Hardware Storage

[BrandonB]

I'm looking for a few ideas on hardware storage. The local Habitat for Humanity resale store has great deals on screws/nails/etc and I picked up quite a bit for 99¢/lb.
I remember the dealership and older parts stores with a box that had 4 or so sliding drawers that opened to nice adjustable areas, but can't think of a name or better description to search for them.

And I've thought of these (posted by user "Tone"

but all I find is plastic Stack On brands.

Any suggestions?

 

[mojo_13]

The picture you have posted would be a good idea and then could use a label maker to mark what each thing is if needed. I have bought those from lowes before and I believe from Walmart also.

Have you looked into something like this

http://www.harborfreight.com/wall-mounted-storage-bins-65889.html

Might work out well also, I know that HF also sells a number of different versions of this. Just a thought if you don't need them to be closed drawers.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have several of those drawer units, but find that it will wear your azz out looking for something in them, since each drawer has several different items in them. I have found that a horizontal drawer like in a toolbox, with small containers in it, allows for much easier location of items, because you can cast a sweeping glance over the whole drawer at once, looking at many items in their open top containers. I have 5 sets of bolt bins, and it's a lot of work finding the right item at times. I plan to put all my hardware into a database as to location, to ease the pain. I got a LOT of hardware.

RJ

 

[russlaferrera]

occupant, why does it take so long to find a bolt/nut? You do have everything by size and thread type in a order? I see your idea of small parts ie: elect. crimp connectors in a container.

 

[PassnThru]

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but all I find is plastic Stack On brands.

Any suggestions?

I plan to put all my hardware into a database as to location, to ease the pain. I got a LOT of hardware.

RJ

Those bins are great - I think everyone has them. Just put them in some sort of order and you won't have to hunt very long for what you need. If you do have a large number of like items then some boxes are in order.
OccupantRJ - just what type of database are you planning here?

 

[tatra]

hardware out the ying yang here to and scattered in different places.............have come to the conclusion you pay retail for a reason............what you save by buying a box when you need a few is offset by the retailer warehousing it for you til you need how much you need when you need it............

 

[PassnThru]

hardware out the ying yang here to and scattered in different places.............have come to the conclusion you pay retail for a reason............what you save by buying a box when you need a few is offset by the retailer warehousing it for you til you need how much you need when you need it............

Depends on how far said retailer is from you. JIT (just in time inventory) works great for major manufacturers when the supplier delivers to you when you need it - I don't think any of us qualify for free delivery just when we need it. We're looking at an hour or so round trip to pick it up. It definitely helps to keep some hardware in stock.

 

[OccupantRJ]

occupant, why does it take so long to find a bolt/nut? You do have everything by size and thread type in a order? I see your idea of small parts ie: elect. crimp connectors in a container.

Never said anything about bolts and nuts. I take apart everything that I dispose of, and the amount of various parts and pieces is quite a variety. For example, I have the small jumper blocks used on circuit boards, to clips for emergency brake cables, springs for brake shoes, to plumbing parts, to pipe fittings, electrical parts, to auto light bulbs, to hinges, to ethernet cables, spare parts for each vehicle, mower parts for 3 mowers, bearings, seals, electric motors, to wire, metals, plastics, to, to, to, etc. I have an 18 X 20 barn that is only for "stock". Rarely do I have to leave to get something I need while working. Materials to work with are a very big consideration to me in my hobby. Organization is on an "as I can" basis, since the flood experience made me have to reboot my operation. I'm having to set my shop up all over again, and having to remember where I put everything as I go, until I get to a point where things are labelled and/or on the computer.

See http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50169

 

[darkbuddha]

I have several of those drawer units, but find that it will wear your azz out looking for something in them, since each drawer has several different items in them. I have found that a horizontal drawer like in a toolbox, with small containers in it, allows for much easier location of items, because you can cast a sweeping glance over the whole drawer at once, looking at many items in their open top containers. I have 5 sets of bolt bins, and it's a lot of work finding the right item at times. I plan to put all my hardware into a database as to location, to ease the pain. I got a LOT of hardware.

