I have a small area, so really it does not get that messy. Often I do propping on business travel. That means a small zip case contains a battery or two, whatever Propeller board I'm working with, video capture device, breadboard, misc wires and components / cables. Nice and tidy. Often I'll use some mild sticky tape to group components together, where I can write something about them. A few of those package swabs works to get tape gunk off, if necessary.
At home, I've got various boxes and such, each dedicated to a project in process. Small components get stuffed into foam, and there is generally a pile of them somewhere. That pile gets scooped into the "I know I had one" container, which I go digging through when "I know I had one."
Funny you mention it, I just the other day bought a 33-chest draw from Jaycar (Equivalent of Radio Shack) and a pack of resistors. I sorted out the resistors, about 3 to each draw - took me ages.
heh, me? Clean? I'm currently typing into my laptop on my lap - whereas I could be using the computer infront of me that has a proper keyboard - but then again, my hands would be obstructed by the assortment of leads and PCB boards on my desk - I could move to my other desk... but that is more crowded than the first having my new cabinet on it along with a pile (about 20 cm tall) of parts... Not to mention all the USB cables and CAT-5 cables stringed around my room.
I was going to clean up this 'paridise' today - but then I got slightly side tracked by my new LWJGL java project. On the subject of sorting, I took out my box of lego the other day and sorted it all into:
1) Junk that had migrated into my lego box over the years
2) Real lego
3) The modern kind of lego
My back ached and I was exhausted by the end of it... I think I used a combination of all 3 teqniques in sorting that lego, I didn't really have a set way but this is roughly how I did it:
1) Sort everything into piles, while at the same time picking out the bits of junk
2) Also while sorting things into piles, getting picking out the pieces of the "modern" lego.
3) Repeat the proccess until all my lego had been sorted.
It was a long proccess, I wasn't aware of how much lego I had accumulated over the years.
Well anyway, I've gotta go test my new proxy system,
I use two techniques:
- extend and extend the workbench, or increase the number of workbenches, or even layers of workbench surfaces
- buy the parts I thought I had, but cannot find. Just after clicking 'Confirm order' I will find the missing parts. More parts, more projects.
My work area is usually moderately messy. As the disorder increases, so does my frustration level and my motivation goes down. To get motivated again, I need to create a clean and (somewhat) organized work area.
Now that I can completely relate to. I am the same way.
@Erlend
or even layers of workbench surfaces
That's quite funny, but actually a very good idea to save work space. Now I wonder if anyone has ever invented a multi-layer, height adjustable workbench for different projects, tools, and settings. I wish I had one.
Comments
@
Peter..
Now I clean privately...
At home, I've got various boxes and such, each dedicated to a project in process. Small components get stuffed into foam, and there is generally a pile of them somewhere. That pile gets scooped into the "I know I had one" container, which I go digging through when "I know I had one."
heh, me? Clean? I'm currently typing into my laptop on my lap - whereas I could be using the computer infront of me that has a proper keyboard - but then again, my hands would be obstructed by the assortment of leads and PCB boards on my desk - I could move to my other desk... but that is more crowded than the first having my new cabinet on it along with a pile (about 20 cm tall) of parts... Not to mention all the USB cables and CAT-5 cables stringed around my room.
I was going to clean up this 'paridise' today - but then I got slightly side tracked by my new LWJGL java project. On the subject of sorting, I took out my box of lego the other day and sorted it all into:
1) Junk that had migrated into my lego box over the years
2) Real lego
3) The modern kind of lego
My back ached and I was exhausted by the end of it... I think I used a combination of all 3 teqniques in sorting that lego, I didn't really have a set way but this is roughly how I did it:
1) Sort everything into piles, while at the same time picking out the bits of junk
2) Also while sorting things into piles, getting picking out the pieces of the "modern" lego.
3) Repeat the proccess until all my lego had been sorted.
It was a long proccess, I wasn't aware of how much lego I had accumulated over the years.
Well anyway, I've gotta go test my new proxy system,
-John
- extend and extend the workbench, or increase the number of workbenches, or even layers of workbench surfaces
- buy the parts I thought I had, but cannot find. Just after clicking 'Confirm order' I will find the missing parts. More parts, more projects.
mr Clutter
Terminal blocks..
Now that I can completely relate to. I am the same way.
@Erlend
That's quite funny, but actually a very good idea to save work space. Now I wonder if anyone has ever invented a multi-layer, height adjustable workbench for different projects, tools, and settings. I wish I had one.
C.W.