I went a bit over the top with my garage:
Quite literally, you almost did go over the top.
How do you organize small hardware (nuts & bolts etc...) ?
- Thread starter y20dth
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Quite literally, you almost did go over the top.
sams
Well-known member
hahahaha, yeah your right, I even removed a light fitting to make it fit! I don't have a very high cealing in my workshop so I try and use all the space I have
jmh21586
Well-known member
knucklehead
Well-known member
Anyone wanna see how I organize my socks and undies?
no one wants to see your drawers.
now mrs. e-tek on the other hand...
Ttankersley
Active member
I wouldn't call it organized, but I throw any loose nuts or bolts into a 5 gallon bucket beside my tool box. The second one is almost full.
That's what most of those yellow bins are holding.
They need to be inside something though as they get filled with grime if I do any grinding, or anything dusty.
They're organized by size mostly, except real common stuff like M6s which have a separate bin for each length.
They need to be inside something though as they get filled with grime if I do any grinding, or anything dusty.
They're organized by size mostly, except real common stuff like M6s which have a separate bin for each length.
That's what most of those yellow bins are holding.
They need to be inside something though as they get filled with grime if I do any grinding, or anything dusty.
They're organized by size mostly, except real common stuff like M6s which have a separate bin for each length.
Any close-ups? Also of the shelfs on the right?
toytech40
Well-known member
Here are some pictures of how I store my hardware, and small parts and pieces.
The firt pic is of an old brass cabinet I acquired along the way, it has 162 drawers and as of right now there is something in each one. I have another section of these which is the same size but only has 90 drawers and a shelf on the bottom, it right now only has a few drawers full.
the second pic is of an 18 drawer cabinet I acquired it is nice as the drawers are nice larger size for bigger things. Also in the pic is a small 5 drawer organizer which is handy and has a cool old look. To the left is a stack with assortment boxes, trying to think of a way to make them more user friendly then just in a stack.
On this shelf I have 8 different drawed cabinets, with variuos sizes of drawers, that i have gotten from my fathers garage, my father-in-laws collection, and I have just bought. All have stuff in them and are organized, except the 60 drawer one on the right which only has a few drawers with things in it.
Lastly is a stack of drawer cabinets of various sizes, shapes and colors. Only one was bought new by me the rest were used purchase, or haul it and have it is yours kind of deals. there is a total of 30 drawers of various sizes and 3 loose assortment drawers in this pic(have plans to build a cabinet for the 3 assortmrnt drawers) in all of this I think I only have 1 empty drawer. The rest are full and organized.
So there you have it all of my hardware/small parts mess, oh I mean organization.
Andrew
The firt pic is of an old brass cabinet I acquired along the way, it has 162 drawers and as of right now there is something in each one. I have another section of these which is the same size but only has 90 drawers and a shelf on the bottom, it right now only has a few drawers full.
the second pic is of an 18 drawer cabinet I acquired it is nice as the drawers are nice larger size for bigger things. Also in the pic is a small 5 drawer organizer which is handy and has a cool old look. To the left is a stack with assortment boxes, trying to think of a way to make them more user friendly then just in a stack.
On this shelf I have 8 different drawed cabinets, with variuos sizes of drawers, that i have gotten from my fathers garage, my father-in-laws collection, and I have just bought. All have stuff in them and are organized, except the 60 drawer one on the right which only has a few drawers with things in it.
Lastly is a stack of drawer cabinets of various sizes, shapes and colors. Only one was bought new by me the rest were used purchase, or haul it and have it is yours kind of deals. there is a total of 30 drawers of various sizes and 3 loose assortment drawers in this pic(have plans to build a cabinet for the 3 assortmrnt drawers) in all of this I think I only have 1 empty drawer. The rest are full and organized.
So there you have it all of my hardware/small parts mess, oh I mean organization.
Andrew
toytech40
Well-known member
toytech40
Well-known member
bradleys
Well-known member
I use 16 oz deli containers with lids. They cost about 17 cents each including tax. I'm building shelves between the 6x8 timbers in my new garage. My big M656 truck parks in that part of the shop, so there's not a lot of room for wide shelves. I'm making the shelves out of 1x6 pine boards, so they're only 5 1/2 inches wide. That's plenty of room for the 4 7/8 x 5 1/2 containers.
There are several problems with the plastic or metal bins that are often used. These containers solve those problems.
First is the expense - the bins cost two to five dollars each, depending on size. These are 17 cents.
