I'm going nuts in my lab - need to get rid of stuff. Advice? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 03:46:19 pm
content: Hey everyone,have you been at that point where you stepped into your lab, looked around and nearly immediately turn around and leave, everytime you just thought that you will today finally start with THAT project or finish another one, just because you don't find any space to work or everything is in your way?Well, right now I am at this point which frustrates me pretty much. I have way to much stuff than I will ever use but it makes me feel kind of sad getting rid for example of all those wood working tools I never use or the old aquarium controller my father developed all by himself without ever professionally learning to programm or build PCBs, or all those hundreds of thousands of leaded components I will never use again since I mostly use SMD nowadays.... Also, I have a whole bunch of dot matrix VFDs, HPDL-2416 Displays, Z80 CPUs and what not, Tubes, Tools, PC Stuff, a 3D Printer that worked flawlessly before I decided to enhance it and is now collecting dust for 2 years,.....Always I start to get rid of stuff I tend to dispose of big parts, but the tons of small stuff is the actual problem that keeps clogging up the workspace.Just some months ago I disposed of around 8 big blue trash bags of stuff, but I don't have the feeling it was enough. You could say, I wish to have a clean lab with nothing (except the test equipment) on my desks and with shelfes and storage room that doesn't burst open if you just look at it the wrong way.How do you manage this problem yourself, if you have it? And if not, why? If you dispose of stuff, do you go through the hassle to sell it, which means just more stress for nearly no revenue? Or do you just go the route of "put it in a bag and than it's gone"? Lastly I noticed that this way is the easier, since you don't have to waste time packaging that Hartmann & Braun Multavi to securely travel around half the globe for 5 bucks and having to deal with the complaint that this 1960s meter doesn't have an OLED display and doesn't measure femto ampere as the buyer expected... On the other hand I hate to dispose of perfectly working stuff which could be usefull for someone.I have also already donated some stuff all around the world to interested enthusiasts, but that was even more work for me whithout that big of a return - many times there wasn't even a thank you or it was expected from me to bring the stuff around when I asked local interests if they would want it - pretty hard since I don't have a car.This seriously frustrates me, which is the reason why I tend to go out more to take photos or ride my motorcycle instead of working in the lab, which is a shame since I actually love my electronics hobby very much.So, any input is very appreciatedTell me your stories!

author: Bratster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 04:53:43 pm
content: You're not alone, I have the same problem. I'm fine with all the equipment that I have and tools Etc but I have so many parts and things that I want to turn into some project but I'll probably never get to.Boxes of wires which are useful but I may never use but I can't seem to get rid of them. Boxes of project Boxes Etc. stuff that I had an idea that I could turn into a project but I'm not motivated to do it.seems like over half the time I get rid of something a couple months later I end up finding a use for it and going oh I've got that I can do it, oh wait no I got rid of it.It doesn't bring me joy anymore having all this stuff and yet it also hurts to get rid of it.It really sucks.Sent from my Fi Moto x4 using Tapatalk

