As discussed in yesterday’s post, I’m really trying to clean up my workspace. Earlier in the week I ordered a Brother QL-700 label printer ($50 via Amazon) along with 1.1″ wide black on white continuous film tape ($20 via Amazon). The label maker and label cartridge arrived yesterday, and since then I have been labeling everything!
I could probably have just ordered the printer by itself and worked with the address label sample roll, but I liked the idea of film tape for two reasons. Most importantly, film tape is more durable and seemingly longer-lasting than paper. I also liked how the continuous roll allows me to make my labels as short or long as I want. On the downside, film tape is a bit pricy – you can get a roll of continuous white paper tape that’s twice as long for $6 cheaper.
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I’ll post up a full review of the label printer once I’ve used it some more, but right now I am absolutely thrilled with it. I feel I made the right choice. The two other label makers/printers I considered are the Epson LW-400, which has a built-in keypad and cannot be used with a PC, and the Dymo LabelWriter 450, which is more expensive and seems better suited for postage and shipping labels.
The Brother QL-700 was connected to my Windows 7 PC in an instant and has a light version of the printing software built right into the device. There’s also a CD with the printer driver and a full version of label making software, but I don’t have a need for any of that at the moment.
I plan to use the printer for parts bag-labeling and envelope labeling in the future, otherwise the $50 investment would have been a bit steep just for this initial labeling rush.
So… this was a nice break, back to labeling I go!
(Yes, I know this means I’m going to have to show the final results of all my sorting, cleaning, labeling, and organizing efforts. Soon!)
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John S
Can’t wait to see before/after pics of the insanity!
Stuart
There are no “before” pics – it was too embarrassing.
Michael Quinlan
But think what it might do for your readers’ self esteem. Many of us (probably fewer than you think) could say to ourselves, “at least I’m not THAT bad.”
Mrs. ToolGuyd
Trust me, it isn’t pretty. Consider yourself lucky.
Scottthetec
We had one of those at work, not sure if it was the same model. While I liked the printer, I was not so fond of the software. This was a few years ago, so it may have improved.
I have Zebra LP2844 that I got from work after we switched shippers and IT wouldn’t support it with labels anymore. It’s freaking awesome. You can print on labels from 4×1 to 4×6 and design the labels in Excel.
Stuart
This printer has MS Office integration, and I can add images, borders, bar codes, etc. to it. Or at least I think so. But the way I’m using it now, I plug it in, run the autorun software (unfortunately I have to “browse files” to get there), and type away in the quick pop up. I stop the device as I would a USB flash drive, and power it down.
This printer can print on up to 2.4″ wide tape, which should be sufficient for my needs. I expect to only use 1.1″ and maybe 1/2″ tapes in the foreseeable future.
The Epson label maker was $35 when I checked the other day (now $29), but I didn’t want to have to fuss with a tiny keypad and small label sizes.
In the past I printed addresses right to envelopes on my inkjet all-in-one, but it’s not exactly a quick or effortless process.
Steven B
I have self-proclaimed OCD, and love these. I use my cheap labeler all the time. That extra measure of formality really motivates me to stick with an organizational scheme.
I found it a very good investment to label every container in several of these organizers:
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-25-Removable-Compartment-Professional-Organizer/dp/B00005QWYF/
for each type of fastener I keep. It was tedious at first, but motivated me to throw away screws that never get used.
I also organize all my cables and PC parts in plastic bins or the stanley organizers. You accumulate and need to keep a lot of emergency spare parts on hand if you ever try to liquid cool a computer. Much like in the workshop, formally labeling everything instead of loosely throwing them wherever it is convenient forced me to notice my hoarding tendencies and I have been throwing away nearly a full trash can of old hardware/computer parts every week or two since I made my labeling/organization new year’s resolution.
I am finding that being efficient at organizing what I have is as beneficial to my woodworking hobby as buying new tools. Especially as hardware/tools/fasteners accumulate.
Looking at how they’ve progressed since I bought one of these 10 years ago, it seems like the wireless version was a better option as you could use it straight from an iOS device.
Stuart
I posted about that organizer a while ago and should really update it with a review.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/stanley-portable-25-compartment-organizer/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I might have to send my organizers to storage though, since they seem to be less efficient that other parts organizers I’m using at the moment. There’s also a new stackable version (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/stanley-fatmax-shallow-pro-organizer/%3C/a%3E%29 but their bins are a bit too large for what I’d keep in them.
I have yet to find a place for my spare watercooling parts. I haven’t watercooled my latest PC build, but barbs, EPDM O-rings, and clamps never get old. But that mentality is also what got me into the “too much stuff” issue discussed yesterday.
John S
By other parts organizers are you referring to the l-boxx 1a or l-boxx3d and dewalt small tough case? Or do you have something else up your sleeve you are using now?
Stuart
I was mainly referring to my Akro Mils 20-drawer organizer, Festool Sortainers I’m testing out long-term, and Durham organizer trays.
Right now I have my Stanley organizers awkwardly perched on top of a small stand I built for the Sortainers.
I find it easier to take a small drawer to my workbench rather than an entire Stanley organizer, although I do like how the Stanley bins are removable.
If I can find a spare drawer for my unused Schaller bin boxes, it’ll be all over for the Stanley organizers.
John S
haha shoot I was 0 for 3. I’m curious if you think the sortainers are worth it
Fred
I wish my label maker was QWERTY instead of ABC… You get to use a keyboard even.
I’ve had some PC-connected label makers in various jobs, and I’m in the same boat not fond of the software/drivers that came with most of them. Excel integration is intriguing sir. You’re all making me want to spend more money.
Jason Offret
Back in the day when CD burners were first coming out I purchased a cheap but effective DYMO labeler from walmart. I ended up labeling just about everything BUT CDs with that sucker, it’s addicting! Now days I’m more fond of engraving with my dremel though, more of a permanent theft deterrent
Dennis
I have an older version of the Brother printer at work. It’s great. It’s not super accurate so you can’t make really precise labels but it does most jobs. Plus BARCODES! And QR codes! You really want to label some stuff throw those in the mix. The Dymo printer seems intriguing, the max size label is bigger. Also they seem to have more paper options. Including cool stuff like business cards, name badges (some are even time expiring), receipt paper, media labels (for media nobody has anymore, 3.5″ floppy, VHS, etc) plus a cavalcade of the standard labels you would expect. But it seems like they don’t have film labels like Brother does. And film labels are wonderful for labeling things that don’t live in nice neat offices. Tough choice, if I ever buy another label printer.
bill kirksey
Staples has the Brother QL-700 label printer on sale for $40 in this weeks flyer. Maybe I’ll follow Stuart’s que and get “organized” myself.
John Machen
One of the best ideas for a gift is a lable maker. My dad gets a lot of use out of his pTouch, its one with integrated keyboard and no PC interface. I have one that is similar but with PC interface. I do like the new ones with the ability to print address lables and other larger lables. Mine is limited to the 3/4″ wide tape or smaller. So the available lable sizes would be something to consider as well.