Howdy all,
When I’ve finished a model I keep the instructions, and decals in a folder, but I’m always messing around with the parts left over, they end up going into a big box.
How do you keep any left over parts in such a way, so that 5 years from now you can still remember what model they were from ??

Good question, i have the same problem and i think of that i'm not making good use of my spares
Eran

Lets hope that someone has a good idea or system.

I too have a box of unidentifiable parts.
However I've just started to try and sort them....I'm using the smallest plastic poly sealable bags similar to freezer bags and writing on them the part/model ID in with an indelible marker. Of course the bigger the parts the bigger the bags.
Then they can all go back into boxes...lol.
At least they'll be easier to identify in future.


Cheers
Peter
:-)

PS...
For very small/fragile parts 35mm film canisters might be a safe bet with labels.

Cheers again
Peter

I went to one of those cheap poundsaver shops and bought a few plastic boxes with compartments inside that get sealed by the lid when shut. Spare parts were then sorted according to 'small arms', 'stowage', 'light fittings' etc. You could then sub-classify according to need such as 'allied' 'axis' etc. Works for me!

Vinnie

i use a similar system to teacher,

i remove the part from the sprue, clean it up, then place them in money bags(the kind bans use for change) with a lebel saying what they are.

i group them into categories like,

infantry webbing gear,
ammo boxes
small arms etc etc

works for me

cheers

joe

I cut all excess sprue off and then put the parts into a plastic bag/s with what kit they are labled on them. For example 'Tamiya GMC cargo'.

then they go into a used model box with a lable showing what is in the box. For example 'Tam GMC, Ita GMC'

This way I can go to the box I need quickly.

PS> I have 8 full boxes of spares now

i use the "parts bins" for most of the parts the bigger ones go into clear plastic shoeboxes stored on the same shelf as the kits.

Some good suggestions, I'll see what works best.

I have been keeping my parts in empty medicine containers, you can peal off the old label, and put a new label on to what you have inside, or just use masking tape to write on, plus they are clear so you can see what is in them for a quick view.
This way I keep the super fragile parts away from the bigger parts, so they won't break each other, like rifles, and antennas, are way to fragile to put in with a rolled up tent, and sleeping bags, or figures.

I keep some of the sturdier model boxes and store parts inside. For example, if I have leftover Sherman parts, they go into an old Tamiya M4A3E8 box. If I have leftover panzer parts, they go into an old Tamiya Hunting Tiger box. Modern tank parts go into a old Tamiya M1 Abrams box, modern APC parts into an M113A1 box, M60 parts go into an old M60 box.

The box has a label on the side with "Spare Parts" on it so I don't mistake it for an unbuilt kit sitting in my stash. This makes looking for specific spare parts rather easy.

Tiny parts are stuck into zip lock bags inside the box.

I have been keeping mine in clear, resealable plastic bags, (which I found in various sizes at Michaels).
I use a self adhesive label to mark what is in each bag with the kit it's from, the brand name and scale.
I then place all of them in a computer paper box and store it under my model table so it doesn't clutter up my work area.

I have a system similar to Teacher's also.
I save generic spares,tools,roadwheels,jerrycans.Also I save leftover PE scraps.
I have a 9 drawer container thing,with clear pull ou tdrawers. I put parts in drawers by what they generally are.Jerrycans,wheels,weapons,figure pcs.track leftovers.by looking at the edge of the drawer,I can see what is in a specific drawer,and I open that to search for what I am looking for.

I keep my spares in one of the boxes that fisherman use to keep their hooks, lines etc
They come with diffrent size compartments and can be sealed

I use the parts bins same as Matt. I keep all the wheels in one drawer, ammo boxes in another, left legs in another, etc. It makes it easy to find everything.

Dave S.

At my local Organized Living store they sell plastic see thru boxes. I store my parts in see thru shoe boxes. Parts are sorted by type: wheels, boxes, jerrycans. Many times I will have whole trees left over. Those are stored in plastic see thru under-the-bed flats.

Maybe I'm an exception to the rule, but I can look at what I have on hand in the spares box, and Identify what kit it came from about 90% of the time. Call me crazy, but I can and I dont know why. I have some of the portable storage bins with my different pieces in them. I am going to revamp what I have soon as it is spread out over too large an area for me to keep track of. "Q"