Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 1:09:15 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

Not sure it really qualifies for this category. But with my tool chests (Craftsman!!!!!!!), the skinny drawers are much better for keeping my tools or stuff organized and findable than the deeper drawers. In the deep drawers everything gets piled on top of each other and its hard to get anything out once you find it. Skinny drawers keep everything visible and not on top of anything else.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:29:48 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 1:09:15 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

Not sure it really qualifies for this category. But with my tool chests (Craftsman!!!!!!!), the skinny drawers are much better for keeping my tools or stuff organized and findable than the deeper drawers. In the deep drawers everything gets piled on top of each other and its hard to get anything out once you find it. Skinny drawers keep everything visible and not on top of anything else.

So when buying tool chests, look for chests with lots of skinny drawers and not a few deep drawers.

On 9/17/2019 1:09 PM, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

If SWMBO happens to buy individual cups of Jello, fruit or pudding,
don't let her toss or recycle the translucent cup when empty. Rinse
them out and stack them (they nest wonderfully) in a cabinet in the shop.

Tearing something down and need a place to park the screws, nuts,
washers, etc.? They are ideal.

Touching up some paint or finish? Yep, use them and toss them.

Just very handy for about anything you can think of. Combine them with
the el cheapo paint brushes from Harbor Freight and do away with cleanup
time.

Right on with the Zip-Lock bags. I also keep boxes of the various sizes
handy in the shop. Keep all the parts handy for a job so you're not
digging through a tool box/bag and, when you're done with the job, you
can empty them out into wherever you normally store them.

I keep a couple of the Rubbermaid storage tubs (with the press on lids)
in the garage. One holds plumbing bits and pieces, the other electrical
connectors, boxes, outlets, switches. etc.

On Tue, 17 Sep 2019 12:29:44 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 1:09:15 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

Not sure it really qualifies for this category. But with my tool chests (Craftsman!!!!!!!), the skinny drawers are much better for keeping my tools or stuff organized and findable than the deeper drawers. In the deep drawers everything gets piled on top of each other and its hard to get anything out once you find it. Skinny drawers keep everything visible and not on top of anything else.

Skinny drawers for most things. Need something a little deeper for
pipe wrenches and faucet wrenches.

Even deeper drawers might be good for battery operated tools, spare
batteries and chargersw - not a lot to get hidden.

On Tue, 17 Sep 2019 14:43:10 -0500, Unquestionably Confused
wrote:

On 9/17/2019 1:09 PM, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

If SWMBO happens to buy individual cups of Jello, fruit or pudding,
don't let her toss or recycle the translucent cup when empty. Rinse
them out and stack them (they nest wonderfully) in a cabinet in the shop.

Tearing something down and need a place to park the screws, nuts,
washers, etc.? They are ideal.

Touching up some paint or finish? Yep, use them and toss them.

Just very handy for about anything you can think of. Combine them with
the el cheapo paint brushes from Harbor Freight and do away with cleanup
time.

Right on with the Zip-Lock bags. I also keep boxes of the various sizes
handy in the shop. Keep all the parts handy for a job so you're not
digging through a tool box/bag and, when you're done with the job, you
can empty them out into wherever you normally store them.

I keep a couple of the Rubbermaid storage tubs (with the press on lids)
in the garage. One holds plumbing bits and pieces, the other electrical
connectors, boxes, outlets, switches. etc.


" Only in Canada you say .. "

milk bags - yup ... milk - in bags !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_bag

Not really for shop use - although they are heavier than
most zip-lock baggies ~ like freezer zip lock
We re-use these - with a twist-tie - to put-up a lot of freezer
foods. Great for that long cheese slab in the fridge.
For the paintbrush - between coats.
a paint roller will not fit - but you can use 2 bags
Plastic peanut butter / mayo tubs - semi clear seem
to hold-up better than clear - long-term in cold temps.
Use them for temporary parts storage ; craft parts ; painting ;
you-name-it ... they're free ..
For a larger clear-ish plastic container - mixed nuts from Costco ;
birdseed ;
Re-use 'em and blue-box 'em ..
We've just recently had wax-cartons milk, ice cream, etc
excluded from our re-cycling stream .. heads-up landfill !
John T.

Unquestionably Confused wrote:



Tearing something down and need a place to park the screws, nuts,
washers, etc.? They are ideal.




I can't believe I forgot this one: When you disassemble something, put
the screw right back in the hole it came from. Now you know which screw
came out of which hole, which is great for those engineers who use
different size screws despite the small size being more than small
enough.

Puckdropper

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:09:15 PM UTC-4, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

See-through is key.

I recently bought a 25-pack of 4 oz specimen containers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2LVZVJ

I sorted my mixed batches of spare nuts, bolts, washers, etc. into them.
I store them up-side down on an eye-level shelf. A quick scan of the
see-through containers and I can quickly find the hardware I need.

I have a wire shelving unit outside the shop. I use a few of these for larger
odds and ends and parts:

https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-205.../dp/B002BA5F6G

In the garage I sized some of the shelves to fit these plastic crates:

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-16qt-.../dp/B005D5I144

The lower shelves (and floor) fit 18 gallon totes (not see-through)

Shelving system: https://i.imgur.com/0v44CJq.jpg

I'm also a fan of zip lock bags for both short and long term storage.

Student Housing storage:

A few years ago I built a knock-down full size bed for my daughter to
take back to college. She wanted it to fit in her car and be high enough
to fit the 18 gallon totes underneath so she could have more storage than
your average student.

5 pieces here - The three 3-legged sections and the head and foot cross
pieces:

https://i.imgur.com/eBHvDEG.jpg

Add 2 pieces of 1/2" MDF and it's sweet dreams:

https://i.imgur.com/Is1Kryc.jpg

On Tue, 17 Sep 2019 17:30:59 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:09:15 PM UTC-4, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

See-through is key.

