August 7, 20205 yr I got a Lee Valley ad today and one of the things was clearance items, and it listed "systainers" starting at $1.85. Well that sounded like a real deal for those things that generally carry a premium price. I'm looking down the list and they still seem dear, discounted a couple percent. At the very bottom are the "bins" (2x2x2-ish boxes) that are that price. Not drinking the green Kool-Aid today, thanks. Even the simple things are $42, and most things run from there up to several hundred dollars.
August 7, 20205 yr Somebody must think it's a steal, that thing you pictured is sold out...and it was only discounted $10.
August 7, 20205 yr Author Popular Post Forgot to mention, the current issue of Wood Magazine has shop built Systainer-like boxes. Yes, I, too, noted that tool tote (that you can just make from wood for about $5 in a few minutes) was sold out. I am always shocked at pictures of peoples' shops with a whole wall of systainers. Last evening, I happened to be on YouTube and watched several videos of guys building drawer storage units. I began to think that was a bit of excess until I started looking for the stainless steel screws that I thought i had. Ummm, nevermind.
August 8, 20205 yr The latest issue of Family Handyman had a shop/garage storage system incorporating French cleats and rounds. Using the French cleats, you hang plywood or some form of board that would support rounds. The rounds were placed like pegs in a pegboard. You could arrange your rounds to hold various boxes. I looked on the web, but could not find it. Pretty interesting.
August 8, 20205 yr I like systainers... I really do, but its so late in my career it would be a lost money... Woodworking is such a game these days. If this stuff had been available in the 80's thee would be so many on Craigslist now....I really liked the Bosch as well...
August 8, 20205 yr Author 3 hours ago, BillyJack said: I like systainers... I really do, but its so late in my career it would be a lost money... I know what you mean, when I consider any purchase I have to think of amortizing the cost over my remaining years. Which generally boils down to "how much is each Domino joint that I made going to cost me (vs. time the old-fashioned way)" https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/customizable-garage-storage/ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-build-a-french-cleat-tool-storage-wall/ Edited August 8, 20205 yr by kmealy
August 8, 20205 yr 3 minutes ago, Gerald said: I still like cabinets and drawers better. Me too. I've gotten a few industrial type metal ones ,need I say it? "Curb Shopping" You should have seen me drag the last one across four lanes of state highway.
August 8, 20205 yr 13 minutes ago, Gerald said: I still like cabinets and drawers better. Same for me. I can jamb alot if stuff, organized well, in a small space. I hate that mingling around a drawer with a stick looking for something.
August 8, 20205 yr 5 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said: Me too. I've gotten a few industrial type metal ones ,need I say it? "Curb Shopping" You should have seen me drag the last one across four lanes of state highway. Done that myself.
August 8, 20205 yr Author Popular Post 54 minutes ago, Gerald said: I still like cabinets and drawers better. Me, too. Got about 30 of these baltic birch boxes, a pile of 2x4s, 8 or so sheets of 3/8" plywood (only used once), about 3 lbs of nice square drive screws (1.25 and 1.5") some used, some NIB, and four metal shelves about 4'x8' at Sam's Club auction ($8 and change) But I had to cut the hand-holds myself. :-)
August 8, 20205 yr I found that drawers look organized in a shop but create more probbles than it solves..... Edited August 8, 20205 yr by BillyJack
August 8, 20205 yr 8 minutes ago, BillyJack said: create more probbles than it solves..... Care to elaborate?
August 8, 20205 yr 1 hour ago, Gunny said: Care to elaborate? Very simple. Are all your drawers lines out perfectly.?do you have to move something to find something? We have talked about this before... here is a three drawer cabinet I have had since 2005. See anything wrong... Edited August 8, 20205 yr by BillyJack
August 8, 20205 yr Woodworkers willing or non willing ae hoarders. If it's a deal a woodworker will buy it whether he or she needs it. I gotta have it because it's cheap. I don't have it or its antique but I'm gonna buy. Hardware...... that's the worse thing. How much time will you spend to salvage hardware you may never use... If you have to move something to get to something and repeat this all day....you may have problem.... Edited August 8, 20205 yr by BillyJack
August 8, 20205 yr 15 minutes ago, BillyJack said: Are all your drawers lines out perfectly.?do you have to move something to find something? Exactly and this is why I asked this question rather then let it just be a single voice speaking. In answer to your question are all my drawers lined out perfectly, short answer is No. But, as I march across segments of the shop I do make every attempt to have that so, and not have to move things to find something. @Gerald made a valid point awhile back about not using deep drawers but shallow drawers so you can only have a single layer of things to look through to find something. His advice works so I have 4 drawers marked for being cut down and replaced with 8 smaller ones. Also labels are very helpful especially if you use tape which can be changed out as needed to add or take away items from the drawer. You have pointed out before, and I find this a very valid point, working on the shop doesn't make money. (I summarized) And indeed that is true. Also organization takes time and effort away from our other endeavors. But the benefit is that you spend less time sorting through a bucket of stuff looking for a 8mm wrench. Time off task is time not completing the task. Never mind the frustration level. This is much easier to find something than a bucket full of fittings, any day of the week. DOWNSIDES?? Yes being organized has downsides. You have to stick with it to keep it going. It is not a one off and done type of thing. Nor is it something everyone can or will want to do. Initial start up is difficult and it seems you always find some place that needs work. Color coding drawer fronts as well as labels makes this easy access. 9 minutes ago, BillyJack said: If you have to move something to get to something and repeat this all day....you may have problem.... Indeed I do, I really need this 10,000 square foot shop I keep having dreams about.
August 8, 20205 yr I've worked in cabinet shops that were packed with stuff and shops that weren't. Guess who was more productive? I started looking at possessions around the shop. I learned if I bought what i need when i needed it, i would probably have 25% of my shop back. Now i will have to eliminate stuff I thought I needed to make valuable space
August 8, 20205 yr Author Popular Post 33 minutes ago, Gunny said: Exactly and this is why I asked this question rather then let it just be a single voice speaking. In answer to your question are all my drawers lined out perfectly, short answer is No. But, as I march across segments of the shop I do make every attempt to have that so, and not have to move things to find something. @Gerald made a valid point awhile back about not using deep drawers but shallow drawers so you can only have a single layer of things to look through to find something. His advice works so I have 4 drawers marked for being cut down and replaced with 8 smaller ones. Also labels are very helpful especially if you use tape which can be changed out as needed to add or take away items from the drawer. You have pointed out before, and I find this a very valid point, working on the shop doesn't make money. (I summarized) And indeed that is true. Also organization takes time and effort away from our other endeavors. But the benefit is that you spend less time sorting through a bucket of stuff looking for a 8mm wrench. Time off task is time not completing the task. Never mind the frustration level. This is much easier to find something than a bucket full of fittings, any day of the week. DOWNSIDES?? Yes being organized has downsides. You have to stick with it to keep it going. It is not a one off and done type of thing. Nor is it something everyone can or will want to do. Initial start up is difficult and it seems you always find some place that needs work. Indeed I do, I really need this 10,000 square foot shop I keep having dreams about. I have a friend with a solo 5,000 sq.ft. shop. He spends most of his time on a workbench by the window. The rest of his time he spends walking between machines or moving parts between machines. And it's too big to heat or cool economically. Now, if you had a 10,000 sq.ft. house and this was just the basement...
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