Old Fastener Storage: Do you indulge or refrain?
- Thread starter Outlawmws
- Start date
Those look like they are made of aluminum? Also looks like one had a drawer pull at one point. A bunch of those, maybe in a plywood case would be good for big stuff.
I tried to get a nice drawer set, about 30" wide or so and maybe 18" deep and a foot or so high. Manufactured. Unfortunately the guy wasn't selling it... He also had what may have been early Snap-On or Matco chest and roller. I didn't even need to ask if that was for sale...
Alan Douglas
Well-known member
I started out with cheese boxes my father brought home from the A&P where he worked (back when cheese came in finger-jointed wooden boxes). These are sorted by size and head type. When I found some Equipto metal cabinets at a flea market I sorted some of the number-size screws into those, by length. Fractional sizes go into cardboard "Kole bins."
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http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/...c-storage-bins-37-in-x-11-in-x-45-in--4023482
pretty good deal from tractor supply.32 small bins 15 large on rack 99 bucks
pretty good deal from tractor supply.32 small bins 15 large on rack 99 bucks
ibedayank
Well-known member
Strouty
Well-known member
Who do you sell them to? how do you keep them sorted? Do you keep them by vehicle or size or what?
Love the cheese boxes Alan. I have ONE that came with my Morgan's pipe vise inserts, and was painted the same battleship gray as the vise.
Your Equipto resembles the one I couldn't get the guy to sell...
I almost went with the cardboard bins, way back, but decided not to. I have a couple around that I acquired, now and then, but nothing organized.
ibedayank
Well-known member
I'm guessing yo keep old bolts personally, and sell new ones professionally?
by part number and size
work for a pre 1975 british bike shop ... BSA Norton Triumph
whitworth and british emperial threads
I have a 4 row rack 4 ft wide similar to the larger bins over my workbench, with a mix of small parts, air couplers, drill tipped sheetmetal screws, larger nails I haven't transferred over to the Big Navy box yet, and bulk bins of nuts and bolts that I picked up and won't fit in the "Hardware Store" yet.
While they are great for storage, the also collect dust, and debris from any messy work nearby. something to think about when deciding where to put something like that.
I also have a moving box full of the smaller ones, yet to be put to use. Have to come up with a plan for those...
ibedayank
Well-known member
So that's your work? What do you do (For fasteners)at home?
why ...get them from work or the boss picks them up for me of course
thats only the NOS stuff used stuff is in another room
I went to a tool auction Saturday, they had a bunch of Lawson? fastener bins and the smaller slide out containers.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
ibedayank, that is really cool!
930dreamer, Lawson is an industrial supplier like Grainger...they do the whole bin and drawer thing with fasteners.
930dreamer, Lawson is an industrial supplier like Grainger...they do the whole bin and drawer thing with fasteners.
camarotoolman
Banned
I made 32x32x3 boxes with deviders, then made a base cabinet the hold the "drawers" Also clear water bottles are good, you can see whats in them and they don't break like glass jars.
OK I found something today that may get used for fastener storage, or it may get used elsewhere...
First yard sale of the morning, and I see this box with a crude silver paint job. But it's a box, so I have to open it, right? (Pandora is laughing her *** off somewhere...)
Doesn't look special other than it's clearly shop made; almost certainly by someone in the sheet metal trade.
First thing I notice is it's HEAVY. I'm intrigued. I open it up and am surprised to see drawers.
Even the drawers are heavy! and well made to boot, despite the **** paint job on the outside. I ask how much, and it's a dollar. Done deal!
At home I open it up to see how it's built, and the drawer supports are heavy sheet metal bent at an angle.
The drawers check out to be 16 Ga sheet metal, the door is 12 ga, and the box walls themselves are 14 Gage. This thing is built to last!
The only indication of what it was used for is the remnants of a wood rail in the top drawer. It once had a series of grooves cut into it, and they ahd issues keeping them in place, witness the small nails holding the wood bits in.
I have no clue what it was made for, but I suspect it was purpose built. now what I need to decide is what I will do with it, parts, fasteners, and something with tools...
It is about 13" long, 7" high, and 6" wide, and weighs in at almost 19 Lbs! Way to heavy for camping use, and more that I'd want to use for anything used in portable mode all the time!
The outside corners are all square with no indication of welds showing thru the paint. This applies to the box and the drawer comers. Superb craftsmanship! I'm certain to strip this down and very curious how it will look bare metal. The only indication of the welding is on the inside of the box.
First yard sale of the morning, and I see this box with a crude silver paint job. But it's a box, so I have to open it, right? (Pandora is laughing her *** off somewhere...)
