Screw and bit/bob’s organization?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
923
Reaction score
2,632
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
So I’m doing some garage cleanup today. Any creative ideas as to organizing screws/nuts/bolts? Years ago, my dad put up a plank of wood, took mason jar lids and screwed them to the underside, and stored each individual application in a whole bunch of them. They were clear so he could see what was in them.

Mason jars are expensive, and I don’t have any- any other cool ways to store bits and bobs? My little screw organizer is getting overwhelmed. Feel free to post pictures or ideas. Thanks!
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
4,065
Reaction score
5,910
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Chuck I don't know the size of the misc hardware you are trying to store,if it's just small stuff I'd try to find a friend or relative with an infant,you be able to score hundreds of free baby food jars. I have way more than that so I have a dedicated hardware cabinet the size of a small bottom box with about a million small drawers,similar to library file card cabinet but made of metal. I'll try to find a pic. Found one I put up a thumbnail.
Follow this link ran across it looking for a pic of what I have.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2023-02-27_091844.jpg
    Screenshot_2023-02-27_091844.jpg
    61.7 KB · Views: 43
Last edited:

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,967
Reaction score
9,890
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
They make a plethora of hardware bins/organizers. But at some point that is an exercise in futility as well.
Something else that works pretty well is old/cheap toolboxes with shallow drawers. It’s far easier to find the “right” bolt when most of it is visible in a toolbox drawer vs the 1 out of 100 organizer bin lottery!
 

Catbox

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Posts
3,992
Reaction score
14,572
Location
Just Outside of Portland Oregon
First Name
Peter
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
461
I have used gallon ziplock bags.
I will pull bolts and stuff from all the junkyard cars that we get stuff from and throw them into the bottom of the tool bucket.
Once home I will give them a quick wipe with a rag if they are scungy and sort simply by length.
Short, Medium, and Long.
SAE or Metric doesn't really matter to me, as the length usually more important for whatever random project I have before me.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,967
Reaction score
9,890
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
On the contrary I keep metric separate best I can. Nothing better than finding that perfect nut or bolt just to find out it’s Canadian threaded on your ‘Merican iron!
 

Hunter79764

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2021
Posts
240
Reaction score
326
Location
Grand Prairie, TX
First Name
Shawn
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Suburban V20
Engine Size
350
Baby food jars are getting in shorter supply, replaced with pouches.
Akro Mils has some good stuff if you want to buy bins and organizers, plastic stuff made for commercial/light industrial use. I've got some wall mount drawers, then plenty of the stackable and hangable bins. They are probably better for new hardware (we have one unit that has decking screws, large nails, drywall screws, and anything else you buy a pound of but don't want to lose or destroy the box). I've got the drawer units that are great for o rings, super glue, and misc other stuff but are only about 4" deep, not great for bolts. Stackable bins can be good, you can get them in 9 or 10" length for bolts, and can stack the same size or smaller on top (have a row of 10", then 8" then 6", then 4" and be able to see into all bins). I use those for reloading a lot, handy to have something with easy access for dropping handfuls of brass or bullets into.

I bought a bunch from ULine.com as well, I think some stuff was way cheaper on Amazon, and some was way cheaper on ULine. But overall I'm happy with the quality.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,120
Posts
909,536
Members
33,612
Latest member
Knep115
Top