Help With Small Parts Storage

[cdub260]

I'm trying to improve my small electrical parts storage and need to find some sort of relatively inexpensive storage system. Currently I'm using plastic storage bins. Unfortunately, I can't free up the time right now to build something, so for the moment at least, that option is out.

The space I have to work with is 33 3/4 in. wide x 32 in. high, by 18 in. deep.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[mnfreelancer]

I've used a combination of those little plastic pull-out drawer units and small tackle-box type boxes depending on what I'm storing and what kind of quantity. In my electronics shop at home I have two 8 tall x 12 wide drawer unit for capacitors, resistors, fuses, diodes and anything else small and in relatively large quantities. When I take apart or part out a piece of equipment I often keep individual parts in a tackle-box divided box type of thing organized by type of screw and order it was removed. I also have tackle boxes for things like plasma screws, set screws, washers etc. At work a lot of spare items and projects in-progress wind up in small plastic bags, labelled with as much info as I can fit. Bench organization is an ongoing battle where I work...

[cdub260]

I forget to mention that I'll primarily be storing connectors and conduit fittings in whatever solution I come up with.

[waynehoskins]

At the church all of that sort of stuff ends up in the same big cardboard box. Probably not the most efficient storage system.

[Clifford]

In our robotics room, we've got all kinds of plastic organizers. Look for ones with larger (but less) drawers, like this unit. Alternatively, something like McMaster part #9619T71 could also work. The last thing I was going to suggest was something we have that is similar to this, but larger, with larger drawers. They're stackable, so you could put many several together.

[lieperjp]

I don't know if you would prefer a cart, but something like this -



would be a viable option. The dimensions are: 15-1/2w x 13d x 37-1/2h.

(View the other two options at BiggestBook.com)

These are all available at your local office supply store, usually for about 80% of list price and with next business day shipping.

Otherwise, head to your local housewares store and pick up a bunch of those plastic drawer units. But - at least this goes for me - I put too much use in them and they don't last very long.

[mnfreelancer]

Along the same lines as the drawer unit, here is an extremely nice and extremely expensive version. We had these at a power plant I used to work at and they were nearly bullet proof:

13-Drawer Storage Cabinet - Stanley Supply & Services

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by mnfreelancer

Along the same lines as the drawer unit, here is an extremely nice and extremely expensive version. We had these at a power plant I used to work at and they were nearly bullet proof:

13-Drawer Storage Cabinet - Stanley Supply & Services

I like it, but the boss man already said no to a $550.00 solution to my problem because it was too expensive. I've found several more economical possibilities that fit my hight and width requirements, but the real sticking point for me is the 18 in. depth. If I can't find something that comes reasonably close to filling the entire volume available, I may as well not even bother and just stick with the overflowing series of small bins I have now. I'm trying to fill the wasted space in front of those bins without simply adding another layer to dig through when I'm trying to find something.

[ship]

Got walls of plastic storage bins - if they don't come with dividers I cut and hot glue them in as necessary. When it's parts over stock or bulk, above and around the storage bins are shelves with boxes full of what I need. Say a box of 1/4" Unistrut washers above the other sizes, a larger box of barrier strips verses 3/8" lag bolts.

More the concept of designing around the plastic bins with space to grow, than shelving above and around them to hold cardboard boxes - perhaps reinforced with tape for what won't fit. I use a three colored Gaff tape labeling system for my storage boxes - white say for electrical things, grey for rigging and black for bolts.

Key in doing this is say a lot of boxes in common. For me I get at times and save the boxes to stacks of Clear Com belt packs, CamLoc plugs, even Padlock boxes in having for the most part three specific size of cardboard box which is easy to stack, make shelving for the stacks in size and keep organized. Need a dimmer, I remember they would be the larger of the boxes and look for the white gaff tape label.

At work, got a few walls of industrial shelving which hold boxes and mostly plastic shelving bins color coded for what's in them. Say yellow for misc plugs, blue for replentishables and red for lampholders. This in addition to literally walls of plastic storage bins mounted to the walls. Same with the wall of bolts - blue for nuts, red for washers and yellow for bolts.

By the way, when hanging bins on a wall, keep in mind the weight of the bins and warp of the drawers after that. Got some bins that I had to sand down the bins in them due to even 1/8" warp. Screw the heck out of the things in adding new attachment points as you will but short of plywood spacers between them at times, the weight of the top falls on the middle etc. dependant on what's in them. Support of the plastic bin is very important to think about especially for that bottom shelf.

Also dislike what's currently on the market for bin organizers - less choices in style and much more fragile + wasted space around it's frame without added support from it.

[blademaster]

How about building your own. you can usually find some small bins that'll fit what u need and build the frame out of wood or weld aluminum or steel tubing together. not incredibly expensive i don't think it should be too expensive certainly less than $550