How do you organize small hardware (nuts & bolts etc...) ?

[Jim Stabe]

I have a surplus store locally that has tons of grade 5 and grade 8 fasteners by the pound. I got some of the HF bins that mount on rails on sale ($5 for 20 of them) and have a stockpile of common lengths of bolts and nuts in 1/4" through 1/2" on the wall over my bench. It probably cost me $100 to stock it originally but having matching fasteners the proper length right at hand is priceless. Now I just restock the bins as I start to run low and I spend $10-$15 per trip. If you do a lot of building, it is the best money you will ever spend.

 

[-Brent-]

That is pretty neat! Any idea of what it used to be for?

It came out of a school a few years back and the person doing the demo/removal used it for their kids' toys. I asked what it was used for while it was in the school, as well, but they didn't know.

If it were to serve purpose as a locker, it'd be pretty useless. It's just too small - being less than a cubic foot per drawer.

 

[usdemt]

It came out of a school a few years back and the person doing the demo/removal used it for their kids' toys. I asked what it was used for while it was in the school, as well, but they didn't know.

If it were to serve purpose as a locker, it'd be pretty useless. It's just too small - being less than a cubic foot per drawer.

I would bet it came out of a pool area. We have some very similar to that at the local pool. you can put your clothes wallet and whatever in while you swim and lock it with your own padlock then get it all when you are done. The holes in the side is what makes me think that is what it is as people will put wet towels and such in there and it would start to stink without airflow. They are also removable as some pools have these behind the front desk and will pull a drawer out, bring it to the desk for you to put your items in then place it back in till you are done.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I just saw this craigslist ad. I don't have room for it but it looks nice for $80.

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/2441550497.html

 

[bluebolt]

I just saw this craigslist ad. I don't have room for it but it looks nice for $80.

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/2441550497.html

Man if I was in the area I would be on the way to pick it up!

 

[-Brent-]

I would bet it came out of a pool area. We have some very similar to that at the local pool. you can put your clothes wallet and whatever in while you swim and lock it with your own padlock then get it all when you are done. The holes in the side is what makes me think that is what it is as people will put wet towels and such in there and it would start to stink without airflow. They are also removable as some pools have these behind the front desk and will pull a drawer out, bring it to the desk for you to put your items in then place it back in till you are done.

That makes perfect sense. I would have never considered it either.

I just saw this craigslist ad. I don't have room for it but it looks nice for $80.

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/2441550497.html

What a deal. I'd love to have that over what I've got, above.

 

[countrytech]

schnikies! some of you guys are better stocked than my hardware store...

Here's my meager collection - I just doubled my storage with that red & blue bin set from HF that was on sale for $9.99

 

[wafrederick]

In some used Dorman cabinets from a closed up Carquest auto parts store my father bought from the former owner.If you get lucky and find them,most closed parts stores sell the Dorman cabinets for $20.00 a set and don't throw them away.

 

[reedwesd]

What are you guys using to mount your HF storage bins? I have seen the wall mount that you can hang them on but looks most of you guys are using something different. Are you just screwing them to the walls?

 

[muibubbles]

I just saw this craigslist ad. I don't have room for it but it looks nice for $80.

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/2441550497.html

im contemplating making the 2 hour drive for that....

schnikies! some of you guys are better stocked than my hardware store...

Here's my meager collection - I just doubled my storage with that red & blue bin set from HF that was on sale for $9.99

i have the same one and i hate it. it was cool at first but its the FIRST thing to collect dust. ironically, i just bought the stackon cabinet u have to the right just the other day for drill bits

ps i also have the same porta cable drill and circular saw lol

 

[babzog]

My current solution:

It keeps all fasteners organized into one central repository for misc nuts and bolts, screws, etc. It's my "goto" bin, I can take it whereever I need it and it keeps the numerous little fasteners from lying all over the place.

 

[csp]

What are you guys using to mount your HF storage bins? I have seen the wall mount that you can hang them on but looks most of you guys are using something different. Are you just screwing them to the walls?

Mine fit perfectly in a card catalog file cabinet.

 

[MScott]

This library card index file looks perfect but is a bit out of my price range.

http://kingston.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and...age-Tool-Organizer-Storage-W0QQAdIdZ290093920

 

[mdbeck1]

This library card index file looks perfect but is a bit out of my price range.

http://kingston.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and...age-Tool-Organizer-Storage-W0QQAdIdZ290093920

keep looking. there are smaller units available. We used to have some at work that were about 24" wide X 30" depth X 60" ht.

