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09-08-2020, 06:15 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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What's Your Hardware/Fastener Storage Solution?
I've collected a lot or bolts, screws, washers, you name it, I've got it! I was hoping to get some ideas on how to organize them and what kind of containers to use to keep them in. Looking forward to hearing your solutions...my mason jar is getting full!
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George
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09-08-2020, 06:20 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,131
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I use storage containers like these. Got them at Home Depot. Have one each for electrical connectors, sheet metal screws, nuts and bolts, large electrical connectors, 2 for snaps.
DEWALT
10-Compartment Deep Pro Small Parts Organizer
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
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09-08-2020, 06:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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Dave, do the bolts, screws, etc stay confined in their compartments when you hold the closed case vertically? I've seen some (not this one) that generally mix up all the parts if carried vertically.
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George
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09-08-2020, 07:32 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,818
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For a while I was drinking protein energy drinks that came in a 6 once clear bottle with a red cap. Works well for screws and fasteners up to 3/8". Use a label maker to mark the top of the cap. Currently they're in a cardboard box. Probably need to upgrade to a tray.
It's important to remember that you don't need a lot of each one, better to have a few of every size.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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09-08-2020, 07:34 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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I had a unit like this mounted to one of the engine room walls. I like having the clear front, easier to see what was inside.
https://www.amazon.com/Greenpro-3309...9611555&sr=8-7
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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09-08-2020, 07:35 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leatherneck
Dave, do the bolts, screws, etc stay confined in their compartments when you hold the closed case vertically? I've seen some (not this one) that generally mix up all the parts if carried vertically.
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Yes they do as long as you latch the top, ask me how I know... Now I am especially careful to latch it after I get what I want out even if I think I will need another item shortly. I latch them up immediately since it takes several hours to sort them all out again. I have about 20+ pounds in the nuts and bolt box and it holds just fine. You want the ones that have individual boxes inside and not the slide in dividers, those don’t keep things separate.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
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09-08-2020, 08:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
City: Bayfield
Vessel Name: Phoenix
Vessel Model: Mainship 390
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 345
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What's Your Hardware/Fastener Storage Solution?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leatherneck
I've collected a lot or bolts, screws, washers, you name it, I've got it! I was hoping to get some ideas on how to organize them and what kind of containers to use to keep them in. Looking forward to hearing your solutions...my mason jar is getting full!
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First of all, Semper Fi!
I use the Husky brand from Home Depot. There are 2 sizes, the pic is of the larger one, the smaller ones are basically the large one but half the size. Things stay put except for smaller washers, they make a mess.
I really like the smaller ones as they stack well and fit well in small weird boat places....and if you drop a small one your mess is smaller.
I have about 8 bins for various things. Screws. Bolts. Snaps. Electrical. Nuts. Washers. Fuses. And a random one for those weird things you don’t dare throw out.
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09-08-2020, 08:32 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Los Angeles
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,487
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If you have a Harbor Freight near you they have a lot of storage solutions.
I also use a fishing tackle box with removable, pull-out storage compartments which
also houses the electrical terminal supplies.
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09-09-2020, 09:21 AM
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#9
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Guru
City: Bellingham WA
Vessel Name: Hatt Trick
Vessel Model: 45' Hatteras Convertible
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,971
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KnotYet
If you have a Harbor Freight near you they have a lot of storage solutions.
I also use a fishing tackle box with removable, pull-out storage compartments which
also houses the electrical terminal supplies.
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I also use Harbor Freight storage boxes. Cheap and many different sizes are available.
__________________
Ken on Hatt Trick
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09-09-2020, 10:03 AM
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#10
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TF Site Team
City: Westerly, RI
Vessel Name: N/A
Vessel Model: 1999 Mainship 350 Trawler
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,154
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After many years, I gave up. I have a huge variety or everything, except enough of what I need. I never have the right length, the right size (#6, #10?) or the right number. I'll have bolts, but not enough nuts (or vice versa).
Now I simply buy what I need when I need them. Storing every size (length) of every size (diameter) screw, bolt and nut and washer simply doesn't scale to a reasonable means of storing them all.
