How to Make Simple Storage Bins for Workshop Drawers
These custom-fit boxes are an affordable alternative to store bought trays if you need to organizing hardware, tools, and more.
If you have a drawer in your garage, basement, or workshop where you keep screws, nails, and other small parts, you could start eating chicken livers until you have enough empty containers to store them all, but there’s a better way.
Cliff Kancler of Los Altos Hills, Calif., got tired of storing screws, and nails, and other small parts in little separate containers in his drawers, so he figured out a way to make a customized storage system using just 2 plastic parts: a square vinyl downspout and a piece of edging that is used with vinyl siding. Let’s see how he did it.
I cut the downspout pieces to the length of the drawer and then used a tablesaw to remove one side of the downspout. The first cut was pretty simple; for the second cut, I used a piece of duct tape to secure the loose side so that the blade doesn’t catch it and kick it back. I then cut the nailing strip off of the vinyl edging and cut the pieces to length. Then it’s time to gang up the pieces of downspout and secure them together with the pieces of edging. The next thing I do is turn the unit over. I decide what increments I want my individual storage compartments to be–in this case I’m going with 3 inches, so I measure across and make 3-in. marks down the length of the downspout. I use a framing square to continue my lines across the ganged pieces, and then I set the depth of my circular saw to go from the bottom edge of the unit to the vinyl edging, which in this case is 1-3/4-in. I then simply make a series of crosscuts across the back of the storage unit. I now take the sides that I had previously cut off of the downspouts and cut them to length to use as dividers for the compartments. I stick them in the slots made by the circular saw and use a couple of strips of duct tape to hold the whole thing together.
That’s a very clever tip. Thanks for sending it, Cliff.
Kevin Ireton is editor-at-large and a good friend and former colleague of Chuck Miller’s. Keep your eye out for more Better Way videos from Kevin and several of our other regular contributors in the near future.
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More handy tips:
Make a door buck with scrap material
How to Make a Custom Dust Collector for Your Router
How to Apply a Weathered Finish to New Wood Siding
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Good idea, but of course the drawer width would need to be a multiple of the downspout width or maybe if the drawer were wider, one could have one long narrow space for longer items. Ad also, the dividers could be at various spacing to create different length compartments.
While an interesting idea, I don't think that it makes sense to take out the whole entire storage unit if you're looking for a particular screw or nail size. It would make sense if it's just a form of organizer for the little containers, but that's just my opinion..
Although it's a pretty good idea, the grid idea will probably work a bit better with other types of items. Maybe if it were longer and stored tools instead of parts? I'm going to have to agree with @MichaelMaloney1 on this one. I really don't mind chicken livers either, but I would really hate having to fiddle around with the whole storage grid if I'm just looking for a particular nail or screw size. If there was a way to make your own storage containers and have them set in a grid it would be a much better way though...
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This is an interesting idea for storage holders but a little too much work! I think I'll recycle and reuse the ice cream tubs we've got at home. More excuses to eat the stuff anyway hey? ;)
This DIY storage solution would work if you have all the materials like the saw for instance. But for someone who doesn’t, I think you just have to think creatively with DIYs that do not need a lot of materials and resources to create. Pinterest would have a lot of ideas that are easy to do.
Small parts containers are readily available in every store that sells tools. You can pay as much or as little as you want and get as much quality and functionality as you want, including portability. Unless you're paying yourself less than minimum wage, buying will almost certainly be cheaper and give more functionality than making.
I use 1qt. or half gal. milk, half&half cardbd. containers cut at 3 inches. Also use remaining piece with 3/8 plywood cut at 2 3/4 or 3 3/4 square and staple or tack in as a bottom.