Parts organization for projects

[Neura]

So I am one of thoughs guys that has a million things going on, family and other activities and a bunch of projects's going on at the same time. I am wondering what everyone is doing to keep there parts and projects organized so they are not loosing things.

I was using cups for my spray gun but I find then are not stable and get knocked over. I have tried magnetic parts trays but plastic stuff dosnt stick. I have found sealable lunch and freezer bags work for some things but heavier stuff rips them. Oil stuff kills cardboard.

So for instance, I currently have 2 snow blowers taken apart. Waiting on parts.

A transmission, parts came in Friday and haven't had a chance to get back at it.

Modifying the blast cabinet to work better so parts for that as I was collecting and modifying and now waiting on a few more items.

Fixing an old triumph for a guy and parts for it (located in the car currently) but need to come out to fix other things.

A back pack blower parts just came in for.

Reno stuff for the house as we are currently doing renos.

Seems projects keep coming and then the projects list gets a lot longer and than I slowly catch up and get things done but some times thing are apart for weeks and even months while I am waiting on parts. Or some times even time to get back at the projects. And I am wondering how everyone else is dealing with not loosing things while waiting for parts or time to get back at it.

 

[Strouty]

It never ends, once you have more than one project, you have too many. Ask me how I know.

 

[Strouty]

You could have a dedicated shelving unit with plastic totes of various sizes. Just use the blue painters tape and a sharpie to label them, that way you can change things as needed.

 

[Steevo]

I use a lot of plastic tubs with lids. From stuff like lunch meat and whipped topping, and spreads or sour cream, dip, etc.
I put the torn down project in a plastic crate, with the small parts in tubs, generally organized by function, such as "top end parts", or engine sheet metal fasteners, etc.
Then, if a project gets "shelved", it actually does get put on the shelf, in a crate, with the small parts sub-contained.

 

[Mastermind]

Ziplock bags, masking tape and sharpie. Plastic shoe box. Gallon bags and appropriate tote for larger stuff. Doing restorations on cars can take a long time. This was the prefered method.

 

[cheechi]

painter's tape & sharpie, taking photos along the way, white board, small parts organizers, magnetic parts dishes, and trying to focus on one thing at a time. In addition to the rest already suggested.

 

[The Cobbler]

as others have said, totes, bins, bags... whatever works but keep all the parts together . a lot of times I will partially re assemble something to make sure I remember how it goes when I get back to it.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I used the shell of the Kobalt 2-Drawer Cart (the one that went on clearance a while back) to build a tear down cart. I picked up three and combined the drawer sections into one cart. Currently it's being used for a GM 3100 motor rebuild and has been working out great. Still have a second shell I need to build into a second tear down cart. HERE my thread on them.

Edit: Forgot to add . . .PICTURES . . take lots of pictures as you take things apart. Makes it worlds easier months later when you're putting something back together.

~ Carson

Quick crappy cell picture of the motor rebuild.

 

[boiler7904]

I try to limit the number of active projects at any one time - sometimes you just can't. Bags and sharpies for little parts - sorted by assembly in the project. Big parts get labeled with tape when needed and bundled together when possible. If you want to get high tech you could take digital pics of the parts so you know if something turns up missing exactly what it was.

 

[SuburbanRuss]

I go to the deli counter and ask for a stack of the clear plastic tubs that they put potato salad etc.. in. I always get lids with them too. I can label them with a sharpie and when done can just recycle them...

 

[nicksnothereman]

So I am one of thoughs guys that has a million things going on, family and other activities and a bunch of projects's going on at the same time. I am wondering what everyone is doing to keep there parts and projects organized so they are not loosing things.

I was using cups for my spray gun but I find then are not stable and get knocked over. I have tried magnetic parts trays but plastic stuff dosnt stick. I have found sealable lunch and freezer bags work for some things but heavier stuff rips them. Oil stuff kills cardboard.

