I carry a whole lotta different kinds of fasteners, asst hardware and the like. From 5 lb boxes of various nails to little packages of wierd screws… you get the idea. I have yet to find a good system for storing them so they don’t wind up scattered all over the back of my truck in time. What works for you guys? (I must be in a house cleaning mood 😉 )
TIA
PaulB
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Replies
Paul, I just answered this question in your other tool box thread--
;) and I'd love to see it...
OK, it was hard but I found a better link. Home Depot and Lowe's both stock the item--it's called "Stanley Professional Deep Organizer." I also have a couple of shallower versions, same design, that are full of router bits.
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Mike Maines
I use the same system..
it works...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I have one of the smaller ones and like it.But what I would really like is for people like Stanly or Plano to make a modulare system.Smaller versions of those that would also fit inside with a tool box that is desigend for them. And ones with a bigger openings.Depending on you needs you might have two small comparement units for hardware. A large comparement unit for router bits or switches or the like. And then still have some area for hand tools or bulk fasteners.Or you could have the trays and have a couple that lock together and then stack on top of a tool box.But even within the brands I have not seen anything that realy works together. They aren't even shapped so that you can stack one thing on top of the other.Now I think that Festool has something like that. But it is a) designed specifically to fit there tools and b) is cose about 50 times too much.
Plano and there is a European outfit that make modular systems for the fishing type people and their tackle... I use them for my tackle so that it's easy to change out from style to another or go to a completely different method of fishing all together....
wonder if that wouldn't work here...
gotta hit the higer end fishing gear outlets...
I saw a modular system or was it two at Lowes.. didn't pay real close attention... but they had some..
I got the impression with everything put together that you could ya'd need a hand truck as a mandatory option...
I use the boxes you described in dedicated mode and the Stanley flip open boxes as described above...
plumbing...
torch...
drill...
router...
hardware / screws....
tool repair... etc...
since I have a utility box on the truck it all fits well..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
>>I use the same system..
it works...It won't work if you stand them on end - I used those exact bins and anything smaller than an orange wirenut will intermingle with the other compartments.I use those for my plumbing parts and router bits, but for screws and nails, check out the new Stanley XL organizers - they are one of the best solutions I've found thus far as the lid has a recess in it to keep it tight to the top of each compartment.Not perfect - but the best so far that I've found.They are double sided with smaller bins in the middle. At Home Depot for about $20 - and they make a smaller size and a larger size. The Smaller one works a bit better as with the larger one you are tempted to fill it up with 2o pounds of stuff and it starts to not hold as tight.Check the archives - they've been discussed here before.JT
I don't stand mine on end..
I stack them flat..
the utility box is 20" deep (net)
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Stack em flat and you're golden.I use a deep one with case foam cut to each bin and have holes poked in the foam and hav probably 60-80 routerbits 1/4" and 1/2" stored in it. Best way yet I've found to organize and store my router bits. No problem being stored on end either - the holes in the foam hold the routerbits tight.JT
I do the bits the same way...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Great minds think alike...Off to go finish a hardwood floor install on the kitchen I'm working on.Regards,JT
I learned about the double sided boxes with fishing takle...
accidents happen... what a mess...
the plastic changes shape over time and you loose box integerty..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
November issue of FHB page 28 shows homemade storage trays made from empty mud buckets.
Probably easier to buy ready made tho.
BruceT
I keep two of the larger zippered tool bags (each would fit two large sawzalls comfortably) and probably a dozen plastic fishing tackle boxes in each that stack quite tightly.
Check out the fishing shops, especially fly shops for the size of small plastic boxes that work for you. I avoid the cheap boxes with lids that like to fall open at the wrong time.
For small amounts of long screws check out MTM cartridge boxes designed for competitive .22 shooters. The molded black plastic liner comes out and you have a nice 1-1/2"x4"x9" heavy duty box. I keep a handfull of 5", 6" Torx and Timberlock screws in them for odd jobs. The design is also a great storage box for bandaids or pencils.
For those of us anal enough to want multiple colors for easier identification, the bottom box is the same as made for Brownells http://www.brownells.com for their Magnatip screwdriver set--also available as the box only.
There used to be a camoflaged version of the box used for storing broadheads, but I haven't seen one in a while.
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Label all the boxes so they are easier to identify while packed in the bag.
For larger quanties there are parachute bags with framing-related nails, one for torx screws, another for sheetrock screws, another for exterior galvanized nails, one for finish nails, and one for finish screws and cabinet installation screws.
Each pocket in a parachute bag will hold 5# of screws.
Cheers
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I use a variety of ways to carry my fasteners. I drive an E-250 work van that is fully decked out with the Weathergard shelving and such including 18 smaller 5"w x 12"d bins with dividers that pull out along with three larger drawers. I keep nothing but screws and nails in those bins, and in the drawers I keep finish gun nailes and brads, along with smaller machine type screw, washers, utility blades etc. Separate from the built ins I carry two of the above type Stanley trays with the divided bins, one has nothing but electrical stuff and the other small plumbing joints and parts.
Then I have a 5gal bucket filled with the divided trays that have nothing except larger galvinized fasteners & deck screws, and then for anything else...odd type fasteners, I keep a Rubbermaid bin approx 20" x 14" by 10"d and keep the 1 & 5 lb. boxes of whatever else in that.
The last one sounds like what you may be looking for, those bins are real handy because you can throw many different things in them. I have three of them in a row along the floor under all the other racks, and in the other two I store drop cloths, tarps, & odds & end tools.
I have about every type of fastener stocked in my truck that one would need for residential carpentry. The other subs call my truck "The supply store". I try to keep on top of having it stocked and it's worth the effort because for me there's nothing worse than having to run out in the middle of the day for something I should have on hand...even though I still do from time to time.
The Depot has been carrying a box by Stanley that looks like a fat brief case. Tried one and like it enough that I now have three: misc screws and nails, electrical, and PVC plumbing.
There are two lid trays that fold down and a center core of six trays. Run about $20. I just saw it knocked off by ? AllTrade in a smaller version.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
The Festool Systainer system is modular, and you can clamp the bins together. They also offer a set with smaller and larger bins that fits into a larger case.
Not cheap, but it works.