Electrical Connector Storage

[D45]

I want a semi portable solution to all the dozens and dozens of various electrical wiring connectors I have.......in 3 different locations.

I really really like this metal drawer system, but they are like $300 new!!!

Any ideas?

Someone suggested a multi layered fishing tackle storage compartment box setup......but will all the connectors stay put and and leak into other compartments?

 

[loganb]

I separate them by expected usage. This is the container for household(120/240v) stuff



Basic $12 dollar HD organizer. I have smaller(shallower) ones for the ring/spade terminal type stuff, a different one for coax/ethernet etc

 

[AdAstra]

Durham’s clear boxes with their metal racks are nice because you can see what’s in each box, and the boxes are available in different divider patterns.

Same idea is available in a few sizes so make sure rack matches boxes.

There is an available separate part that is a lock bar for drawer retention for carry… or if mostly at a desk and only occasionally moved, you can install the handle biased towards opening, so that it tilts back and the boxes don’t tend fall out when you lift it.

https://www.durhammfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Racks-for-Plastic-Comp-Boxes-SS-2024-a.pdf

 

[sebastian_bailey]

The cabinet with the roller bearing slides is about 300$, but the individual boxes are only like 40$ it seems like a lot but the build quality is great, the liners are removable sp you can put them in a different box if need be, and you can buy these things years down the line because the form factor never changes. Woth the tackle boxes I found the plastics get rough looking as they age,or they don't stay clear when scratched up. I would go with the full size durhams

 

[fourjeepin]

I wanted some of those bins years ago but didn’t have the money to buy them. Then I learned about a nearby Home Depot that was relocating and since I worked for corporate, I knew nothing left the closing store. $800 later, I owned all of the hardware bins. I was thrilled, but then the guy in charge told me that included all of the hardware. I ripped open the little bags of hardware until my fingers were raw then I cut open a couple hundred more.

I sold a bunch of the bins to friends/family and gave away several 5-gallon buckets of hardware, but still ended up with way more bins than i intended to keep plus several lifetimes worth of some hardware.

A couple of pics below

 

[D45]

Semi portable......

I want to be able to move or carry the organizer with me, to the part of the shop I'm working in

4-5 drawer setup will suffice

 

[jblnut]

When I had a service van and was on the road full time I leaned heavily into the DeWalt pack out style boxes. They can easily be grabbed and taken with you and are quite weather resistant. They do occupy a fair bit of space for the amount of storage space they offer. Milwaukee and many other brands make similar things. I had a whole wall of them with various things in them. I also had a two wheel cart that I could click them into and take them with me on the job site. Worked well.

 

[cbracer]

I would recommend this:

Stanley 25-Compartment Shallow Pro Small Parts Organizer 014725R - The Home Depot

Keep small items and accessories neatly sorted with the selection of this affordable 25-Compartment Shallow Pro Small Parts Organizer from Stanley.

www.homedepot.com

They also make a deeper one, and Harbor Freight has cheap versions similar to it.

 

[RTM]

I’m currently working thru a similar probablem, but I will be segregating the wire nuts et al from the crimp connectors. In my world they very rarely cross, I can carry two boxes when I need to. I’m leaning towards something like @cbracer showed above, but once I get them all out of wherever I packratted them, I’ll know how much space I’ll need.

 

[mngundog]

I want a semi portable solution to all the dozens and dozens of various electrical wiring connectors I have.......in 3 different locations.

I really really like this metal drawer system, but they are like $300 new!!!

Any ideas?

Someone suggested a multi layered fishing tackle storage compartment box setup......but will all the connectors stay put and and leak into other compartments?

I bought those through Zoro maybe 5 years ago, on Sale for around $125 ish for the larger ones. It's like this one for $175 but I'm not positive the boxes are included:

https://www.zoro.com/durham-mfg-drawer-bearing-rack-307b-95-d933/i/G505932902/

Runnings had (probably still has) the smaller Durham 4 metal box system that included random parts of some type, that use to go on sale for around $90.

 

[seber]

Plano makes configurable boxes for this sort of thing.
https://www.amazon.com/Plano-ProLatch-Stowaway-Tackle-4-Pack/dp/B08Q7G1YRD?tag=atomicindus08-20
I use them for fishing tackle. My wife uses them for beads. I was lucky enough to get a dozen from my employer at wholesale but I have also found them at flea markets and yard sales. I probably have at least two dozen and still finding more uses.

 

[rust in the eye]

Clear plastic, comparmented embroidery floss boxes are good for small parts storage and cheap as chips at a fabric store.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think the HD ones mentioned above lock together with tabs. I have some for plumbing parts.

I'd double check and snap a picture but I'm at work.

