Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Has anyone opted out of using toolboxes, for using plastic storage containers in the garage? And one member had a large tall rack against a brick wall. Anyone remember who that was?
Last edited:
Plastic storage containers
- Thread starter Kevin54
- Start date
Strouty
Well-known member
Kevin,
I love plastic totes, clear ones are great so you can see what is in them. BUT, the clear ones are usually the most breakable. Cold kills them quick, because they become brittle. Don't get me wrong, you can get quality clear bins, they just cost and arm and a leg.
I personally have a mix, I am constantly upgrading when I find more rugged stuff at a good price.
Are you talking about these?
I love plastic totes, clear ones are great so you can see what is in them. BUT, the clear ones are usually the most breakable. Cold kills them quick, because they become brittle. Don't get me wrong, you can get quality clear bins, they just cost and arm and a leg.
I personally have a mix, I am constantly upgrading when I find more rugged stuff at a good price.
Are you talking about these?
Last edited:
Strouty
Well-known member
Strouty
Well-known member
So this was all a ploy to get the organizing guys to read propaganda?
RunninOnEmpty
Well-known member
I use those plastic cases for storing crimp connectors, resistors, capacitors, other electronic components, crush washers, O-rings and more. I wouldn't consider anything but a real tool chest for "tools" and I don't consider the things I just listed to be "tools."
I'd like to buy some quality Sortimo or Bosch iBOXX pieces sometime but they cost so much more.
Learned about Sortimo from the Youtube channel "Tested" and it was Adam Savage's setup. Link to video. I have yet to check these out in person, though.
I'd like to buy some quality Sortimo or Bosch iBOXX pieces sometime but they cost so much more.
Learned about Sortimo from the Youtube channel "Tested" and it was Adam Savage's setup. Link to video. I have yet to check these out in person, though.
QwikKotaTx
Well-known member
Those are very expensive. Take a look at Stanley's offering. Very similar and not made in China. They have shallow and deep versions, the deep model has larger bins. http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-25-Removable-Compartment-Professional-Organizer/dp/B00005QWYF
RunninOnEmpty
Well-known member
I have run across that listing and may buy one to check it out. Hoping that I can maybe see one in person next time I run to Home Depot or Wal-Mart. Thanks for the recommendation.
I think it might not satisfy me because I hate it when the boxes flex a little bit and the small parts inside them are able to get a little bit mixed up. The Stanley will probably not be as bad as some of the no-name and Stack On stuff I have, and I may end up buying Stanleys for some of my storage, and maybe eventually get Sortimo for some of the extra small pieces to keep them from getting mixed up. I have no need to stick to one brand after all. But then again maybe the Stanleys will surprise me and be plenty good for any part I could possibly put in it.
Last edited:
I use both versions of the Stanley organizers at work. Great design feature is you can rearrange the layout of the individual bins or remove them all together to make space for a larger item. The lid engages with the top lip of the bins to keep small parts from migrating to another bin when the organizer gets shaken about.
One minor down side is when the organizer is standing on end like the photo in the link provided, it sometimes tips over because of the way the base is molded. Kind of depends how the organizer is loaded. We affixed some small blocks to the bottom to increase stability years ago and it worked quite well.
loudog212
Well-known member
I use these at work, they are outside in all kinds of weather and get beat up. they hold up amazingly well. my local kmart always has them in stock for less than $7
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CEZ2T/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.kmart.com/stack-on-17-co...0000045300511P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CEZ2T/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.kmart.com/stack-on-17-co...0000045300511P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
Nermal43
Well-known member
Strouty
Well-known member
I am afraid Kevin abandoned us on this one. I feel used, I spent time looking for the picture he requested. 
bikeguy5
Well-known member
I really like the angle iron rack. I have to build me one of those
I didn't bail. Strouty....that is it. That is the one I was thinking of.
And Duck....you are right. I had two things on my mind and one I posted in the wrong place.
I guess some are quick on the draw.
But yes, Strouty.......Sam's is the one I was thinking of and I want to build something like that. I have bought a few PLANO plastic containers and really like them. If I can remember correctly, I think I bought them from Amazon, and they had a heck of a deal on them. Plus they changed the latches on the fronts so they wont break.
I have two different sizes, and I like the plastic containers better than the metal or plastic small cabinets with the small parts drawers.
I'm just waiting on the weather to break to get things how I want them, as the garage is going to be a major redo. All I need to do is get the contractor to give me the final price, and this damn snow go away, the ground thaw, and dry up a tad.
And Duck....you are right. I had two things on my mind and one I posted in the wrong place.
I guess some are quick on the draw.But yes, Strouty.......Sam's is the one I was thinking of and I want to build something like that. I have bought a few PLANO plastic containers and really like them. If I can remember correctly, I think I bought them from Amazon, and they had a heck of a deal on them. Plus they changed the latches on the fronts so they wont break.
