I also went the DIY route, but much less fancy compared to @HDRyder.
Something about the plastic boxes the endmills come in really irritates me (irrationally) so I wanted something that didn’t use them.
I also went the DIY route, but much less fancy compared to @HDRyder.
Something about the plastic boxes the endmills come in really irritates me (irrationally) so I wanted something that didn’t use them.
You folks are so well organized and I appreciate you posting your personal work spaces. Great community here, look forward to hanging around here…
Found a similar organizer which goes front–back:
(but at a local hardware store for $2.99)
Unfortunately, the 10 Tray Utility Box
has been discontinued as has Amazon.com: Performance Tool W5199 Organizer Tote with 1,000pc Home Fastener Assortments : Arts, Crafts & Sewing , though a similar size of container is used by some folks selling on Amazon for various hardware (but I haven’t been able to come up with a search which will find them reliably — if folks find any gems which come in such packaging I’d be glad to hear of them — this packaging also has nice removable dividers and a latch (usually blue, I’d love to find other colours so as to do colour coding)), though unfortunately, it’s too large in one dimension, and also:
(at least the square ones)
So, I’m going to pivot to:
and Gridfinity:
and probably the new mini toolboxes such as:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Mini-10-83-in-2-Drawer-Black-Steel-Tool-Box/5014017009
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-11-in-W-x-7-4-in-H-Friction-3-Drawer-White-Steel-Tool-Box/5015171619
https://www.harborfreight.com/mini-steel-toolbox-black-72431.html
probably creating a Gridfinity/2 fork (based on a 21mm grid) which hopefully will be workable, and incorporate the South Bend Maurice Sporting Goods #UB6 6 Comp Trans Tackle Box linked above as at least the current project tool organizer since it’s working well for that (though I may make a small mod to help that).
The afore-mentioned organizers are being clearanced — hopefully this will tide me over until I take up 3D printing — we’ll see if the order goes through and in what state things arrive.
I figure 36 (or maybe 39?) will fill out one drawer of my Craftsman tool chest, allowing me to consolidate a reasonable assortment of hardware and misc. items, and the balance will serve as spares…
I did find matching containers (w/ black latches) at Michaels once (but not since…) and there is an assortment of hardware sold on Amazon (and other places?) in a similar size w/ a blue latch, so there is some possibility of colour-coding…
Re: color coding, it might be worth trying a good old fashioned dirt cheap enamel coating.
Every color under the sun, you can even get pearlescent or glitter filled ![]()
(Nail polish
not sure if it’ll stick to that particular plastic but it may be worth a shot
)
Oh and the system I’m thinking of trying next on the 3D printing front is this mini systainer system (maybe modified for gridfinity or wallboard)
https://makerworld.com/en/@ben.maurice/upload
I’ll be trying with transparent filament but I doubt it’ll have any useful clarity ![]()
Yeah, there’s a guy working on a 3D printed Systainer clone which is compatible w/ Gridfinity:
and adapting that to make the Mini size is one thing I’ve been considering.
That said, the current state of things is:
(photo from my basement, opposite my machine, hence the dehumidifier — there’s also an Artist’s Taboret w/ X-Acto knives and a modicum of art supplies at the upper left w/in easy reach for post-processing parts)
and anything which I do has to be an improvement on that, and the only reason I’m considering a change is that the particular style of organizer tray I’m using in the above seems to have been discontinued (if someone knows of a source for them, or a closer size match than the ones I’ve found thus far, I’d be glad to know of them).
Unfortunately, transparent PLA ends up printing as milky white. Transparent PETG is a bit better, but still not clear. PC is the best FDM filament for getting clear prints.
To get clear prints, you basically have to do a lot of post-processing. How to 3D Print Crystal-Clear Transparent Parts: Settings and Filaments - 3DISM
I believe that these:
would be the same as the 5-box organizers linked above — unfortunately, shipping is quite expensive, and I haven’t convinced myself that I need still more of these…
However, found this at:
https://www.jbtools.com/homak-ha01053029-8-portable-parts-organizer/
now I just need to see if I can justify shipping there…
Found a few odds-and-ends at JB Tools, so placed an order — perfect match, and the table where I keep stuff for my machines is more consistent thereby…
Turns out it’s also on Amazon, I just didn’t find it:
https://www.amazon.com/Homak-8-Inch-Portable-Organizer-HA01053029/dp/B001KWCGWM
Amazon’s search is, in my expeience, next to useless. I have learned to keep a Google tab open in parallel with the Amazon tab and do my searching there.
Lowes has tiny toolboxes. I got a couple to use for supplies for my laser.
Portable Mini Toolbox 10.83-in W x 5.91-in H x 5.91-in D 2 -Drawer Blue Steel Tool Box https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Mini-10-83-in-Friction-2-Drawer-Blue-Steel-Tool-Box/5014017035
I used my laser to engrave my logo on the top
Of course I found out later they are cheaper at HF and come with the drawer liners already.
I hadn’t thought about using it to store bits and clamps but maybe could work.
I actually got a pair of them a Christmas or two ago, and use them for overflow of my CNC stuff — each only affords two drawers and the lid storage area, so not enough sub-division for my preferences.
I thought about making some small dividers with the laser or CNC
It seems these are still in stock at Fire Mountain Gems:
If I don’t talk myself out of it, I’ll place an order and we’ll see how that works out…
I’ve ordered one of each. Worst case, they’ll work out better than my current solution for pre-cut gem storage ![]()
The organizers came in and I’ve got some first impressions which are…mixed.
The size seems pretty darn convenient. Both in terms of overall footprint and drawer sizing.
I got a single and a double to compare:
The double comes with two different internal layouts of the drawers. The external shape is unchanged so they each fit in any slot:
The Meh:
The front has to lay out completely flat to access all of the drawers. Pretty annoying if you’ve got an eternally cluttered workspace.
The drawers aren’t a snug fit by any means, which leads to them sliding around easily when the front is open. Reaching in and removing one drawer very easily jostles the rest:
Everything is plastic which is fine given the price.
The bad:
One of the latches broke, quite literally, the second time I latched it:
I might just throw an actual piece of rod through it and call it “fixed” though.
As evidenced by the latch breaking immediately, they are way too tight. Latching/unlatching takes a surprising amount of force. I could easily see myself slipping and breaking one of my meticulously manicured fingernails.
—-
The Good:
The drawers have tabs for hanging which is neat:
I thought they might get in the way when inserting into the case but it seems they thought of that. The sides have angled cutouts that fold the tab down if it’s propped open. A nice touch:
The handle seems pretty sturdy and is easy to grab.
The bottom of the case has some cutout features that could be used to locate the case and keep it from sliding around:
Improvements:
Some felt would go a long way towards improving the daily use. A bit on the interior rails to keep the drawers better retained would work a treat (floor protector felt pads are what I would use. Dirt cheap and come in all shapes and sizes, usually in a single kit)
If the retaining was strong enough, I’d just remove the front cover all together.
—-
All in all, I think the real heroes here are just the plastic bins. They seem a decent quality with fully integrated dividers, reasonably designed living hinges, and a double latch for the closure.
I’ll end up looking for these drawers and just 3d printing a case or using some ply with a few staples.
Though maybe I could mold a drawer half the size and go with a convenient stacking cube design. That might be a fun project sometime.
Anyway, these things arrived weeks ago and I just haven’t gotten around to posting…better late than never though
(Sorry Will
)