 

[Zewnten]

Tackle boxes. Hooks won't slid through the terminals won't either. Just had a cheap pull strap wrapped around the several I used.

 

[Ohmthis]

I use these. I got them at HD several years ago. They can be locked together and easily carried to the jobs at hand. The dividers work really well at keep things separated. They have also been pretty damn tough too. I’ll try and get a picture of them set up.

 

[alien]

I have been using the Milwaukee pack outs for all of my electrical connectors

 

[driftpin]

Sounds like a good use for a Kennedy hip-roof tackle box I bought used very cheaply, many moons prior.

I also like the HFT plastic boxes, w/storage on both sides of the box, and the ones where the storage is deeper, and adjustable. I use one at a time for storing all the fasteners & smaller parts when working on a motorcycle project. Larger things can go into plastic storage bins. The really-big stuff, like swingarms, frames and wheels are kept together. I sometimes use baling wire to string individual parts together in the order of assembly/disassembly.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I've been using these from HF:

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-bin-small-portable-parts-storage-case-64811.html

I like how they open, I like how the little yellow bins are removable, and the price is right. I have one for **** connectors and terminals of various sizes and another of battery lugs of different sizes. It's nice being able to grab the kit of supplies you need and carry them to the car and have everything you need and not a bunch of other ****.

 

[RPH]

I worked global service on machines. All types of stakon connectors. I found a simple plastic bag worked best as I had to travel light with a tool box. Could tell what I needed by the color of the connector. Easy to pull and easy to locate. That was my traveling fix. Stationary in the building, any device that makes you happy.

 

[Ohmthis]

Here are mine. Again, I bought mine at HD during a Christmas sale. I hope the pictures are good enough. I usually have them in three each clamped together. It’s a one grab and I have everything but the tools to do almost any auto electrical job.

 

[D45]

A few good options to explore

I do like the Durham 4 metal box drawers

 

[Jon h]

A few good options to explore

I do like the Durham 4 metal box drawers

A few months ago I got a 4 drawer set W/ misc hardware on FB marketplace for $80 CND. Smoking deal. I always keep my eyes out on the used market because new they are way too expensive. They do come up quite often. The key though is getting the cabinet. I had a few boxes stacked for a couple years and it was junk.

Jon h.

 

[lilredex]

My solution. Plastic boxes from Dollarama and a box made from scrap.

 

[reader2580]

I use a Plano flat plastic tackle box for this. The connectors stay in their spots just fine.

 

[alinc100]

Depending upon how portable/modular/size of storage bins you'd like to get. I use the Craftsman Versastack / Dewalt Tstak system. Between the drawered units and the organizers with flip up lids , that all lock together ,they system is modular. They also offer a trolley and a 4 wheel dolly to lock on and roll. https://www.google.com/search?q=Cra...UyNjFqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The Dewalt organizers like these at HD work well too. They are SIMILAR to the Tstak/versastack but only lock to themselves not the Tstak/Versastack system. https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-DWST14925/300937586

 

[acer66]

Depending upon how portable/modular/size of storage bins you'd like to get. I use the Craftsman Versastack / Dewalt Tstak system. Between the drawered units and the organizers with flip up lids , that all lock together ,they system is modular. They also offer a trolley and a 4 wheel dolly to lock on and roll. https://www.google.com/search?q=Cra...UyNjFqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The Dewalt organizers like these at HD work well too. The are SIMILAR to the Tstak but only lock to themselves not the Tstak/Versastack system. https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-DWST14925/300937586

I often scoop up a few of the Dewalt ones up when they go on sale at HD.

 

[cgrutt]

This thread inspired me to sort out a few old storage boxes. I had this old Klein box forever. It was filled with mixed connectors, leds, diodes, screws, grommets and some other assorted stuff. I dumped it all out and sorted through everything this afternoon. It's now my main electrical connector box. I added the foam at top many years ago help keep things in their place while being tossed in the truck etc.





I sorted out most of the screws and assorted things and put them in this box for the time being. Going to spend some more time with it and get it better organized. Mainly screws, washers and other misc hardware in the other drawers.





Had alot of electrical connectors in this small plastic box. It's pretty much fuses and assorted bulbs now.

 

[cgrutt]

I ordered two bags of **** connectors from Amazon 100 each of blue and red. Arrived already. Made in China but can't beat the price. Got both of them delivered for under $20. Tinned copper and polyoefin 3:1 heat shrink too.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Step 1: stroll thru a local store and see if they have anything that fits the need. I ended up with a small plastic drawer unit that I outgrew because I used it for bolts. lol But it works, is light, doesn't spill, and IIRC the handle pivots so drawers face up when carried. So I should find new bolt housing and put terminals / shells / seals in it. Maybe later.