Getting my nuts and bolts organized

[rsanter]

For many years I have had the typical pigeon hole type bolt bin and it has worked well.
i added the drawer sections on top of it and that worked even better.

well I am looking for ways to gain space, organization and efficiency in my limited space.

i recently bought another vidmar cabinet and thought I would try turning it into a bolt bin to see if I felt that was a space and organization improvement.

well, so far I think it is and I think im going to keep it this way.
this is becoming my general supply cabinet so it will get stocked with more hardware such as clips, pins, keys and such.

take a look and provide feedback as desired……

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have had workshops for 60 years and in my opinion this method is the only way to fly. I use card file cabinets for the more economical result.

 

[Ultradog MN]

For many years I have had the typical pigeon hole type bolt bin and it has worked well.
i added the drawer sections on top of it and that worked even better.

well I am looking for ways to gain space, organization and efficiency in my limited space.

i recently bought another vidmar cabinet and thought I would try turning it into a bolt bin to see if I felt that was a space and organization improvement.

well, so far I think it is and I think im going to keep it this way.
this is becoming my general supply cabinet so it will get stocked with more hardware such as clips, pins, keys and such.

take a look and provide feedback as desired……

I bought four Vidmar cabinets this summer.
Got rid of the hodge podge of tool boxes and cabinets I had. I loaded one 11 drawer cabinet primarily with hardware.
I did get quite a few of the little divider plates with them but am thinking about following your lead and buying some small plastic boxes for the real small stuff.
The reason is you can pull the box out, dump it out on the table and find those 6-32 scews and nuts easier than digging them out of the drawer.
For larger bolts - 1/4" and above the metal dividers work fine.
Edit:
Where are you guys getting your little boxes from?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Look for bin cups. Last I bought were from Zoro, but obviously prices have increased.

 

[pbon]

Looks great! I like it. I have over 20 of those roughly 14x18 inch plastic parts storage boxes with individual compartments inside. But stacking them up a few high on shelves makes most less accessible than having many pull out drawers instead. I might build a plywood rack for them. Vidmar is the gold standard, but not all of us can find them at affordable prices.

 

[madison069]

Nice setup! One day I too will take the time to sort out my hardware as I've accumulated a lot of hardware over the years.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Looks great! I like it. I have over 20 of those roughly 14x18 inch plastic parts storage boxes with individual compartments inside. But stacking them up a few high on shelves makes most less accessible than having many pull out drawers instead. I might build a plywood rack for them. Vidmar is the gold standard, but not all of us can find them at affordable prices.

Other than the name, file card cabinets work fine for the purpose. I have been paying around $50 per cabinet by staying on the lookout for CL and FBM ads.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I love my Akro Bins!
This is the Wall O' Fasteners in my Parts Room.

 

[njk4o5]

i have been looking for slide out drawers that mount under the workbench. Hard to find steel drawers

 

[rocksnstumps]

Other than the name, file card cabinets work fine for the purpose. I have been paying around $50 per cabinet by staying on the lookout for CL and FBM ads.

Unfortunately others have caught on to this tactic and when the odd business has an auction the old card file and small drawer cabinets used for hardware always seem to go for at least $100-$200.

Sure the old homeowner or executors of an estate that just wanna get rid of stuff cheap can give a one off deal. Do that for 5-10 yrs and you might get enough of them in a small town. If you can live long enough yourself to collect them lol. Perhaps in a big suburban area the supply makes it a bit easier to keep the quest down to a year or two.

But luv the vidmar stuff. Which I don't own any because so do others with $100s of dollars more than I wish to splurge.

 

[bad_idea]

I had my hardware in a tool chest for a few years. Worked well enough, but I found it a nuisance when I needed hardware for a job outside of the garage.

I swapped out to the black carry case with yellow bins from Harbor Freight. They are decent enough quality annd go on sale often enough. Each carry case has a type of hardware - nails, wood screws, anchors, electrical lugs, 1/4-20, etc. I built a holder for the bins that is basically a bunch of slots the carry cases slide in to. Now I can carry one to a job and have all of the hardware I need.

 

[rocksnstumps]

I have had workshops for 60 years and in my opinion this method is the only way to fly. I use card file cabinets for the more economical result.

