I always have several model building projects going at once. There are many reasons why I can't just take one project from start to finish.
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1) My model workshop is in my "dorm room" up in Tampa, my paint shop is at home in Cape Coral, and I apply decals mostly when I am on the road.
2) I only paint during five months out of the year when humnidity is low. I paint in huge batches. Anything waiting for paint becomes a stalled project until the weather becomes good.
3) During contruction I often decide to make other improvements, then I am waiting on parts.
So... I need to keep track of every part of these projects and keep them easy to identify.
In the past, I have put parts in zip lock bags, then put the bags in a plastic food container for storage, but that takes up a lot of room.
I found these great storage boxes at Michaels Craft Store. They are intended for use as a photograph storage system.
The plastic boxes are about 3/4" thick. They are 4 by 6 inches in size. There is plenty of room for small parts from big projects that must be kept track of.
It is simple to use a 4 by 6 index card and a sharpie to identify the contents of each of the boxes.
The clear boxes make it easy to read the card when it is inside the box.
Each of the master storage boxes hold sixteen of the little boxes. This is a neat storage system.
The boxes stack out of the way on a closet shelf when not being used, but all of the parts are still easily identifiable and accessable.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Those storage boxes are nifty. Unfortunately, the downside to them is that the plastic latches on the smaller boxes eventually fatigue and break over time.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I'll hafta check 'em out
Great idea, Kevin. I have limited space in my train room, so this is a must have.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Even those deteriorate over time, Johnboy...
tstageEven those deteriorate over time,
There have been many times when I have regretted using elastic bands for long term storage! I hate how the rotting rubber sticks to anything it has been wrapped around! Cleaning sticky curled up dead rubber bands out of the bottoms of my storage boxes is a gross PITA!
Rant over! I feel much better now! Thanks.
No insult intended Johnboy. Just kidding around.
Kevin,
I like the boxes. I have a bunch of similar but smaller boxes which I use for detail parts, screws, nuts, bolts, washers etc. They make it easy to find things.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
spe3376Those boxes were on sale this past weekend for $15 at Michaels, reduced from $42.
That is the same price I pain down here in Florida.
I did not want to post the sale price in case it was local only. It was quite a bargain, and $30.00 very well spent.
https://www.michaels.com/recollections-photo-box-16-cases/10174559.html
https://www.michaels.com/recollections-color-photo-craft-keeper/10468242.html
I had to go to Home Depot today, way across town. Micheals is next door, and I remembered this thread. Picked up a couple cases at the mentioned sale price. Thanks again for the heads up! Dan