Doesn't look special other than it's clearly shop made; almost certainly by someone in the sheet metal trade.
First thing I notice is it's HEAVY.
I'm intrigued. I open it up and am surprised to see drawers.Even the drawers are heavy! and well made to boot, despite the **** paint job on the outside. I ask how much, and it's a dollar. Done deal!
At home I open it up to see how it's built, and the drawer supports are heavy sheet metal bent at an angle.
The drawers check out to be 16 Ga sheet metal, the door is 12 ga, and the box walls themselves are 14 Gage. This thing is built to last!
The only indication of what it was used for is the remnants of a wood rail in the top drawer. It once had a series of grooves cut into it, and they ahd issues keeping them in place, witness the small nails holding the wood bits in.
I have no clue what it was made for, but I suspect it was purpose built. now what I need to decide is what I will do with it, parts, fasteners, and something with tools...
It is about 13" long, 7" high, and 6" wide, and weighs in at almost 19 Lbs! Way to heavy for camping use, and more that I'd want to use for anything used in portable mode all the time!
The outside corners are all square with no indication of welds showing thru the paint. This applies to the box and the drawer comers. Superb craftsmanship! I'm certain to strip this down and very curious how it will look bare metal. The only indication of the welding is on the inside of the box.
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BWS
Well-known member
I'd throw bead roller dies in it.......or something like that.Maybe part of a bigger machines accessories?Lathe gears N wrenches?BW
Hmm, all my bead rollers and the like have machines Holding them, but I see your point. If I was still racing it might be good for Quick Change Gears... I'll have to look around the garage with those thoughts...
I'll also have to get my larger tank setup for the E tank and let that do the paint stripping for me. For once, I have a project with no visible rust, but I'm really liking how electrolysis removes paint also so easily.
I'll also have to get my larger tank setup for the E tank and let that do the paint stripping for me. For once, I have a project with no visible rust, but I'm really liking how electrolysis removes paint also so easily.
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BWS
Well-known member
Got a '47 6X18 Hyd tablefeed,Norton surface grinder.....with get this,a Pope spindle.Sportin a Walker mag-chuck...yadayada.Thats the good news.
Its been sitting unused because I sorta "threw" it(2500 #'s)back in a closet of sorts.Theres M/C leathers and a bunch of huntin jackets,nicely hung on a steel pipe over the grinder.....if that ain't bad enough...theres a half dz spare wheels for M/C's along with some used tyres for same,stored above "clothes pole".I'll get a pic.
It freakin came as an epiphany Saturday........theres a spot in a much more appropriate place in shop for all the jacket chit......I just never looked at it that way before cause.....theres a big tall computer cabinet/enclosure(1980's lookin)I drug home and have had it shoved full of BS for 10 or so years.So,that POS got cleaned out last night which frees up space for a PROPER Dbl decker,jacket rack!Will get pics.
The point of all this is.....you just never know when draggin something home,how it'll impact the shop/garage.It could be said that above computer enclosure F...ed up that space for all these years......but the way I see it is....Naw,it was just holding that spot open,waiting for me to figure it out.So clean your steel box up....might even throw some stupid chit in it....then one day the light bulb comes on.Best,BW
Its been sitting unused because I sorta "threw" it(2500 #'s)back in a closet of sorts.Theres M/C leathers and a bunch of huntin jackets,nicely hung on a steel pipe over the grinder.....if that ain't bad enough...theres a half dz spare wheels for M/C's along with some used tyres for same,stored above "clothes pole".I'll get a pic.
It freakin came as an epiphany Saturday........theres a spot in a much more appropriate place in shop for all the jacket chit......I just never looked at it that way before cause.....theres a big tall computer cabinet/enclosure(1980's lookin)I drug home and have had it shoved full of BS for 10 or so years.So,that POS got cleaned out last night which frees up space for a PROPER Dbl decker,jacket rack!Will get pics.
The point of all this is.....you just never know when draggin something home,how it'll impact the shop/garage.It could be said that above computer enclosure F...ed up that space for all these years......but the way I see it is....Naw,it was just holding that spot open,waiting for me to figure it out.So clean your steel box up....might even throw some stupid chit in it....then one day the light bulb comes on.Best,BW
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BWS
Well-known member
Update on the "Hardware store" section of my setup: I snagged an 18 drawer 3X5 card cabinet, overall size 34 wide ~10 or so tall and 17 deep a couple of weeks ago that looked like this:
A quick sanding a repaint of the drawer fronts and the top sides and front of the case and It's in service in the hardware store, (with a little rearrange for a new home for the ultrasonic cleaner):
Now to do the other one I have that is missing one drawer, and find a home for it... Maybe in the work room.
as well as decide what works best in the new storage. I need to rethink some of the other areas, drawers, and bins...