 

[reedwesd]

I have really been considering these for the money. They are a little pricey but should last for ever. So for about $200 you could have 10 of these and it would store pretty much anything I have.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DURHAM-Large-Compartment-Drawer-5JEN1?Pid=search

 

[mjozefow]

I have really been considering these for the money. They are a little pricey but should last for ever. So for about $200 you could have 10 of these and it would store pretty much anything I have.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DURHAM-Large-Compartment-Drawer-5JEN1?Pid=search

I have 2, they are great for a job site...

 

[MScott]

This library card index file looks perfect but is a bit out of my price range.

http://kingston.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and...age-Tool-Organizer-Storage-W0QQAdIdZ290093920

Followup. I offered him $100 for the unit and he accepted. I just have to arrange pickup.

Edit: Got it. The PO said he had another one the same that he had removed from the metal base, added a 2x6 frame to the bottom and added a top to make a work bench. I think I am going to do the same. Looks like an awesome cabinet.

 

[cbacres]

Here is what I finally bit the bullet and boought to store my collection of hardware.It a Stanley Vidmar and it's pricey, but I have no regrets spending the money on it, after having for a year and being able to find what I need with just pulling a few drawers.
I also use to have storage in a variety of coffie cans, food containers, etc.

I had two 4' wide X 6' high 12" shelve sections that held these containers and put them in the drawers, only took about 4 of the drawers.

I placed it on 6" casters so it can be moved in my ever changing shop layout. Hopefully I'll finish before I die.
I'm wacthing for more of these, want to repcae all of my tool boxes with just a few of these.
You can buy used and clean up and paint cheaper than buying a new mid to higher end box.

 

[Griff93]

I have a Vidmar cabinet as well a that I store my hardware in. I really like being able to find what I'm looking for very quickly. It makes the aggravation factory of trying to find hardware when working on things go way down. It's also really nice to be able to see when you are getting low on a specific size. I need to get some more dividers for mine so I can finish my metric stuff.

 

[t100]

this, would be nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130533619545

 

[-Brent-]

Just picked this Lawson Bolt Bin up from a local classified. It'll go on the work bench. The pic is deceiving, it's approximately 32" wide and 24" tall.

Not a very good pic (it's from the classified ad). I'll get some pics of it after I clean it up.

 

[Nightshift]

Here's my solution to managing the clutter ...

Small parts go in one of the four 43-drawer parts bins. Between them, I have 4 little 5-drawer sections for flat things (pencils, markers, etc). My workbench has 20 drawers on roller slides that can hold about 200 lb each for larger hand tools, scrap metal pieces, etc. Then I have 2 large 11-drawer (only one is shown here to the left of my main toolbox) Vidmar industrial parts cabs which are full of nuts, bolts, etc. since each drawer fully extends 24" and easily holds 500 lb. These cabs are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for ... 6 heavy 1" roller bearings per drawer! It's shocking to think this one Vidmar cab weighs TWICE as much (5000 lb) as my Bridgeport 48" vertical mill! Then I have a Kleton 32-drawer parts cab for things that won't fit in the smaller 43-drawer bins. For mill & lathe tooling, it all goes in either my 7-drawer Lyon (similar to a Vidmar) industrial parts cab, with the smaller tooling like cutters, reamers, mic's, etc going in these tool boxes.

You can NEVER have enough drawers IMHO! Cheers, Bill

 

[hunter1151]

Very nice Nightshift.............how about some pictures of your Harley, I love the way that thing sits. Is it lowered??

 

[47bob]

I use peanutbutter jars; one for bolts 5/16" or smaller, one for 5/16 or larger, same for nuts and washers. Other jars for metal screws, wood screws, etc, etc. Crude but it works ok and I love the smell of peanutbutter.

 

[Nightshift]

Very nice Nightshift.............how about some pictures of your Harley, I love the way that thing sits. Is it lowered??

Hunter, it's a 100th Anniversary (2003) Deuce ... pics here:

http://www.harleyzone.com/ew/gallery/GalleryView.asp?GalleryID=206

The stock drag fender makes it look low ... plus I put a 180 rear tire on the back which is as wide as a Deuce swingarm will allow. It looks really fat from the back. Cheers, Bill

 

[Nightshift]

Here's an idea for some of you for garage organization. When the wife got a new kitchen, I took what I wanted from the old one and put it here on the back wall of the garage. Lots of space out of the dirt to keep car/bike cleaning products and other stuff that clutters up a garage. And 9 more drawers! Cheers, Bill

(sorry, I was too lazy to move the car out of the way ... but you get the idea)

 

[ibedayank]

our way at work

 

[hunter1151]

Thanks Nightshift, great looking bike..........I have a 2004 Road King, just a stocker.

 

[Steevo]

I love the "msc ****", "msc ****", "MoreShit" and "other ****" drawers!

Reminds me of the milk crates I used to have in the garage, labeled "Plumbing ****", "Electrical ****", "Useless ****".

