Show HN: I designed a ring binder to organize 1,700 resistors

madebynathan.com

14 points·nathan_f77··2 comments

Very nice, I'm glad you shared. I had a hobby project with the same problem but I took a different approach optimizing for search and retrieval using a Raaco storage cabinet which takes up a lot more space but you have the resistors more easily accessible. It does requires a lot of work folding all the 'compartment papers' so not for the faint of heart. The main benefit for the resistors is that you don't have to take the entire strip out, just cut the resistors loose while they are still inside the drawer.

https://github.com/tonybjorkman/raaco-organizer

I think using existing 'card binder'-sheets would make your solution even easier to make. And adding tabs would make search quicker. I will keep your solution in mind whenever there is a need to catalog large number of flat items, especially if I need to save space or move them around.

Very nice! Your Raaco organizer project looks a lot more convenient! I will keep yours in mind as well.

Thanks for the tip about card binder sheets! I was hoping to find something like that at a stationary store, but they don't seem to be too easy to find in New Zealand. I should have looked a bit harder and gone to a board/card game store, because they do have them for trading card games: https://vagabond.co.nz/ultra-pro-silver-series-9-pocket-page...

Tabs would be handy as well. I tried adding some to my binder but I think I bought the wrong size since they were too small and hidden by the sheets.

I also found this 3x3 grid of pockets with flaps for a 3 ring binder: https://www.amazon.com/StoreSMART-Plastic-Binders-10-Pack-RM...

I was worried about dropping the folder or tipping it upside down since all the resistors will fall out, so I think this would be even better.

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