How did you organize the new box? Did you use a specific type of organizer? I have a few scattered boxes of cables, wires, and parts that I need to reduce into one "usable" container. Thanks!
The value of your hoard is zero if you can't find the item you need, so organization is key.
My recent scheme (I organized during Covid): everything goes in covered Sterilite transparent containers with labels from a brother printer. The containers are cheap, stackable, somewhat waterproof and I find it helps that you can see a bit inside them. There are many sizes to choose from, I tend to use the 6 qt. and 16 qt. sizes the most.
They do crack if you drop them, but this is mitigated by the price.
Oh yes, I have shelves of Sterilite boxes. I keep several empty boxes at all times so I can reorganize and categorize new items. I label all of them with the Brother label maker.
The key is that occasionally I go through and toss obsolete items. Recent casualties: all Micro USB, when the last Micro USB device died. RCA audio patch cables: all the speakers are smart now and don’t hook up to old-school receivers. Nearly all telephone wires. USB chargers less than 5 watts. Miscellaneous video cables, like VGA, DVI, composite video, component video.
I use two labels. One is code to identify the box (GLS-1 for garage left shelf #1), another label lists some details of the content of the box. And a google sheet with the box Ids and a corresponding list of items. Easy to search, and I don't have to go from room to room checking each box.
I made piles of similar stuff (e.g. network cables, connectors, crimper and tester), got a bunch of quart and gallon ziplocks tossed the stuff in them and put 'em in the box. Easy peasy.
No need for an organizer for me as I go into the box maybe 2x a year so it is easy enough to pull out ziplocks until I get to the right one.
jhallenworld|2 years ago
My recent scheme (I organized during Covid): everything goes in covered Sterilite transparent containers with labels from a brother printer. The containers are cheap, stackable, somewhat waterproof and I find it helps that you can see a bit inside them. There are many sizes to choose from, I tend to use the 6 qt. and 16 qt. sizes the most.
They do crack if you drop them, but this is mitigated by the price.
massysett|2 years ago
The key is that occasionally I go through and toss obsolete items. Recent casualties: all Micro USB, when the last Micro USB device died. RCA audio patch cables: all the speakers are smart now and don’t hook up to old-school receivers. Nearly all telephone wires. USB chargers less than 5 watts. Miscellaneous video cables, like VGA, DVI, composite video, component video.
woobar|2 years ago
wintermutestwin|2 years ago
No need for an organizer for me as I go into the box maybe 2x a year so it is easy enough to pull out ziplocks until I get to the right one.