I have been trying to be more organized when I build the new shop, so I am looking into storage for nuts, bolts etc. Been thinking about something along these lines. The only problem I see with these is dust and dirt getting in all the bins. I do a lot of sanding and grinding. I have seen guys make flaps for the front, but that would be a pain, I think. There is this type of cabinet made for the boxes with lids also, but it would mean you would have to open it to look at your inventory. No quick glances. The last option would be pull drawers like this. I have had these in places I worked and they ended up gluing hardware to the drawer front. Thoughts?
We have all 3 types at my workplace (GM dealership parts dept) and all 3 work well but I prefer the 1st type you posted. You mentioned 'quick glance'...that's what I like about it.
Right on all observations. I'd choose the 1st pic, but make doors out of thin plexigl***. Eventually it'd get too scratched from the shop-dirt-n-needed-cleaning, but that'll take a long time. If the boxes are steel, used magnetic catches for latches, & some decent cabinet-grade hinges so the doors fit well. I'd also add a thin strip of real soft weatherstripping/seals around the door edge to stop dirt. I hate filthy new bolts & containers, not to mention the filthy fingers from handling them. Just my peeve. Marcus...
Somewhere on the HAMB is a video of someone who was storing bulk fasteners in small tubs (mebbe 1/2 gallon size). They had a table with an edge around it to dump the fasteners out onto. You could then pick and choose. The empty tub slid under the table. The table top had a hole in it... push all the fasteners into the hole, and they fell into the tub. Pack the tub away again. Pretty neat idea. This is similar, but the one I am thinking of was made with a simple wood top. Simple Parts-Sorting Table - Instructables Cheers, Harv
Picked up an old card catalog from a large college Govdeals auction. Heavy, very well made, old. {probably all of these are gone from most libraries, but I'd look for another one if I had the room)
One more side quest suggestion, have a board that has each size attached so it's the identification source. This one is pretty cheap at 28 bucks and I've seen them for more than double, but you could make your own. https://www.amazon.com/KaizeooHaus-...Gauges-14/dp/B0CPT56MM3/ref=asc_df_B0CPT56MM3 I picked one of these up years ago and it's been great for the smaller stuff all in one easy to find place. It's pretty expensive now, though. https://csbn.copperstate.com/shop/5637158370/portable-fastener-kits
Saw this on FB Marketplace. More than I wanna give, but it could be kinda cool. https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...h&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post
I purchased 3 flat file cabinets, tacked the sides together, then built a roller bottom for it. I put all my fasteners in it. I then ordered some Lista/Vidmar plastic bins on Ebay, and separated them accordingly. Large quan***y bolt purchases I have gone through boltsandnuts.com. When you order from them, they send a little sticker that fits perfectly on the inside of the bins. That way I know what size and pitch bolt or nut I am picking up. The stickers also have QR codes if I need to reorder stuff. Then have other drawers divvied up for small parts or bolts that are specific to the projects I am working on, so that nothing gets "cross contaminated".
I have 30 plus metal cups off a grain elevator lag . They bolted onto an endless belt . I’ve seen people weld them onto a pipe or flat straps and hang them on the wall. But they would catch lots of dirt . Maybe You could make flower pots out of them for Your Misses
I don't know what I want. I just have OCD and need things to be organized. This shop is the perfect chance to finally do something about it. I have to touch literally everything to move. Now is the time for a purge.
@Roothawg you could attach a retractable window shade to the open front cabinet and pull it down when you grind and sand, leaving it up when you aren't for easy access.
I'm basically a slob at heart, so I've always struggled with organized storage in my garage. I'm getting better as the years go by. Here's the current setup for expensive hardware. See those plastic storage bins? Each one is a specific size and thread. There's more that hold electrical connectors, rod ends, oddball stuff, cotter pins (hey I salvaged thousands of cotter pinsall mixed up, and spent hours separateing out the sizes. Never again!). Only drawback, they are stacked up 3 or 4 deep. And of course the size I need next is always on the bottom of the pile. So still struggling!
Root, Maybe something you could use and maybe not. I've got several of these ten drawer file cabinets. They were originally card files. Each drawer is five slots wide and 1/2 gallon milk cartons fit perfectly after cutting the tops off. Each carton is labeled for contents. These pix are several years old and I've cleaned off the tape residue and reorganized since then. I mention this 'cause this is CHEAP! I don't think I gave over $40 for any of them and the milk cartons were free. Although they aren't shown here I have several more of the 10 drawer units and about a dozen 5-drawer cab'ts. I doubt I gave over $10 for any of the 5 drawer cab'ts. While there isn't any hardware in the 5 drawer units they are incredibly handy for general storage.
The Jalopy Journal
