Sorting Systems: How do you separate it all

[Dracanas]

So i have built quite a few sorting machines in my days (mostly using build-craft pipes, go on yell at me). Now i have no problems building the sorting devices personally i rather enjoy doing them. The big thing that usually bothers me though is: How do i separate all these items into groups for organization. So here i am making this thread asking how you usually separate your items? the current organizing system i'm using uses build-craft pipes to separate items into 18 chests labeled:

Magical
Xycraft
Char-/Coal
Wood
Machine Bits & Pieces
Cobble/Dirt/Gravel/Sand
Redpower
Dusts
Ingots
Ores
Crystals
Buidling Blocks
Agriculture
Foresting
Pipes & Wires
Bees
Food
Mob Drops


now this system has been working pretty well for me but i want to upgrade and make them more specific so im looking for ideas on ways to improve or redo my oganization. Thanks for any advice/help

Ps
I don't care using red-power or build-craft to separate the items

My current system to give u some of an idea of what i've been working with doing:
http://imgur.com/q46uKt0,tYTNJC3
http://imgur.com/q46uKt0,tYTNJC3#1

 

[Bickers]

i used to use the RP/barrel setup now i just use AE to store 90% of my items

 

[PhilHibbs]

I don't tend to sort manufactured items so I don't have a Redpower category, or machines, or pipes and wires. I manually store those things in a chest above the respective Project Table. The stuff that I auto sort is all lower level stuff like ingots, logs, and mob/dungeon loot.

 

[Dracanas]

I don't tend to sort manufactured items so I don't have a Redpower category, or machines, or pipes and wires. I manually store those things in a chest above the respective Project Table. The stuff that I auto sort is all lower level stuff like ingots, logs, and mob/dungeon loot.

hmm, that kinda gives me an idea. maybe i could put the more basic low tier stuff near the chests that are closer to or in my craft areas while the less used manufactured and specialty stuff is farther away or in a separating holding area altogether.

 

[AlanEsh]

Pre-AE my sorting was routers and barrels. I'll never go back!

 

[Dracanas]

Pre-AE my sorting was routers and barrels. I'll never go back!

think ill stick to chests to hold a bulk of my random stuff, but maybe ill use barrels to hold my more bulk items (cobble/dirt/sand)

 

[PhilHibbs]

hmm, that kinda gives me an idea. maybe i could put the more basic low tier stuff near the chests that are closer to or in my craft areas while the less used manufactured and specialty stuff is farther away or in a separating holding area altogether.

I have chests on one side of my crafting room that stuff gets sorted into from my basement, and loads of project tables on the other side. Each project table has a sign above it saying what it's for, like "Storage", "wires & batteries", "pipes & tubes", "sorting machines", etc., and in the table's inventory I keep a selection of the raw materials needed and patterns. Spare crafted items and overflow materials and patterns go in an iron chest above the sign.