How to label spare parts???

[retired & glad]

Hi all. I have been building for a few years now and have gotten to the point of organizing spare parts. I have a couple of plastic pull out trays storage units from another hobby that I now don't use. I need, if anyone has a few photos of what to label the spare parts, to organize them. The storage is not the problem but what to put on the trays to identify them. 

I've built a lot of the 2 in 1 kits and have a lot of spare parts that are still attached to the parts trees in boxes and I want the room they are taking up for some more kits.

Any photos would be appreciated.   

Thanks

Richard

[crazyjim]

No pics, but I use those plastic pull out trays.  They're labeled in alphabetical order with labels such as air cleaners, antennas, carbs, front end, rear end, headlights, grilles, exhaust, intake manifolds, etc.

[retired & glad]

No pics, but I use those plastic pull out trays.  They're labeled in alphabetical order with labels such as air cleaners, antennas, carbs, front end, rear end, headlights, grilles, exhaust, intake manifolds, etc.

Thanks Jim

That's a good start. I am writing a list and then will make labels for them.

Thanks

Richard

[hedotwo]

When I finish a kit that has leftover parts I transfer them, along with the direction sheet, into a gallon (or quart) sized ziplock bag.  I cut the end flap from the box and put that in the bag as well.  I then keep the bags together in clear "under bed" totes.  You know, the kind that are somewhat shallow but large width and lengthwise.  I label the totes by year, or theme, of the kits.  Any leftover tires and decals are the only thing I keep separate from the kits.  For me, I find it easier to keep the parts like this rather than cutting them free from their sprues and trying to decide how to classify them to keep them with other like parts.  It really doesn't take me too long to find kitbashing parts from these totes, but granted I only have maybe 30 or so leftover kits to go through. 

[crazyjim]

I've probably re-sorted my parts bins a dozen times over the years trying to get them organized properly for me.  I'm sure you realize that the trays can be sub-divided to hold several categories of different parts.  I'll try to take a pic when I go out to the shop later today.

[retired & glad]

Thanks Rich and Jim

I can now see that this could turn out to be a never ending project. I have built mostly plain-jane models and now want to start by adding my own ideas and using spare parts ( when necessary) to make them a little different.

Rich, I am building room and storage poor. For me, under the bed would be a disaster. My dog would have them from one end of the house to the other. She is all ways at my feet when I am working on one and just waiting for me to drop something. 

[hedotwo]

Thanks Rich and Jim

I can now see that this could turn out to be a never ending project. I have built mostly plain-jane models and now want to start by adding my own ideas and using spare parts ( when necessary) to make them a little different.

Rich, I am building room and storage poor. For me, under the bed would be a disaster. My dog would have them from one end of the house to the other. She is all ways at my feet when I am working on one and just waiting for me to drop something. 

The totes I'm using are clear plastic with clear plastic locking lids.  Maybe 6" deep and maybe 30x18" long and wide.  I call them "under bed" because that's how they're marketed.  I just like them because they're shallow and are easier to look through.  I stack them on each other in my shop, not under the bed

Edited January 31, 2016 by hedotwo

[crazyjim]

Took a walk out to the shop for you Richard and took some pics.  I'll start with an overall shot and then some individual pics.  There's also a pic of how I store Evergreen items, brass & aluminum tubing.  The small tubs are lunchmeat containers and have different sizes of wire.  Tubs are 2 deep.  The red box is full of tires while the white boxes are wheels & tires and engines.  Don't overlook 2 liter plastic bottles.  After drinking the RC Cola, I wash them out and cut off the tops to store large parts like hoods.  The tops make excellent funnels.

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

You're a well-organized modeler, Jim. I'm envious. I particularly like the way you have your styrene stock set up. I've got to do something, and your idea looks like a winner.

[retired & glad]

Took a walk out to the shop for you Richard and took some pics.  I'll start with an overall shot and then some individual pics.  There's also a pic of how I store Evergreen items, brass & aluminum tubing.  The small tubs are lunchmeat containers and have different sizes of wire.  Tubs are 2 deep.  The red box is full of tires while the white boxes are wheels & tires and engines.  Don't overlook 2 liter plastic bottles.  After drinking the RC Cola, I wash them out and cut off the tops to store large parts like hoods.  The tops make excellent funnels.

 

 

Jim, your the man. Thanks a bunch. I don't think in my dreams I could ever be that organized. We have the same taste for RC cola though. I even have a box of moonpies also. hahaha. 

You have helped me a lot with very good ideas and photos.

Thanks

Richard

[crazyjim]

Just some old wood that I drilled out to accept some clear plastic tubing I found online.  Had to cut circles and CA glue the bottoms closed.  I cut the labels off the original packages and tape them to the tubes.  Everything is right there for me.

[crazyjim]

Just trying to help out a fellow retired modeler.  Hope something works for you.

[misterNNL]

Lot of great idea here that could be useful for anyone interested in being more organized.I personally just divided my styrene shape stock into groups by using some 2"I'D BOX pipe cut into 6"lengths.I cut some styrene circles for caps on one end then labeled them "tube","angle","rod",etc.That way they are portable if I decide to work outside on the deck for a while.

I organize larger groups of parts and supplies into plastic drawers that are in stackable sets of three from Hobby Lobby.Those are labeled for adhesives,wire,tools,sanding stuff,plain sheet styrene,pattern styrene,etc.That stack of drawers is now over 5 feet tall and saves a lot of time scrounging and sorting through stuff.

Stuff on my main workbench is on rotating trays with stacking circular organizers.Those hold individual tools,paint brushes,files,etc.

[Art Anderson]

When I need to set aside small parts (such as wheels, engine components, lenses and the like, NOTHING beats the inexpensive small (approx. 2" square) medication zip-lock plastic bags from Walgreen's or any good pharmacy.    They even come with a printed white "box" on them for writing down what's in the bag, and what model they go to.  These can then be put into multiple drawer cabinets or other storage systems.

Art

[retired & glad]

Thanks all

I decided to use crazyjim's way to organize. Since I have the units it was the most economically way to go. I've all ready set one up with tape labels and some parts are in it. If it's a special part not common to the average build, then I'll bag and label it with the bags Art suggested.

After this project, I am going to organize my work and paint bench. I have a storage building with heat that I am going to set up another paint station. I can't use enamel or lacquer at my inside house work station so I am going to set up a paint station outside in the building. I'll still airbrush acrylic inside and the other smelly stuff out in the building. I've used dupli-color before and liked it but only could spray outside with the dust and wind blowing.

When I get a new computer I am going to start showing some of my builds. All I have now is XP and Vista and need to update.

Thanks

Richard 

[STYRENE-SURFER]

I have relabeled all my Evergreen and Plastruct styrene with scaled dimensions for 1/25th,

of coarse to the closest 1/4 inch. 

So 1/8th tube is relabeled 3".