My screw management system

[tempusfugit]

So I've seen a couple people posting about how they keep track of screws, and thought I'd share my method.

I save all my heat sink trays, especially the new intel ones(g620s and I think even the i3/5/7).. They have pockets for the 4 posts, and one in the middle. If I'm working on a laptop, I generally start by flipping it over, pulling the battery, and removing the hdd/memory covers. Then I start removing the screws.

I put screws from the same area in the same "pocket" of the heat sink tray.. For example, anything under the battery goes in the middle pocket, and the 4 corners are for right side, left, up, down.

Then when I get to the top plate/keyboard area, I throw another heatsink tray on top of the first one, and use the same method.. keyboard screws in a pocket, top plate screws in a pocket - then depending on the model you can decide if you need another heat sink tray or not for smaller card screws etc..

If I need to store the laptop waiting for parts, I just throw another tray on top, and then you can pretty much throw the trays across the room and not lose a screw..

I also save motherboard boxes, and throw any small parts(hdd, cd drive, covers, etc) along with the trays of screws in while its waiting for parts..

I never have left over/missing screws, and I think this is much quicker/easier than drawing out a diagram.. Its pretty self explanatory when putting it back together as well.. ie - if your top tray has a pocket with 4 screws, a pocket with 3 screws, and a pocket with 2 screws, and you're motherboard has 4 holes in it, the top tray has 3 holes, and the kb has 2 holes.

 

[OldSchoolPC]

Off topic response:

In my mind, I read this title as "My screw (the) management system". lol

 

[phaZed]

So how do you remember which screws go where when there are multiple lengths.. ie a Sony VAIO?

 

[gikstar]

Off topic response:

In my mind, I read this title as "My screw (the) management system". lol

I did also... my favorite TV show "Mash" was about doing it right, not the way the 'screwloose' management wanted it.

Back on track... that is an excellent way to handle laptop screw management. My problem with some of the older laptops (when I started working on laptops) was that I would be left with an extra screw. No doubt someone was sneaking an extra screw into my pile of screws.

 

[mobomojo]

I use these from Walmart. Start at top right at disassembly mark the top where they come from. On reassembly start at bottom left. Cheap and work good.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/7-Day-Mediplanner/14089470

 

[tminer]

I use a method similar to mobomojo. Mine only has about 12 compartments and was manufactured for the hobby industry but it works the same way.

 

[Lersar]

I use the bottom of egg cartons, got a stack of them I usually just write straight on and dispose after.

 

[Painless]

I use the sheet of A4 method. Draw a rough diagram of the area I'm removing the screws from and push the screws through in the relevant positions. If necessary I use more than one sheet when removing the keyboard and motherboard. If I need to wait for parts I put all the sheets in a plastic wallet and then there is no problems remember what goes where when the bits finally arrive from China.



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