Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

California · Nov 27, 2017

I have several of the plastic drawer units, both large and small drawer types. Too many times I have pulled out dozens of drawers in succession looking for something I know was in there a couple of years ago but I've forgotten which drawer.

I prefer the stuffed-olive slender glass jars. Even if there are dis-similar objects in one jar I can find that odd item - for example a sewing thimble - faster than popping open dozens of drawers. The only drawer set I prefer over my jars is the set containing Metric nuts, bolts, washers all in one place.

I should have noted in my filing cabinet I also have flat sectioned boxes containing multiples of the same washer size so I can find them instantly. The jars are more for random stuff that might not be used for a while like that thimble, a cabinet latch, etc.

"Whenever you look for something you don't find it until you finally get to the last place you search". BTDT, a lot.

TheMan419 · Nov 27, 2017

Threepoint said:
A problem with open bins is accumulation of dust and dirt in with the parts, especially sawdust if you're going to do any woodworking. I'm partial to the pullout clear plastic drawers for small parts. Hang two or three of these units side by side on the wall, or stand up at the back of a work bench: 4 Bin Organizer with Full Length Drawer

No wood working, but we are a horse farm. Even though my shop is in a separate building from the horses.... oh the dust we accumulate..... I will look at this closed drawer system.

KubotainNH · Nov 27, 2017

TheMan419 said:
No wood working, but we are a horse farm. Even though my shop is in a separate building from the horses.... oh the dust we accumulate..... I will look at this closed drawer system.

I bought 2 sets of these to mount to the wall. I have them 4 across and 8 or so down. 1st row is short-ish bolts, 2nd is long-ish, 3rd is nuts and 4th is washers. To the left of each row I have a sample bolt stapled to the wall with the size of the bolt. I go to TSC and buy a bunch of common sizes by the pound from 1/4" up to 5/8" I think. Painless to get what I need when working on a project but I am due to refill some, that's where the written sizes help. Easy to pop off the bins I need to bring closer to the project. Of course I have spilled them but I still prefer them over other options. These are in my walkout basement so not much for a dust issue. Wood gets worked on outside. I have yet to break one but I have extras if needed.

2 Piece Poly Bins and Rails

Threepoint · Nov 27, 2017

There are pros and cons to all three of these approaches. No need to limit yourself to just one.

With the plastic drawer system, you can pull the drawer all the way out and carry it to your workbench or work space. Same with California's jar system. Harder to do with a bin that is attached to others. Getting to the right part at the bottom of the drawer is pretty easy, without having to dump the contents out, as I've sometimes had to do with jars.

California's right about sometimes having to pull out a dozen drawers to find that pesky part that you know you have there somewhere. But the transparent drawer fronts get me close, and I've used the system for so many years, I can usually guess right the first or second time. Besides, I've always liked to play Concentration. :laughing:

bcp · Nov 27, 2017

California said:
"Whenever you look for something you don't find it until you finally get to the last place you search". BTDT, a lot.

All you have to do to find something quickly is to look in the last place first.

Bruce

IslandTractor · Nov 27, 2017

Garandman said:
Is it the same as Kubota? Ariens And Kubota Are Chevrolet Engine Orange.

Now if I could match Honda snow thrower red.

Kioti is exactly Chevy Engine Orange. I think Kubota is less bright and certainly different from Kioti.

FredH · Nov 27, 2017

I have something similar for bolt storage , not sure were I got it though ???? Bins mount to a rail , which is mounted to the wall in shop .
Started with 1/4" by 1/2" on the left and size in length goes up as you go across to the right . Last 3 bins have lock washers , flat washers and the nuts for that size . Below that is 5/16" , then 3/8" , etc.... , on down the wall . Every bin is labeled with size and length . KISS , keeps it simple for Me , ( the second " S " , = stupid ) :thumbsup: . When a bin is getting low , easy to see , pick up a box or a 1/2 pound , depends on were I go in town as to how the sell . Rarely get grade 8 , not much use for a whole selection , thus buy as I need . Metric , heh , about the same as grade 8 . Have a container with small compartments that I use for metric , most are small machine type bolts , etc... .
My son wanted to change my bolt stuff around 1 day and I kind of blew up . Better half took the brunt of that tirade . Being that I am on the road 5 to 5.5 days a week , I rely on Her to keep him inline and not jack stuff up . He wanted to put bolt selection in those plastic drawers setup's . I made it clear if I wanted them in plasic drawers , I would of had those in the first place . 30+ years I have set up my shop how I want it , not how he wants it . My Shop , My rules .

( Oh and He no longer leaves my new welding helmet laying around either , in fact think he no longer uses it , uses the old helmet :thumbsup: )

Fred H.

4get gto · Nov 27, 2017

You tell him Fred. Darn kids!

BTW the town you're from is my last name. Coincidence.

TheMan419 · Nov 27, 2017

FredH said:
I have something similar for bolt storage , not sure were I got it though ???? Bins mount to a rail , which is mounted to the wall in shop .
Started with 1/4" by 1/2" on the left and size in length goes up as you go across to the right . Last 3 bins have lock washers , flat washers and the nuts for that size . Below that is 5/16" , then 3/8" , etc.... , on down the wall . Every bin is labeled with size and length . KISS , keeps it simple for Me , ( the second " S " , = stupid ) :thumbsup: . When a bin is getting low , easy to see , pick up a box or a 1/2 pound , depends on were I go in town as to how the sell . Rarely get grade 8 , not much use for a whole selection , thus buy as I need . Metric , heh , about the same as grade 8 . Have a container with small compartments that I use for metric , most are small machine type bolts , etc... .
My son wanted to change my bolt stuff around 1 day and I kind of blew up . Better half took the brunt of that tirade . Being that I am on the road 5 to 5.5 days a week , I rely on Her to keep him inline and not jack stuff up . He wanted to put bolt selection in those plastic drawers setup's . I made it clear if I wanted them in plasic drawers , I would of had those in the first place . 30+ years I have set up my shop how I want it , not how he wants it . My Shop , My rules . ( Oh and He no longer leaves my new welding helmet laying around either , in fact think he no longer uses it , uses the old helmet :thumbsup: )

Fred H.

Yeah as a city boy who has moved to the country I am just learning this stuff. Getting the shop set up the way I want is a learning experience.