Need A System For Laptop Screw Management

[josevizcaino915]

I need a system for laptop screw management for disassembling and reassembling laptop computers. I dont think i could use the idea of punching holes into a 8.5x11 in paper at my job. Im under the impression it would look unprofessional. Do you disagree? But I need a system I can trust? Do you think the company i work would mind me using this system? Please tell me what you think.

Jose

 

[NETWizz]

I need a system for laptop screw management for disassembling and reassembling laptop computers. I dont think i could use the idea of punching holes into a 8.5x11 in paper at my job. Im under the impression it would look unprofessional. Do you disagree? But I need a system I can trust? Do you think the company i work would mind me using this system? Please tell me what you think.

Jose

I don't personally think it is unprofessional. What's wrong with it? Are you worried they might look down on organization? I mean... how else are you going to keep 37 to 43 screws straight? Why would they care what system you use provided it works? If they DO care, go to work somewhere else... it means they have nothing to do.

Before reading that here, I always used the Dixie cup method. Basically, you write on paper cups: Palm rest, Keyboard, Video Card, RAM door, Monitor hidges, etc...

Basically, you use like 7 or 8 cups... 1 cup for every screw group. Yes, use 1 cup even if it is for 1 screw. Better than getting it put back together wrong.

 

[PaulJD]

I use those plastic fishing tackle containers which have 20-30 little compartments. Work left to right, one compartment per step (bottom covers, optical drive, and so on). You can close the lid and seal them up to keep with the laptop while you're waiting for parts etc.
I've got a few of them.

 

[trapped]

I still say the simplest way is to put a piece of tape over them in or near the hole they go in. No confusion on where the screw goes and it only costs you scotch tape. The only problem machines for this method are Thinkpads which can have some long screws that go through several layers.

 

[mm201]

You could spend 10 minutes making the 8.5 x 11 paper itself look professional. Put a heading at the top, make a line to write in the model number and few details about the computer and you'd have have something that would look like a professional screw template. I don't usually subscribe to a "dazzle em with bs" mentality but could see myself making an exception in a case like this.

 

[Martyn]

Have a look through the forum this has been discussed on a few occasions.

 

[pcpickup]

I have a bunch of those really small click seal containers one is labeled inside screws and the other outside. it looks nice and keeps the screws organized when moving the laptops from the work bench to the waiting on parts bench.

 

[Xander]

Have a look through the forum this has been discussed on a few occasions.

Didn't Bryce highlight one fellow's tip into an article a few months ago? (It's rhetorical, I'm sure he did).

That would be found right off the main site.

edit: I just found it by searching for terms in this thread's subject.

 

[codegreen]

The sheet of paper technique has saved me so much time and aggravation; I'll never go back.

 

[MobileTechie]

I can't be arsed with paper method to be honest.

I use a segmented box like a pill box which has letters on it. I make of note on a pad relating to where the screws belong. E.g.

A - back of case
B - case covers
C - keyboard
and so on.

Most laptops use very similar screw systems. If it's a bit more complex, such as different sized screws in the same area I'll use a permanent marker to mark the holes (e.g. D or E) and put those screws in the relevant letter section. I can wipe off the marker later with a bit of alcohol.

I find I can do this very quickly and not lose track. Also there if I knock them onto the floor it doesn't mix up the screws and I can come back to it days later.

 

[Martyn]

I'm using a couple of magnetic sheets for the screws, I bought the sheets off Ebay. The sheets are white one side and black the other. Unfortunately the black side is the magnetic one but the screws are easily seen and held. It works really well, you can even pick up the sheet and hold it vertical to move it if you need to. Basically I lay the screws out in their exact location on the sheet in relation to their position on the laptop.

Photos added. 1st one horizontal, 2nd vertical.

Something like this link but I bought 5 sheets A4 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELF-ADHE...pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item3f0d4ddf4c

 

[Fixedathome.com]

I do exactly the same as that article except I use blu-tack instead of punching holes. Haven't lost a screw this way yet.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Same here. I save the paper sheets and reuse them next time I get that model again.

 

[Frick]

I'm using a couple of magnetic sheets for the screws, I bought the sheets off Ebay. The sheets are white one side and black the other. Unfortunately the black side is the magnetic one but the screws are easily seen and held. It works really well, you can even pick up the sheet and hold it vertical to move it if you need to. Basically I lay the screws out in their exact location on the sheet in relation to their position on the laptop.

Photos added. 1st one horizontal, 2nd vertical.

Something like this link but I bought 5 sheets A4 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELF-ADHE...pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item3f0d4ddf4c

You can get the same basic sheets from any hardware store. Look for magnetic heat vent covers

 

[tpcg]

I use a lunchables container labeled for various parts of the laptop.

 

[EnigmaTech]

Yep, we use magnetic boards, tackle boxes, or foam (this works suprising well, as the screws stay put!)

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

We have a laptop management system using plastic tubs with tops like those sold at walmart to put clothing in and slide under your bed or bottom of your closet. We do this as we take apart a laptop, order the part and need to put it away to clear our tech area.

Something like this. I think we found them for about $4 each a few years ago.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-12-Quart-Shoe-Box-Set-of-6/16513346?findingMethod=rr

We also have a smaller sewing kit sized tackle box which holds about 18-24 small sized cubical s in it to hold the screws.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Medium-Pro-Latch-Organizer/16351075

We make a white page diagram with zeros for every screw and then each zero has a number in it to the box that the screw resides in the tackle box.

Since it might be a week from the time we order a part and get it in to reassemble the laptop it is very helpful to be able to review the diagram.

So the big shoe box sized plastic bin gets the whole disassembled laptop with the diagram and the smaller tackle box of screws. It can be put away neatly until all the parts come in and be ready for reassembly.

It is so easy and takes seconds to draw the diagram with zeros and screw size box numbers. If you do not draw the diagram so that others can read it, when the parts come in you will get called into work to assemble that laptop. So it motivates everyone to draw ledgable.

 

[Saddle]

I need a system for laptop screw management for disassembling and reassembling laptop computers. I dont think i could use the idea of punching holes into a 8.5x11 in paper at my job. Im under the impression it would look unprofessional. Do you disagree? But I need a system I can trust? Do you think the company i work would mind me using this system? Please tell me what you think.

Jose

Take a look at some of the systems for camera repair. Same issues. Keeping everything organized. Many good ideas for working with any small device with a lot of parts.

 

[Thedog]

I use a camera on a tripod to record when i disassemble the system and then put the screws on a regular white A4 paper, even though I almost never look at the videos it is great to have... to be honest I also loose a few screws along the way but that's okey since it is already to many screws in laptops to begin with

 

[BDPCR]

I use those plastic fishing tackle containers which have 20-30 little compartments. Work left to right, one compartment per step (bottom covers, optical drive, and so on). You can close the lid and seal them up to keep with the laptop while you're waiting for parts etc.
I've got a few of them.

That's exactly what i do, works very well and cheap.