I have two different sizes, and I like the plastic containers better than the metal or plastic small cabinets with the small parts drawers.
I'm just waiting on the weather to break to get things how I want them, as the garage is going to be a major redo. All I need to do is get the contractor to give me the final price, and this damn snow go away, the ground thaw, and dry up a tad.
rockwithjason
Well-known member
you poor midwesterners and east coasters have had a hell of a time these past two years with the polar vortex and now another hard winter. you may get a garage by october.......
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
My wife's tool box is a plastic show box in the laundry room !
Many people have gone with plastic boxes with small divided sections for hardware items. Looks good, but you can go nuts trying to set up those dividers for various size items.
Many years ago, I bought some heavy duty (4 mil; freezer weight) clear zipper lock bags in various sizes, from very small (tiny laptop screws) to moderately sized. My other secret was taking a small piece of colored paper and writing the size of the item in each bag and just dropping it inside the bag. (Can you eyeball the difference between a 2.5mm scew and a 3mm screw ?)
These also allow me to "mix" similar sized items into a slightly larger storage bin (Menard's red bins), so I have 3/8" coarse and fine nuts in the same bin. Even better for smaller items (#10 screws and nuts; some machine thread, some sheet metal, various sizes; one bin, but each bag is labeled.) Works great for electrical connectors whether you buy 10 or 100 !
I even keep my spare computer cables in bags with a label inside each bag.
Many people have gone with plastic boxes with small divided sections for hardware items. Looks good, but you can go nuts trying to set up those dividers for various size items.
Many years ago, I bought some heavy duty (4 mil; freezer weight) clear zipper lock bags in various sizes, from very small (tiny laptop screws) to moderately sized. My other secret was taking a small piece of colored paper and writing the size of the item in each bag and just dropping it inside the bag. (Can you eyeball the difference between a 2.5mm scew and a 3mm screw ?)
These also allow me to "mix" similar sized items into a slightly larger storage bin (Menard's red bins), so I have 3/8" coarse and fine nuts in the same bin. Even better for smaller items (#10 screws and nuts; some machine thread, some sheet metal, various sizes; one bin, but each bag is labeled.) Works great for electrical connectors whether you buy 10 or 100 !
I even keep my spare computer cables in bags with a label inside each bag.
Gotcha640
Well-known member
I like the plastic boxes for specialized tools and parts that can all fit in one, and would have no place in the wrench/pliers/screwdrivers type tool box or bag. I have a couple for fountain pen parts, a couple for watch batteries and parts and tools, a couple for electrical connectors, car parts, TV parts, computer parts, etc. Most of these boxes only get opened a few times a year, but have the exact right parts for the specific job. I'd say if I ever slow down (been in a different house/state/country every two years or so for the last 20) I might stack up as many as 20 of these, and need a rack. For now, 6 plastic parts boxes, two 15" bags, and a cordless drill case are all I can carry around.
I have one of the very large Flambeau boxes (the 'kwikdraw' fwiw) for dremel stuff. Nice thing about the double depth boxes is it stores a dremel, the attachments, and whatever bits I put in it and I can take that one out and go someplace. I have another much smaller box with test leads, solder, electronics stuff. Both are great boxes for what I'm using them for, but in both cases they are more than just the storage bins you are asking about.
Anyway they have their place as tool storage, however they typically do better as parts storage. fuses, fasteners, etc. The same way that some guys might use a Lista as a toolbox and have great success, I typically would go for a tool chest when I need one and a parts bin when I need one and based on recommendations or experience I might mix and match occasionally.
Anyway they have their place as tool storage, however they typically do better as parts storage. fuses, fasteners, etc. The same way that some guys might use a Lista as a toolbox and have great success, I typically would go for a tool chest when I need one and a parts bin when I need one and based on recommendations or experience I might mix and match occasionally.
Strouty
Well-known member
I hear you on the snow, and I was just giving you a hard time, but in good fun.
Check this out.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275324
Tool cabinet build.
Rev. Ronnie
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275324
Tool cabinet build.
Rev. Ronnie
tool-guy
Well-known member
I want to get some more Plano storage boxes so I have the newer style, and get rid of the Akro-Mills storage bins, or I guess they call them parts cabinets. The drawers either get crappy on them after a while, or one of the others I have, the drawers won't sit straight or seem to want to fall out, if you don't have them just right. take a look at the new Plano boxes vs. the old. The new boxes are made where the hinges won't wear out, plus they have removable dividers. The older style has stationary dividers, and the front hinges, if you use them often, will eventually snap off. The pics with the blue hinges are the new boxes. Pics 1-3, the last two are the old style. Plus the new, you can make 36 compartments, and the old, you are stuck with 18.
Attachments
Is it post #2 of this thread?
Shoreline_
Well-known member
Rip Kevin