Parts organizer organization?

[Von]

I found some more Stanley Sortmasters on sale today, bringing me up to five. So now that I seem to have settled on an approach to parts storage I want to find a way to organize my parts organizers. Anyone have an approach they like that they would be willing to share?

The idea that comes to mind is some sort of plywood cabinet with rails so they can be removed individually.

TIA.

[gee-dub]

I make these out of scrap.  I have standardized as you have. 

Moving forward with the platform you have chosen will serve you well.  I have three primary sizes I use for almost everything.

[Beechwood Chip]

I just watched this video and thought, "Why am I buying plastic organizers, and then trying to figure out where to put them?"  Skip to 32:55 to see what I'm talking about.

 

[wtnhighlander]

For some reason, none of the crap I want to organize ever fits into uniformly sized containers...

[Von]

On 4/26/2024 at 5:42 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

I just watched this video and thought, "Why am I buying plastic organizers, and then trying to figure out where to put them?"  Skip to 32:55 to see what I'm talking about.

Nice. If I really want to kill some time...

 

On 4/26/2024 at 5:40 PM, gee-dub said:

I make these out of scrap.

You have a higher quality of scrap than I do :-)

More seriously, that's pretty much what I'm thinking.

[Coop]

On 4/26/2024 at 7:10 PM, wtnhighlander said:

For some reason, none of the crap I want to organize ever fits into uniformly sized containers...

And most of my crap should have been tossed years ago and I still add to it. 
 

 

[Coop]

On 4/26/2024 at 4:42 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

I just watched this video and thought, "Why am I buying plastic organizers, and then trying to figure out where to put them?"  Skip to 32:55 to see what I'm talking about.

 

Did you notice that he even clocked the screws? 

[Tom King]

I've given up doing my own for hardware and rely on the organizers in Ace hardware.  I don't know if it's just being at the lake, but ours has a great selection of stainless steel and galvanized too.

[Coop]

@gee-dub, are those pull out shelves below each segment of bins to allow you to set the bins on?,

[gee-dub]

They are not meant for that but do serve that purpose. The internals are just simple cubbies.  The slide out things you see are the doors off of this old computer tape reel cabinet that I re-purposed.

I started in the heavy iron days when computers took up 5000 sq feet of raised floor .  I still have a few souvenirs. 

[Coop]

You’re fortunate in that the depth of the cabinet allows all sizes to fit into it. 

[gee-dub]

On 4/26/2024 at 7:47 PM, Coop said:

You’re fortunate in that the depth of the cabinet allows all sizes to fit into it. 

Yes.  I'd like to take credit for excellent planning but it was just a happy accident in this case.

[legenddc]

I won’t be at my parents house for a while so I can’t share pictures. My dad screwed some angle aluminum to some 2x4s and slides his parts organizers in on the lip of the case. 

[gee-dub]

On 4/26/2024 at 5:10 PM, wtnhighlander said:

For some reason, none of the crap I want to organize ever fits into uniformly sized containers...

This is true.  I have some containers that are well packed and others that only hold a few items due to size or shape.  The downside is that I feel I should put more stuff in the loose-pack containers. The upside is that I know right where the stuff that is in them . . . is 

[Tom King]

I don't have anywhere to put parts organizers because I've already run out of room for tool organizers. Cubbies are 7' high.

 

[BillyJack]

I stoped trying to collect hardware for every situation. I just drive the Ace and grab what I need. Special things that the6 donr carry like zero clearance screws ill store..

 

My biggest suggestion to any woodworker is to NOT try and fill every inch of your shop with something. Don’t collect hardware..

 

This is about all you need..

 

[BillyJack]

On 4/27/2024 at 11:25 AM, Tom King said:

I don't have anywhere to put parts organizers because I've already run out of room for tool organizers. Cubbies are 7' high.

 

Construction, remodel, etc require a lot of different tools, etc. Lots of portable tools, etc.  stuff adds up. I was there for awhile..

[legenddc]

I keep meaning to order a nut and bolt thread size checker. That way I can order whatever replacement bolts/nuts I need instead of hoping Home Depot has it in stock in the correct bin.

[Mark J]

Those are handy to have.

[Tom King]

I bought the thread checker with a bunch on a cable, and it's a bit aggravating to use.  I wish they'd had this one when I bought the cable one.

https://www.amazon.com/Giwaelro-Nut-Bolt-Thread-Checker/dp/B0CL9TK8NK/ref=sxin_16_sbv_search_btf?

[legenddc]

There's multiple options now that most likely all come from the same factory in China.

https://www.amazon.com/Identifier-Thread-Checker-Centimeter-Standard/dp/B0CSF9ZG5G/

AliExpress has them cheaper.

[Von]

On 4/29/2024 at 11:38 AM, Tom King said:

I bought the thread checker with a bunch on a cable, and it's a bit aggravating to use. 

Yeah, I have the same thing but I use them rarely enough I like how I can hang them and they don't take up much room. If I did it all the time, they'd be out the door quickly.

[Von]

On 4/28/2024 at 12:06 PM, BillyJack said:

I stoped trying to collect hardware for every situation. I just drive the Ace and grab what I need. Special things that the6 donr carry like zero clearance screws ill store..

My biggest suggestion to any woodworker is to NOT try and fill every inch of your shop with something. Don’t collect hardware..

I spent a little time thinking about this, because yeah, you are right, this could be a bottomless pit (kinda like collecting cutoffs).

Thinking about it I think I want two kinds of hardware around:

1) Stuff I use all the time - e.g. screws.

2) Stuff I use don't use all the time, but can't get locally and use often enough I don't want to wait for it - mostly stuff I use for jigs: t-track bolts, knobs, threaded inserts, etc.

One problem I have is I tend to overbuy because I'm really good at dropping small hardware and having it fly off and disappear on me, so I end up with odds and ends left over I don't know what to do with.

Another problem is somehow I seem to collect bolts and lag screws but never have the right length when I need one.

[Beechwood Chip]

I'm not great at planning my projects out ahead of time, and when I'm futzing around getting ideas, I don't want to stop what I'm doing and run out to the hardware store for a part.  So, when I do buy something I need, I usually get about twice as many "for next time".  If I use up those, then I consider buying a bigger box. 

When I do plan my project ahead of time and make a shopping trip to get everything I need, more often than not I'll end up changing my mind or never getting around to doing it, so I collect a bunch of stuff that way. 

[BillyJack]

On 4/29/2024 at 10:59 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

I'm not great at planning my projects out ahead of time, and when I'm futzing around getting ideas, I don't want to stop what I'm doing and run out to the hardware store for a part.  So, when I do buy something I need, I usually get about twice as many "for next time".  If I use up those, then I consider buying a bigger box. 

When I do plan my project ahead of time and make a shopping trip to get everything I need, more often than not I'll end up changing my mind or never getting around to doing it, so I collect a bunch of stuff that way. 

How do you think about a project and then run to get a part?

 

We make a hardware list, but first I have to have the wood.,

Wanting  this is fine, but do you have the money and space?