 

[ibedayank]

Reminds me of the milk crates I used to have in the garage, labeled "Plumbing ****", "Electrical ****", "Useless ****".

what no ...still good ****?

 

[jmh21586]

I'm really going to have to expand my storing capabilities. I'm bidding on a lot of hardware on an online auction of a lumber yard near me. If I win even half of the things I'm bidding on I'll need a shitload more hardware storage.

But man do I love nuts and bolts.

 

[2manytoyz]

At work, we use LOTS of Stanley Vidmar cabinets. Also bought the optional little plastic bins that fit inside the drawers.

All the nuts, bolts, kits, tools, electronic parts, spare parts, etc, all have their own labeled drawer.

We have a mechanical shop, electrical shop, and research area. All have these cabinets. Over $30K worth. The lab had cabinets going in, this is a view down the hallway of those still in boxes, awaiting assembly and installation!

I wish I could say my home shop was as organized. My employer's budget is slightly higher than mine. I'm using the small multi-drawer parts bins that others have shown, along with plastic bins sold at places like Northern Tool. Most of these hide inside cabinets when not in use.

As a shop foreman I once knew would say "a clean shop is a happy shop". My shop ain't always happy.

 

[Rezarf]

Here's my solution to managing the clutter ...

Small parts go in one of the four 43-drawer parts bins. Between them, I have 4 little 5-drawer sections for flat things (pencils, markers, etc). My workbench has 20 drawers on roller slides that can hold about 200 lb each for larger hand tools, scrap metal pieces, etc. Then I have 2 large 11-drawer (only one is shown here to the left of my main toolbox) Vidmar industrial parts cabs which are full of nuts, bolts, etc. since each drawer fully extends 24" and easily holds 500 lb. These cabs are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for ... 6 heavy 1" roller bearings per drawer! It's shocking to think this one Vidmar cab weighs TWICE as much (5000 lb) as my Bridgeport 48" vertical mill! Then I have a Kleton 32-drawer parts cab for things that won't fit in the smaller 43-drawer bins. For mill & lathe tooling, it all goes in either my 7-drawer Lyon (similar to a Vidmar) industrial parts cab, with the smaller tooling like cutters, reamers, mic's, etc going in these tool boxes.

You can NEVER have enough drawers IMHO! Cheers, Bill

Got a link to your garage? Looks awesome!

 

[mdbeck1]

Here's my solution to managing the clutter ...

Small parts go in one of the four 43-drawer parts bins. Between them, I have 4 little 5-drawer sections for flat things (pencils, markers, etc). My workbench has 20 drawers on roller slides that can hold about 200 lb each for larger hand tools, scrap metal pieces, etc. Then I have 2 large 11-drawer (only one is shown here to the left of my main toolbox) Vidmar industrial parts cabs which are full of nuts, bolts, etc. since each drawer fully extends 24" and easily holds 500 lb. These cabs are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for ... 6 heavy 1" roller bearings per drawer! It's shocking to think this one Vidmar cab weighs TWICE as much (5000 lb) as my Bridgeport 48" vertical mill! Then I have a Kleton 32-drawer parts cab for things that won't fit in the smaller 43-drawer bins. For mill & lathe tooling, it all goes in either my 7-drawer Lyon (similar to a Vidmar) industrial parts cab, with the smaller tooling like cutters, reamers, mic's, etc going in these tool boxes.

You can NEVER have enough drawers IMHO! Cheers, Bill

Looks good bill.

Yeah the only way to master the clutter is to give everything a home. A place for everything and everything in its place. Of course that's what Mom always told me. It sounds easy but at first it's a lot of work. Eventually you get used to working out of the drawers and putting things away so you don't even notice it. Go ahead and get the garage messy during the project but don't start a new project until you put everything away. If the project is a multi-week one break it up into phases or just get into the practice of putting all the tools away each evening.

 

[Nightshift]

Got a link to your garage? Looks awesome!

No, haven't got round-to-it yet ... although a lot of people have been asking. One of these days ... Cheers, Bill

 

[mdbeck1]

No, haven't got round-to-it yet ... although a lot of people have been asking. One of these days ... Cheers, Bill

Ask and you shall receive....

Your very own ROUND-TUIT!!!!

 

[Victorymike18]

One of my challenges is that I have a lot of miscellaneous screws around, and whenever I have four (or more) of a kind, it doesn't make sense to toss them in the loose bin... So I grabbed a few of these storage containers from HF since they are on sale for $3.

Link: http://www.harborfreight.com/24-divider-storage-container-94458.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3911a&utm_source=1004

 

[jeffmoss26]

2manytoyz, those sure are nice!

 

[rwreuter]

love it, i got some great ideas for my set up.

 

[bmwohio]

anyone ever use this one?

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-bin-organizer-with-full-length-drawer-94375.html