Measuring and Classifying Screws - Is There a 'Fast' Way

[allanc]

Yes, this is a serious question .
Over the years I have accumulated hundreds and hundreds of screws that I have never sorted.
So, it becomes a real treasure hunt when I need a specific screw for a particular application.
I own one of these screw gauges but the thought of going through that process for every screw seems daunting.
Has anyone else gone through the process of classifying and storing tons of screws and found a clever way to ease the pain?

 

[frase]

I do though sadly they muddled up in the end when I am very busy, so it becomes a screwy cycle. Mine are in screw storage containers, or pillboxes with the Gauge Labled with masking tape ie; f6 etc. Though have moved recently, so need to go through it again when I have the time.

 

[Moltuae]

I own one of these screw gauges but the thought of going through that process for every screw seems daunting.

Find some bored kid who needs a bit extra money and sit him down with your screws and gauges.

That's what kids are for.

 

[TAPtech]

I used to be a CNC shop manager. This is what I would call great busy work. It's good to just keep that stuff organized from the beginning, but sometimes you get a few crazy weeks and at the end you look at the shop and its just a disaster. Stuff every where. Well, if you get a job finished early and have a few hours, do some busy work.

CNC machines require a lot of maintenance so I had those hours scheduled in every week, but still, there's always some slack time. Keep a running list of those small projects that you would like to get done. When you have the slack time, knock one off the list. Make a tool holder for that machine on the end of the isle... or organize screws. Take inventory, yada yada.

Good busy work for kids, I agree. However, doesn't matter if you own the company- if you have free time there's no reason not to sort some screws!

 

[HawkinsPC]

I had mine organized ONE time. Then the kids knocked the container over. Three years later...

 

[allanc]

Good busy work for kids, I agree. However, doesn't matter if you own the company- if you have free time there's no reason not to sort some screws!

I have to admit that the mess includes household screws, bolts, etc. as well as decades of computer and related odds and sods.
What a mess!
I suppose I 'could' start with the big picture and sort what I can quickly into wood screws and stuff like that.
IOW - whatever I can very quickly eyeball.

 

[allanc]

I do though sadly they muddled up in the end when I am very busy, so it becomes a screwy cycle. Mine are in screw storage containers, or pillboxes with the Gauge Labled with masking tape ie; f6 etc. Though have moved recently, so need to go through it again when I have the time.
View attachment 5071

I have one of those.
It contains my previous attempt to sort by type (not by size, etc) from years ago.
Part way through the sorting process - I gave up.

 

[jft135]

Find some bored kid who needs a bit extra money and sit him down with your screws and gauges.

That's what kids are for.

Yep. Mine are still too young, so I borrow my neighbor's.

 

[allanc]

Yep. Mine are still too young, so I borrow my neighbor's.

Do the youth of today have the ability to focus long enough to get the job done?
I suppose one would have to allow them to text, watch TV, Email and be on the Internet all at the same time as sorting

 

[gadgetfixup]

What size do you need?

 

[allanc]

What size do you need?

Yes, but someone has to sort them first!

 

[gadgetfixup]

Yes, but someone has to sort them first!

Actually that is my inventory system and at first I did sort them but now I just buy them. When I get low on a size I order them. With my reading glasses I can sort them fairly accurately by sight.

 

[Moltuae]

Actually that is my inventory system and at first I did sort them but now I just buy them. When I get low on a size I order them.

That would've been my second suggestion.

If child labour is not an option, and you're faced with the prospect of sorting them yourself, unless you've got absolutely nothing better to do with your time, just throw them away and buy some that are already sorted.


Why sit for hours sorting out screws that are worth pennies?

And, if you just can't stand waste, pour them into a big jar. When the jar gets full, sell it on Ebay. I'm sure someone will buy 'em.

 

[jft135]

Actually that is my inventory system and at first I did sort them but now I just buy them. When I get low on a size I order them. With my reading glasses I can sort them fairly accurately by sight.

Where do you get them if you don't mind me asking?

 

[gadgetfixup]

No one vendor really. I just hunt them when I need them. Typically they sell them in groups of 2M or 2.5M so I find groups that have most of what I need. I really try to find the ones with locktite on them so the screws have half a chance of not rattling out of the holes.

Labels are Dymo library size labels. Love that size for labeling our drawer organizers, and my bottles. Probably one of the better investments I made was getting these little bottles with nozzles. All the chemicals go much further went you're not spraying them.

I have about 6 of these labeled for alcohol, goo-gone, simple green, couple different fluxes, quik clean adhesive remover. Squirt a few drops on a q-tip and apply. Love these little bottles.

 

[Markverhyden]

Back when I was at CompUSA I used to strip out all screws from equipment being scrapped. As a result I got a ton, well actually a pound or two, all different sizes. Never once gave a thought to trying to sort them. I'm still able to look at what is needed and pick out what is needed. Of course may need a couple of tries. My time is worth way to much to be sorting something like that.

 

[gadgetfixup]

Yeah we collected a few screws after every system build over the years. Had 4 fish bowls full but now down to just one.

No idea what I'm saving them for really. Probably haven't taken a screw off that pile in 3 years. I think us older techs are scarred from those early days when we never had enough screws so now we horde them for no purpose at all.

 

[Markverhyden]

I think us older techs are scarred from those early days when we never had enough screws so now we horde them for no purpose at all.

LOL!!! Ain't that the truth. Don't forget cables and adapters. Ribbon, parallel, serial, SCSI, DB9, DB25, male, female, gender benders, null modem, Apple serial, etc, etc. Forgot how many I had until someone called up wanting me to go trouble shoot at a hotel and needed a specific serial cable for the property management system.

 

[fencepost]

Honestly before sorting them I'd look at your hourly rate, then visit a few links:
www.frys.com/product/7229923
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999950
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3AN1PA9810
www.ebay.com/itm/like/321415897656

and decide what you'd like to have on hand.

 

[allanc]

Yeah we collected a few screws after every system build over the years. Had 4 fish bowls full but now down to just one.

No idea what I'm saving them for really. Probably haven't taken a screw off that pile in 3 years. I think us older techs are scarred from those early days when we never had enough screws so now we horde them for no purpose at all.

Yikes!
I thought that I had a lot with a couple of hundred
I don't have anywhere close to that amount!
You are all right in that I would be wasting my time sorting through my rather small pile.
Thank you to everyone for your suggestions.