This subject has probably been hashed over many times but I’m new to the site so please bear with me. I’m looking for a way to sort and store the myriad fasteners that my work entails. I often find myself purchasing between 1 and 5 pounds of some specialty fastener, using half of them, and then having to go buy more two weeks later because I can’t find the leftovers from the last job, because the rain got into them, because they are now spewwed across the bed of my truck or toolbox ….
At any one time I might have 150 different fasteners in quantities ranging from a handfull (while I like to think I’m not a pack-rat, I won’t throw away a handfull of 4 1/2″ dacronized zip screws) to 5 pounds.
What do all use to sort and store your fasteners so the rain and sawdust will stay out, that are portable, durable and don’t allow the fasteners out for a romp around your truck?
P.S. – I store larger quantities of nails and screws in 3 gallon Rubbermaid bins. They stack, they hold close to 50 lbs of most fasteners, you can write the contents on the side and top, and you can leave then out in the rain and the fasteners stay dry. The only trick is to train your helpers to put the top back on them so they don’t get filled up with sawdust.
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Replies
Drop in the bucket trays.
I currently have 4 buckets of these.
one has drywall + deck screws, one has loose nails, the other two have all the myriad fasteners I have found need for, knb and pull screws, brass screws, duct screws. trim screws, toggles, plastic anchors, colored head screws. the list goes on and on.
I love 'em!
T
I am a Professional
That sounds like a good idea. Do you mark the buckets with the contents?
try parachute bags for small amounts of fasteners etc.
I recently started using an ammo box after picking it up at a garage sale. I am going looking for more at the surplus store. They stay dry and don't spill.Old Pro, not quite old, not quite pro, but closer every day on both...
Glad to hear I'm not the only one this happens to.
I use buckets, coffee cans, and old margarine tubs depending on what I have and how much of it. Instead of writing on the side I generally tape one of the fasteners on the side of the container so I can see it.
"Security here in New York City is still very tight. Hookers in Time Square now are demanding two forms of fake ID." (David Letterman)
I used to use Rolaids containers, because I had dozens of them -
then I had surgery to fix my acid reflux problem, and I ran out of empty Rolaids containers !!
My current favorite is large Jif peanut butter jars ; clear plastic so I can see the contents at a glance, and they'll hold a couple of pounds of large nails or screws. I must have 20 of them - we use a lot of peanut butter.
Just think of any kitchen item you buy repeatedly. This is a great way to recycle.
Greg.