[omoikane]

Placing disassembled screws on double sided tape is such a great idea, I am going to try that next time I disassemble my electronics (as opposed dropping everything in a container and spend time finding the original size screws during reassembly).

[jazzyjackson]

There’s a very useful putty for watchmakers called Rodico, it can serve this purpose well and can also be stuck to a screwdriver to hold onto the screw while placing it, instead of relying on magnetism (no good in watchmaking to magnetize your screws, I figure cameras are similar, you can increase resistance to movement if magnetism pulls things together…)

I’ve also seen a clever technique of drawing a diagram of whatever you’re working on on cardboard, and stabbing the screw into the cardboard to keep track of where everything lives

[salvagedcircuit]

Thanks for the input about Rodico! It sounds pretty useful. I've used mounting putty / blue-tack when assembling PCBs, but not much more than that. I've seen the card board trick used many times to ease in painting engine valve cover bolts.

[jazzyjackson]

It also has an interesting capability to absorb smudges and oils, I use it to clean watch dials, just dragging the putty over the surface.

[doubled112]

I don't use anything sticky, but if it's my first time opening basically anything, one side of my working space becomes a map of the screws.

Roughly in the layout of the way they came out. Top to bottom, in layers, as it comes apart.

A habit from working on laptops in a warranty center. I might have to try some tape.

[amelius]

Maybe the best idea is to make a video of the disassembly process, so you know exactly where what part went and in what order and orientation.

[salvagedcircuit]

I occasionally take this approach, but it's a chore to scrub through a few hours' long video to find the right frame. It can save your bacon though! I filmed some teardown shots when I repaired an alexa mini. That is a true masterpiece of a camera :D

[salvagedcircuit]

Thanks! After many lens teardowns with screws of varying lengths and magnetism, tape is truly king!