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 05:38:02 pm
content: I got rid of a lot of stuff earlier this year. I packed it in boxes and put an ad on a local second hand website. I sold the whole pile for 10 euros because if you give stuff away for free people don't read your ad and you end up wasting time with people who have a different expectation.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 06:00:29 pm
content: I'd give you money for a pile of VFD displays, I can't pay a lot right now but I could make it worth your while to pack them into a small box, I like the look and use them in projects. I'd take Z80s and other vintage ICs too, I repair old arcade boards and play with vintage computers.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2018, 06:54:19 pm
content: I find that commercial storage solutions are inadequate for the electronics hobby. You need to make shelves and containers of your own design with appropriate drawer sizes and such to efficiently store your components. I find most purchasable solutions result in a shit load of dead space. This requires knowledge of carpentry and plastics work to do efficiently and cheaply. I find that if I just throw stuff inside of esd bags and put those bags inside of containers results in a container filled with shit that I feel intense stress when I access.Think something like ESD foam lined "toolbox" that the interior space of the shelf is just enough to have like 0.25cm headspace over a DIP part thats pressed into the foam. If you have a bunch of DIP IC's there is no need to sort them into individual containers, you can press them in "show formation" right next to each other, then use something like a label maker.I for instance just have little parades of op-amps sitting in black carbon foam banks, grouped by type... its easy enough to read the number of the part.SMD stuff is more annoying since you can't pin it into something easily, so you need some kind of barrier to segregate them... but you can do alot if you think about fine construction. Just make sure your containers are reasonably sturdy so you don't get some kind of 'bounce' that occurs when you open them, which will cause the parts to start popcorning out of their respective storage pens and make a mess. Cheap plastic sometimes will develop stresses that makes the bottom start having a drumlike effect that scatters parts around. You can make the enclosures incredibly small so long you remember that you need to carefully use tweezers to remove the parts.It's precise pain in the ass work but you can do alot with just a router, nails and reasonably dimension ally stable wood. Just make sure it seals well so you don't have a dust problem.I also feel heavy psychological exhaustion sorting parts for some reason, so I set time limits on such work so I don't get burned out. Same goes for sorting screws and other small mechanical components. I don't feel quite normal if I spend a few hours sorting a 'junk box'... like I drank 10 cups of coffee, then I feel a intense psychological repulsion to returning to the task and would rather do pretty much anything else.Being mindful to replace the part into its respective storage container also helps alot, so you don't end up with little impromptu junkboxes..I found that early in my hobby I would not plan well, since the idea of making a circuit is exciting but then you don't think about how the project will be managed if you run into a hurdle like missing parts, difficult technical aspect... this is why companies tend to have so much overhead, considering how quickly you can make storage containers if you get good at it, it may be wise to engineer a project storage solution that fits the scope of your project before you start construction. Failure to do so makes you question your actions when you trip over a half finished LISN sitting on the floor for 3 monthsIt is still a struggle for me. Also always consider dust, nothing pisses me off then caked up dust in high surface area irregular geometry things like unfinished PCBs.I would recommend that you work outside to sort stuff like junkboxes, I find if you do it on a nice day on an outdoor table you feel alot better and you don't associate your lab with mundane work. Or at least in another room. I noticed too that all the test equipment, dials, knobs, etc just leads to a generally stressful atmosphere that is unpleasant unless you want to actually get something done.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 12:44:54 am
content: You're definitely not alone. I eventually worked out about myself that I wasn't accumulating parts as much as I was accumulating dreams of the things I could do with them. I too came to realise I had too much and it was turning into a nightmare.Assuming you're not an actual hoarder that really has trouble getting rid of anything this is my 3 step plan.1. Fill a box with stuff you don't want but can be easily replaced should a future need ever arise. Chuck it out.2. Before you acquire something new either sell some stuff to raise funds to pay for it and/or dispose of something of equal or greater size. Volume or value it doesn't matter the aim is to hold back the incoming tide.3. Have an Ebay sale (or whatever your local alternative is) 20x $50 things and 50x $20 things.Repeat as long as necessary. Perpetually if required.And finally gather materials for just one project.Writea list of the steps needed to complete that project. Get started on that project. The objective here is to break the mental cycle of just rolling thoughts around in your mind and instead turn them into actions.This sort of thread pops up from time to time and it makes me wonder if we should have a thread or threads where people can exchange stuff and create a virtual global junk box. Kind of like how Fran was able to complete the repair of her Heathkit clock. It would work better if people gave back the knowledge that someones generosity actually helped in a real tangible way. Not necessarily a Youtube video.

author: Bratster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 01:18:31 am
content: Re: Wilfred"You're definitely not alone. I eventually worked out about myself that I wasn't accumulating parts as much as I was accumulating dreams of the things I could do with them. I too came to realise I had too much and it was turning into a nightmare. "That describes it perfectlySent from my Fi Moto x4 using Tapatalk

