Fastener Storage

I’ve been using small zip loc bags and Raaco storage boxes for many years. I’m running out of space now though and Raaco boxes aren’t as cheap as I used to get them as I no longer have a local supplier.

I’m just wondering what others use? Pictures would be nice if it’s a custom solution.

This is shown with tongue very firmly in cheek as I'm quite sure you don't want to spend probably thousands of pounds on tobacco just to get the empty tins! This collection was done over a long period some forty years ago, but I have seen small component trays which have hinged lids with around 20 odd spaces ideal for different screw sizes. These in turn could be contained in a rack and labelled for easy identification. I've seen some good but pricey Stanley ones in the DIY sheds and also very cheap versions in the likes of Lidl and Aldi. Phil

Ziplock bags for all BA nuts, bolts and then stored in a shoebox, home made drawers for BSF, BSW, Metric,UNF/UNC. Also as Philip, tobacco tins for rivets, nails, special screws etc etc.

VHS nylon/plastic boxes are another source.

Bob

Our mechanical workshop at the Lab uses those big metal chest of drawers like machine mart sell. The ddrawers have dividers so all the bigger stuff goes in a decision. When you get to smaller sizes various glass screw top jars are used with the deciders denoting the species and the jar tops labled as to specifics like nylon nuts or 12mm M4 cap etc. No Whitworth fasteners are stocked or BA but a small collection of American threads are kept.

In the Electronics workshop we use Racco drawers for M2 to M6 plated brass fixings in slot pan head countersunk and instrument screws of various lengths along with the relevant nuts and washers. This takes up 3 rack units.
Other fixings are by assortment in flat assortment trays kept stacked on a shelf.

I think the important thing is to stock what you need most of and by everything else as and when. Choose a set size for jigs and fixtures, say M6 and M10 and keep a small supply of threaded rod for longer stretches.

Everything else should go in assorter trays and stacked to save space.

As for the main stock Racco for smaller sizes or metal drawers as above if you have the room.

Above all be a bit ruthless otherwise things can get out of hand.

regards Martin

Any one interested in the way Philip has done it tobacco tins are available to buy new from smokers suppliers and at good prices and they last longer than most plastic ones.

Ah! Baccy tins and Brylcreem jars.

Cue Mary Hopkins "Those were the days my friend....."

Seriously about 3 years ago I tripped over a website selling retail quantities of smart new tins in various sizes. Including baccy tins, possibly in all three sizes. Something of a surprise as I'd always thought such had to be got by the million, our thereabouts.

As I recall it the price for the common size was reasonably competitive if you bought a decent quantity. Probably equivalent to mid way between Raaco and the LiDL sets I bought earlier this year for a similar volume of storage. Being perennially short of sorted storage my interest was briefly perked but I didn't fancy the effort of building racks.

Regrettably I didn't note the website details but I imagine the firm are still around. Probably more than one business offering such things.

Clive

PS Bernard types faster!

Edited By Clive Foster on 11/03/2023 18:25:58

Do you ever wish you hadn’t started a job?!

Dunno about tobacco tins but I consume a fantastic quantity of Altoids/Curiously Strong Mints and have lots of those tins.

You can buy new baccy tins on ebay

Vic , I've got a load of Old Hoborn ( or similar ) backy tins you can have at reasonable cost . Can supply a pic if interested and if so , which part of country are in so as to avoid postal costs please ? Trevor.

The green snap lid boxes that the tablets/ small sachets of washing machine detergent come in are pretty robust and reasonably large.

One of the many sorts of boxes I use; these are mainly for nails and larger screws.

Photocopier boxes (A4 size ) are useful for my collection of electronic valves and larger, lighter stuff

Ed

I use empty pill bottles. They are about 40mm diameter and 60mm high, and fit quite neatly in a cutlery drawer fitted with dividers at a suitable spacing. The drawer holds about 56 bottles and there is a separate tray half the depth of the drawer that slides on top and holds various things that don't fit in the smaller bottles. One pill bottle will hold about 100 6BA x 3/8" hex head screws. I use these for all screws used on my loco projects (5BA to 12BA and M3 to M5)

Larger fasteners for household use (wood screws, wall anchors, roofing screws, miscellaneous bolts etc) are held in empty clear plastic fruit containers with wide mouth screw-on lids stacked on shelves above the workbench. Smaller household fasteners I keep in the packets they were purchased in, which are then held in several cardboard trays similar in size to shoeboxes (but shallower and without lids) in another drawer.

Thanks for the offer Trevor but I’ve managed to reappropriate another Raaco box so I’m all sorted - for the moment!

I’m now waiting for Amazon to deliver some labelling tape to finish the job.

Short on space for any more M6 but this will do for now. I now need to rehouse some stainless wood screws that got turfed out.

Most of my fastener requirements are in the smaller BA ranges. I use the type of small glass pot the jam comes in on a cream-tea. I used to scrounge these from hotels and restaurants, but nowadays I buy them bulk from Amazon.

My low tech solution, small boxes made from cardboard and ex spice racks from a boot

sale

I use an assortment of storage methods:
Stanley type plastic boxes with removable containers, metal boxes with removable containers, metal framed plastic drawer systems, plastic framed plastic drawer systems, an old metai frame with metal drawers, really useful boxes and similar of varying sizes, plus some are still in the cardboard boxes they came in.
Sounds a bit chaotic, but I know what is in each "system" and can always find things quickly.

Another suggestion is to use old jam jars or similar. The lids are screwed to the underside of cupboards or shelves and the jars screwed up to the lids. One other benefit is that you can see the contents, even better with Dymo labels on the jar.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

Can I suggest the use of watchmakers storage "pots" for smaller items. The pots are like old fashioned pill boxes but now usually made of aluminium or plastic with transparent plastic windows in the lids. The pots are usually sold in a flat case ( rather like a largish tobacco tin ) made of plastic or aluminium and containing 12-24 pots.

Cost is about £10.00 a case. Pots are available from about 3/4 '' to 1.5'' diameter by about 3/4" deep. So compact, economical, and dustproof, but mostly useful for small parts. Sorry I am so c*ap at photos but lots of illustrations on the web.

Rod

Edited By Rod Renshaw on 13/03/2023 17:50:37