The cheapest laptop screw management system that works great!

[acscva]

I bought one of these a couple years ago and use it all the time!

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Magnetic-Project-Mat/IF145-167

 

[PCX]

We use these pill containers and label each box where each set of screws are coming from.

Keyboard, bottom, palmrest, battery DVD drive, etc. Sure, sometimes there are different size screws for each area, but once you have the screws narrowed down to each area, you can pretty easily figure out where the different screws go. The nice thing about using these is that you can close the boxes and then put it in a bin for storage till parts arrive. Also, you can get these from your local dollar store.

 

[Krilus]

This one works great for me an is only $10

http://www.amazon.com/Silverhill-To...ject+mat&pebp=1422199947601&peasin=B00CFQWBCM

I bought one of these a couple years ago and use it all the time!

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Magnetic-Project-Mat/IF145-167

 

[HFultzjr]

I was thinking of trying something along the lines of a writable magnetic sheet. Maybe use a wipeable marker for multiple use.

Something like:

http://www.custom-magnets.com/blank-car-magnets-square-corners-p-4796.html

Come up with some type of configuration to mount and use.

Or, how about an adhesive backed sheet that may be just strong enough to hold screws in place. I think these can be written on with a sharpie.

If they work well....maybe keep some template for the most common models, along with notes.

If I get time, I may try some experiments.

 

[RChadwick]

Maybe I'm a bit overkill, but I have one of those 24 compartment containers for each laptop, with small magnets on the side of each compartment, and silly putty at the bottom of each compartment. The magnet keeps the screw from falling out if it gets tipped, and the silly putty grips non-magnetic screws for the same purpose. I use different colored washable gel markers or crayons to mark each screw, as well as the spot where it came from. Some laptops are easy, and use mostly the same screws, but some are a nightmare. I heard of a case (Phone, not laptop) where one of the screws was just slightly bigger than another, swapping two screws that looked the same to the eye resulted in a damaged PCB.

 

[Paulmg377]

This one works great for me an is only $10

http://www.amazon.com/Silverhill-To...ject mat&pebp=1422199947601&peasin=B00CFQWBCM

We purchased a few of these last year. They have made a huge difference! I highly recommenced them. Because it is a dry erase board it makes it super convenient to just draw diagrams for the specific laptop you are working on and just stick the proper screw to it. We tried so many things in the past from the pill containers to paper and scotch tape. These blow all the other methods out of the water.