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 02:54:39 am
content: Way I got rid of a lot of small parts, was the put all the like parts into small bags, until I'd sorted through everything.So you end up with a bag of small signal diodes, metal can transistors, etc.Make a text file for each bag, with title and description "27 signal diodes, untested etc. See my other items, will combine postage", take a photo as well. If you can put part numbers in also that helps people find it.Put each bag up for say $2 plus postage, all at the same time. People can pick and choose which bags of mess they want.Was it worth the time spend for the money returned ? Of course not, but I considered it something to do on a cold night, and spent the money on things I did need.How did I decide what needed to go ?Have I used this in the past 3 years (or ever) ? Is this of any use for my current project(s) ?Some stuff was too grotty to be of any use to anyone, so that went to e-waste recycling instead.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 03:19:11 am
content: Multiple surplus companies out there sell random grab bags of parts. I've bought a few in the past, even if it's not stuff I really need it's fun to see what's in there and I have found some really useful bits and pieces. It takes minimal effort to get a bunch of small USPS flat rate boxes or whatever similar options are available in other countries and scoop a pile of parts into one.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 06:31:08 am
content: I implemented a couple of what I call a "maintenance regimes".The first is to containerise everything. The size of containers and arrangement are up to you, but the idea is to keep related items in the one container.The second is to have a limit on the number of containers. When you have more stuff that can't fit into the existing set of containers - you have to get rid of something to make space.Then there's the unofficial clean up crew. My children that see too much 'junk' and after they went through the garage and filled a skip bin, there were a few things that I cannot find. Of those, the only one I am really peeved about is a 1GHz counter that I built from a Jaycar kit. I described it and the box it was stored in and I have been assured it would not have been thrown out .... but it's been 4 years and I still haven't found it.Aside from that, I am probably one of the worst people to offer suggestions on how to clear out stuff.Obviously, it is not something in which I have much expertise.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 06:38:58 am
content: I always try to offer something to others rather than throw it out, I absolutely hate it when I mention something unusual/valuable that I'm looking for and someone says "You should have asked me a week ago before I threw one out!" Sometime pretty soon here I should put together a grab bag of random bits I know I'll never use, to make room for random bits someone else doesn't want.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 06:50:11 am
content: For me cleaning the tables is the most difficult and time-consuming task.Everything else is in (somewhat) order but tabletops accumulate huge amount of various items and parts.I clean my tables by first picking out all the tools and then push everything in a large shallow see-trough container box. If the part is worth of keeping I'll find the original/right storage place for it, if it's not enough interesting it's left in the box. Give the box couple of good shakes to bring out the important gold nuggets (I call this gold panning) and throw everything left in the box to trash bin.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 06:58:49 am
content: Moving around is another efficient way to reduce the amount of your crap. Sort and box everything, seal the boxes and after 2 years throw away all the boxes that are unopenedOr imagine that you are moving to another side of globe and pack everything you absolutely must have to 1 cubic meter container.I classify my crap by formula (market value)*(probability of using it in next 10 years)/(needed storage volume)