RJ

Sounds like you want something like this instead:

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-bin-organizer-with-full-length-drawer-94375.html

 

[Stephenw]

hardware out the ying yang here to and scattered in different places.............have come to the conclusion you pay retail for a reason............what you save by buying a box when you need a few is offset by the retailer warehousing it for you til you need how much you need when you need it............

Ever gone to Lowes or Home Depot to get a 8 x 1.25 x 30? That's metric, but not an oddball size.

You, need four, but there only three left in the bin.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Sounds like you want something like this instead:

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-bin-organizer-with-full-length-drawer-94375.html

Shoot, I've already got 6 of those. I'm not talking about home tinker storage, I'm talking about a workshop parts department. This pic is of one wall of my tool and fastener storage in a back room of the shop. There's another wall of cabinets on the other side of the room. In the foreground, you can see 4 sets of stacked part bins, with another set above, and there's another 2 sets under a bench in the main shop area. These will all be repainted and labeled as time allows. The 18 X 20 is an entirely different storage area. It has 120 one foot square cubbyhole shelves for electric motors, paint, electrical boxes, breakers, wire spools, tarps, casters, metals, and such. Pack rats don't seem to use the stuff they store, whereas I do. My friends shop here after store hours for that obscure piece in return for other favors from them.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Those bins are great - I think everyone has them. Just put them in some sort of order and you won't have to hunt very long for what you need. If you do have a large number of like items then some boxes are in order.
OccupantRJ - just what type of database are you planning here?

My son is going to be doing one for me, he just doesn't know it yet. An inter-relational (?) type of search base to locate by keywords, sizes, mechanical, electrical, etc, would be what I would like. I would like to be able to type in something like "**** connector" for example, then drill down from there for type, size, and location.

 

[darkbuddha]

Shoot, I've already got 6 of those. I'm not talking about home tinker storage, I'm talking about a workshop parts department.

You're right... your needs far exceed any of the cheap, readily available bits'n'bobs storage solutions out there.

 

[russlaferrera]

occupantRJ, the items you need are not cheap. My suggestion are Stanley Vidmar cabinets.

Most people have one or two hobbies. When you tackle everything, you need a warehouse to hold everything. I feel your pain.

 

[PassnThru]

My son is going to be doing one for me, he just doesn't know it yet. An inter-relational (?) type of search base to locate by keywords, sizes, mechanical, electrical, etc, would be what I would like. I would like to be able to type in something like "**** connector" for example, then drill down from there for type, size, and location.

I see - that would be a relational database.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I would definitely love to have the Vidmars, but even I have my limits on workshop spending. (I'm frugal). I want to find more of the card file cabinets like the one that I have, where the drawers are about 6 inches deep. Just to get going, I bought a bunch of plastic freezer containers at a yard sale, placed them in the drawers in no order whatsoever, and even this is better than a lot of linear drawers. The plus here is that you can take a container to your work site. The drawer can be opened, and you see a lot at a glance. The lateral files have worked fabulously for power tool storage. They can be used as simple shelves, pulled out like drawers, and the lids can be closed to hide your tools.

 

[longstroke]

One of the cheapest and best methods I use is the empty "****" wipe containers. Besides having a clean bottom you are recycling a plastic box with a lid and you can mark the box with a Sharpie. The boxes stack 4 or 5 high with ease. Just a thought.

 

[MG David]

For a low cost option try putting jam jars with screw lids under shelves.

I don't have a picture, but what you do is fix the lid to the underside of the self with screws or nails or perhaps even glue. Then you put the bits and bobs in the jam jar and scrw it up into its lid. You can label the jar or just rely on seeing through the glass.

Not sure that all the people on this site like cheap options but I do.

 

[DaleK]

Check out kitchen cabinet companies. A lot of people pull out perfectly good cabinets and toss them. I have a neighbour who owns a cabinet company and hands out the old cabinets for free when he puts in new ones.

 

[DaleK]

Small hardware doesn't bother me. It's "What do I do with the 12' spare axle for my disk, and 1500 lbs of spare parts for the corn planter, and...."

 

[OccupantRJ]

One of the cheapest and best methods I use is the empty "****" wipe containers. Besides having a clean bottom you are recycling a plastic box with a lid and you can mark the box with a Sharpie. The boxes stack 4 or 5 high with ease. Just a thought.

