[Elecraft] Extreme K2 Parts Staging!

[Don Wilhelm]

Folks,

Don't forget that the shipping container that the K2 kit comes in makes a
dandy parts sorting tray and a parts holding device to boot!!!  (you didn't
throw it away - did you?).

Cut the USPS packge in half by cutting along the sides of the package - you
now have two trays, then look at the cut edges on the sides of your new
tray - the corrugated cardboard has holes in it, sized just right for
inserting the leads of resistors, capacitors, etc.  As a bonus, one can
write labels under the components (now stuck into the sides) to identify
their values.

Personally, I sort the capacitors into groups by value and type - then
figure out how much space each value will take along the side of the tray.
I place the smaller values near my 'working' end of the tray and proceed to
higher values - that way I can find the value needed easily.  My resistors
go on the right side of the tray and misc. leaded parts go on the back edge.
Larger parts like ICs, sockets, hardware are few in number and live on the
bottom of the tray until I am ready to use them.  You may chose to use a
different order.

My opinion on muffin tins, plastic boxes and bags is: While they are keeping
places for the sorted parts, the parts are too difficult to remove once the
right container is located.  With the corrugated sorting tray, all
components are available to be picked up with my fingers - with cups or
tins, etc., I have to use pliers to grasp the component leads.

An added value is that I can just pick up the parts tray and set it aside
easily in case I need to free up my working area.

This technique is not my original idea - Heathkit recommended it way back
'when', and Tom Hammond has documented it along with a couple of pictures on
his website (may be available through Elecraft Builders Resource page).

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- >
> At this QTH , muffin tins are old school, the parts
> fall out and there are not enough individual
> compartments for everything.
>
> During the inventory I use 3 x 5 index cards, business
>
> envelopes, and large transparent freezer bags.
>
>