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 07:13:40 am
content: I shudder to think of all the really cool stuff that has been thrown away by people throwing out boxes they haven't opened in years. I mean at least donate it to a thrift store so someone can benefit from the treasures that may be within. I have found stuff in boxes I had packed away for years and forgotten about which I then sold for hundreds of dollars.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 03:00:52 pm
content: I can't stand throwing a high end part away. Especially analog parts, it seems that the more you know about the semiconductor design the more you can appreciate every part for its unique characteristics, even if some of the specs are deemed antiquated.I shudder to think what would happen if I lived in the tube era lol. They are difficult to store. Same with transformers and larger capacitors.And how about heatsinks? and fans? I have giant boxes of heatsinks and fans in the attic. They drive me a little crazy, and I am looking at developing some kind of good brazing technique to make my own heatsinks in a kiln out of copper sheets, I would just need a lapping plate to ensure the bottom surface is good. Then I could acquire copper sheets to store and make heatsinks that I need as not to keep a giant container of shit. The fans are somewhat dubious too because I realize now that most of them are fairly low performance... I need to do some culling with a CFM and acoustic sound meter to get rid of the low end ones.Thermal managment seems like a way bigger offender then semiconductor devices, with magnetics/electromotive being the second biggest offender, volume wise. I feel that the problem can be managed with sufficiently advanced cabinet design though. Being able to make your own chassis out of sheet steel is great though, since sheet steel is easy to store and empty chassis are like a ultra dead space storage item.I wonder how reliable and what kind of performance you can get from home made 3d printed fans, if there was some kind of design matrix for making a decent fan on a 3d printer with standard motor sizes it would be real nice eh? I am guessing the plastic structure would be far too weak compared to commercial fans though? Then again people make 3d printed guns. Would they balance well enough? I am sure we can all appreciate not being at the mercy of the fan supplier dimensional standards...Like imagine a fan simulator website that you put in dimensions for and it gives you a 3d printable file with reasonable performance and similar size to what you want, that is designed to work with standard bearings and motor module? Like imagine you can make tiny blowers with custom ductwork for cooling your PCB with separate airflows over different parts, to bring that kind of HVAC mentality to a home made chassis that would typically just have two giant fans with chaotic air currents inside of it. It would be easy to do with 3d printed structures. If I try to find those kind of parts commercially to fit my design I feel like I am going crazy, with size issues and costs.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 03:40:23 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on August 19, 2018, 03:00:52 pmOh I know your pain!Worst thing is that those special parts sit in storage for 20 years because they are too good for this or that project.I have same problem in the metalworking shop, nice and shiny 4340 PH Cro-mo steel bars sit in the corner without being used for anything because they are too good material to waste...

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 03:55:41 pm
content: I kind of have the same issue but more because I don't really HAVE a lab/work bench yet other than a tiny desk behind my computer desk. I've been wanting to build a bigger/better computer desk that can double as a work bench as my computer room is basically where I do everything, but my garage is too full of stuff so I don't have room to build anything in there. It's also too cold or too hot due to not being conditioned space. So I started building a shed last year which is mostly done now, so that i can empty the garage into it, so I can then fix up the garage, insulate it, bring heat in there etc... once I do all that, I can finally start on that computer desk. Basically it's one project leading to the other, so I can actually start doing more hobby stuff. I also want to build organizing drawer systems for all my components etc. Basically the more organized I can get the more motivation I'll have to play around with stuff. Right now everything is a mess since I don't have a proper place for anything. I think that's the key, everything needs to have a designated place.

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 04:34:58 pm
content: You think you've got troubles....

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 04:56:55 pm
content: It looks like you need a storage room to separate your laboratory from.I also tend to keep things like amplifiers, specialty measuring equipment, etc not on my work bench, but instead have power cords ready to go to setup a experiment, and that gear sits on a separate shelf like library books. I would consider a drill press near an oscilloscope a room layout fail1. perpetually dusty shop with grinding/painting/oil/welding that gets basically pressure washed once in a while, the one where you go into the shower before going anywhere else2. cleaner assembly area with drivers, basic tools, small drill press that's vacuumed after every job, crimp tools, heat shrink, screws, zip ties, limited hand tools/vise for small bends/adjustments ,also maybe used as a disassembly area for tearing down old crap for parts3. electronics lab.4. chemical area prone to corrosion

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 05:54:48 pm
content: Near? The scope is at least 4 feet (1.3 meters) away from the drill press. They are so far apart I can't even use them both at the same time.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2018, 06:12:47 pm
content: Yes the same problem, five years ago i put a top on the garage for extra storage but as you expect the more storage the more stuff you get.There is only one solution, choose. Choose what you want to do and get rid of the rest.It is hard and hurts but this is also hard and you really don't want to be a hoarder.

author: In Vacuo Veritas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2018, 02:36:56 pm
content: Enough of this materialism. Analyze your personal reasons why you hang on to crap and free yourself.

author: mc172
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2018, 02:53:20 pm
content: Quote from: alsetalokin4017 on August 19, 2018, 05:54:48 pmWell, the Rigol is...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2018, 08:48:36 pm
content: Quote from: In Vacuo Veritas on August 20, 2018, 02:36:56 pmThe only problem with this is it goes into a container straight to china.If its working and of value, or valuable but not working, would be nice if someone had a chance to look at it or fix it (like the dumpster room).

