH depending on the variety and amount of extra-bulky cords, they might be better if well-sorted too and then their fairly large storage space may have plenty of extra room for the smaller sorted wires in a sub-container within the big loose coils. Don't forget about the cables for musical instruments, speakers, RS-232, HPIB, extension cords & power strips, networking, coaxial, land-line telephones, and not to be outdone, truly obsolete cables ;)
- dr_kiszonka 2y ago
  I aspire to as well-organized as you! Tell me, do you also color code your collection?
  - fuzzfactor 2y ago
    >do you also color code your collection? Haven't gotten that far yet. This is just the first fifty kilos to emerge from rat's nests this decade.
- ompogUe 2y ago
  >networking, coaxial, land-line telephones Haha, feel you ... rj-11, rj-45, scsi ... For music and other gear (projectors, portable electronics first-aid kit), I've been getting into velcro tape so I can find them in the dark: on the machines, remotes, trays, keyboards, usb ports, tripods, hard drives and such.

Successive rat's nests are the key, that way you can make intermittent progress without having the available time or desire to carry it to completion in one session. I like to end up sorted then sub-sorted. Generic Audio Specialized Audio Generic USB Specialized USB Generic Video Specialized Video Generic Power Specialized Power Etc. For anything unique and/or essential to particular gear, one spare copy of the cable stays with the device. If plenty of spares are available, one goes with each device where it's conveniently useful. Like one HDMI in each laptop case and one USB extension cable. The extra-long cables of all types can be stored together in their own (usually less-convenient) location if there is only a small number of them. Then the sorted containers of nominal cables can be less sizable and more convenient. OTOH depending on the variety and amount of extra-bulky cords, they might be better if well-sorted too and then their fairly large storage space may have plenty of extra room for the smaller sorted wires in a sub-container within the big loose coils. Don't forget about the cables for musical instruments, speakers, RS-232, HPIB, extension cords & power strips, networking, coaxial, land-line telephones, and not to be outdone, truly obsolete cables ;)

dr_kiszonka 2y ago
I aspire to as well-organized as you! Tell me, do you also color code your collection?
- fuzzfactor 2y ago
  >do you also color code your collection? Haven't gotten that far yet. This is just the first fifty kilos to emerge from rat's nests this decade.
ompogUe 2y ago
>networking, coaxial, land-line telephones Haha, feel you ... rj-11, rj-45, scsi ... For music and other gear (projectors, portable electronics first-aid kit), I've been getting into velcro tape so I can find them in the dark: on the machines, remotes, trays, keyboards, usb ports, tripods, hard drives and such.