Effecient organization of spare cables and hardware
- by Jake Wharton
As many of you also likely do, I have a growing collection of cables, hardware, and spare parts (screws, connectors, etc.). I'm looking to find a good system of organization so that everything isn't a tangled mess, mismatched, and potentially able to be damaged. Since the the three things listed above are all have varying sizes and degrees of delicacy this poises an interesting problem.
Presently I have those cheap plastic storage bins you find at Wal-mart for everything. Cables that were once wrapped neatly have become tangled due to numerous "I know I have a cable for this" moments. Hardware is mixed in other bins with odds and ends with no protection from each other. NICs, CPUs, and HDDs are all interacting and likely causing damage. Finally there are stray parts sprinkled amongst these two both in plastic bags and loose.
I'm looking to unify this storage into a controlled chaos. Here are my thoughts:
Odds and ends are the easiest. Screws, connectors, and small electronic parts lend themselves perfectly to tackle boxes and jewelry boxes. Since these are usually dynamically compartmentalized I can adjust for the contents and label them on the outside or inside of the lid.
Cables are easily wrangled with short velcro strips but that doesn't stop them from being all mixed in together.
Hardware is the worst offender. Size, shape, and degree of delicacy changes with nearly every piece. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of organization for a somewhat efficient manner.
What are all your thoughts?
What is the best type of tackle or jewelry box to use? Most of them are cheap and flimsy. Is there a better alternative?
How can I organize cables to know exactly (within reason) where one is? What about associating cables with hardware (Wall adapter to router, etc.)?
What kind of storage unit lends itself to all shapes of hardware? Do I need to separate by size or degree of delicacy for better organization?
