How do you store/organise SMD components? (or small components in general)

[Microdoser]

I seem to be gaining an ever-expanding range of tiny drawers for my components. None of which are the right size.

How do you manage your components, especially tiny SMD ones?

If I need so many I have a reel, then a deep, wide, short drawer would work, if I only need a handful then a drawer more suited to a pencil seems right to fit a strip or two, sometimes it is an amount in-between and then I end up cutting many individual bits of taped components to fit a drawer. Often this means components I would prefer to be grouped together are spaced all over the room in various places.

Currently, I have a cardboard box that has all the components I need for the next board I am building in silvered bags with Dymo labels on them. It just seems handier than finding random drawers.

I would be very interested to see any of your solutions

[exe]

I keep them in smd book on tapes. Like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32254444661.html . I also have aidetek anti-esd boxes for components that are not on a tape.

[ataradov]

For stuff like resistors and capacitors I just use compartment boxes like this https://amazon.com/gp/product/B008GDSGTK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and  https://amazon.com/gp/product/B01C3DGO7O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Unlike random stuff eBay (modular ones) those are excellent quality. They don't feel flimsy, don't have gaps big enough that components fall out. They are basically perfect.

[coppercone2]

get the ESD safe version of the above, I just threw out around 1kg of plastic containers and bags after filling a single 144 component ESD safe SMD IC organizer last week with op amps and such. Basically an entire large office trash cans worth of plastic. I saved all the ESD foam from the boxes to line the inside of fishing lure divider boxes with TO-220, DIP12+, ETC.

You can fit 3 dip 8's in one of those box dividers, its a bit perilous and you need to align it before closing to ensure you don't bend a lead but it works.

It was beginning to get hard to use SMD components based on just finding them stored in plastic tubs, so I decided to get one of those containers.  Factor of 10+ storage space reduction.

Not sure if its the best choice for resistors because they fit in books, but for IC's it is a wise choice.

You can comfortably fit 2x sample dip 8 IC into one of those boxes, 3 = manual alignment First time I can find something in 5 years LOL

It's a bit pricey but anyway if you use quality op amps, ADC, DAC, etc.. totally worth it. That little box would easily cost a very sizable sum to fill with what I have in it.


Also I cleared out 3x 40 compartment adjustable divider organizers so I can have my relays, MCU, etc arranged into a nice formation rather then a digital death ball. So it actually paid for itself by freeing up 3x boxes worth 15$ each in addition to reducing Tupperware pressure from plastic overfill, I basically had fields of unsorted TO220, DIP8, DIP16, DIP40, TO-3, TO-5 filled to max density on stacked black foam in those boxes, now its single layer and properly divided up. I also freed and 'planted' around 10 tubes of DIP logic gates into the freed containers, they were basically just thrown on a shelf in random length plastic sleeve that was totally dilapidated from age (90's 7400/CD stuff).

[jmelson]

I seem to be gaining an ever-expanding range of tiny drawers for my components. None of which are the right size.

How do you manage your components, especially tiny SMD ones?

For anything very cheap, like resistors, I almost always buy a whole reel.  I find a particular Digi-Key shipping box is designed exactly to fit 7" reels.
I have a cart by the pick and place machine with about 50 reels in those boxes.

I often unspool a reel and cut off the last foot or so and put that in an Akro-Mills drawer by the workbench.  I have most of the common values in there.
The tape can be looped up and put in the drawer.  These are never put on the P&P machine, only used for prototyping and repairs.
The front end of the tape can then be spun back onto the reel in a few seconds.  A sharpie marker is the perfect size to make a hub to spin the reel on.

Jon

[exe]

To give an idea how I do it, I include a photo. It show two component books (one smd, and one through-hole), and the aidetek box I mentioned before. Both storage solutions (books and compartment boxes) come in different shapes and sizes. For smd books to be useful one need to buy components on tape.

I have many boxes and smd books, all labeled. I use google spreadsheet to manage my "warehouse". This way I know quantity and location of all my components (except ~50-100 esd bags that I'm yet to label and put into spreadsheet). Be careful with smd components, many of them do not carry a meaningful label to identify them. That's why all tapes are in labeled compartments.

[DeanA]

I've liked to use these 2 dram (5ml) plastic vials for the SMT parts like 0805 resistors." alt="" class="bbc_img" />  Reason I like something like this is you can take the lid off, tap one or more parts out flat on the desk and pick it up with the tweezers to solder it onto a PCB.
This is the resistor kit " alt="" class="bbc_img" /> I've been using for about 20years, all the labels are starting to fall off.
Just recently I got this design kit from Wurth," alt="" class="bbc_img" /> this is really ideal for me, just because the lids are still attached to the vials when they're opened, I wish I could find where to buy these bottles and the cases." alt="" class="bbc_img" />

[RoGeorge]

1. Ordinary plastic Ziplock bags - these are the best IMO, various sizes, very cheap, very compact, transparent, can be written with a marker, doesn't spill if dropped on the floor.

2. Original antistatic bags grouped in bigger boxes (for chips and alike).

3. Almost any transparent plastic boxes of the same size (the ones with a lead, usually from foods or candies), good for parts or small PCBs items.

