Organizing The Junk Yard

[Zippi]

I have a lot of model boxes setting around from past builds with left over parts.  Whenever I need a part I end up spending a lot of time going through a lot of boxes.  What are you fellows using to organize your junk yard parts?  Pics would be helpful.  

[Horrorshow]

I toss out everything except wheels and tires and bucket seats 

[Dave Van]

I had a few of the 20 GAL plastic storage bins full of parts. I went through them and using small and medium size zip lock bags I sorted parts. I tried to get two to four tires per bag (sets), engine parts by type, etc. Bigger parts like chassis or body I left. I did not get EVERYTHING sorted but I am able to find things with less digging. 

[NOBLNG]

I bought a set of plastic drawers at Micheals. I try to bag and label where the parts came from. The boxes I fold up and stick in the bookcase.

[Zippi]

Thanks for the info fellows.

[Fat Brian]

If you look toward the middle right of this picture you'll see two stacks of clear drawers. I get them from the walmart website, they come as either one or two stacks of three but can be combined. The stacks in the pic are 9 drawers tall and on the included casters so I can roll them around if need be. All my leftover stuff from finished kits or kit bashes ends up in there along with aftermarket parts.

[restoman]

4 hours ago, Dave Van said:

I had a few of the 20 GAL plastic storage bins full of parts. I went through them and using small and medium size zip lock bags I sorted parts. I tried to get two to four tires per bag (sets), engine parts by type, etc. Bigger parts like chassis or body I left. I did not get EVERYTHING sorted but I am able to find things with less digging. 

I've done the same... and now have all the zip lock bags labeled and sorted into those upright plastic-drawer systems. 4 of them.

But now, I can find what I'm looking for without dumping everything out on the bench.

I save pretty much all the left-over parts.

 

[Zippi]

4 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

If you look toward the middle right of this picture you'll see two stacks of clear drawers. I get them from the walmart website, they come as either one or two stacks of three but can be combined. The stacks in the pic are 9 drawers tall and on the included casters so I can roll them around if need be. All my leftover stuff from finished kits or kit bashes ends up in there along with aftermarket parts.

I like the drawers.  Thanks.

[Zippi]

2 hours ago, restoman said:

I've done the same... and now have all the zip lock bags labeled and sorted into those upright plastic-drawer systems. 4 of them.

But now, I can find what I'm looking for without dumping everything out on the bench.

I save pretty much all the left-over parts.

 

I appreciate the info.  I save all my parts as well.

[Nosferatu]

11 hours ago, Zippi said:

I have a lot of model boxes setting around from past builds with left over parts.  Whenever I need a part I end up spending a lot of time going through a lot of boxes.  What are you fellows using to organize your junk yard parts?  Pics would be helpful.  

I have lots of models and never build one out of the box. I use everything for parts. I buy these bins at thrift stores for about $5 each and put bodies in one, tires in another, etc.

[Keef]

I used to use one of these for storing small parts like carbs, intakes and valve covers. Would store wheel/tire combos in the larger drawers

[OldNYJim]

2 hours ago, Keef said:

I used to use one of these for storing small parts like carbs, intakes and valve covers. Would store wheel/tire combos in the larger drawers

I’ve got three of those (actually, a variation on those with more small trays and less big ones), and I’ve been gradually sorting all my junk into trays for the past year or so.  

I’ve been labeling the trays with one of those clicky clacky Dymo machines, and when I figure out the perfect arrangement parts to drawers I’ll pull them all out and organize alphabetically.  

[Zippi]

11 hours ago, Nosferatu said:

I have lots of models and never build one out of the box. I use everything for parts. I buy these bins at thrift stores for about $5 each and put bodies in one, tires in another, etc.

Thanks for the info and pics.  

[Zippi]

9 hours ago, Keef said:

I used to use one of these for storing small parts like carbs, intakes and valve covers. Would store wheel/tire combos in the larger drawers

Thanks.  I like that one.  I appreciate the pic.

[restoman]

I use some larger versions of these for smaller things like carbs, mirrors, door handles, engine accessories, etc.

I just label them with masking tape and a magic marker.

The thing I like about them, mainly, is that I can set the whole tray on the bench and sort through it, instead of going drawer by drawer.

I have four of them, all the same size, so stacking them is easy.

Sorry for the crappy pic...

 

[stitchdup]

i use boxes like Keef showed for small parts, larges totes for kit leftovers sorted into vw, audi etc, other euros, japanese and us kits with a couple of random totes for things that might be useful. my wheel sets are in these sweet boxes and they hold up to 24" wheels in 1/24. I like these boxes as they let me see the wheels without any hassle, and the sweets aren't bad either.

Edited January 16, 2023 by stitchdup
forgot the pic, doh!

[Joe Nunes]

I have six multiple storage bins that hold the small items, which are stored by subject name. Most of the bins are labeled for easy use. In addition I use the clear with blue lid plastic storage bins put out by GLAD; there are different sizes available to fit the required kit storage needs. Ziplock storage bags, available in various sizes, hold/separate kit items for storage within these snap-on lid containers.  I also use a three drawer plastic roll-about unit for storing kits that are in storage bags or partial boxes; there are 10 kits stored within the unit shown in the photo and I can also store modeling tools on top of the drawer unit where they are within easy reach. Hope these ideas help. ?

Joe

[RSchnell]

I use ziploc bags and Vans shoe boxes, they have a flip top lid and they're what I had handy. 

[slusher]

Like Joes big draw organizer pictured above I have a 5 drawers with two slim drawers on top and 2 large drawers on the bottom…

[slusher]

I use these for parts and Diorama and car parts like a tackle box Hobby Lobby link

Use these for tires and wheels Organizer Link

 

[Zippi]

Thanks for all the help fellows.  I had a Lowe's coupon so I picked these up yesterday.

[Joe Nunes]

1 hour ago, Zippi said:

Thanks for all the help fellows.  I had a Lowe's coupon so I picked these up yesterday.

Those look to be very useful for the shop. I like the large size drawers with the top unit and will be purchasing a unit for my own shop. Thanks for sharing this. ?

Joe

[Zippi]

I've already started transferring parts to the new organizer bins.  

[seniorgeek]

If you go to Hobby Lobby or JoAnn Fabrics there are a number of plastic storage containers to pick from.
Actually I found the best one at JoAnn Fabrics following my wife around.

[Zippi]

1 hour ago, seniorgeek said:

If you go to Hobby Lobby or JoAnn Fabrics there are a number of plastic storage containers to pick from.
Actually I found the best one at JoAnn Fabrics following my wife around.

I hear ya man.  Good stuff everywhere.  I had a Lowe's gift card so it was a Freebie for me.