A quick sanding a repaint of the drawer fronts and the top sides and front of the case and It's in service in the hardware store, (with a little rearrange for a new home for the ultrasonic cleaner):
Now to do the other one I have that is missing one drawer, and find a home for it... Maybe in the work room.
as well as decide what works best in the new storage. I need to rethink some of the other areas, drawers, and bins...
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JimVonBaden
Well-known member
I have one similar to yours.
Looked like this when I got it from CraigsList for $30:
I also have a small plastice organizer.
I don't have near the collection of fasteners as some of you, but plenty for my needs.
Jim
Looked like this when I got it from CraigsList for $30:
I also have a small plastice organizer.
I don't have near the collection of fasteners as some of you, but plenty for my needs.
Jim
sberry
Banned
I go thru a few things as they come up, save some specialty items, if its any good sorted and filed but rusty greasy stuff goes in to the junk to be shipped to china. I replace a lot of rusty bolts, not going to save them. New is good. A big item that is more expensive, large bolts etc are more likely to be saved, 1/4 20 nuts never, ha
Tim The Tool Man
Well-known member
I, like many others on this thread, go out of my way to salvage old hardware. I generally throw all my extra parts in a large tub, when full I take an hour or so and sort it. Small to medium sized parts go into the various bins and trays you see in the first picture. -sorry I'm in the middle of a project and things get messy! Larger parts or large quantities of the same part go in plastic shoe totes on a shelf in my back room as shown in the second picture. I,m not a hoarder but I really do like having that odd part on hand when I puttering in my shop. I hate having to drop everything to run to the hardware store. If I have no choice and end up having to go to the hardware store I always buy extra for the next time I might need that same screw, nut, or bolt.
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Cars&Classic
Well-known member
I recently tried on of the Harbor freight tumblers for rusty bolts. So far it is doing a decent job. I am still experimenting with different media types. it seams as if the coarser the better. it is defenitly easyer than a wire wheel or media cabinet for small stuff, I am going to try their larger model soon since the small one worked out good.
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/tumblers-vibrators/5-lb-metal-********-tumbler-67617.html
i just pour the bolts in let it run for a few hours then put them into a strainer bucket blow of the dust and sort.
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/tumblers-vibrators/5-lb-metal-********-tumbler-67617.html
i just pour the bolts in let it run for a few hours then put them into a strainer bucket blow of the dust and sort.
GarageWarrior
Well-known member
What type of tumbling media do you use?
I've tried HF's Rust-Cutting Resin Abrasive and it worked Ok, but at $4/lb filling my 18lb tumbler can get pricey and the media does wear out. Switched to crushed glass recently (using old glass bottles) - that media works a bit faster and is free, but seem to be wearing out plastic tumbler bowl ... and tumbler bowls are not not cheap, so still looking for a better media
Dick in Wisconsin
Well-known member
What is the name of the store and where is it? Do they have a web site? Thanks!
Cars&Classic
Well-known member
I didnt like the HF as much i am trying a few different ones so far the 25lb bag of black beauty type from menards has worked best it has a new name though. I will get the name but it is the only one menards has.
GarageWarrior
Well-known member
Think I know what you talking about. There is no Menards near me, but I did pickup 50lb of Black Diamond blasting media from Tractor Supply, which is just another name for black beauty/coal slag:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/...k-diamond-20-40-blasting-media-50-lb--3905403
Somebody else mentioned that it did not work well in their tumbler, so I was not gonna try it, but might give it a shot, if you say it works good.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
No old fasteners for me, new ones arent expensive enough to even consider that...anything "used" goes into my scrap metal pail. Only way I keep it is if the original finish is still on the bolt or nut. Washers are guaranteed scrap.
Heck if there are any Maine members here interested...when I get another pail full, I can sell for scrap price...
Heck if there are any Maine members here interested...when I get another pail full, I can sell for scrap price...
It took my father less than 5 minutes to find an obscure nut to fit a Volvo headlight wiper arm recently. He has his own system. This comes from years of taking apart cars and saving the hardware. It has come in handy quite a few times.
camarotoolman
Banned
I like used water bottles. Free, don't break, can see whats in it. I line them up on shelfs. For bigger stuff, i made wooden trays with dividers and then made a cabinet to keep them in. Course I never have what I need so I still have to make a trip to the store.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
santagary
Well-known member
incurablescrounge
Well-known member
My name is Doug and I am a hoarder.
