My Akro type bin solution - homemade mount track

[rslaback]

So I know everyone here loves the Akro type bins. I am no exception. In my previous garage I had them all over the place, wherever I could find room. Some were hung with factory plastic track and some on homemade metal rack. I even had a bunch of bins that weren't in use due to lack of space and rack to hang them on.

We moved this summer and I am still unpacking the garage (and will be for months) but I wanted to get all the bins up that I own and have them all in one location.

Today I did that.

The biggest problem that I think anyone has in having a bunch of this type of bin is that the track is pretty outrageously priced for what it is. I did some searches on homemade track solutions and couldn't find anything that looked strong enough to me or fit the bins well. The closest I found to a good fit used suspended ceiling track angle but I have my doubts as to the strength of that track if I load up the bolt and screw bins.

To make my own solution I used old school shelving standards like were popular in the 80's. I picked up 4' long chunks at $3 each. The metal is nice and thick and fits the bin lips well. The height of the legs are also nice and short so the bin won't have as much leverage. As a bonus, they even come with prefabbed holes for mounting.



http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/-single-track-wall-standard/0000000042131

The standards were fastened onto 1x6's that were ripped in half widthwise. You could get by with a lot smaller material but I wanted something that would support the entire back of the bin so it couldn't cam out of the track. I screwed the standards on so that the lip was flush with the face of the 1x with #8 - 3/4" sheet metals screws (using pilot holes). The screws are far enough away from the lip of the track that it does not interfere with the bins at all. Then the 1x was screwed to the wall across 4 studs.

After that all that was left was to hang the bins. Some are missing still in this picture as they are somewhere in the garage. I picked this wall because it has an outside door to the right and the dryer vent sticks out into the garage (you can see it below the bins to the right) so I can't really use the space for much else.

I like how clean the installation turned out, the racks are strong, cheap and can easily be removed to move with me whenever I move again (or build my second garage/shop). Total cost for the 12 racks was about $40 including screws. By the way, all the red bins were free after rebate from Menards. If you happen to be near one, snag some next time they are FAR.

 

[wrench409]

Great idea.

I was given a bunch off these along with the metal wall mount. I was dreading cutting it to fit the area I need to use them.

I think your method is easier to make.

Thanks!
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[southalabama]

That's a good idea.

I've got some of the shelf brackets left over from a bookcase project that never materialized.

 

[PCO6]

I did something similar by using 1"x3" pine and the aluminum angle that is used for drop ceilings.

(post #26)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39367&page=2&highlight=neat+storage+ideas

View media item 40267

 

[rslaback]

Your solution was actually the one I referenced in my first post. Have you had any issues with that track bending with a full load in a bin? It is hard to see but some of my bins are heaped full of bolts and screws.

 

[PCO6]

Your solution was actually the one I referenced in my first post. Have you had any issues with that track bending with a full load in a bin? It is hard to see but some of my bins are heaped full of bolts and screws.

None at all. The bins in the picture above have been up for close to 10 years I have had no problems. In fact I have some larger bins that I used 1"x6" pine for and they are good too.

 

[lmalcomb]

Very nice !!!

 

[Bib Overalls]

Love the Akro type bins. You must be one of those guys that can think upside down and backwards. This is a technique that I will have to remember!

 

[whyNick?]

Thanks for the idea, I have a bunch of the Menards bins myself and now I have a cheap way to mount them.

 

[Knyte Tyne]

I know this is old, I know I only found this now... But thank you!!! What a brilliant solution. Combine this with a French Cleat and I have a solution to a problem I've not yet solved. Shot Gents.

 

[rlitman]

It's a nice solution, IF you don't have the ability to weld.

If you do, 3/4" steel angle is cheaper than shelf standards, and you can make a stronger wall rack. I had a deep but narrow hall closet that made it impossible to get to things on the back of the shelves. I replaced the shelves with 18" deep Akro bins, and now I can pull a bin out when I want something from the back.

 

[senlow]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman.

That's actually a great solution.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Thanks for bringing this thread back alive. I must of missed it the first time.

 

[rslaback]

It's a nice solution, IF you don't have the ability to weld.

If you do, 3/4" steel angle is cheaper than shelf standards, and you can make a stronger wall rack. I had a deep but narrow hall closet that made it impossible to get to things on the back of the shelves. I replaced the shelves with 18" deep Akro bins, and now I can pull a bin out when I want something from the back.

I'm confused. It seems like you are saying that you either mounted just angle to a wood runner (but that wouldn't require welding) or you welded two pieces of angle together face to face to make a Tetris S shape. Do you have any pictures of your mount to make it clearer?

 

[isb cornbinder]

These bins are a good design. About 5 years ago I bought around 1000 of these bins for $100. Most of the bins I bought are still in storage. There was about 50 odd bins in the mix. I gave then away to a neighbour.
Our local Craigslist has more of these bins for sale. https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/tls/6077719137.html

 

[isb cornbinder]

So I know everyone here loves the Akro type bins. I am no exception. In my previous garage I had them all over the place, wherever I could find room. Some were hung with factory plastic track and some on homemade metal rack. I even had a bunch of bins that weren't in use due to lack of space and rack to hang them on.