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2018, 09:00:19 pm
content: No China banned all import of used electronic garbage earlier this year. Probably Africa.

author: mdszy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 22, 2018, 07:06:48 pm
content: I'm kinda at this place right now with my lab. It's cluttered and I can't get anything done and I don't want to spend much time in it. It kinda helps that I'm going to be moving off to college soon so I'll pack up what is most necessary and bring that with me. Then I'll have a much more slimmed-down lab that will hopefully be easier to keep organized.

author: PointyOintment
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2018, 07:14:31 pm
content: How about:Contact nearby hackerspace/makerspace, or visit them by bus or bikeOffer them the stuff as a donation to their electronics lab, as long as somebody is willing to pick it upIf no member is willing to pick it up, visit the space every week for their (presumably weekly) open house, to hang out and chat about electronics with members, and every week take in what you can carryIf they really don't want it as donations to their lab (too old or something), put it on their free shelf (if they have one) and a member will probably take it home

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2018, 10:40:39 am
content: offering stuff as donation, also gives you a tax deduction on your income tax.I have seen YouTube channels that do their own type of mailbag where they buy an assortment of stuff in a large package they receive. and people do sell this on eBay.Just group an assortment of all kinds of loose ends, toss in a 5lb box or 50LB box. take some photos before hand of the stuff laying on the floor (or table). and sell as salvage/parts - no returns or refunds.

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 04:33:40 pm
content: Hey everyone,first of all, thanks for your support, nice words and your tipps and tricks.I managed to get rid of quite a few things in the last weeks by just going through every single shelve, every drawer, every box and sorting for stuff I didn't think of in the past few years. Right now I am sorting my component drawers and I already got rid of two complete drawers. Sorting those is actually pretty easy, at least for me, since I don't work with too much old analog or digital stuff, so I just decided to get rid off- FETs that aren't logic level (if not something special, like capable of switching a bazillion amps or no RDSon at all)- Transistors that I have like a million off - just kept the modern versions- ICs that are so obsolete that using them in a new project would be stupid- micros that I can't programm (basically everything that isn't an atmega)Other stuffe like relays (discarded everything with voltages over 12V and every used one),switches (discarded very old, ugly and/or used ones),diodes (kept sorted, new zeners and two to three types of every category (shottky, general purpose, high voltage, high current,...)),mechanical stuff (discarded almost everything),lamps (discarded everything without a marking),leds (discarded old, used ones)and much more got also disposed off.I tried one last time to give stuff away in a bunch but everyone that said he would be interested came around with something like "well, actually I would only like to take that specific item, you can keep the rest" - well... how about no.So, getting along quite well with the cleaning project. I hope those of you that commented and have the same problem were able to pickup some good advice from the previous posts as well and are getting stuff done as good as I am right now

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 09:32:10 pm
content: QuoteAny stm8 or 32 in there?

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 11:13:07 pm
content: I can get the obsolete ICs, MCU and transistors, kindly put them in a box and PM for shipping details in Germany, of course I will compensate you for the shipping costs and for the effort.Cheers,DC1MC

author: lordvader88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 04:21:52 am
content: If u live in a big enough town/city, box some stuff up and just advertise it for free to hobbyists that don't have near as much yet. Pick-up only.I have a large box of stuff I've scapped from multiple printers. Lots of gears and shafts, etc. I know I'll want it some day, but I haven't bothered learning anything about motor circuits yet. I'll kick myself if I throw it out, but I've had it for years, and I only got serious about electronics this past year.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 08:04:59 am
content: Quote from: lordvader88 on September 14, 2018, 04:21:52 amThere are many of us who know that chorus.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 10:43:56 am
content: Quote from: Ysjoelfir on August 18, 2018, 03:46:19 pmI've got 7 benches in lab, yet every time I want to shoot a video I have to literally get my arms and "part the red sea" pushing all the crap to both sides to get space.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 10:56:39 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 14, 2018, 10:43:56 amYes about that, did you design something new ?

author: taydin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 11:14:02 am
content: You just have to learn to throw out stuff that won't be useful. Even stuff that has a small amount of possibility of being useful should be thrown out, because storage is a cost, too, even if it's an indirect cost. Accumulating junk means lost productivity, because you can't find shit easily and you don't want to work when you see all the junk in your lab. Also, accumulating junk means extra shelving, extra boxes, and what not.So think about it, let's say you have thrown out something that you thought you would never need, and then later you need it. You will have to pay for a new one. But if you hadn't thrown it out, you would have continued paying for its storage indefinitely. By this reasoning, I think it is cheaper to throw out stuff that is likely to be not used.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 12:51:17 pm
content: For jellybean stuff you're right.For more :- expensive OR- rare / hard to find-comeby / one of a kindstuff you're wrong. Even if you wanted you can not get anything you want.Especially these kinds of fora have treasure troves guarded by senior EE collectors that if you have a legit project they are willing to part with and you are so gratefull that they have not thrown it away decades agoOr maybe you are right all along and I just wanted to defend my personal hoarding

author: basinstreetdesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 08:52:22 pm
content: Find a makerspace. In my experience they will accept almost anything. I gave one in Toronto a 1980 logic analyzer with all of the probes/cables/manuals, about a kilometer of RG-59, and several thousand 1/4W R's. They were happy to get it. In fact they had a project begging for the cable right away.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2018, 02:44:23 am
content: I am starting to think benches are a fail idea and I should have some kind of warehouse which drives the requested equipment rack to my work bench.I thought about a double decker cart thing so that a mini-rack can actually drive on your work bench (like power supply or waveform generation)In the end what it looks like I will need is a system that turns the actual test equipment you want into a card that can fit into a rack space, so you don't need to hook up a cord, it just aligns perfectly. otherwise its all too much work.once you get alot of stuff and alot of specific gear and know everything you don't even have a general requirement (maybe other then a digital troubleshooting bench with a freaking PSU and la/scope/jtag/programmer on it)i feel like I want to use completely different gear for different experiments based on what I care about to minimize my work time (i.e. not dealing with menus when I don't need to for simple shit, or high power, etc)since I can't justify a servant you need some kind of modularization or even robotic set ups. I am starting to think that delivery robots which follow rails or tracks might not be as crazy an idea as I thought.all this would do is free up more workspace to pollute though, but at least the pollution would not migrate to where your equipment 'library' is stored because you would need to stand up and walk over to it.my latest gambit was to get a big open tupperware, sweep everything on my workbench into it, and consider it to be in stasis, pending resorting at a later date. the big key here is to 'seal the file' so you don't keep adding more shit to the tupperware so you get some kind of chronological idea of where stuff you recall might be, before it becomes completely random.these self imposed bureaucratic procedures will drive you insaneit is unhelpful that a hobbyists mission statement is : investigate random interesting shit and cease investigation when interest wanes. No one is holding you to anything.I suspect if universities followed this decision they would all be in the desert and have equipment graveyards outside filled with rattle snakes.And it gets even more ugly if you have freaking boat anchors/mainframe systems. this shit puts me at a fucking limit and makes me think I am too poor to participate.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 16, 2018, 03:22:43 am
content: It sounds like you are in need of some support.I recommend you spend some time in the TEA thread.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2018, 02:08:44 pm
content: more like a vacation

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2018, 10:04:26 am
content: "döstädning" I recently found out is Swedish fordeath cleaning.ie. cleaning out your stuff before you die.Now, is there a word for cleaning out your stuff before you go nuts?

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2018, 04:34:34 pm
content: I calculated it would be cheaper to run a well built humidity controlled shed as a storage then to dispose of stuff