I recently bought a 25-pack of 4 oz specimen containers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2LVZVJ

I sorted my mixed batches of spare nuts, bolts, washers, etc. into them.
I store them up-side down on an eye-level shelf. A quick scan of the
see-through containers and I can quickly find the hardware I need.

I have a wire shelving unit outside the shop. I use a few of these for larger
odds and ends and parts:

https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-205.../dp/B002BA5F6G

In the garage I sized some of the shelves to fit these plastic crates:

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-16qt-.../dp/B005D5I144

The lower shelves (and floor) fit 18 gallon totes (not see-through)

Shelving system: https://i.imgur.com/0v44CJq.jpg

I'm also a fan of zip lock bags for both short and long term storage.

Student Housing storage:

A few years ago I built a knock-down full size bed for my daughter to
take back to college. She wanted it to fit in her car and be high enough
to fit the 18 gallon totes underneath so she could have more storage than
your average student.

5 pieces here - The three 3-legged sections and the head and foot cross
pieces:

https://i.imgur.com/eBHvDEG.jpg

Add 2 pieces of 1/2" MDF and it's sweet dreams:

https://i.imgur.com/Is1Kryc.jpg

Order a lot of spices from Penzey's, have a few bottles of both glass
and plastic.

On Tue, 17 Sep 2019 12:30:30 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:29:48 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 1:09:15 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

Not sure it really qualifies for this category. But with my tool chests (Craftsman!!!!!!!), the skinny drawers are much better for keeping my tools or stuff organized and findable than the deeper drawers. In the deep drawers everything gets piled on top of each other and its hard to get anything out once you find it. Skinny drawers keep everything visible and not on top of anything else.

So when buying tool chests, look for chests with lots of skinny drawers and not a few deep drawers.

The deep drawers are for the stuff that doesn't fit in the skinny
drawers.

DerbyDad03 wrote:

See-through is key.

I recently bought a 25-pack of 4 oz specimen containers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2LVZVJ

I sorted my mixed batches of spare nuts, bolts, washers, etc. into them.
I store them up-side down on an eye-level shelf. A quick scan of the
see-through containers and I can quickly find the hardware I need.

I don't have spare nuts, bolts, washers, etc. I have sorted inventory.
I told my sister I may have $600 worth of hardware, but I have $1000
worth of inventory because it's sorted and labeled.

I have a wire shelving unit outside the shop. I use a few of these for larger
odds and ends and parts:

https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-205.../dp/B002BA5F6G

I've been avoiding large plastic drawers, knowing that they tend to sag
quite easily. How have those held up?

Puckdropper

On Tue, 17 Sep 2019 23:45:15 -0400, J. Clarke
wrote:

On Tue, 17 Sep 2019 12:30:30 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 2:29:48 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 1:09:15 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
Glad Large size boxes hold 5 lbs of screws, if you need something a
little tougher (or water proof) than the cardboard box they came in.
They're cheap at Menards, less than $3 for 3.

Other sizes of containers are also useful. I found some worthless in
the kitchen extra small square size containers were ideal for holding
screws as I disassembled a project for painting.

Plastic zip-top bags are great for storing related parts within larger
containers. One such box has various plumbing fittings, and finding
what I need is a matter of flipping through a few bags rather than
digging through an entire drawer full.

Any storage ideas you guys would like to share?

Puckdropper

Not sure it really qualifies for this category. But with my tool chests (Craftsman!!!!!!!), the skinny drawers are much better for keeping my tools or stuff organized and findable than the deeper drawers. In the deep drawers everything gets piled on top of each other and its hard to get anything out once you find it. Skinny drawers keep everything visible and not on top of anything else.

So when buying tool chests, look for chests with lots of skinny drawers and not a few deep drawers.

The deep drawers are for the stuff that doesn't fit in the skinny
drawers.
The shallow drawers on mine are fine for 3/8" socket sets but my half
inch stuff is always getting jammed up. My problem is I have too many
tools for my 26 inch box and cabinet. I used to have 2 "saddle" boxes
on the sides - just doors to hang stuff in - but they don't work where
I have it now. The main chest has 3 full width drawers about 3 inches
deep, and 6 shallow drawers each 1/3 the width of the box and 1 to 1
1/2 inch deep, and one about 6 inches deep 1/3 the width of the box.
The bottom chest is 42 inches tall with a bin and several 4 inch deep
full widths as well as a bunch of narrow shallow drawers - All full -
and that's none of the power tools - or wooldworking tools, or lathe
tools - or electronics tools, or even most of my test equipment.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 12:12:37 AM UTC-4, Puckdropper wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:

See-through is key.

I recently bought a 25-pack of 4 oz specimen containers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2LVZVJ

I sorted my mixed batches of spare nuts, bolts, washers, etc. into them.
I store them up-side down on an eye-level shelf. A quick scan of the
see-through containers and I can quickly find the hardware I need.

I don't have spare nuts, bolts, washers, etc. I have sorted inventory.
I told my sister I may have $600 worth of hardware, but I have $1000
worth of inventory because it's sorted and labeled.

Do you have a container labeled "semantics"? ;-)

There's no need to label these containers cuz it's easier to just look
than to read.

https://i.imgur.com/BA2YH52.jpg


I have a wire shelving unit outside the shop. I use a few of these for larger
odds and ends and parts:

https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-205.../dp/B002BA5F6G

I've been avoiding large plastic drawers, knowing that they tend to sag
quite easily. How have those held up?

Those aren't exactly what I have. I broke a couple of these down into
sets of 2 drawers. For things like my "inventory" of electrical parts (receptacles, switches, etc.), plumbing supplies and the like, they are
more than sturdy enough.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9142347