Second is visibility of contents - most of the bins are opaque. While they may have open tops and low fronts for visibility, that creates the next problem.
Third is keeping the parts clean - most of the bins are open top. These containers have lids attached.
Are deli containers a perfect solution? Of course not. These containers are intended for single use, so they're not near as durable as industrial bins. One might also argue that they don't look as nice as a professional cabinet or rack. But, I found them to be a good solution at my old place in Port McNeill. Once I get the shelves built and populated at my new place in Blaine, I'll have some better pictures.
There are several problems with the plastic or metal bins that are often used. These containers solve those problems.
First is the expense - the bins cost two to five dollars each, depending on size. These are 17 cents.
Second is visibility of contents - most of the bins are opaque. While they may have open tops and low fronts for visibility, that creates the next problem.
Third is keeping the parts clean - most of the bins are open top. These containers have lids attached.
Are deli containers a perfect solution? Of course not. These containers are intended for single use, so they're not near as durable as industrial bins. One might also argue that they don't look as nice as a professional cabinet or rack. But, I found them to be a good solution at my old place in Port McNeill. Once I get the shelves built and populated at my new place in Blaine, I'll have some better pictures.
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shocksystems
Well-known member
After reading through so many of these threads over the years, I finally bit the bullet and did something about it myself. So many different solutions, I kept hoping I would stumble across a good deal on a storage solution at a yard sale or on Craigslist or something, but I never did.
I ended up going forward with a solution like Sams (post #35 on this thread). I like the way his solution is very dense and it seemed like it was affordable. I also like the way everything is closed so they will not fill full of dust and debris.
I chose the Yellow Harbor Freight bins that Mobeck1 references in his post #35 and other people have mentioned. The largest (called 8 bin) of these bins was on a great sale this month to inside track members.
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93929.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/19-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93928.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93927.html
The fact that the bins can be moved around from one organizer bin to another is so great. Makes these storage organizers much more valuable IMHO. Also they lock closed very securely.
I bought 40 feet of 1x1x1/8" angle iron to make the rails and used 2x4s and scrap wood I had around to make the frame.
Sorting the hardware and labeling the bins took a LONG time. I am still not done. Going through it was a learning experience, I realized how pointless it was for me to save some stuff I was saving and was surprised at how many of some things I have. I threw out a lot of stuff and still have a lot.
I still need to label all of the bins and I want to label the front outside of each bin so that I know which one to pull when I am looking for something. In addition I want to get the ugly labels off of the cover of each. I hope that heating them will free them because I tried to remove one and it did not go well.
I am no cabinet maker so it looks a little rough, but it works and it was fun. Very happy to make progress. Thank you everyone for you inspiration and ideas.
Cheers!
Jim
I ended up going forward with a solution like Sams (post #35 on this thread). I like the way his solution is very dense and it seemed like it was affordable. I also like the way everything is closed so they will not fill full of dust and debris.
I chose the Yellow Harbor Freight bins that Mobeck1 references in his post #35 and other people have mentioned. The largest (called 8 bin) of these bins was on a great sale this month to inside track members.
http://www.harborfreight.com/15-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93929.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/19-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93928.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-bin-portable-parts-storage-case-93927.html
The fact that the bins can be moved around from one organizer bin to another is so great. Makes these storage organizers much more valuable IMHO. Also they lock closed very securely.
I bought 40 feet of 1x1x1/8" angle iron to make the rails and used 2x4s and scrap wood I had around to make the frame.
Sorting the hardware and labeling the bins took a LONG time. I am still not done. Going through it was a learning experience, I realized how pointless it was for me to save some stuff I was saving and was surprised at how many of some things I have. I threw out a lot of stuff and still have a lot.
I still need to label all of the bins and I want to label the front outside of each bin so that I know which one to pull when I am looking for something. In addition I want to get the ugly labels off of the cover of each. I hope that heating them will free them because I tried to remove one and it did not go well.
I am no cabinet maker so it looks a little rough, but it works and it was fun. Very happy to make progress. Thank you everyone for you inspiration and ideas.
Cheers!
Jim
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Lugnut64052
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- Dec 1, 2008
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- 275
Looks great Jim.
A lot of my problem is that any storage I've created over the years is open, and always gets nasty, grimy, filthy, dirty. I'm always welding, painting, grinding, blowing dust around, etc, in my garage. Viewing pictures on here I'm constantly amazed at how clean guys are able to keep their garages. Some of them look like danged operating rooms.
Do you plan on labeling the front of your trays so you know what's in which tray?
