Hi all,

I have been given a couple of boxes of valves. Large ones, small ones, different pins, glass, envelop, black metal envelop etc ..... at a guess ... 300 valves. Started to sort through them prior to testing ....

How do you guys manage to keep track of your valves without having to rummage through boxes of them when trying to find a replacement etc??
Do you sort them by Pin number, Type, Heater filament voltage .....??
What about storing methods for easy access??

Cheers.

Open Office (a free download that replaces Microsoft Office and is far better IMO) has a very easy to use database tool that works very well for this task.

The drawing tools in particular are much more advanced and easier to use than the equivalent MS tools and are excellent for creating diagrams for manuals, which I do a lot.

And you don't get ripped off every year by Microsoft!

Yep. Spreadsheet.

I sort mine by use. Radio octals and other large base radio, 7 and 9 pin radio, TV, transmission.

I use the box number in the spreadsheet. It helps and I can usually find a valve in under 5min if I keep it up to date.

I don't really have a strict sorting routine. I have some cardboard boxes for the valves that don't get used much. So, a box for common TV valves (6BX6, 6EH7, 6BL8, 6BM8 etc), a box for transmitting valves, a box for large rectifiers, and so on.

Then there is a set of drawers for most of the miniature 7 and 9-pin types, and a diagram to show what is where. Another set of drawers with a sample of common octal radio valves, so a drawer for output valves, a drawer for mixers, a drawer for IF amps, and so on.

Then there is a bag for battery 7-pin types, a box for battery octal types, and another box for pre-octal radio valves.

The newcomer would find it impossible to find anything, but as long as I know where to look, that's all that matters.

I don't use a spreadsheet, I'm not *that* organised.

I have done exactly the same as Robbbert, except they are all in A4 reflex paper cartons complements "Officeworks".
I do separate the battery filament types from the others.
And being an ex TV serviceman have many, many TV types, again separated. And the box appropriately marked.
And several other boxes of "unknowns" . (yes the marking have worn off)
Occasionally I try and sort some of the unknowns using various tricks, but there are plenty that I have no idea.
No database, a sheet of paper in the top of the box with the more useful ones contained within.
JJ

Thanks guys ..... I will put some of these ideas into practice.