Funnel Storage...Cheap, compact, clean

[djkeev]

I searched the forum looking for funnel storage ideas. A few threads popped up but the offering were poor or expensive. PVC pipe, metal cabinets were about it.

My funnels have been stored for years in an old cat litter square plastic pail. I've put paper towels over the funnel tops in an effort to keep out debris, plastic bags, etc.
Sadly the funnels were always dirty, they had saw dust, grit and all manner of dust adhered to them. Oil residue is like a magnet attracting whatever is floating by in the air in a garage. If you use your garage as I do with a lot of various activities, the level of filth is HUGE!

Obviously a closed container is what is needed. Space is an issue so I didn't want to devote a steel cabinet to the task.
I was in the big orange box today, aka Home Depot, and just looking, killing time and saw a long basic plastic tool box. It was $20 so I snagged it.
I came home cleaned my funnel inventory, the ones at the bottom of the bucket hadn't seen daylight for years and the gook was caked on them, took out the top tray and tossed it. There are two small holes in the right side, a little gorilla tape over them and Viola' a clean box for funnels!
I put some paper towel in the bottom which I'll change periodically.....well let's be honest, I mean to change it periodically, but you know how that goes!

Here are some photos, I'm excited to be able to not only see all of my funnels but they will be CLEAN the next time I want one!.......YES!

Dave

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

Yeah. That works! Struggle with the same issue. I usually use brake cleaner after each use to get rid of residual oils so they don't attract dust.(as much) Then when I use them, I might still wipe out any dust, no matter if I can see it or not, just out of principle.

But yeah, good idea.

 

[y2knole]

hmmm. mine live in an old 5 gallon bucket and are always a disaster.

I just took a few old plastic tool boxes up to the attic, cause I couldnt bear to toss or give them away and no one was gonna buy em for more than $2 or $3 each so I figured I'd hang onto em in case I ever needed them.

I think Im gonna use one of them for funnels. great idea.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That box is a good closed idea.

 

[luvit]

how long is that box, dave?

 

[djkeev]

how long is that box, dave?

24+ long
8 deep
9 high
.....more or less, it's curved and angled so precision is iffy.

Dave

 

[drmarkr]

I took a sterilite shoe storage container (6 qt, I believe?) and cut several holes of appropriate sizes in the top. Store the funnels in these holes and the container catches all the oil as it drains after use. I'll snap pics of mine tomorrow...

 

[KPSquared]

I need to get some pics of my plans for funnel storage. In my friends shop he has a "funnel tree" built out of a bunch of 1.5" ABS pipe, mounted on the wall that sits above a 5 gallon pail. Stick a funnel in the end of one of the "branches" and everything drains down into the pail.

Here's my best attempt at a drawing in Paint. . .

 

[santagary]

looks strangely like a "menorah" Shalom!

 

[Ign]

I bought a similar Husky toolbox for around $9.99 and keep all my old oil filters in there. When full, I take it to a recycler.

edit: the only issue I have w your system is that you'll still want to blow out any dust from the absorbent, and sometimes it's a fine powder - hopefully that settles to the bottom of the box. I have a couple of MONDO funnels for dumping the 14qts into the Powerstroke, one would consume at least half that box. But, better is better.

 

[HubbaBubba]

looks strangely like a "menorah" Shalom!

Serves two purposes. Use in the garage for 11 months and indoors for one.

 

[scott37300]

I need to get some pics of my plans for funnel storage. In my friends shop he has a "funnel tree" built out of a bunch of 1.5" ABS pipe, mounted on the wall that sits above a 5 gallon pail. Stick a funnel in the end of one of the "branches" and everything drains down into the pail.

Here's my best attempt at a drawing in Paint. . .

I've always wanted to do something like this and there are a few threads on here about guys who have done this but I don't have the wall space to dedicate to funnels.

 

[djkeev]

I need to get some pics of my plans for funnel storage. In my friends shop he has a "funnel tree" built out of a bunch of 1.5" ABS pipe, mounted on the wall that sits above a 5 gallon pail. Stick a funnel in the end of one of the "branches" and everything drains down into the pail.

Here's my best attempt at a drawing in Paint. . .

My problem with this is that unless it is in a sealed cabinet, it's a dirt magnet for every funnel setting in it. I'm not concerned about a little oil mess, I want a clean filter right off. I don't like cleaning them before each use.

Dave

 

[djkeev]

So it's Monday, servicing some lawn care equipment and I need funnels. I pull out the box, open it, pull out two clean dust free funnels, use them, wiped them off and back in the box.
How many ways can you say WONDERFUL!?!?!?

Dave

 

[plung]

I keep them in a small clear tote like this.

Thats a cool looking tree up there. Good for draining oil filters also.

 

[brownbagg]

i buy the funnel that has a snap lid and cap and just hang it on a nail

 

[NUTTSGT]

So it's Monday, servicing some lawn care equipment and I need funnels. I pull out the box, open it, pull out two clean dust free funnels, use them, wiped them off and back in the box.
How many ways can you say WONDERFUL!?!?!?

Dave

Sounds like your storage idea is working already.

 

[imok]

I like this idea! My funnels are scattered around my garage.
Thanks!

 

[BD1]

I like this idea! My funnels are scattered around my garage.
Thanks!

YEP ! There's always ONE THERE when you where you need it

 

[KPSquared]

My plan with the funnel tree is to replace all my funnels with the ones with screw on lids. Keep them clean. Planning to add an oil filter drain on there as well. Although my Jeep has a cartridge filter that's pretty much dry when it gets pulled. Not much for dripping. The big diesel in my truck however. . .that's a damn mess.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997R using Tapatalk 2

 

[bobemmerich]

I use several of these....To keep them clean, i just put a stuff a blue "Shop Towel" in the top. The pic is from a Grainger catalog..