Cheap parts storage

"Bill Stock" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net:

How about egg crates? If you've got just a few of each, you can fit a dozen different sizes per container.

The old standby 35mm film canisters still do their job, but they're not as cheap now that digital's become popular. (That is, not everyone has an excess.)

Styrofoam cups could work too.

Puckdropper

Most screws are 2 or 3 inches, with lots of 6" lag bolts, bolts, concrete screws, etc. Metal screws and decorative screws are mostly under 1". I typically have about 100 of each screw type or 200 if I forgot that I had some left. :) I'm not too worried about storing the big stuff, as it tends to stay in it's baggie or go into some kind of plastic tub.

The problem is that the shop is in an old bedroom in the basement. So there is lots of storage (closet space), but it's not all easy to access. I don't really want to rip out the closets only to rebuild them if I sell. Some drawers would go a long way to solving the problem. but that would block the part of the shelf that does not have a door. Perhaps one of those large plastic toolboxes that I could throw on the shelf. I need something I can pull out to see what's buried at the back of the shelf. Maybe I'll just stack some of those Sterilite containers and label them. I use the larger one for my electrical/electronic components.

Well, there are these:

Since this is a woodworking forum, is there some reason you can't build a plywood box containing divided drawers that either lift out the top or slide out the front? Some 1/4"-3/8" plywood, a few dados and rabbets, some 1/8" hardboard for the dividers, and some glue. A handle would top it off.

Fishing tackle boxes are also handy. Like this:

How many of those are you going to have to buy? Does it have to be portable? How about something like:

if portability is not an issue? If you don't like the open nature, it would be pretty easy to trim with plywood and plywood doors to enclose it. If you only need a few sizes at a time, then you could get one of the units you showed and fill as needed for a particular job; this would allow you to store larger quantities of fasteners.

If portability is really important, then what you are looking at is probably not a bad approach.

RE: Subject

Very small parts: Akro Mills Plastic drawer systems

Larger parts. Fold up cardboard shelf boxes in lots of 25 available in various widths at Grainger.

Lew

Mon, Dec 10, 2007, 9:06pm snipped-for-privacy@privacy.net (Bill=A0Stock) doth posteth: I know we've beaten this to death somewhat, but I'm looking for some cheap portable parts storage. . Did I mention it should be cheap. Any ideas/sources?

I like those el cheapo clear plastic continers from the grocery store, the type with snap on lids. Different sizes. Cost a buck or so for half a dozen or so. I even keep small amounts of latex paint in some. Nice thing, besides not expensive, you can easily see what's in 'em, and they're stakable.

JOAT Even Popeye didn't eat his spinach until he had to.

Bill,

My interpretation of your problem is that you need a way to organize a closet space, cheap. I was in Walmart yesterday and was amazed at how much tool box I could buy for $10. They were so cheap and nifty that I tried hard to find an excuse to buy some.

If I had your problem, I'd put in a few shelves, buy some cheap tool boxes, and then some of the plastic food containers and some water based magic markers.

Put small stuff in the containers, containers and larger stuff in the toolboxes, tool boxes on the shelves and mark the outside with the contents. Stack the tool boxes as needed for access. Change the marking as needed. 4-5 tool boxes would handle my storage needs.

Stuff you don't use often can be kept on shelves that are less accessible in boxes, tubs or what-have-yous that seem to accumulate around the house.

I always find that my shop is more fun to work in when I have stuff put away and (sort of ) organized.

Old Guy Who needs to do another pick-up and organize > Bill Stock said:

these:

this:

... you did say "cheap":

Best "tip" for small parts storage I've seen in a good while:

Multiple 1/8" kerfs, cut across the grain in board a little wider than a zip lock storage bag ... pick your bag size.

Put the small parts in the bag, close the zipper, and slide the bag into the kerf, with the zipper uppermost and keeping the bag from falling though the kerf.

You can get dozens of bags on a board of decent length, with all parts visually identifiable and easily accessible.

... you did say "cheap"!

I like JOAT's idea and use it myself, but usually use the ones I'd prefer not to store food in anymore. But if you buy the off brands they are very inexpensive. Also wire shelves in that closet aren't going to detract from the house if you sell it.

I've tried a number of storage options over the years including the case with all the little drawers, tin cans, baby food jars, etc.

The option I like the best are these parts containers made by Stanley:

I use the ones with the small bins for screws, nails, etc., and the ones with the larger bins for plumbing fittings, larger bolts, and even use one to keep computer related items in (ethernet cables and whatnot).

If those are out of your price range, my second best choice are the small plastic containers made by Plano:

I used the Plano containers for years until I upgraded to the Stanley containers. We now use my old Plano containers to store Christmas ornaments in. Works great.

The advantage of these two types of storage containers is you can knock them over, flip them upside down in your car, or whatever and the parts won't get all mixed together. Don't try that with the case of little drawers! :)

For larger storage needs (like storing my Kreg pocket screw jig and accessories), I just pick the appropriate sized Rubbermaid containers at my local grocery store.

For the REALLY big stuff (Romex cable, large pipe fittings, car parts, etc.) I use large clear storage bins (Sterilite brand, I believe) I bought at a department store.

Have fun!

Anthony

These aren't really "portable", but I have 2 sets and like them a lot..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Thanks, shelves I have already:

One long closet with pole, holds all my clamps (closed on pole). Miscellaneous crap gets put in bags and zip tied to the pole to keep it off the floor. Underneath the pole goes all the none woodworking parts/tools in stacked Sterilite boxes. Mechanical tools/tool box are also in this closet. One mostly blind closet on the short wall holds sheet goods, compressor and a a couple of barrels of shorts/firewood. The other closet (disaster) has all the finishes stored on the bottom shelf, with less used items buried in the blind area of this closet. The second shelf holds all the fasteners scaterred about, not sure what's on the blind part of this shelf. :-) Third shelf holds all the power tool cases and miscellaneous small parts. Top shelf is open to the closet next door and holds all my longer dimensional lumber, up to about 16'

Hand tools get stored on a pegboard behing the bench and the bench holds all the crap that never got put back on shelves 2 and/or 3. :-) Table saw is used as overflow for the bench.

Yeah I kinda like the toolbox idea. Pretty sure I saw these cheap ($19?) at HD a year back, but never bought any. I wonder how heavy a TB full of 6" bolts would be though. I can picture a screw comming loose, a large box of bolts falling through the bottom or popping a nut trying to lift it.

Yeah these are very similar to the ones I liked. I do like the idea of being able to drag all the screws to the project.

Not sure I'd use this for scews, but the idea does appeal to me for other stuff. I was thinking you could turn the bags the other way and put the board on a rod so it could be pulled out.

Don't know if this helps, but for years I've been using those little plastic craft boxes from hobby lobby. They have about 12-15 compartments and hold alot of stuff. I've built a shelving unit to hold them in the same manner as going to Ace hardwares screw department. Now I have every screw I need without going to the store. Lou

HD has a small parts storage unit that contains four compartmented boxes. It also has a handle for carrying around. I think it was $7.00. I have several and will probably get some more.

| Any ideas/sources?

I built a cabinet with drawers (with adjustable dividers) (28 drawers) and finally got organized.

Also, I found drawers to be the ticket for my hand tools.

woodstuff