My sorting system works more or less like many of the ones that have been posted, sorting machine + barrels, I just added a little tweak. Under every barrel I have a filter + wireless reciever, every reciever has a differn frequency but they all lead to an enderchest. This way I have a good replacement for request pipe for almost every item. Since my base is distributed over 25000 square blocks, it has been necessary to have a way to get every item I need without going back to the storage room.
i like this idea for requesting i may have to try and set one up as it gets very annoying running back to my storage every time i need items