Bin cups are almost a buck a piece these days. That picture alone has maybe $30-$35 in plastic bins for that one level of drawers. Multiply that by 10 or 12 x $30 for a whole cabinet and into some dollars. Again that's for buying new so maybe could do better in some used sale.

Just a reality check for those who have built their hardware storage empire over decades. Understand how new guys just wanna get it done this year. And yes my space is a hodgepodge of metal cabinets collected over the years as well. The gas money spent more than doubled the cost of the cabinets since my truck is a gas guzzler

 

[kbuhagiar]

I love my Akro Bins!
This is the Wall O' Fasteners in my Parts Room.

The beauty of the Akro Bin system is the expandibility and the ability to customize the wall brackets to a workspace. And mobile carts are available, too.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Bin cups are almost a buck a piece these days. That picture alone has maybe $30-$35 in plastic bins for that one level of drawers. Multiply that by 10 or 12 x $30 for a whole cabinet and into some dollars. Again that's for buying new so maybe could do better in some used sale.

Just a reality check for those who have built their hardware storage empire over decades. Understand how new guys just wanna get it done this year. And yes my space is a hodgepodge of metal cabinets collected over the years as well. The gas money spent more than doubled the cost of the cabinets since my truck is a gas guzzler

The cost of my setup has well paid for itself in time, gas for hardware trips, and aggravation. Almost all of the hardware was purchased at yard sales for pennies on the dollar. Food storage containers, cans and other common containers will work also and are readily available in bulk. Some people use cut down oil bottles. The pleasure of using the setup has far exceeded the cost. I previously had 9 steel hardware stack cabinets with 32 drawers each and gave them all away to friends with workshops. Now there are 5 of these cabinets. I found a free Vidmar drawer cabinet last week and turned a local GJ member friend onto it because I am satisfied with my setup. There was nothing to gain except the name.

 

[rocksnstumps]

^^^^oh I get it as have done the same over many years. I especially like finding a sale from older fart than me property and getting his hardware horde cheap from his heirs.

Just a reminder that others have desires to git er done now and so bargain hunting for years is not pleasurable or even best use of their time. Before I retired and was working making good cash, money was much easier to come by than time. Those days mighta been tempted to budget $thousands and not think much about it.

BTW since you are the Vidmar Santa Claus, need another friend

 

[Ultradog MN]

But luv the vidmar stuff. Which I don't own any because so do others with $100s of dollars more than I wish to splurge.

I watched for Vidmars for a couple years, on auctions mostly but elsewhere too.
Must have bid on at least a dozen of them but always got beat out. Mine were on a local auction (12 mi) and I had some extra dough, my credit card balance at zero and I was GOING to get one. Ended up getting 3 of them. Not cheap but less than I had bid on others in the past.
Blind hog found the acorns but this hog was DILIGENT about watching for them.
Then saw another one on FBMP a few weeks later. It sat there for at least two weeks so I made him an offer. It does not have the drawers but suits my needs better than another one with drawers.

 

[OccupantRJ]

^^^^oh I get it as have done the same over many years. I especially like finding a sale from older fart than me property and getting his hardware horde cheap from his heirs.

Just a reminder that others have desires to git er done now and so bargain hunting for years is not pleasurable or even best use of their time. Before I retired and was working making good cash, money was much easier to come by than time. Those days mighta been tempted to budget $thousands and not think much about it.

BTW since you are the Vidmar Santa Claus, need another friend

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've bought several sets of bins from HF. They come in two sizes and colors, red (small) and blue (large). They're not the best but they just sit in a drawer.

I've also added some blue bins from Menards. Buying them in a set of 10 or 12 spreads the cost over time.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I have two 16 drawer Lists full of hardware.


I used to keep multiple sizes in each drawer, but that quickly became too little space, so each size gets it own drawer now.

I then use as Schaller bins to organize each drawer.

