For organized parts storage while working or swing

This is a little tip I learned while watching the Honda mechanic work on my scoot in Canton, GA last month. For you experienced do it yourselfers it will be a no new thing. But for me it was a wonderful eye opener.

While disassembling the scoot use a muffin pan with the cup sections to hold the bolts or nuts or other small parts until you need to reassemble. He even separated them in order of the different stages.

I usually had just stacked the bolts in piles. Then used up the piles until all of them were gone.

Now I have my own little muffin pan in my shop for the next project. Thanks Mike in Cycle Nation of Canton.

That works great, until you kick it doing something. I moved on to ziploc baggies for each piece i take off. and put the bag with the piece.
They don't get kickewd around and lost as easily.

MaxB

I tend to use a sheet of cardboard. I then punch the bolts through the card or punch other items into the card to leave an impression. Something else I do, if possible all screws, bolts etc if they can be placed back in the component I remove I do that also.

Then panels and components are laid out in sequence to assist in replacement. Not always possible but I do try.

Regards the muffin tray, good idea, may be worth adding a magnet to attract the ferrous items.

An idea! Try small cups with plastic tops with a cut out so that items can be pushed in and not fall out if knocked!! Just a thought.

I do the 'sheet of cardboard' thing, too, as well as using egg-boxes for washers and bits.
We used cardboard when doing the racing engines - one could poke the pushrods through and number them to get them back in the correct order.

Variations on a theme - all good!

Agree Mike, whatever system you use, you most definitely need one.

I used to hate the "good old days" when;

"Anyone know where this bit fits?"

Re-strip and rebuild!!!!

Yes, and invariably there were a couple of bolts left over even after the re-rebuild.

Good discussion fellows... I knew some of you would be experts already. I have used the replace the bolt on the component before when possible. AND I have played kick the can, bottle, tray or what ever. I have never kicked the ziplock baggie . I am becoming more organized and developing better habits in doing this scoot work. All of these ideas are better than the pile up all the bolts like I use to.

Personally, when I turned a wrench on complicated stuff, I made an assembly card or two using masking tape to label and attach parts to a cardboard sheet. I also occasionally would use nail polish to make an alignment mark when required. That way, I don't end up with spare parts after.

Several kit aircraft I have seen come with parts on similar cardboard "cards." Why not learn from them. :-)

kbcmdba wrote:

I also occasionally would use nail polish to make an alignment mark when required.

Hey, that's the same story I used when the wife found the bright red nail polish under the car seat. :lol!: