Storing Stuff 2 or is it too!

[bmuir]

This photo from Tom Miller got me thinking (thanks Tom):



I thought I would share a a similar system I use for my large collection of fly tying materials (15 boxes full!).

Here's what I do:

1. Every box has a number on the outside of both ends...1,2,3,4 etc.
2. When I put something in a numbered box, a description of it goes into an Excel database with the name of the item, color, size, and box number.
3. Then I can sort the database by box number or by item (alphabetically) and find that yellow died rooster neck or whatever!

When I started this system, I grouped similar stuff into a single. But, it makes no difference. If you know that box it is in, you can find it in a flash.

Should work for woodworking, too. Now, where is that 3" caster? Or, do I even have any 3" casters?

In both systems, you have to remember to delete items taken from the box and used up on a project.

Bill

P.S. Anal retentive, I know. But, it works.

[Black wallnut]

Over the years I have amassed a large collection of fly tying materials also; being a former professional tier. Hooks, thread, tinsel, and floss all get stored in drawers in my workdesk. Fur and feathers, chenille, yarn, poly, and embroidary floss, plastic bags of dubbing and krystal hair, crystal flash, etc, all go into medium sized plastic tote bins that I made a special cabinet for. Soory no pictures of that one.

I used to tie many more flies in one setting than I have in the past 5 years!

[crokett]

P.S. Anal retentive, I know. But, it works.

I wouldn't call it that but I do know I wouldn't be able to keep up a system like that. I'd just end up not knowing where anything is, just like now except it would be all squirreled away in boxes.