How does everyone store small hardware?

[russlaferrera]

I use sewing thread containers from WalMart $1.75. They are made from a plastic/nylon . Been using then for over 4 years with no problems.

 

[wilbilt]

I would be interested in a solution to this as well. I currently have stuff ranging from fasteners to minor one-of-a-kind items stored in plastic boxes, stackable drawer units, coffee cans, baby food jars, my pockets, etc.

I have been desperately trying to organize everything in a way that makes sense. So far, it's just a big mess in a small space.

 

[mulepackin]

I mainly use the small cabinet with the removable drawers as you show in your first photo. For the stuff that I have more of I use a variety of "useful containers" (as my wife calls them when I hoard them) cat food conainers, coffee cans, plastic detergent buckets and bins, etc, stored on a metal shelving unit. This is for drywall screws, nails, etc.

 

[russlaferrera]

I mainly use the small cabinet with the removable drawers as you show in your first photo. For the stuff that I have more of I use a variety of "useful containers" (as my wife calls them when I hoard them) cat food conainers, coffee cans, plastic detergent buckets and bins, etc, stored on a metal shelving unit. This is for drywall screws, nails, etc.

I Know I have them too. What I showed you was the neater area. I have 2, semi industrial shelving 2 X 4 stacked 12 feet high plus a 2 X 4 X 8 for oil. I will not mention the 8 X 12 loft.

The plastic boxes are great. Because there are so many sizes of everything, like machine screws and nuts, or fuses, or elect crimp connectors to name a few. When I need it I can't find it.

I can guarantee you will use/need everything you have. Throw it out. You will need it the next day!

 

[Splinter]

I saw an article somewhere where they were taking spindles that cds come in, screwing the base under a cabinet, putting the hardware in the clear part and screwing the container together to store. I'm going to give it a shot once the garage gets up...

this but upside down:

 

[Danglerb]

HF had these on sale for $1.99 and I bought 3 to test them out, and they seem very nice. Clear so I can see whats in them, strong, and the top lid does a good job of sealing all the compartments. Divider slide out to make some larger compartments if needed.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94458

24 DIVIDER STORAGE CONTAINER

* Durable PVC construction
* Transparent to view contents
* Latches snap securely

Individual dividers: 2-1/16" L x 2-1/4" W x 1.653" deep; Overall dimensions: 14-15/16" L x 9-1/4" W x 1-13/16" H

 

[Detroit Diesel Man]

At work I have a smaller craftsman top box with dividers in it on top of my S.O. roll cab I use to store fittings nuts/bolts,sensors specialty bolts elec supplies,sealants etc..no tools in it just keeps all my small hdwe handy.
I really like fastenals storgae units stell drawers with dividers in a frame..but they arent cheap...plus I'd like something smaller..I always check cl and ebay hoping to run across something that fits my needs.

DDM

 

[SteveL]

Here's a link to a thread on a wood working forum about this very topic. Lots of ideas from guys with LOTS of hardware.

http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=3329817&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=

 

[boiler7904]

I've got a couple of these and plan to get a few more of the larger ones that Home Depot sells.

Stack-On Drawers

I also keep a couple of these small plastic boxes like this in various toolkits. For instance, there is one with my electrical tools that has a few misc. wirenuts, machine screws, ceiling fan balancing weights, etc. Cuts down on running back and forth to the garage when I go to install a new light fixture or ceiling fan.

 

[wilbilt]

I saw an article somewhere where they were taking spindles that cds come in, screwing the base under a cabinet, putting the hardware in the clear part and screwing the container together to store. I'm going to give it a shot once the garage gets up...

this but upside down:

That's a good idea, but I could see myself bumping them and knocking them off. Most of those cases dont "latch" very securely.

 

[jimvannoy]

I use a bunch of different stuff. My favorite are the metal divided drawers that are removable.

 

[JohnZ]

I use LOTS of the Stack-On plastic drawer units - have about a dozen of them in various locations, and use the translucent plastic storage trays for larger items like AN fittings.

 

[Thomarann]

I just bought 3 of these - we'll see how it works.

64 bins with 2 dividers in each for a total of 192 spots on each rack.