A lot of my problem is that any storage I've created over the years is open, and always gets nasty, grimy, filthy, dirty. I'm always welding, painting, grinding, blowing dust around, etc, in my garage. Viewing pictures on here I'm constantly amazed at how clean guys are able to keep their garages. Some of them look like danged operating rooms.
Do you plan on labeling the front of your trays so you know what's in which tray?
sams
Well-known member
ha! have I started a trend?
I like how you made it so that it looks like a proper wooden enclosure and how the handles stick out. I agree with you in the regard of how they are sealed, I also suspect it would stop the zinc coating of bolts to fade over time due to the reduced corrosion.
I like how you made it so that it looks like a proper wooden enclosure and how the handles stick out. I agree with you in the regard of how they are sealed, I also suspect it would stop the zinc coating of bolts to fade over time due to the reduced corrosion.
How about a couple of these? Anyone know the original purpose for these cabinets?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...-for-Tools-Small-Parts-etc-W0QQAdIdZ280087093
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...-for-Tools-Small-Parts-etc-W0QQAdIdZ280087093
PCO6
Well-known member
I have plastic bins over my bench and 2 card file cabinets beside my bench but here's how I organize my smallest hardware. It's simply three 12"W x 24"H x 6"D hardware drawer cabinets mounted to the wall with 2 cabinets of the same size that slide from side to side on a rail system I built and hung from a metal cabinet that is overhead. Works great 
but I still need to disassemble everything for painting.
but I still need to disassemble everything for painting.
Victorymike18
Well-known member
I like the rail system - very efficient use of the space.
PCO6
Well-known member
Thanks Mike. I made the rail with 2 peices of power strut bolted back to back and then screwed them to the underside of the cabinet above. I used nylon shower door rollers. They are inexpensive and handle a lot of weight. The 2 front cabinets roll very smoothly and are "wiggle" free.
shocksystems
Well-known member
Thanks.
I too am amazed at how clean people are able to keep their garages. I have so much dust around my garage, I really need to do something about it. I do plan on labeling the front of each of the bins.
FYI to anyone who is trying to get labels off the bins like these without ruining them; I found that drenching the labels with WD40 (what is left of the labels after I try and remove them) and letting them soak is allowing me to get the rest of the label off with ease. Probably have half of them clean now. Makes a difference because it was hard to see in the bins with labels still on them.
Cheers!
Jim
northernborn99
Banned
Ive got a few five gallon buckets. one quarter full of bolts. One half full of nails. And you get the point. Not really orginized, one day ime gonna get a nice bin cabinit.
KCarGuy
Well-known member
There was some questions on the Size and specs on the Cabinet that I made to hold my Plano plastic organizers...so here it is;
Each side holds 10 bins, (2 wide), so 20 bins
24 7/8" tall by 30 3/4" wide by 8 3/4" deep (inside)
each space is 2 1/8" tall...8 3/4" deep...14 1/4" wide
back plywood is 3/4", Sides and center are 3/4" wide, Bottom is 3/4", top is 1/2"
all shelves are 1/4" plywood.
hope that helps...
Each side holds 10 bins, (2 wide), so 20 bins
24 7/8" tall by 30 3/4" wide by 8 3/4" deep (inside)
each space is 2 1/8" tall...8 3/4" deep...14 1/4" wide
back plywood is 3/4", Sides and center are 3/4" wide, Bottom is 3/4", top is 1/2"
all shelves are 1/4" plywood.
hope that helps...
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BlindViper
Well-known member
I started on my file card cabinet organization today. I need about 80 more oil quart containers and Ill be golden.
tinbender 66
Well-known member
I've shown this before but I've fixed it up a bit since. Don't know what it was originally used for, some kind of card file or something.
It's got a hundred drawers and doors that open and then slide back inside. Got it at a garage sale for twenty bucks.
It was pretty nasty so I stripped it primed it and painted it. Some cheap handles from Lowes and it looks pretty good.
The drawers were kind of weird w/o backs so I just cut some sheetmetal and stuck 'em on with wafer tek screws
I got these other two after my Dad passed away. Painted them to match and made the same kind of labels.
It's got a hundred drawers and doors that open and then slide back inside. Got it at a garage sale for twenty bucks.
It was pretty nasty so I stripped it primed it and painted it. Some cheap handles from Lowes and it looks pretty good.
The drawers were kind of weird w/o backs so I just cut some sheetmetal and stuck 'em on with wafer tek screws
I got these other two after my Dad passed away. Painted them to match and made the same kind of labels.
