The method of storage you choose will depend to a large extent on the quantity and range of types that you wish to store. Also it is a great help if you have a uniform range of boxes or containers in which to store them.
Years ago, when I had a relatively small collection of valves, I stored them by heater voltage: 4v., 6.3v, above 6.3 but less that 13v, above 13.5v . . . etc. This catered for the unusual voltages that arise with series-heater chain types. Only about half-a-dozen old biscuit tins were adequate. However, as the years went by and the total in storage grew substantially, this became an inefficient method. Since, in the meantime, I had accumulated a large number of cardboard boxes (about 12" x 12" x 9"), a re-org. was decided. On account of the now large range, an Excel spreadsheet became essential for stock-taking purposes and to answer the inevitable question "Have I got one of those?"
The best way to describe my current storage method is in the following snap-shot of my spreadsheet stocktake blank: please refer to the attachment. The 'stores grouping' is simply the name that appears on the associated cardboard box.
The only slight chore is to remember to update the listing when a valve (or valves) are removed - and strongly to resist the temptation to say "Well, since I'm only borrowing it for a couple of minutes or so, just to see, I shan't bother to book it out; I'll bring it straight back in a bit". Wrong: chances are that you'll either forget to permanently book it out (when used as a replacement) or you will 'book it back in' again - when it wasn't booked out in the first place! Nevertheless, I still do a stock-check about every 12 months on my valve holdings - just to be sure.
Al.
Years ago, when I had a relatively small collection of valves, I stored them by heater voltage: 4v., 6.3v, above 6.3 but less that 13v, above 13.5v . . . etc. This catered for the unusual voltages that arise with series-heater chain types. Only about half-a-dozen old biscuit tins were adequate. However, as the years went by and the total in storage grew substantially, this became an inefficient method. Since, in the meantime, I had accumulated a large number of cardboard boxes (about 12" x 12" x 9"), a re-org. was decided. On account of the now large range, an Excel spreadsheet became essential for stock-taking purposes and to answer the inevitable question "Have I got one of those?"
The best way to describe my current storage method is in the following snap-shot of my spreadsheet stocktake blank: please refer to the attachment. The 'stores grouping' is simply the name that appears on the associated cardboard box.
The only slight chore is to remember to update the listing when a valve (or valves) are removed - and strongly to resist the temptation to say "Well, since I'm only borrowing it for a couple of minutes or so, just to see, I shan't bother to book it out; I'll bring it straight back in a bit". Wrong: chances are that you'll either forget to permanently book it out (when used as a replacement) or you will 'book it back in' again - when it wasn't booked out in the first place! Nevertheless, I still do a stock-check about every 12 months on my valve holdings - just to be sure.
Al.