I like to have a hardware supply on hand so I don't have to run to the store everytime I need something. I collected a few nice parts cabinets but nothing was ever big enough to hold it all.
Then one day I found this. Addressograph name plate storage cabinet. 6' tall, 4' wide and 2' deep. 133 drawers to organize everything. The roll up doors were the icing on the cake!
I have collected alot of little cardboard boxes from work and the hardware store to organize the bolts, etc. I built a cart with wheels for it so I could move it when it is full. Empty it weighs around 750#. I have most of my hardware in it and I would guess it about 40% capacity.
I like to have a hardware supply on hand so I don't have to run to the store everytime I need something. I collected a few nice parts cabinets but nothing was ever big enough to hold it all.
Then one day I found this. Addressograph name plate storage cabinet. 6' tall, 4' wide and 2' deep. 133 drawers to organize everything. The roll up doors were the icing on the cake!
I have collected alot of little cardboard boxes from work and the hardware store to organize the bolts, etc. I built a cart with wheels for it so I could move it when it is full. Empty it weighs around 750#. I have most of my hardware in it and I would guess it about 40% capacity.
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Hey Doug, I'm Shayne and if you read my sig, you will know I am probably touching myself looking at your pictures...
On a more serious note, thanks for posting, I just found the purpose of a desk I found recently from reading your post and google.
Nice storage Outlaw, I will be posting mine in here shortly!
On a more serious note, thanks for posting, I just found the purpose of a desk I found recently from reading your post and google.
Nice storage Outlaw, I will be posting mine in here shortly!
I try my best to store my fasteners, nut & bolts, zip ties, etc. but based on the OP’s photo’s I’m not OCD enough to do this.
God knows I try but I just do not have the genetic link that would make me put everything exactly where it should go.
I’ve got 5 gallon Homer buckets with the parts trays that fit inside. The Homer buckets all have tops and the exterior of the buckets are labeled with what’s inside (nails, screws, nuts & bolts, misc. ****) or, really what's supposed to be inside.
I agree with the previous poster who restored tractors. I think anyone doing restoration work needs to keep each and every screw, bolt, etc. that comes with the project, even if in the final restore all of the little pieces are not needed or used.
When it comes to drywall screws that I buy by the pound, I’m not that worried about keeping up.
I have ready access to a decent neighborhood hardware store (although the sales help is usually clueless) so if I need 3 flat washers odds are I’m going to go buy 4 of them rather than start opening containers digging for them.
Of course, I’ll buy 4 flat washers, just in case, then I’ll only use 3 and I’ll have that odd washer that will wind up in the bottom of my tool kit.
Does my inability to cataloging screws cost me more money. I’m sure it does.
Does buying new stuff when I really don’t need it cost me money – yep but sometimes I’ve got to weigh the time it is going to take me to find something versus the time I have to work on a project. Some of the projects I work on I’ve got limited personal time that I can spend on them and buying the common screw, washer is just easier and quicker.
I’m starting to wonder why Dr. Phil or Oprah have not done a show on folks like me who have that odd flat washer (or maybe 3 odd flat washers) sitting in their tool box without a place to go at night?
Maybe I have Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. Maybe I need to get on Ritalin or Adderall to help.
All you guys who put all your stuff away, I envy your abilities.
Me, I’ve got to go to the hardware store right now because I need a screw.
God knows I try but I just do not have the genetic link that would make me put everything exactly where it should go.
I’ve got 5 gallon Homer buckets with the parts trays that fit inside. The Homer buckets all have tops and the exterior of the buckets are labeled with what’s inside (nails, screws, nuts & bolts, misc. ****) or, really what's supposed to be inside.
I agree with the previous poster who restored tractors. I think anyone doing restoration work needs to keep each and every screw, bolt, etc. that comes with the project, even if in the final restore all of the little pieces are not needed or used.
When it comes to drywall screws that I buy by the pound, I’m not that worried about keeping up.
I have ready access to a decent neighborhood hardware store (although the sales help is usually clueless) so if I need 3 flat washers odds are I’m going to go buy 4 of them rather than start opening containers digging for them.
Of course, I’ll buy 4 flat washers, just in case, then I’ll only use 3 and I’ll have that odd washer that will wind up in the bottom of my tool kit.
Does my inability to cataloging screws cost me more money. I’m sure it does.
Does buying new stuff when I really don’t need it cost me money – yep but sometimes I’ve got to weigh the time it is going to take me to find something versus the time I have to work on a project. Some of the projects I work on I’ve got limited personal time that I can spend on them and buying the common screw, washer is just easier and quicker.
