How Do You Separate and Organize Parts?

[FloridaBoy]

As I value just about everyone's feedback on this forum, I have a question as to how you go about something that is getting to be higher priority.

A little background in a nutshell........

For my entire lifespan up until 2 years ago, my workspace was confined to a small area usually too hot or too dusty or crowded to really work efficiently. I used to have superstitions building in the past, like never using donor models, or wasting stuff, and keeping the old parts in the oriignal box and keeping all of the boxes in a closet or on the floor. My parts boxes came from just dumping the excess into a large shoebox or other container. Needless to say, it was expeditious, but grew to be more inconvenient when I had a light bulbed head full of ideas, and a million spare flathead motors.

Then some stuff started to influence me. After selling off 400 kits 3 years ago, I have accumulated another 300, and still have parts from pending or near finished projects. It seems I am always looking to even kitbash motors, and just can't find the parts when I need them. I visited some members of my club and they keep and organize parts, and they get stuff finished quicker than I do. Plus at swap meets, the parts are always bagged which really impress me. Plus I am purchasing a lot of aftermarket stuff, I put the specific parts in the intended model box, and others in a shoe box.

Now I have a large bedroom which is my work room. My bench is large and well shelved with drawers too, and it accommodates 2 activities -- trains and cars. There are always pending projects and now the bench is littered with parts, and wayward tools. So my plan is now to clean off the workbench, and organize parts. So far, I have wheels organized pretty well, the tools are getting together, the raw materials, (plastic, aluminum, clear plastic, Plastruct, etc) are together, as are glues, tools, paints.

What I intend to do is to remove everything from trees and assign a bag to organize motors, running gear, etc. then put it somewhere I know it is and can access it quickly.

What do you guys do with your spare parts? I am starting to really value flathead motors more now that ever before, as well as small block Chevvie motors.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[thomas LB808 Labanon]

I use something similar to this. You will be supriesed at how much parts you can cram into it. Just check out your local DEPT. store fishing supplies area. There are all types like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Plano-Guide-Series-tac...%3A1|240%3A1318

[Ricks]

How I organize...

Aftermarket stuff... PE Aluminum

I use small home organizers. I have 7 three drawer units. I have them sorted as interior, chassis, engine, grills, brakes, etc, etc.

Wheels..

For hanging wheels like pegasus I bought some cheap squares of cork. A few tacks and the wheels are organized. Boxed wheels get put onto the shelf..

I also use a tackle box for loose wheels and parts. I also find that the top portion is a very safe and secure place for decals.

Smaller loose parts

I sort all my smaller loose parts into Plano Stowaways. There clear storage containers mainly used for fishing stuff.. There pretty cheap to buy but hold a ton of stuff..

You will also notice my tools are in the pencil boxes.. Excuse the mess.. I dont get over to the bench much these days so stuff kinda piles up now..

Larger parts, rebuilders and the like.. I use either plastic shoe boxes or a large plastic tub.. I bag each kit seperatly to keep it all togther but I put them all together in the tub..

I have also used sport card boxes alot. The larger ones IIRC 900count hold a rebuilder or project nicely.