resistor bin

[Randall]

Would anyone like to share how they keep their resistor inventory? I used to buy EKG 5 packs locally, and keep them by increasing value in bin drawers, but since I have moved to SWFL I have been buying in bulk from Mouser. But they come in plastic bags, so I am curious how guys keep them in order in a handy and quickly retrievable manner. Last thing I want to do is have to read through drawers of color codes every time I need a resistor.

[The Dude]

I use "drawer thingies" like this. The drawers have dividers so you can fit several values in one drawer. I put them in order by value, each in their own little compartment. I still look at the color code every time I grab one just to be sure. After 35+ years, I can read the color code almost as quick as I can read a number.

[Enzo]

yeah I always double check too. I use those 64 drawer bins, but I started out with the first drawer being 10 and under. By the time I made separate drawers for 1, 2.2,3.3, 4.7 ohms and then 0,1, 0.22, 0.33etc, and then other things like 240k, and instead of OVER 1 MEG, a drawer for each, I filled two drawer units.

And now with 1% common, I have 11 ohms and other odd things.

These days I use coin envelopes for resistors and small transistors, diodes, etc. I use the #3 size I think. I write the value and any other information on the flap. Then they line up in a box, and like a filing cabinet, I just flip through them until I find the value I need.

http://www.staples.com/Staples-Brown...oduct_SS266866

Takes up a hell of a lot less shelf space.

Now that frees up the drawer units for power resistors and TO3s.

[T9c]

When I get them from Mouser they come on a cut tape, so I usually mark one tape with the value before putting it in the drawer. From CE Dist, they come in a sealed bag, so I cut one corner off and mark the bag. I usually mark the drawer with the normal 10% values and throw all those 1% in there with them.
Then there's those darn smd's! They stay in their envelopes.

[defaced]

Coin envelopes here too. I don't remember what size, it was an odd one that I ended up ordering on eBay. 5 1/2 maybe. Anyway, the photo boxes from Michael's craft store fit two rows of them. I do the same for ICs and transistors. Stick them into conductive foam and stuff them into the envelope.

You can see them in the background of this pic:

[Leo_Gnardo]

2W and less go into plastic organizer drawers like The Dude's photo shows. A couple years ago when I got a Brother labeler I went nuts and created legible labels for them instead of scraps of tape with my illegible scrawls. Tiny resistors go into 2x2 inch plastic bags that fit into these drawers. Every time I go to buy a pack of them the checkout lady at the hobby shop gives me such a look, she must think I'm a dope dealer. No worries lady, I deal with a lot of dopes but nothing illegal going on here, thanks for your attention.

I was lucky to score a wide metal drawer-box from Chief Electronics when they went out of biz, that's handy for the 3W up to 10W. Also TO-3 & other big transistors, plugs & jacks & tube sockets besides. If you find anything like this you'll be in seventh heaven organization-wise.

Really big resistors organized into heavy duty cardboard boxes that originally held transformers. Like Mom used to say "there's a place for everything and everything in its place." The workshop still looks like a disorganized wreck, but I know where to find things*, that's all that matters.

*Most of the time..

[Chuck H]

I use the drawer thingy Dude showed. I like that they take a small footprint. One for caps and one for resistors to the left of the work space. The wee drawers slide all the way out and can be placed on the bench for when I'm doing things like digging through the "odd screws" or "lock washers" bins. I keep a couple of empty bins just for unused components and pulls I wish to keep so I can just toss em in there while I'm working and sort them out after the immediate project is done. Larger components are arranged on shallow shelves just above and lead wire, shrink tube, wire nuts and zip ties occupy the left side. Snips, clippers, screwdrivers, pliers, hemo's, alligator clip leads and such hang on a pegboard right in front just higher than most anything I'll work on and my solder station, DMM, component tester, scope, sig gen, current limiter and dummy load are on a dog leg to the left. I have an overhead lamp and a second arm lamp that I can pretty much stuff right inside the work. There's a window I can open and a small fan near it to circulate less toxic air into the environment. I'm not a repair guy so this basic setup serves all my needs neatly.

[Mick Bailey]

I use storage originally intended for 3.5" floppy disks. Long, pull-out drawers that have relocatable/removable plastic dividers. Resistors are in marked bags. I just have a simple system - everything that begins with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 etc in increasing order of value. So 10 sections. I have power resistors in flip-top divided trays and anything special in the usual clear plastic drawer stack.

What works best for one person many not be the best way for someone else. I've had different systems over the years and this one suits me best. I guess it comes down to how your brain is wired.

[Randall]

I think I'll try the coin envelope trick.

[Enzo]

Usually they have boxes of them at Staples and other office supply stores.