I’m starting to wonder why Dr. Phil or Oprah have not done a show on folks like me who have that odd flat washer (or maybe 3 odd flat washers) sitting in their tool box without a place to go at night?
Maybe I have Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. Maybe I need to get on Ritalin or Adderall to help.
All you guys who put all your stuff away, I envy your abilities.
Me, I’ve got to go to the hardware store right now because I need a screw.
Rod N
Well-known member
sberry
Banned
some nice stuff here. There were a couple qoateworthy things, to tell the truth most "saving" eventually gets tossed. I really look at duty cycle, value etc when saving. I need a handful of metrics for a busticated or missing one, same with fines, either one a coffee can of each suffices and am not taking up space with an elaborate layout where the use is minor, NC is another matter. I save some bigger stuff which cost more, or is more rare, a handful of specialty things just in case, again with some regard for efficiency, use duty, but 1/4 thru 3/4,, really to half are considered consumables and I toss 1000's of small nuts/bolts in the scrap each year, I am not saving the old, not cleaning it. I an not against saving, will step over and toss some good flat washers of few cable staples where they go, I have really decided before that point in most cases, use new hardware. All gets sprayed with common penetrating spray during assembly .
I work on about 90% my own stuff, just reman a hay baler for example. Replaced most of the small bolts in it. I want to be able to service it with hay with common tools vs torch, grinder or sawzall to get a 40 yr old bolt out during some event.
I work on about 90% my own stuff, just reman a hay baler for example. Replaced most of the small bolts in it. I want to be able to service it with hay with common tools vs torch, grinder or sawzall to get a 40 yr old bolt out during some event.
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sberry
Banned
LSU, no law says you have to save the stuff, not perfect either, some things can go in coffee cans, screw in hooks etc, too many sizes to make it practical to file, not enough use, no big deal to sort thru a coffee can but 3/8 nuts a different matter especially when bought in bulk.
Had an occasion a while back to score something we had sorted during clean up, all the misc trailer hdw we ran across went in bucket,put in to storage. It was great to find it, rare event I need it, didn't sort every piece when I stored it, just tossed all similar in a bucket, haven't been back since, its only worth a certain level of effort. Is worth the effort to keep rack in work area with 3/8 NC nuts, use hundreds a year.
Had a deal during a reman the other day, needed 50 7/16 2 1/2 carriage bolts, had a few for service work but just had someone pick them up, buy a few extra in sized we do use, bought a handful specific to a future event, not going to stock many more than that.
My neighbor was cleaning garage, brought me a bunch of hardware, after a few minutes I was playing game as to how far I could file it down, I dumped the wood dust and the boxes in the stove for heat but had files a few cable staples and flat washers. Out of half a dozen big boxex was only a handful of exotic stuff I really didnt have imidate use for or didnt stock.
Sheet metal screws, self drilliers, power drive fasteners are a modern wonder, would be lost without them. I remember the effort when I was a kid. wood work was terible, same old screw with slot, ha Now days dont even save them, if we run across the nead it gets replaced with modern power drive version.
Have a space for deck screws too, way back we used a few drywall but today never, coated deck.
As I recall that strip was an electric fixture, just tacket some little scraps in, spray white screw to bench for common sizes that we lean on.
Had an occasion a while back to score something we had sorted during clean up, all the misc trailer hdw we ran across went in bucket,put in to storage. It was great to find it, rare event I need it, didn't sort every piece when I stored it, just tossed all similar in a bucket, haven't been back since, its only worth a certain level of effort. Is worth the effort to keep rack in work area with 3/8 NC nuts, use hundreds a year.
Had a deal during a reman the other day, needed 50 7/16 2 1/2 carriage bolts, had a few for service work but just had someone pick them up, buy a few extra in sized we do use, bought a handful specific to a future event, not going to stock many more than that.
My neighbor was cleaning garage, brought me a bunch of hardware, after a few minutes I was playing game as to how far I could file it down, I dumped the wood dust and the boxes in the stove for heat but had files a few cable staples and flat washers. Out of half a dozen big boxex was only a handful of exotic stuff I really didnt have imidate use for or didnt stock.
Sheet metal screws, self drilliers, power drive fasteners are a modern wonder, would be lost without them. I remember the effort when I was a kid. wood work was terible, same old screw with slot, ha Now days dont even save them, if we run across the nead it gets replaced with modern power drive version.
Have a space for deck screws too, way back we used a few drywall but today never, coated deck.
As I recall that strip was an electric fixture, just tacket some little scraps in, spray white screw to bench for common sizes that we lean on.
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