 

[cannuck]

I have 3 different storage systems, 2 in use, 1 awaiting "the perfect bin". I have a two 72 bin shelves where I keep the really high use gr5 coarse and gr8 fine general use US stuff. I have about 120 of 4 x 7 bins along each workbench that took forever to find. IMHO THE most important feature is they have a few slots that will fit sheared dividers (vs. shaped cast plastic shapes). This allows some flexibility in compartment size for small vs. medium size. That handles a few of the metrics and my UNC 308 stainless. I need a LOT more, so bought some 24" warehouse shelving and trying to find 24" deep bins with same grooves that can accommodate far larger compartments. The ones I have worked with slid on heavy formed wire framework that fit on standard 24 deep warehouse shelving and would slide out a fair way, or unhook and come right out - but that company no longer in business. If there is anyone out there who can find a replacement bin system like that I would sure like to know/

 

[rsanter]

I bought four Vidmar cabinets this summer.
Got rid of the hodge podge of tool boxes and cabinets I had. I loaded one 11 drawer cabinet primarily with hardware.
I did get quite a few of the little divider plates with them but am thinking about following your lead and buying some small plastic boxes for the real small stuff.
The reason is you can pull the box out, dump it out on the table and find those 6-32 scews and nuts easier than digging them out of the drawer.
For larger bolts - 1/4" and above the metal dividers work fine.
Edit:
Where are you guys getting your little boxes from?

I looked around and those little plastic bins are stupidly expensive.
keeps looking and found that if you buy the carry around hardware sorter thing from harbor freight. That gives you 20 of those bins for $7 when on sale so I bought several of them

i also looked at YouTube, there was a guy that was using he PVC plastic fencing material. He would cut it into a U channel and then make dividers, but he would also cut square pieces and glue a bottom on to make bins. I may try this next

 

[Ak Jim]

Seems like some of these setups are for professional shops.

 

[Pitalplace]

This does take up a lot of space but is the best way I have found for my shop.

 

[Trapps]

My DIY Homeowner solution:





I still need to integrate the small boxes into slides...

 

[NUTTSGT]

I looked around and those little plastic bins are stupidly expensive.
keeps looking and found that if you buy the carry around hardware sorter thing from harbor freight. That gives you 20 of those bins for $7 when on sale so I bought several of them

i also looked at YouTube, there was a guy that was using he PVC plastic fencing material. He would cut it into a U channel and then make dividers, but he would also cut square pieces and glue a bottom on to make bins. I may try this next

Don't rule out stopping by Dollar Tree. They have some decent organizers that are of various sizes. I found some clearance sets at Menards only to have another member link something similar on Amazon.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I looked around and those little plastic bins are stupidly expensive.

Weird my text didn’t post before. They are 83 cents a bin. The 2x2s are cheaper.

 

[loganb]

I looked around and those little plastic bins are stupidly expensive.

Have you checked

Plastic Drawer Organizers - Made in USA - Schaller Corporation

Shop durable, USA-made plastic drawer organizers and bin assortments. Ideal for tools, crafts, and hardware. Customize your storage with Schaller Corporation.

www.schallercorporation.com

These are the most popular ones I'm aware of and pricing to me seems very fair. I can't 3d print them for less than this...though I have moved to 3d printed ones for the customization

 

[cannuck]

Just a little note about hanging bins, either on hooks or sitting on a shelf: They are not a "lifetime" investment (unless, of course you are already deep into those "golden" years - aptly named because you will need to cash in all of your gold to accommodate inflation. I had two rows of 4 x 7 hangars over 18' of workbench installed when I built the backyard shop 42 years ago. In their 3rd decade the rigid plastic had cross linked enough to become very brittle - and it set me on a quest for replacements that could use drop in dividers I could cut on shear as I needed them. I found the small bins made in Canada from Embee Plastics in Linwood ON. Martin (owner) serious about quality and value, but I suspect his injection equipment limited in size of shot it can do, so no 24 x 7 bins on his horizon. I should mention: my other hanging bin requirement is a groove that will hook over 1/8 angle - not many can do that.

Another nasty surprise: my electrical support cart uses some popular brand name larger/deeper bins, but they started to crack up in less than 20 years.

 

[rsanter]

Those look nice, and expensive

 

[rsanter]

Don't rule out stopping by Dollar Tree. They have some decent organizers that are of various sizes. I found some clearance sets at Menards only to have another member link something similar on Amazon.

