Organizing Aftermarket parts

[iBorg]

I'm getting ready to be off my feet for the next 6-8 weeks due to knee replacement. I'm hoping to do some modeling (when I can get safely to my model area) as well as trying to learn Blender. One project I've taken on is cleaning up my model area. In that process I've come to realize I've got two boatloads of aftermarket parts from PE, resin and various other materials. I've had them sorta sorted by manufacturer but realize that's not most efficient. I'm thinking broader categories but haven't figured out what to put them in. 

Here's my list of broad categories:

• Specific to make of vehicle 
• Engine
• Front Suspension
• Rear Suspension
• Interior
• Body details

Am I missing anything? Is there a better way to do this? 

 

[Exotics_Builder]

• Engine bay accessories
• Wheels/Tires
• Brakes
• Decals (by category) I use interior, stock, custom, stripes, and racing

 

[rattle can man]

Since I build anything on wheels, I would do it by category, i.e. DRAG racing, NASCAR, stock, custom, etc. Then by make and finally by engine, body, interior, etc.

[bobss396]

I have most in those plastic shoe boxes. One is "opened" stuff, sorted by part type. Another is "new", again sorted the same way. Then  have "street rod" parts, then decals, stock car, stock car wheels, and wheels/tires. I have smaller boxes of roll cage related items.

Lately with all the 3D parts, I have those sorted as well, by engine/transmission, chassis, headers etc. All in the same-size plastic boxes (that stack) from hobby lobby. I try to avoid having TOO many boxes to sort through. I think my total is about 12.

[Skip]

I have been using the flat plastic "Jewelry Parts" boxes from Hobby Lobby for all of my small parts, if they don't fit in there they go into a plastic shoe box. I think I have 8 of the flat jewelry parts boxes and 2 of the shoe boxes full of bigger parts. The small parts take up one shelf in my upper cabinets in the hobby room and are getting ready to start on another shelf as I add additional boxes. The Jewelry Parts boxes work well for engines, small parts, tires, wheels, extra kit parts, resin and 3D goodies, there is even a long compartment that will take grills, front and rear axles... I think they are $3 or 4 apiece and keep my stuff organized enough to keep me from digging through boxes and scuffing off any useable chrome there was on parts. It's cut down on the chrome repairing normal to the big box storage I used to have.

[iamsuperdan]

I use a bunch of these small plastic dog food containers. Each one is the perfect size to hold an engine/trans, or a set of wheels/tires. Since I started 3D printing, I use a lot of these to keep everything organized. 

 

[espo]

I have found several different size storage units at Wall Mart as well as some home supply-based supply stores. There are some with pull out drawers that can even be divided into additional compartments. These are usually in a "Tupperware" type material and pretty reasonably priced. 

[redscampi]

2 hours ago, iamsuperdan said:

I use a bunch of these small plastic dog food containers. Each one is the perfect size to hold an engine/trans, or a set of wheels/tires. Since I started 3D printing, I use a lot of these to keep everything organized. 

 

Of course, you have to eat the dog food first....just saying.

[iamsuperdan]

1 hour ago, redscampi said:

Of course, you have to eat the dog food first....just saying.

Well, I have an assistant who is all about helping out in that regard!

 

[bobss396]

BJs has some good potato salad containers that are handy. The lids stay on well. I have one I keep all my glues in, in case I have a spill it gets contained. Rubber Maid from the supermarket is also good for parts and in-process builds.

[redscampi]

I like these Sterlite bins you can get from several places. I get them from Dollar General. I keep tires and wheels and other parts in them. You can see the contents through the sides and they come in a variety of sizes.

 

Edited July 9, 2024 by redscampi

[stitchdup]

for decals and pe you could use a photo album

[Mark]

For decal sheets, don't use those photo albums with the clear plastic covered, sticky pages.  The sticky on the pages will start sticking to the back of the decal sheets stored in the album.

[iBorg]

10 hours ago, stitchdup said:

for decals and pe you could use a photo album

I use a photo album with sleeves for my decals. I've got them organized by genre and then broken down by class. I agree with Mark, to not use those sticky pages. Having dealt with scanning images professionally I always hated the debris those things leave. Quite literally you'd have to clean both the scanner and the lid after every scan. I have 8.5 x 11 sleeves that I originally bought to hold overhead transparencies. The plastic shoeboxes more than likely is what I'll go with. 

 

Edited July 9, 2024 by iBorg

[slusher]

Walmart sell sterlite containers  from crayon boxes to a really good size 4x6x6 in the craft section. I don’t think there I will post a picture..

[stavanzer]

On 7/8/2024 at 1:57 PM, iamsuperdan said:

I use a bunch of these small plastic dog food containers. Each one is the perfect size to hold an engine/trans, or a set of wheels/tires. Since I started 3D printing, I use a lot of these to keep everything organized. 

 

I like Those but Now that I have a Rottweiler, she just eats too much for those to work any more.

[slusher]

Mike, this is what I use and sterlite is not on them, they are in Walmarts office supplies.. 

 

[Brutalform]

I used to organize parts, and still do, except for aftermarket parts. I just stick em up on a cork board above my bench. That way I just take a glance up to see what I have on hand. Been working great for me. And it saves a lot of room since it’s on the wall. 

[oldcarfan]

Thanks for bringing this subject up, I'll be following for ideas! I went through an ordering binge last year and have a lot of small 3D print parts and tires and wheels that I need to organize and could use ideas. The local MegaLoMart has the cheap plastic pencil boxes on clearance and I'm thinking of trying them.