So for instance, I currently have 2 snow blowers taken apart. Waiting on parts.

A transmission, parts came in Friday and haven't had a chance to get back at it.

Modifying the blast cabinet to work better so parts for that as I was collecting and modifying and now waiting on a few more items.

Fixing an old triumph for a guy and parts for it (located in the car currently) but need to come out to fix other things.

A back pack blower parts just came in for.

Reno stuff for the house as we are currently doing renos.

Seems projects keep coming and then the projects list gets a lot longer and than I slowly catch up and get things done but some times thing are apart for weeks and even months while I am waiting on parts. Or some times even time to get back at the projects. And I am wondering how everyone else is dealing with not loosing things while waiting for parts or time to get back at it.

Bucket time is bucket time. Actually once I got those square shallow husky buckets everything got much better for me. I think they still have them for 2 bucks a pop. Construction buckets aren't ideal for reach and segmenting but those husky ones are great for everything. I don't know of anyone else that sells a similar type bucket.

 

[MikeF2316]

Like lots of folks above, I use zip lock bags, cardboard boxes, and tape. Often I'll tape screws and bolts to the parts they belong to if they're going to be disassembled for a while, or maybe tape a bag of screws to the part. Also I use the cardboard "flats" like you'd get under 24 beers, and coffee cans.

Oh, and +1 on the "take lots of pictures". You can't take too many...

 

[Dustin Pahl]

I have a great system that works for me. I have 2 dedicated shelving units one on a workbench and the other just shelves. One is used for all my small nuts and bolts and smaller parts and the other is for larger parts. I have small parts holders that I label with sharpie. The ones I'm not using neatly stack and hold together so I don't lose them.. Here are some pictures of my set up.

 

[scdealer]

It might be overkill for everything, but these could be used to supplement your sandwich bags. This is what we were told to use during my tech school days many years ago.

http://www.packcoinc.com/cloth-drawstring-mailing-bags.html

 

[jeepboy4life]

Me and my dad have been using coffee cans for many years. We also have a few bar server trays that are about 15" in diatemter and 2" deep that works good for some stuff.

 

[astroracer]

Plastic shoe boxes are very prevalent in my shop. I also have a few filing cabinets I use to organize the shoe boxes and the many parts that don't fit in the boxes. Put the cabinets on casters and they roll around great.
There are parts for three current projects stored in these units. Keeps the stuff out of site and clean. I have about 20 bucks into the storage unit.

Mark

 

[MrJason]

Ziplock bags, masking tape and sharpie. Plastic shoe box. Gallon bags and appropriate tote for larger stuff. Doing restorations on cars can take a long time. This was the prefered method.

I do the very same thing, with one twist. Real shoe boxes. I go to the local Payless Shoe store, and give the kid $50 for all of the shoeboxes I need. He now uses the boxes for his own garage needs, having seen me buy these several times.

I use the shoeboxes for small parts, cataloging fasteners, etc. This method works so well, that I instantly know that to rebuild a small block chevy, I need 6 shoeboxes, 3 bags. A big block chevy, 8 boxes and 4 bags. T400 transmission, 6 boxes and 4 commercial freezer bags for big cuts of beef. Etc.

My neighbor must think I've got some sort of fetish though. He never fails to give me a crazy look, when he sees me unloading a bunch of ladies and mens shoeboxes.

Who cares.

Jason

 

[CZ_Greatwrench]

Plastic totes, sealable kitchen containers, milk crates, glass baby food and mason jars, energy drink cans with the screw on tops, the plano style boxes for fishing lures, ammo cans, and the square stainless steam table pans from restaurant supply stores.

 

[rharman]

Tubs like the bus boys use.

 

[redbarron57]

All the things I have seen. Bread pans, milk crates, empty coffee cans, mason jars, shoe boxes, baggies, manila tags for big parts, Large deep shelves are your best friend. Just remember more storage bins can clutter your work space, be efficient.