HELP! How do you stay organized?

[jordan86]

They say admitting you have a problem is often the first step to recovery! Well, I sure need help.

I'm not a very organized person. My amp and guitar tech hobby is getting out of control. I have probably a stack of 10 different boxes now of all shapes and sizes with random parts, tools, components, etc. 

Small parts: So many resistors, capacitors, pots, wire, etc. A lot in small bags from AES. Some in left over compartmentalized amp kit containers (like small tackle boxes)
Tubes: 4 or more random boxes of tubes - some lightly used, some new, some nos. Power amp, preamp, pairs, singles, you name it I got it.
Bigger things: reverb tank, transformers, speakers, guitar pickups

How do you guys keep things organized? I probably need to toss some things but wanting to get organized for the sake of 1) remembering where everything is, 2) maybe saving some space and 3) more than anything....making the wife happy :)

If you guys have any products, links, or pictures I would be so grateful.

[shooter]

(like small tackle boxes)

as a field Engineer, I had to take everything everywhere, so I organized "boxes", Pelican cases specifically, red had the test equipment, yellow the tools, parts were in "flying kits" labeled cases for computer boards, Bdas boards......


inside each of my boxes was pure chaos but somewhere in the yellow box heap I knew there was a #2 Philips!


as a bench tech, the bench is your centerpiece, the main area (on mine 2ft X 3ft) stayed clean n cutter free, I may just push everything to one side or the other but the center stayed "clean"


as you use something, when you're done, put it back where it goes, not tomorrow, not later, NOW.


notation, I leave myself 'lil notes in each tube box (works fine, sketchy but works to "rule out".....)


walk into my barn or garage n you'll see chaotic clutter, but I know exactly where "it is" in the clutter n have gotten good at putting it back when done.


as the poster child for ADD, it took a minute or two to get "organized" 

[Lectroid]

Yes, boxes! And racks of little plastic drawers.  Lots of them. Of course, label everything.

Bigger containers for transformers, chokes, tubes, reverb pans, etc.  And shelves to store them on.

as you use something, when you're done, put it back where it goes, not tomorrow, not later, NOW.

A piece of steel and a big magnet, (from a dead speaker) can make a tool rack.  I saw one where the speaker magnet was raised up on a 12" length of steel rod, and rigged it on a bearing so it would rotate.  Tools can be hung all the way around it for quick access, and a quick spin brings around the tool you want.  One of my very next projects...

[acheld]

Shooter is right, of course.

Some of us are on a 10 year plan.    I clean up my shop every 10 years!   In between, it gets a bit disorganized.....

[EL34]

Bin boxes, Plastic drawers and plastic cabinets

[scstill]

I put small parts into labeled sandwich bags,
then small bags into freezer bags, to combine like values.
Then bags into a labeled clear bin. Then bins stacked on the shelf.
Easy to get at and well organized.
Haha -seems that my bins are getting smaller these days. And the marker labels wear off.
And there seemingly are not enough bins and then the bags are full.
Then of coarse the part I want is not there, so I order more....

[rake]

One thing that really helps me is those inexpensive magnetic tool bars from Harbor Freight.
It's so much easier to find that tool when it's standing up on the wall instead of crammed
away in some drawer. The tool chest is fine for larger tools but the little guys just like to hide under
other tools! Also those clear plastic organizers. I've got a large one for just my Dremel bits.
Those see thru pill bottles from the pharmacy help too!
I repaired my Pharmacist's kid's guitar in trade for a pile of the larger pill bottles!
(or just learn to embrace your inner slob)