> During many years I use to store several thousand parts, pulled, used,
> new, tested, untested, etc.After spending many hours per year just to
> sort and save, I realize that my time values much more than the
> component cost, so, at least for small and low cost parts (as resistors,
> etc) I don't care anymore, from protoboard to trash

In some sense, this is part of my problem.  Having reached a level
of... financial independence, I've been buying parts in more significant
lots than I used to.  No more 5-at-a-time resistors from radios shack, or
harvested from old stuff.  Now I get the 100-packs from Fry's, or reels of
SMTs from eBay.  Trouble is, those are BIGGER than the collections I used to
have, so the little 2x3 manilla envelopes I used to use just don't cut it
anymore.  The rather larger drawers in "component kits" don't do too well,
either, although perhaps I can cut strips of "working stock" off of the
reels and store the reels elsewhere...

Meanwhile, the stuff I harvest and DO save is also bigger.  Inductors and
transformers and power supplies and LCD displays and fans and large filter
caps and power transistors and such.  I suppose I ought to just give up on
the harvesting aspect, but I'll STILL have the organizational issues with
the collections of "bought" stuff...

BillW

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