We moved this summer and I am still unpacking the garage (and will be for months) but I wanted to get all the bins up that I own and have them all in one location.

Today I did that.

The biggest problem that I think anyone has in having a bunch of this type of bin is that the track is pretty outrageously priced for what it is. I did some searches on homemade track solutions and couldn't find anything that looked strong enough to me or fit the bins well. The closest I found to a good fit used suspended ceiling track angle but I have my doubts as to the strength of that track if I load up the bolt and screw bins.

To make my own solution I used old school shelving standards like were popular in the 80's. I picked up 4' long chunks at $3 each. The metal is nice and thick and fits the bin lips well. The height of the legs are also nice and short so the bin won't have as much leverage. As a bonus, they even come with prefabbed holes for mounting.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/-single-track-wall-standard/0000000042131

The standards were fastened onto 1x6's that were ripped in half widthwise. You could get by with a lot smaller material but I wanted something that would support the entire back of the bin so it couldn't cam out of the track. I screwed the standards on so that the lip was flush with the face of the 1x with #8 - 3/4" sheet metals screws (using pilot holes). The screws are far enough away from the lip of the track that it does not interfere with the bins at all. Then the 1x was screwed to the wall across 4 studs.

After that all that was left was to hang the bins. Some are missing still in this picture as they are somewhere in the garage. I picked this wall because it has an outside door to the right and the dryer vent sticks out into the garage (you can see it below the bins to the right) so I can't really use the space for much else.

I like how clean the installation turned out, the racks are strong, cheap and can easily be removed to move with me whenever I move again (or build my second garage/shop). Total cost for the 12 racks was about $40 including screws. By the way, all the red bins were free after rebate from Menards. If you happen to be near one, snag some next time they are FAR.

Great job.

 

[racinfarmer]

Thank you for the idea. I've been looking for a better way to use these bins in my garage.

 

[Orionrising]

does anyone make a similiar type of bin but with covers for a reasonable cost?

 

[rburke65]

My bins are all on shelving.

 

[Shootinok]

Really like it !
Good to have old threads resurrected now!

 

[PFSard]

does anyone make a similiar type of bin but with covers for a reasonable cost?

I can't speak to these personally. But Akro-Mils makes covers. And I wouldn't call these cheap. Here's an example.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B5S2UXG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[isb cornbinder]

I hate so say this, but, In Canada, Princess auto have inexpensive AKRO Mills knock-offs and I would not be surprised if HF has something similar.

 

[Husky79]

I'm confused. It seems like you are saying that you either mounted just angle to a wood runner (but that wouldn't require welding) or you welded two pieces of angle together face to face to make a Tetris S shape. Do you have any pictures of your mount to make it clearer?

I am confused too, was hoping someone would chime in with answers by now. I am wondering the exact same thing as I have whole bunch of Akro bins in the storage and want to put it in use.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I found the Acro Mills louvered board on CL. I think I paid $40. There are two boards mounted back-to-back separated by a square tube frame on a base with castors.
Many of the other AM bins came from Amazon.
The grey ten drawer cabinet was found on CL. Each drawer holds 20 bins. This cabinet was $25, if I remember. The cabinet weighs about 60kg. (132#) I am going to put 6 casters under this cabinet.

 

[alinc100]

we install graphic/acoustical panels/markerboards every day with this aluminum zee bar. Would it fit your bins? a couple 12 ft lengths are not too pricey. I would think any aluminum supplier in major cities would have access. link for reference, not an endoresment:

Aluminum Z-Clip MF375

Orange Aluminum is your preferred source for Z Clip MF 375. Our strength is our customer service, and aluminum is our specialty!

orangealuminum.com

aluminum zee bar

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Standard DIN rails works great for the hanging Akro bins. Just screw it to the wall and hang the bins from it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079TX7WDQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PoorUB]

I don't know how you guys survive with open parts bins in your shops. I had a a few Akro bins years ago and they collected an obscene amount of dirt, saw dust, grinding dust and welding dust.

All my colections are in covered parts boxes, or in bins inside cabinets.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I don't know how you guys survive with open parts bins in your shops. I had a a few Akro bins years ago and they collected an obscene amount of dirt, saw dust, grinding dust and welding dust.

All my colections are in covered parts boxes, or in bins inside cabinets.

That is lots of dust. Are you wearing breathing protection? My Dad refused to wear dust protection and he died at an early age. He had asthma and emphysema. Dad's brother used to wear a KOTEX pad on his face. Dad used to say, "My brother finally got something right. He put the pad on the right end."

 

[PoorUB]

That is lots of dust. Are you wearing breathing protection? My Dad refused to wear dust protection and he died at an early age. He had asthma and emphysema. Dad's brother used to wear a KOTEX pad on his face. Dad used to say, "My brother finally got something right. He put the pad on the right end."

It isn't like they were full of dust, but more than enough dust, over a period of a year or two that what ever was stored in the bins was very dirty and had to be cleaned before use.
I have a working shop. At the time I was doing auto repair and often worked most evenings in the shop. I also do some woodworking so wood working dust and metal work so grinding, oxy-acetylene cutting and welding create dust. I have built trailers and other items.