Ideas for storing fasteners?

[quicksandfarmer]

I'm slowly trying to get my workspace organized. One of the things I'm dealing with is boxes of fasteners and similar hardware. I'll do a project and buy materials for it, and when I'm done I'll be left with part of a box of nails, screws, bolts, rivets, staples or whatever. Now, I always feel rewarded when I need something and I can save a trip to the hardware store because I just happen to have what I need on hand, but the number of containers keeps building and it gets harder and harder to put my finger on what I need, or even to tell if I have it. Right now I have a shelf where I keep fasteners and for the most part just keep them in the container they were sold in, although a few things I keep in plastic tubs or a wall-mount rack. But since I don't really have a place for things or an organizational scheme they just sort of pile up. And now my boys are getting to the age where they sometimes help with projects, and with more people involved the need for organization just gets greater.

So I'm looking for thoughts on an organizational scheme.

I'm also considering just pitching the whole lot into the scrap metal bin at the dump. Maybe keep a stock of things I use regularly -- drywall screws, deck screws, 16d nails and nails that fit a nail gun -- but if I buy for example some stainless rivets for a project, once the project is done just toss the extras. Please talk me out of this idea!

Thanks.

 

[newbury]

I'm slowly trying to get my workspace organized. One of the things I'm dealing with is boxes of fasteners and similar hardware. I'll do a project and buy materials for it, and when I'm done I'll be left with part of a box of nails, screws, bolts, rivets, staples or whatever. Now, I always feel rewarded when I need something and I can save a trip to the hardware store because I just happen to have what I need on hand, but the number of containers keeps building and it gets harder and harder to put my finger on what I need, or even to tell if I have it. Right now I have a shelf where I keep fasteners and for the most part just keep them in the container they were sold in, although a few things I keep in plastic tubs or a wall-mount rack. But since I don't really have a place for things or an organizational scheme they just sort of pile up. And now my boys are getting to the age where they sometimes help with projects, and with more people involved the need for organization just gets greater.

So I'm looking for thoughts on an organizational scheme.

I'm also considering just pitching the whole lot into the scrap metal bin at the dump. Maybe keep a stock of things I use regularly -- drywall screws, deck screws, 16d nails and nails that fit a nail gun -- but if I buy for example some stainless rivets for a project, once the project is done just toss the extras. Please talk me out of this idea!

Thanks.

I'm partial to "bins" and clear plastic jars. My Father always used coffee cans on shelves, because that's what he had.
I like the HF style 3 Bin Wall Mount Parts Rack wall bin. But it flexes under a full load of bolts. I've one ant it's full of bolts, nuts, and washers.
We consume prodigious amount of nuts, mostly peanuts, and the 34.5 oz rectangular containers that Walmart sells stack well. I fill them and try to at least tape the tab from the box on the side.
So I've boxes of 34.5 oz containers with washers, bolts, nuts (for the bolts), hitch pin clips which I try to sort by application. Stuff for the tractors and trailer, stuff for general carpentry, etc.

One thing I've found that is ESSENTIAL, especially if anyone else is to use your stuff, is GOOD LABELING. I try to either put an OEM label or print neatly. But a proper labeler, like a Brother P-touch really helps.

Just today I was assembling a form to make aircrete blocks. Needed some fasteners, walked back to my "connector" area, scrounged up some angle brackets from years ago and some wood screws from last fall, and made a mental note that I need more angle brackets.

 

[kthompson]

Stacked bins you can look into without having to pull them open is good just will get dusty. Agree with good labeling. But if you decide to save parts like this save them till you use them. If you are not going to save them then trash quickly so you do not look for something you saved for years and then junked it only to ask, "where is those odd fittings". been there done that.

 

[jaxs]

I don't think is pratical to organize odd fasteners in same bins with those that are normally used. Over the years,I bought fishing tackle boxes,amo boxes and small tool boxes at garage sales. I label front of them and store pop rivets,rivet tool,blind screws,concrete anchors,*** bolts,eye bolts and other seldom used small items on a high shelf. Commonly used screws,nails and bolts are organized in open bins from Northern Tool. Having said that,it's an on going struggle and as you mentioned,some spares from projects are better trashed so they don't occupy space in the shop. What I find to be the biggest pita is keeping metrics separated from U.S. I occasionally ruin threads because I used a stray in wrong place. It was a huge mistake not adopting metric world wide long ago.