Damn! that's a good idea, longstroke, I knew there was something I was missing in looking at various containers. Thanks for the idea.

RJ

 

[OccupantRJ]

This is what I built for the larger items.

 

[JC23]

I often buy the smaller plastic jars of peanut butter to reuse as containers for fasteners. They are clear and the dark blue lid works good for a silver Sharpie marker for labeling.
I use the bigger ones, too, for bigger quanitities. Ditto for the bigger Mayonaise jars.

Then I started looking at pretty much every container for food and other stuff as to its 're-usability' for storing fasteners. I even put smaller screws in a squeeze container that held mayonaise. The opening of that jar is big enough to pass machine screws. (no, not out the squeeze hole in the lid!)

When I hit garage sales, I look for clear containers. I once scored an old Skippy Peanut Butter glass jar full of S hooks for 50 cents.

The problem I am running into is twofold. One is the vaying numbers of the fasteners and how that relates to the size of container. The other one is where/how to store all those containers. Still working on these...

 

[R6 Racer]

I have to say I'm one for not spending money when I don't have to. My hardware needs are not that of a full time shop, but I do live a good drive from any type of supply.
Over the years I have accumulated many different storage containers. Some I have kept & still use, others have been replaced with better options!

This is my current set up consisting of...
2 different sizes of old used baby food jars
plastic peanut butter jars
plastic mayonnaise jars (only while I wait for more peanut butter ones, more sturdy)
2 different sizes of recycled ammo boxes
2 different sizes of juice cans
& lastly my pride & joy a hardware rack from my father in laws shop that he took out of his hardware store when he closed it.

 

[juicegoose]

I got some of the boxes made by hi-line through an aircraft auction. they are great. If you go to www.hi-line.com and look under their containers you'll see what I'm talking about. each drawer can be pulled out opened and customized to your liking and if need be the whole drawer can come out as a tool box or carry case for those particular nuts or bolts.

 

[fireguy]

Small hardware doesn't bother me. It's "What do I do with the 12' spare axle for my disk, and 1500 lbs of spare parts for the corn planter, and...."

Dale, I am sure you have visted your local farm dealer and seen how the parts department is arranged. I worked in 2 farm equipment dealerships. We kept our small parts numerically or like kind by like kind. Large parts were kept by other large parts, no rhyme nor reason, just where the parts fit. But, most parts had a stocking location noted on the parts inventory card.

 

[ddawg16]

I agree with Occupant.....

I have both types.....and personally, I hate the little plastic bins....they are 'ok' if I don't have any dividers in them.....but other than that...pretty much a PIA.

I have that 4 drawer fastner setup that was on sale at Costco...love it....each drawer has a paticular type of fastner in it...pull out the drawer and everthing is there...I can even take it over to where I am working.

What really works for me are these part storage cases.....HF has them and you can also get them from HD.

I have different sizes. The smaller clear ones I use for small hardware. I have one for 6-32 screws, another for 8-32, etc. Another one for just wood screws....another for sheet metal screws....you get the idea. Right now I just have them stacked...but I'm working on a shelf where I can slide each individual tray into it. Then when I need something, I grab the tray I want and take it to the work.

I also use these little plastic jars (the baby jar with the lid nailed to a board does not work well). They come in a few differnt sizes...about the size of a beer bottle...clear tube with soft rubber caps...one end has a slit....you squeez it and the slit opens up....I keep my common wood screws in these...

 

[Indy_500]

Not to change topic here but is Akro-Mills a really good hardware storage brand? i got a little blue akro- mills hardware box thing with the drawers at a goodwill for $2. I also got those gray things with clear drawers that the OP posted and i have the red bins. I would love to have a 7 ft. tall cabinet just for hardware storage

 

[beelsr]

akro mills are the shizzle. hardware storage cabinet has been done here.

you do the french cleat thing to hang the boxes and then frame a cabinet with 2x6/8/10s, slap a piece of plywood on it, screw on some hinges and run the sidewinder down the front to cut the doors. quick coat of paint and done.