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airmissle
Active member
I love the "msc ****", "msc ****", "MoreShit" and "other ****" drawers!
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
The locksmiths at my college use old library card catalogs to store all their parts in. They also have an entire set where all the keys are stored in individual envelopes. This way they can store a huge amount of stuff in a small space.
For those of you within driving distance of Springfield, IL
http://ibid.illinois.gov/detail.asp?id=6231
http://ibid.illinois.gov/detail.asp?id=6231
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I wish that I was closer. The hardware that ends up in my garage just seems to take over. If I can organize it I can find it when I need it.
Thanks for the post.
truckerman42
Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2011
- Messages
- 5
I have a old dresser that I keep hardware in. I tend to have it neat one day, and a mess the next.
TOOL MASTER
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- Apr 25, 2011
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NASTYZEN
Well-known member
I have plastic bins over my bench and 2 card file cabinets beside my bench but here's how I organize my smallest hardware. It's simply three 12"W x 24"H x 6"D hardware drawer cabinets mounted to the wall with 2 cabinets of the same size that slide from side to side on a rail system I built and hung from a metal cabinet that is overhead. Works great
You crafty devil you!
That's cool.blazemaster83
Well-known member
Man its good to see someone else that uses names like "other ****" "more ****". Thats exactly how I label my stuff and people think I'm nuts. Im not tryin to make it more convenient for others to use, and I'm not concerned with offending any youngsters. I make em how I want and it works great
rsieracki
Well-known member
i have a drawer on my tool box labeled "****"... my buddy always laughed till he asked to borrow something i kept in that drawer
tinbender 66
Well-known member
i have a drawer on my tool box labeled "****"... my buddy always laughed till he asked to borrow something i kept in that drawer
Since that last pic I've added "eentsy" and "weentsy"
My hardware storage is all over the shop. My biggest problem is remembering what I have and where it is at. Eventually, I'd like to consolidate more to the equipto box, but for now the jars are there and most are labeled.
In case you're curious, the Lego boxes are perfect storage for small parts that go with projects.
In case you're curious, the Lego boxes are perfect storage for small parts that go with projects.
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slipjointed
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- May 31, 2011
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Right now I'm running the cheesy plastic drawer jobbies, but there are three ultimate solutions IMO.
-The rear-hung plastic bins as seen elsewhere in this thread
-Vidmar cabinets with the divider systems (my favorite)
-McMaster sells a tilt-out bin system that is really nice
-The rear-hung plastic bins as seen elsewhere in this thread
-Vidmar cabinets with the divider systems (my favorite)
-McMaster sells a tilt-out bin system that is really nice
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I will get some pics...but I use several Stanley and Plano boxes that I use to take parts with me to jobs (computer repair, phone and data wiring, etc)
My shop is organized with several 6 drawer cabinets used in hardware stores for their fastener bins. I've also got one of the small clear drawer parts cabinets, and a small 2 drawer metal cabinet from Curtis Industries that I have screws and solderless terminals in. That was rescued from someone's garage. I've got shelves full of inventory, or as my dad calls it, junk.
My Craftsman tool cabinet/rollaway is 40 percent tools, 60 percent more parts, wire, etc.
My shop is organized with several 6 drawer cabinets used in hardware stores for their fastener bins. I've also got one of the small clear drawer parts cabinets, and a small 2 drawer metal cabinet from Curtis Industries that I have screws and solderless terminals in. That was rescued from someone's garage. I've got shelves full of inventory, or as my dad calls it, junk.
My Craftsman tool cabinet/rollaway is 40 percent tools, 60 percent more parts, wire, etc.
I picked this up for $85. It's actually pretty neat, with each unit is being a slide-out drawer. They can come out completely with no slides or detents. There's also a hole to put a pad lock through. It's still pretty empty. I've been searching for some decent storage bins for the assorted stuff I currently have.
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btbsandman
Well-known member
I repack the spare nuts and bolts into my reloaded 12 guage shells. Makes for an interesting scatter pattern in targets.
I picked this up for $85. It's actually pretty neat, with each unit is being a slide-out drawer. They can come out completely with no slides or detents. There's also a hole to put a pad lock through. It's still pretty empty. I've been searching for some decent storage bins for the assorted stuff I currently have.
That is pretty neat! Any idea of what it used to be for?
ClickClickBoom
Well-known member
Akro-Bins and old metal office cabinets from craigslist. Cabinets need cleaned / painted, but that will be a winter project. I can get about 40-50 bins in each cabinet.