 

[Ellen B]

I use those clear plastic drawer sets like the kind in the pic I'm attaching. You can't see in well enough to tell what's what without opening them, so I label them with duct tape on the front of each drawer. You can pick them up for cheap at thrift stores and yard sales, and I just use the ones with big drawers for common stuff and the smaller ones for the rando bits. I also eat too much Talenti, so I use those empty containers for often-used hardware too, as they are sturdy, clear, and the lids are secure for carrying them all around the property.

 

[Big Barn]

I find bins and labeling works best for me.

 

[Howling]

Parts and hardware collection grows over the years.

I have a bunch of drawer units mounted on a wall for common smaller hardware.

Then a shelves full or parts storage cases.


Larger quantities and items are roughly sorted in a few cabinets.

Key is labeling whatever storage containers so you know what you have and can find it when needed.

 

[Diggin It]

I try to recycle stuff instead of buying new. I have general assortments in old Ice Cream buckets; nails, bolts & nuts, screws, etc. No, you can't see through the sides, but the quantities are such that it doesn't take long to open, search and either find or move on. Peanut Butter jars work good for smaller items and they don't break if drooped like glass jars will. I keep odd things like shade and curtain rod hardware in old coffee cans. Special purpose hardware like the kind that come with flat packed furniture is separate into another coffee can. They all have handwritten labels (that I can't always read).

 

[ZTMAN]

If you have a Fastenal store near you, stop in and see if they have any old bins. I got one, I think it has about 48-50 open bays. It is metal, about 4" wide and 2' high. Amazing how quick they fill up.

 

[HillStreet]

Quicksand, go to Ocean State Job Lot and buy their plastic containers. I have a lot of the various sizes and they work fine.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ With so many retail stores of all types closing, you could watch the announcements. They sell off all the fixtures too including back room storage shelves and racks.

 

[charlton289]

I check my trash transfer station on Sunday evening you will be surprised what people throw out I got an old night stand took the wooden drawers and put them on the shelf I have under my work bench. And any thing like bolts, screws,and misc. Stuff I just drop in the drawers so if I need something I can pull it out search and find but I also try to keep my boys from using it as a trash bin for candy bar wrappers but I also use the plastic storage bins for lighter things. The wood holds up to weight better than the cheap plastic bins.

 

[newbury]

Another thing:

Now, I always feel rewarded when I need something and I can save a trip to the hardware store because I just happen to have what I need on hand,

Very important point is what is "a trip"?
At my home in Virginia a 5 to 10 minute drive will get me to a few small hardware stores, 3 HD's and a Lowes. Down in Mississippi it's 30 minutes to a small Ace. HD and Lowes is an hour plus drive ONE WAY. So a trip for a fastener or plumbing part takes me 15 minutes in Virginia and 2 to 3 hours in Mississippi.
And even then their stocking is atrocious.

It's gotten so if I need something in Mississippi and there's the slightest chance I'll need more in the next couple of years I buy in bulk. I detest the little 2 packs of bolts that HD and Lowes are stocking.

Consequently I've lot's of containers of bolts and screws in a wide range of sizes, all which need storing.

 

[Diggin It]

Another thing:

Very important point is what is "a trip"?

It's gotten so if I need something in Mississippi and there's the slightest chance I'll need more in the next couple of years I buy in bulk. I detest the little 2 packs of bolts that HD and Lowes are stocking.

Similar for me, but right now I need two (maybe four) 3/8" x 5" eyebolts. Thought I had a couple, but found one 4" and one 6". I'll have a 'make a trip' to get them, but I'm not sure when and I may never need them again, so no need to buy bulk.

 

[EddieWalker]

View attachment 575838

I have a couple of these for nuts, bolts and washers that's worked great. I don't seperate each size, I just decide which ones are bigger and which are smaller, then when I need something, I dig through it to find what will work. If I need quite a few, I just buy what I need.

Screws remain in their original box and sit on a shelf that I can easily see what I'm looking for. I try to just buy the same sized screws all the time. Lots of 3 inch deck screws, Hardie screws and some smaller 3/4 inch screws. Plus sheetrock screws.