Marc

 

[Hutch]

I have some old card catalog drawer set ups I picked up at work as we upgraded, They aren't ideal, as you can't see inside them, but they have a cool look and the drawers are removable and have spots for labels. I'll see how they fit into the garage when I redo it this summer.

 

[NOMAD]

Card catalogs, that's awesome. I remember the hours I spent going through those in college. If they are wooden ones even better, look really neat.

As for the cd case option, this is just an old version of the jelly jar with the lid screwed to the underside of a shelf. Been around for ages but I never liked it. The house I just moved into had a bunch of those on an old workbench. Just a bunch of various lids, no jars. I tossed them right away.

I have a bunch of plastic babyfood containers for when I'm working on a car. I also have an ice cube tray that is filled with doo-dads.

I'm going to get a wall mounted tray system for the wall behind my workbench with the yellow parts trays like shown above. I think that'll work great.

 

[daddylama]

i have a bunch of the translucent plastic storage trays for electronic components, on a shelf in the basement (keep that stuff out of the workshop area)...

i used to have a row of glass baby food jars, the lids screwed to the underside of a shelf. worked great... the shelf was 30' long, had about 200 jars. the previous owner of the barn had put 'em up... i left 'em when i sold the place. should have taken 'em with me...

now it's all cardboard boxes... less and less of them, as they seem to catch fire when i weld close to 'em

 

[Yotaforce]

Plastic peanut butter jars, baby food jars, those plastic gatorade mix containers, all with the lids mounted to the bottom of the shelf. Yellow Nesquik chocolate milk containers, palstic ice cream half gallon containers with writing on the outside, and metal coffee cans (everyone uses those!).
What's better is a good surface where you can dump out a container full of small stuff, find what you need, and funnel it all back into said container for further storage!

 

[wilbilt]

Here is my current mess:

 

[Major Ramifications]

I have a bunch of plastic babyfood containers for when I'm working on a car. I also have an ice cube tray that is filled with doo-dads.

No wonder you have a never ending supply of baby food jars, you keep your "doo-dads" in an ice cube tray!

 

[OldCarGuy]

The Durham 3 1/ 2 x 5 ½ x 12" drawers to the left and the 3 x 4 x 18" plastic drawers straight ahead contain larger bolts along with washers and nuts. All kinds of misc stuff is stashed in the pigeon holes below the Durham drawers. And sample of what’s in drawers...

SAE coarse nuts

SAE flat, split, thick, and fender washers

A few smaller plastic drawer cabinets. Containing smaller machine bolts, sheet metal and wood screws, washers and nuts. Along with organizers with removable sectioned off drawers.

Modern car fuses

Antique 6 Volt automotive bulbs

I also use a lot of closed and open shelving with a variety plastic containers

 

[Hutch]

Card catalogs, that's awesome. I remember the hours I spent going through those in college. If they are wooden ones even better, look really neat.

They are wooden with plastic drawers. I was joking with friends the other day whether or not folks today would know what they were. I figure they will work well, and the price was right!

 

[NSXSOON]

Here is a deal for all the Lista fans. Price is right, shipping is stiff but probably not out of line for the weight and size.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LISTA-SMALL-WAL...ryZ57005QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I don't think this Buy it Now deal will last long.

 

[mulepackin]

I keep a couple of 1/2" deep old baking sheets around for various uses, but they work great for sorting screws, nuts, etc. from the container. When done I just tip up a corner and carefully pour the whole works back into the container. They also work great for small componant dissassmebly e.g. carbs, master cylinders, etc. to keep track of parts.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I keep a couple of 1/2" deep old baking sheets around for various uses, but they work great for sorting screws, nuts, etc. from the container. When done I just tip up a corner and carefully pour the whole works back into the container. They also work great for small componant dissassmebly e.g. carbs, master cylinders, etc. to keep track of parts.

I think I have a tip you may like better than the way you are currently doing this (not that your way is bad) when you dump the contents of your can on an old shop towel, putting the small parts back in the can becomes easier when all you have to do is gather the towel and use it as a funnel of sorts to pour the contents back into the can. At least it is the easiest way I have seen yet!