4. 1/2...1/4 bottom part of PET Plastic bottles, cut the same height and stappled in groups of 4 together, can be stacked, but they have no lead, the the top 4 will gather dust over years.
https://hackaday.io/project/6261-new-a-free-lab-organizer

5. Many years ago I've bought plastic organizers with drawers.  The worst.  They were expensive, and terrible bad in day to day use.  Don't like them.  Half of them are still in the original plastic wrap, the other half filled with unnecessary items and almost never used.

[kripton2035]

+1 for aidetek smd boxes, very handy and quite cheap. available on ebay and amazon .

[mag_therm]

I purchased a Johanson 0805 Chip Capacitor Kit.
It comes with a frame of 28 compartments so no need for other storage.

I wish I could find a similar kit of resistors from pro grade supplier , but they are all about US$150  minumum. A bit much for hobby use

[bd139]

As they come. This is neatly followed by 50% of them ending in the carpet and about 90% of those ending up the vacuum cleaner.

[Syntax Error]

I keep my SMD tapes in redundant 35mm negative filling sheets.

I have lots of those sheets left over from the last century.

[PlainName]

I quite like the Licefa range of boxes, like this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003A629NM

Available from RS, Farnell, Ebay too. The vials are cuboid so labels stick flat on the sides.

At the start I arranged the parts in value order (resistors, 0R.. 10R.. 33R.. etc) but once they fill up that's not practical and, instead, I now just have a number on the lid and that cross-references to an inventory database. Need a part: look it up in the database and that give the location. I also put a label on the side with what is actually in there, for confirmation.

For larger stuff I have a variety of the plastic clip-together boxes (available cheaper elsewhere - just the first result of a search).

[Microdoser]

I think I am edging towards the Aidetek boxes. Many many compartments that have lids which I can put a Dymo label onto all contained in a briefcase that can be put on a shelf. I can imagine having a few of them piled on each other giving me space for hundreds of component types.

I will get one and see how good they keep very tiny components inside. I might remove some 0603 components from the tape and have them sat bare in a box to test.

This one looks like it does what I need:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AideTek-Resistor-Capacitor-Organizer-Compartments/dp/B005HHFW5Y

EDIT: Just ordered one. Each compartment can hold 500x1206 components so I imagine it could hold 1000x0603 components. That is more than I need.

[ataradov]

I wish I could find where to buy these bottles and the cases.

Search for "plastic test tube" on any of the sites and you will get plenty of options with screw on lid with the lid still attached, anything.

[PlainName]

This one looks like it does what I need:

Nice, but I think the compartments are too big for 0603 and similar parts. An advantage of the small vial/test tube types is that you can get the thing right up to point of use before opening it, so you're basically tipping out a tiny part, or several of them, a few mm away from where it goes rather than a many inches.

'Course, depends on one's preferred workflow

[Microdoser]

This one looks like it does what I need:

Nice, but I think the compartments are too big for 0603 and similar parts. An advantage of the small vial/test tube types is that you can get the thing right up to point of use before opening it, so you're basically tipping out a tiny part, or several of them, a few mm away from where it goes rather than a many inches.

'Course, depends on one's preferred workflow

It's only about 9 inches by 6 inches. My thought is that it can sit on the workbench next to me and I'll tweezer individual components out of the box, place all I need to, then move on to the next component.

It will be here tomorrow and with Prime, if I don't like it, returns are very easy. I think I will like it though.

[PlainName]

I think I will like it though

Hope you do! Please let us know what you think.

[thm_w]

This discussion comes up often
https://www.eevblog.com/product/usleeve/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/do-you-use-some-system-to-track-homelab-stock-of-components/

[PlainName]

The possible solutions change. If we never asked stuff that had already been asked we'd be stuck in the stone age idea-wise.

Well, still on Yahoo anyway.

[Microdoser]

This discussion comes up often
https://www.eevblog.com/product/usleeve/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/do-you-use-some-system-to-track-homelab-stock-of-components/

I am sure, but nobody in those threads suggested using the Aidetek little briefcases. They seem perfect for what I need. I don't think I would get on with the folders, but I could stack a few of those briefcases on top of each other. They come in various sizes so each one would be only what I need for a particular PCB so I could just pull that one to pick and place a set of boards. I don't have room for cabinets or drawers. Folders tend to need to be stood a particular way. I don't need a computerised system to keep track of components either.

Asking again has produced, for me at least, better answers.

[ANTALIFE]

I use 35mm film pages for storing jellybean parts:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/42995-REG/Print_File_PF357BXW100_Archival_Storage_Page_for.html

[Someone]

I think I am edging towards the Aidetek boxes. Many many compartments that have lids which I can put a Dymo label onto all contained in a briefcase that can be put on a shelf. I can imagine having a few of them piled on each other giving me space for hundreds of component types.

I will get one and see how good they keep very tiny components inside. I might remove some 0603 components from the tape and have them sat bare in a box to test.

This one looks like it does what I need:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AideTek-Resistor-Capacitor-Organizer-Compartments/dp/B005HHFW5Y

EDIT: Just ordered one. Each compartment can hold 500x1206 components so I imagine it could hold 1000x0603 components. That is more than I need.

They hold 0402 parts with no leakage. 12 bins to a row, 12 rows to a case, 6 decades of E24 or 12 decades of E12. The outside surface is a little slippery so they are easy to keep in a stack and pull them out as needed.

[Kasper]

I really like my latest setup: projects in ziplock bags in file folders in filing cabinet.

[coppercone2]

I think those plastic test tubes are horrible