Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 30, 2005 06:56pm | #1

   Here's another source of trays you can use to make your own storage cabinets.

   Building a cabinet for the trays is as simple as it gets. Lee valley offers them in various sizes (height), so you can mix and match them in a single cabinet, if you follow their instructions on the distance between kerfs.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=46037&cat=1,43326

   ********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   PJohn | May 30, 2005 07:22pm | #2

   You're right - can't make 'em from wood at those prices! For little stuff, I tend to prefer the "fishing tackle" type (relatively inexpensive) with rounded bottoms (easier to remove parts), removable dividers (versatility), and closing lids (so I don't lose stuff toting them around.) Since I do so much work outside the shop, I really needed closed and compartmented totes that could be stored efficiently. *Lots* of compartments per tray yields a pretty good assortment of fasteners in any single carrier. Small compartments easily hold 50-100 (or more) screws, washers, etc. up to #6, and removable dividers make them easy to convert for larger stuff.Best to ya...---John

2. 
   WillGeorge | May 31, 2005 08:59pm | #3

   Parts and Fastener Storage

    I throw all mine in one BIG box and look for hours!  LOL

1. 
   PJohn | May 31, 2005 10:02pm | #4

   Hi, Will...My "big box" somehow always winds up being the top of my bench ...---John

1. 
   MarkRD | May 31, 2005 10:38pm | #5

   I got an old dresser - four drawer. I put it on wheels.
   Bottom drawer - nails of all shapes and sizes in their origial boxes or in coffee cans.
   Next drawer: Wood screws/lag screws - sorted by type (not by size) into small cans (about the size of cambpells soup cans)
   Next drawer: Bolts, nuts, washers mildly sorted. Nuts in one can, washers in another, bolts in various containers.
   Top drawer: misc. Hardware... Bearings, springs, tap in feet, shelf pins, chair glides, etc...
   Top of dresser: Stuff to be sorted.Other bins in a closet:
   1. Door hardware (locks, hinges, catches, knobs, handles)
   2. Misc. metal pices (from things we've taken apart)
   3. Electrical stuff (resistors, motors, fans, ac adaptors....
   4. Electrician stuff (excluding wire) outlets, switches, wire nuts, lamp hardware...
   5. Wire (coils of it in a milk crate)
   6. Plumbing fittings/solder/torch nozzle,
   7. Misc material (glass, marble, rubber, leather) (actually on a shelf, not in a bin)Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

   View Image

3. 
   Ricks503 | May 31, 2005 11:25pm | #6

   Try looking up Plano ProLatch 3700 StowAway

   These are the fishing boxes with the dividers and you can get them for $3.99 each

   They also make a 1/2 size version for $2.99 each

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
1. 
   PJohn | May 31, 2005 11:51pm | #7

   Hi, Rick...That looks like a good box, too. It doesn't appear to have the rounded bottom corners that are such a help in retrieving small screws, etc. For the same money, I think I'd prefer to stick with the Shimano. The important thing is to choose and buy all your boxes (and maybe a few spares), then craft the storage unit(s) to suit those specific containers - or survey available boxes and design loosely enough to accommodate any of them.Regards,---John