 

[comp]

I think I have a tip you may like better than the way you are currently doing this (not that your way is bad) when you dump the contents of your can on an old shop towel, putting the small parts back in the can becomes easier when all you have to do is gather the towel and use it as a funnel of sorts to pour the contents back into the can. At least it is the easiest way I have seen yet!

works great and helps vlean out some of the ****

 

[Jononon]

I think I have a tip you may like better than the way you are currently doing this (not that your way is bad) when you dump the contents of your can on an old shop towel, putting the small parts back in the can becomes easier when all you have to do is gather the towel and use it as a funnel of sorts to pour the contents back into the can. At least it is the easiest way I have seen yet!

Easier still:

I learnt this trick from my dad, who makes models in brass, the tiny bits of which like to disappear. Works great for small, clean, components like washers, and the boards are 99p in IKEA.

 

[Rickster]

I have a Gorilla shelf I bought from Costso. I added some plywood doors and a bunch of different storage racks I picked up from garage sales and estate sales.

 

[boatbuilder]

I made about 50 of these wooden bins and I think they are really cool.
I just used 3/4 inch pine for the back, bottom and front, and 4mm plywood for the sides. I just screwed, glued and panel pinned them together, just **** jointed the parts together.
I got the plans here.....

http://www.plansnow.com/wallbins.html

 

[z28toz06]

http://www.planomolding.com/content/index.cfm?siteaction=product&lineid=2&groupid=12&sectionid=41

lots of good stuff in the fishing industry

 

[george4]

I think I have a tip you may like better than the way you are currently doing this (not that your way is bad) when you dump the contents of your can on an old shop towel, putting the small parts back in the can becomes easier when all you have to do is gather the towel and use it as a funnel of sorts to pour the contents back into the can. At least it is the easiest way I have seen yet!

Roger that. Dumping contentsts onto the towel limits how far they spread out and get lost.

 

[drmarkr]

Here's my set up. Those pic bins are regularly on sale at HF for $30 or so.

 

[markb1]

I use these in my work truck cheap card board but have lasted more than ten years of constant use.

 

[ranger_dood]

I have one of these, but much larger. I now use this smaller one at work where I don't have all the caps!

 

[boatbuilder]

Those little plastic boxes drive me crazy!
They're so fiddly and they break so easily if you're not really careful with them.

 

[Seth]

I really like the slide out metal drawers like jim vannoy (and others) posted. The blue ones that is. We use those at work. One nice point is how they lend them selves to sorting by group then size etc. You get close realy quick, then exact with a glance, as opposed to having to pull out a tiny drawer for each. Durable, and portable too. Does anyone have a good source for these outside of used or $$?

 

[AZAV8]

Mostly plastic peanut butter jars. They don't break when you drop them and they come in various sizes. Just not enough sizes. I need smaller sized boxes with compartments for those items I have a few of and don't use much space in the jars.

Thanks for the ideas.

Phil

 

[krusty the clown]

cardboard tune up parts bins are cheap and available at parts stores. i'f your a good customer they will even give them to you!

 

[Smokey]

cardboard tune up parts bins are cheap and available at parts stores. if your a good customer they will even give them to you!

Yup, I've used the same set of 5 for the last 20 plus years

When I started to work more on Metric cars and the types became mix as folks tossed used hardware into what they thought was the correct bin. Nuts in one, bolts in another etc...... It became a mess.

So when it was time to set up this work space I opted for a more cleaner method.

I picked up a 4 tray bin at HD, removed the snappy yellow handle, ran some .40 safety wire across it side to side to stop it from spreading under the weight, an hour with excel for bin labels and now it's easier to keep stock levels correct.

 

[Palf]

I have a few of the small bin drawers, but mostly it is either ziplock bags or coffee cans so far. Not the best for sure, but someday I also plan on having some of the bin drawers being shown.

 

[red alfa]

cardboard tune up parts bins are cheap and available at parts stores. i'f your a good customer they will even give them to you!

Don't tell them I told you but AutoZone is changing the wheel lug nuts planogram and getting rid of some nice drawers. Maybe they still have some around.