I don’t have a Menards near me, but I can get those off Amazon.
i do actually have some but these are not what I wanted for the bolts.
for me the ones from HF work better

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Those look nice, and expensive

My text didn’t post for some reason. They are 83 cents and less for the smaller sizes. About as cheap as you can get.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I don’t have a Menards near me, but I can get those off Amazon.
i do actually have some but these are not what I wanted for the bolts.
for me the ones from HF work better

Nothing wrong with the bins out of the HF storage units. I took some of out those to work and they live in an upper cabinet in the Medic units holding extra EMS supplies. I do have some of their blue/red bins for fastener storage. Some are full size and others have been cut down in height.

small red ones




Blue on left from HF, Blue right from Menards





Mixed blues and reds. Blues have been cut down.

 

[Jgaz]

Just a reality check for those who have built their hardware storage empire over decades

And just like that I realize I’m getting old. Lol

But yes, honestly there are organizers in these pics that I’ve had for more than 45 years.






I‘ve pared down the std. and fine thread fasteners I keep on hand but I don’t see myself stocking any less than this.



I‘d love to have a Vidmar or a dedicated lower box for fasteners (like @NUTTSGT)but I don’t see it happening at this point in my life.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just a reality check for those who have built their hardware storage empire over decades. Understand how new guys just wanna get it done this year. And yes my space is a hodgepodge of metal cabinets collected over the years as well. The gas money spent more than doubled the cost of the cabinets since my truck is a gas guzzler

Not only gas but the time to drive and grab the hardware. For me a 7.5 mile drive and hope they have what I need in stock....

Oh.... better hope it's not an early Sunday morning when they are not open yet or late evening after closing.

Guys buying fasteners at Fastenal, Grainger, or similar, are these places open after 5pm Friday and over the weekend?

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Not only gas but the time to drive and grab the hardware. For me a 7.5 mile drive and hope they have what I need in stock....

Oh.... better hope it's not an early Sunday morning when they are not open yet or late evening after closing.

Guys buying fasteners at Fastenal, Grainger, or similar, are these places open after 5pm Friday and over the weekend?

Exactly.
I’m 2 minutes from a Lowe’s, but they rarely have what I need in stock.

Luckily we have Hardware Sales here in Bellingham. (That’s just one of 4+ aisles of just fasteners) It’s like walking into a real life McMaster-Carr catalog, but they are not open on Sundays and close at 6 most days.

So that’s why I keep so much on hand… not to mention anytime I need a fastener I buy them buy the box as you get a pretty good discount that way. After a few years of doing that I seldom need to go get anything unless it’s a really odd-ball thread pitch, however it turns out that no matter how much you keep on hand you are still going to occasionally run into something you don’t.

The listas / Vidmars are pricey, but not too bad on the used market especially when you compare the costs to how many of those Horror freight cases you’d need to do the same thing.

The one word of advice I’d have for someone starting out with organizing their hardware is figure out something that’s modular. I’m constantly changing mine around to fit my needs (growing stock) so those schaller bins are really nice plus you can take the bin out of the drawer and to the work.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Unfortunately others have caught on to this tactic and when the odd business has an auction the old card file and small drawer cabinets used for hardware always seem to go for at least $100-$200.

Sure the old homeowner or executors of an estate that just wanna get rid of stuff cheap can give a one off deal. Do that for 5-10 yrs and you might get enough of them in a small town. If you can live long enough yourself to collect them lol. Perhaps in a big suburban area the supply makes it a bit easier to keep the quest down to a year or two.

But luv the vidmar stuff. Which I don't own any because so do others with $100s of dollars more than I wish to splurge.

@rocksnstumps, Interestingly after posting in this thread the other day, within a few hours a nice card file cabinet popped up on Marketplace for $35. I tagged another local GJ member on it but don’t know yet if he got lucky on snagging it.

 

[logical]

If you are 45 to 65 and from around the MI/OH border, you'll remember this guy.

Screws I'll Never Use

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you are 45 to 65 and from around the MI/OH border, you'll remember this guy.

Screws I'll Never Use

I miss Bob & Tom show....Heywood always good for a laugh.

@Grant Gunderson dude, I thought that was your set up when I first saw the post. . . . I thought EPIC.

 

[PelicanPines]

Mine are individually labelled.

 

[Copymutt]

I cant function w/ that much organization. I have multiple coffee cans of bolts, nuts, washers, lock washers, springs, anchor bolts, ubolts etc. each holds a rough range of sizes.
When I need something I dump the can into a box top & pick what's needed, then funnel the remainder back into the can.