How do you manage "on stock" component on your personal lab?

Oh, and I treat some generic discrete semiconductors in category (a) too. I've got plastic trays (conductive ones) with little pots, each one can fit quite a lot of (say) SOT-23 parts, which are my favorite size for them. 

It’s not a massive commitment recording mechanism is simple and their location is also recorded.  When I have a project, I do check what I have in-stock and everything else is ordered.  Stuff goes in a project box and once the project is deemed completed, whatever left is then recorded.  I don’t bother recording stuff that gets consumed immediately; I do record, for example, how much heat shrink I used, or wire, connectors etc because these tend to get bought in bulk.  It isn’t a big overhead to keep it up to date, the tedious bit was actually recording my on-hand stuff in the first place.  I suspect it’s that first setup that puts most people off.

There is an online application called PartsBox that looks pretty useful.

I had to think back to when I created this spreadsheet. Originally, I started the spreadsheet as a way to organize what I had. I intended to then create a SQLlite database and import the data.

One of the issues I was concerned about is how different part types have different key characteristics. So, I decided to do separate tabs to understand how I would build the database's schema.

After doing that initial inventory step, I realized the spreadsheet was all I actually wanted. Plus, I didn't have to build any UI since all of the data sorting/analysis tools were already there.

Like many projects, I had all kinda of crazy ideas for how to extend the functionality. And I suppose in the future, I could still move to a small database.

But after committing to this idea for a year, I'd rather solder stuff instead.

shabaz said:

For a home lab, resistor kit books, capacitor kits and so on are great

I don't have any of those, but I think I will buy some in the near future because as you said they are great. Key point is to be sure to always have enough components and to "refill" when runnning low.

Your (a) method is basically a type of kanban system (from JIT manufacturing). Kanban maintains adequate stock with minimal administrative overhead. I use a modified version of kanban for generic parts - mainly overlaying a more complex decision matrix of when to restock. I don't automatically restock when a low stock level is detected, I decide if I will order immediately or wait until I have a need, based on cost, price breaks and probabilities. 

Your (b) method (database) devolves into a bunch of expedient techniques where some documentation is utilized with built-in search methods, some physical hierarchical organization of bins allows visual physical searches and some pure physical search methods of physical bins. I guess I use all of that for various aspects of my stock to try to minimize the administrative overhead.

FYI. Most distributors will save your cart if you are logged in. So anytime I realize I am low on parts, I either highlight the row in my spreadsheet or add them to a cart right away. (I really like when they let you name the carts!)

When I remember, I also use the disty's "custom part number" feature to remind myself it is a "STOCK" part. That way, when it shows up randomly on my next order, I have a reminder of why I bought it.

Recently I have been thinking about SMD storage options for small quantities.  With larger components it is easy enough for me to use various multi compartment bins and labels.  Short strips of SMD parts are so small and take up so little space I don't really have a great option for sorting and storing them.  Certainly tracking what parts I have around is another portion of that.

I use one of these for my random strips of parts. Then I place small labels on the "Row" with whatever the part is.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/520

You could even put 2 or 3 strips in a single row to save space.

I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of parts which are not tightly connected to specific customer projects. Those go in the project box (or boxes.). When a project ends (often only after many years) the parts get re-organised into the genral parts system.

I have a large number of plastic drawers in several formats for keeping parts.

Standard Surface mount R's and Cs live in kit books and get topped up from the bulk store kept unsorted in a few different large boxes.

Some parts (like uPs and FPGAs) which live in big waffle trays or dry packs are kept in larger boxes with labels on the outside.

I'm being more organised than I used to be and I think I'm spending less time looking for things !

MK

To probably no surprise to anyone ... I don't keep track of stock at all.

I just store my parts in boxes or bins where they should be. If I come to a project and find there's not enough, then I'll start my game of substitutions or ordering "way more than I'd ever need" and waiting it out for delivery (often taking advantage of specials and price breaks).

As it's not really a job, just a hobby, I try not to take things too seriously. I don't need a full-blown stocktake inventory system, sign-in and sign-out of parts, quality management, safe work procedures, etc ... I just don't think I'd have the discipline to keep it up to date even if I had one, as I'd grab a component for a quick trial-and-error substitution and forget to note it down.

- Gough