For those other things, like hose clamps, lag bolts, carriage bolts and so on, I put them in a coffee can and then wrap clear tape around the can with whatever is inside the can on the outside so I can see what's in the coffee can at a glance. None of my shelves have doors on them, so I can always see what's up there. For bigger things, like outdoor electrical boxes and fittings, or PVC fittings, or cabinets hinges, I use five gallon buckets and write on the side of the bucket what's in there so it's super easy to see.

I do the same thing with my tool boxes. They are full of stuff that is just needed for that task. Like painting, or copper, or sanding, or sink drains. Then write on the side in big letters what's in there. For me, it's as important knowing where to look as it is having everything in it's own spot.

 

[astrohip]

So I'm looking for thoughts on an organizational scheme.

I have the same issue. What I do is anything still in its original box (and has enough left to make it worthwhile), goes on a shelf in that container. So if I buy a box of 100 screws, and use half, I'll leave the other half in the box. My shelf of fasteners is loosely organized by screws, bolts, washers, nails, etc. And since most boxes have labeling on multiple sides, I can stack them and still be aware of the contents.

If the quantity doesn't justify keeping the box, I have multiple containers organized by type--screws, nails, washers, etc. And the more common ones have multiple containers--wood screws medium size, heavy lag screws, small woodworking screws, etc. These are anything from coffee cans to whatever. And they are labeled on the outside so I know what's in what.

So when I need some screws for a project, I can look at the boxes of screws on the shelf to see if any of them are what I want. No luck there? I go to the can of misc screws and see if I can find what I need there.

This works pretty good for me.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
For those other things, like hose clamps, lag bolts, carriage bolts and so on, I put them in a coffee can and then wrap clear tape around the can with whatever is inside the can on the outside so I can see what's in the coffee can at a glance. None of my shelves have doors on them, so I can always see what's up there. For bigger things, like outdoor electrical boxes and fittings, or PVC fittings, or cabinets hinges, I use five gallon buckets and write on the side of the bucket what's in there so it's super easy to see.

Coffee cans USED to be my go-to storage containers (and my Fathers). I've a couple of coffee cans of nails dating back to the '70's, when my Grandfather, Dad and I built our duplex. One can holds double headed 16D which I obviously rarely use. Might use one every two years, but double headed nails are handy to have.

But now SWMBO, the prime coffee consumer, buys it in bags.

However this may be a saving grace because I find clear rectangular nut jars

to be more useful, ad with the label off I can easily see contents and quantity.

For larger items in the 5 gallon bucket size class I'm trying to transition to

tidy cat buckets, they are rectangular also. Not good for mixing stuff though.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I do a combination of bins and boxes. I get nuts and bolts from a bulk supplier sold by the pound when possible, otherwise in boxes usually 100 at a time. Leave them in the boxes. For a long time I hoarded odds and ends and spent endless time trying to sort it out and then sort through it. Now I just throw away accumulated odds and ends at the end of a job, get it out of the way, and then you don't waste time looking for something that you may not even have.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Another thing:

At my home in Virginia a 5 to 10 minute drive will get me to a few small hardware stores, 3 HD's and a Lowes. Down in Mississippi it's 30 minutes to a small Ace. HD and Lowes is an hour plus drive ONE WAY. So a trip for a fastener or plumbing part takes me 15 minutes in Virginia and 2 to 3 hours in Mississippi.
And even then their stocking is atrocious.

It's gotten so if I need something in Mississippi and there's the slightest chance I'll need more in the next couple of years I buy in bulk. I detest the little 2 packs of bolts that HD and Lowes are stocking.

Consequently I've lot's of containers of bolts and screws in a wide range of sizes, all which need storing.

There is a general store about five minutes away that has the commonest sizes -- 16d nails, drywall screws and deck screws -- that sometimes can get me out of a pinch, but mostly it's like trying to buy groceries at a 7-11. Beyond that it's 25 minutes to an Ace, another ten to a Home Depot and Lowes is another ten past them. So it can eat up a big chunk of an afternoon having to fetch the right fastener. So yeah, I stock up on things I think I might need.

I'm finding that if I need more than a few of a fastener Ebay is the place to buy in bulk for the best prices. Sometimes Amazon, but their prices are often super high. Although one time this summer I priced something online at both Amazon and Home Depot, and the local general store was cheaper than both! So you never know.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Quicksand, go to Ocean State Job Lot and buy their plastic containers. I have a lot of the various sizes and they work fine.

But of course!