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09-09-2020, 10:55 AM
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#11
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Guru
City: Looking
Vessel Name: --
Vessel Model: Between boats
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,190
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Let me tell you something you will thank me for -------- if you don't already know about them.
First, get a parts organizer that has REMOVABLE BINS. I have four of the ones shown below. 1 for all bolts, 1 for all screws, 1 for all nuts/washers, and one for electrical.
I only sort the bins to a general level for each - "large"/"medium"/"small", "short"/"long", etc.
Then get a SORTING TRAY that has a funnel at the edge - I use the one below.
You dump out your bin, use the tray to EASILY find what you need, then pour the rest right back into the bin.
Maybe I was just stupid (high probability), but this ROCKED MY WORLD.
If you don't already do this - DO IT!! Do it NOW!
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09-09-2020, 11:05 AM
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#12
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,977
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I have a number of these https://www.harborfreight.com/24-div...rtment+storage in addition to the various small jam jars full of single item things.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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09-09-2020, 11:07 AM
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#13
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Guru
City: gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,440
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I put all fasteners in a bin and use a sorting tray when i need to find the correct one.
Those individual sliding drawer sets aren't worth anything. Too much space for their utility and too hard to see contents until open. Put stuff in a jug and dump in a tray if you want it simple.
I use plastic food storage containers with snap on lids, not glass.
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09-09-2020, 11:43 AM
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#14
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,977
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Sorting takes more time that the job I want to do most times, the the plastic sectioned trays work for me, and you can flip them upside down and toss em around and nothing gets loose or mixed up.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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09-09-2020, 11:46 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
City: Corpus Christi
Vessel Name: Moonstruck
Vessel Model: 1990 Californian/Carver 48 MY
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 245
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2nd those, I use the Stanley version, they interlock and stack well. I've stacked them 10 high in the engine room and bungee cord them down. Label them on the sides.
The Brockerts
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09-09-2020, 01:21 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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Like many things, it depends on where how you boat and for what lengths of time.
The old cliche is very true "The definition of cruising is: fixing your boat in exotic places."
I found having a great supply of sorted, very easy to access fasteners on board to be a godsend. Likewise various parts and tools.
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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09-09-2020, 01:49 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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Thanks for all the advice and ideas. I'm getting a couple of the Stanley 25-Compartment Shallow Pro Small Parts Organizer at Home Depot. I think it will fit my needs. Lots of removable trays and stack-able.
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George
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09-09-2020, 03:06 PM
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#18
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TF Site Team
City: Saltspring Island
Vessel Name: Retreat
Vessel Model: C&L 44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rgano
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HF also sells the same container full of a variety of SS screws, or what have you, for about twice the empty price.
__________________
Keith
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09-09-2020, 04:44 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: US PNW
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 943
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I'm not sure whether you mean for on the boat or in the shop. This is my in-the-shop method, but others may have a boat large enough for same.
I buy most of my fasteners from McMaster Carr, and they come in little white cardboard boxes (not corrugated, but more like a cereal box). I keep them in those boxes, which are labeled as they come, but add more labeling on all sides with a black sharpie.
I have kept the boxes in a few different schemes. For a while I had them in larger cardboard boxes by size (1/4", #10, etc.). Then I used one of those Stanley type black and yellow boxes with the removable bins (putting the small white boxes in the bins). Now I use a set of large shallow drawers in a roll-around toolbox. This was a more "economical" box so lightish duty, but fine for fasteners. So nice to pull out a drawer and see all the boxes nice and tidy.
For oddball or used-but-still-good fasteners, I either use a previously emptied McMaster box (if it's a set), or I do have one divided compartment plastic box that is sort of "Misc," but roughly divided by type (pointy or not) and head (flat/oval or cap/truss/etc.
I'll probably never have a boat big enough for this system, so there it will just be one "jar" of misc. and a sorting tray.
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09-09-2020, 05:23 PM
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#20
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koliver
HF also sells the same container full of a variety of SS screws, or what have you, for about twice the empty price.
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Have you ever stuck a magnet into a some HF "stainless" screws?
I have.
No Thanks!
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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