Ⓕ How To Make Hardware Organizer Labels (ep64)

[@nelliedean7088]

Just managed to label my plastic drawers after labels were constantly coming off my drawers in the way you’ve described and it’s worked. Thanks so much from the UK

[@NickFerry]

No problem - glad I could help

[@MikeMerzke]

Great idea for labeling hardware bins. That is going to be one monster of a storage rack. I love watching how other people organize their shops. Keep up the good work!

[@NickFerry]

+Mike Merzke thanks - yeah I am really looking forward to having tons of storage

[@ricos1497]

I was brought up with the notion that permanent markers were just that: permanent. Now you come along with your alcohol pads and wipe those beliefs away. Alcohol ruins so many lives. I'm shattered.

[@NickFerry]

+Rico S lol

[@tacsystems5621]

Rico S many beliefs have been dashed by alcohol.

[@floobertuber]

Ruins? _Or enhances???!?_ "To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems." -- Homer Simpson

[@8BitLife69]

I've been looking to do the SAME thing with mine, after I saw Adam Savages tower. I've been collecting them every time they go on sale, and this idea is PERFECT. Great job Nick.

[@NickFerry]

+8BitLife getting them on sale or w/ coupon is key - I have been acquiring them for a few months - the cost can add up quick otherwise

[@8BitLife69]

Agreed.

[@weissbornjr]

+Nick Ferry Yeah, but you can still buy like a dozen for the cost of a sortimo (no offense to either Adam or Sortimo). 8-) I've been looking for some way to label mine as well so this looks do-able.

[@NickFerry]

Bill Weissborn I got to use sortimo when I was in manufacturing and they are nice but yes, way out of most peoples budget

[@itzmeagain8011]

Thanks for the great idea Nick! At work we use P-Touch labels but we only use them on flat surfaces, mostly painted metal. To stop the labels from curling we apply a 'smidge' of clear colorless nail polish along all the edges and that does the trick. I tried on all my tool cases (drills, router, etc etc but it did not work. Eventually they all pretty much bubbled and peeled. I will give your idea a try.

[@NickFerry]

+Itz MeAgain cool tip on the nail polish - I think I remember someone using lacquer but hadn't heard of nail polish

[@floobertuber]

Nice take, and it looks like it works well for you! I did something similar, but with different materials. I wanted to laser-print all my labels on 1"x3.5" Avery brand adhesive labels. But sticking those directly to my organizer boxes was an issue. Also, I wanted to be able to remove and/or overlay with new labels at will. The way I solved this was to use super-inexpensive white vinyl home siding as a raw material, applied with hot-glue as a base layer. I cut dozens of rectangles out of the raw siding that were just the right width and length (plus a small margin) to fit under my intended laser-printer labels. Then, stacked & taped them so I could run them on a belt/disc sander to knock all the edges & corners off in one pass per edge/corner. No pointy or sharp bits allowed! Next, each "base plate" got hot-glued onto the plastic organizers (textured side against the organizer's body; and smooth side facing outward) with a dab of hot-glue at either end, and one in the middle. This provides a nice solid bond, but if I ever wanted to, I can just use rubbing alcohol to break that bond and remove the entire label plate. I'd bet rivets would work well too, if that's a better fit for whatever kind of boxes one owns. And finally, the Avery laser labels got applied to the smooth face of the vinyl. It works great, and I can easily slap another label over an old one, when stuff gets reorganized. It looks very uniform and professional, and unlike label-maker labels, I know it's not coming off until I want 'em off! For one-offs or temporary labels, I probably should check that siding material with a marker. Since the outward-facing side is smooth, it's possible I could also use a permanent (yet erasable) marker as you did, I just haven't tried it yet. Hope this helps somebody!

[@dalewilliford3834]

Thanks for getting back to me hope life ge better have great day and keep making videos

[@NickFerry]

Thanks Dale - I really appreciate that

[@AprilWilkerson]

Looking good so far!

[@NickFerry]

+April Wilkerson thank you April!

[@TylerBoespflug]

Thanks Nick! I have a stack of those cases and a pile of drawer slides waiting to go into a cabinet. I was going to use a label maker, but this sounds far more reliable!

[@NickFerry]

+Tyler Boespflug I would imagine - if you find a label that sticks well to these and holds up over time I would love to know about it - I could never seem to get the labels to stick and the paper ones wear out

[@TylerBoespflug]

+Nick Ferry - I just ordered a sample of Weatherproof Silver Polyester Laser Labels from Online Labels. I'm hoping they stick well because of their waterproof properties. This way I can even be "extra fancy" and print vector images or silhouettes of the item that's inside the case. Visually faster to locate the item I'm after. Plus, the label will somewhat match the brushed aluminum magnet labels with vector images I'm using on my toolbox.

[@cognitor900]

TIP OF THE WEEK, Nick! Having tried permanent markers, stickers, and white paint marker I find they all come off in 10 mins if you have turps on your hands.... But after trying alcohol I now find I just don't care. Great tip, Nick.

[@NickFerry]

+cognitor900 lol, thanks!

[@snarlyharley6032]

I use the Stanley brand organizers. Similar to the the HF organizers. I put a piece of electrical tape on the handle and then adhere P touch labels to the electrical tape. I color code the electrical tape by container content and it provides a good surface for the P touch label to adhere to. It also makes removing the label easier as it is easier to peel off electrical tape than a P touch label. I use 3M electrical tape.

[@NickFerry]

That's a great idea to get the labels to stick!

[@niwty]

Harley Zinker that’s a good idea but there’s one thing to watch with electrical tape. It is designed to be wrapped around something so it stretches as you peal it off the roll and gradually shrinks back over time tightening up. Make sure you don’t over stretch it when pealing it off the roll, especially in a warm environment, otherwise it will shrink back when used on a flat surface and look a little untidy.

[@randybonner7231]

Thank you thank you thank you All my ideas for labeling these HF containers were - dead on arrival. Your technique of Ironing on the edging worked great !

[@NickFerry]

Perfect, that's awesome to hear! If you have any pictures posted let me know

[@roblapihuska9275]

Can't wait to see your take on this organizer rack concept! I have to say I really like your design aesthetics on your projects and attention to detail!

[@NickFerry]

thanks man - that is the number one project I want to get back to

[@da1am319]

This is perfectly timed. I too have these bins and worked out a couple different "stacking" options. I've been wondering how to label them and will try this idea. I'm also looking forward to your build video to compare what I did.

[@NickFerry]

+David Gary very cool - hoping to have the organizer cabinet done in a couple weeks - fingers crossed

[@MikeKapotsy]

nice one Nick, I may have to pull the labels off my small tray organizer cabinet I built and iron in some melamine labels.

[@NickFerry]

+Mike Kapotsy always something to do, lol

[@MikeKapotsy]

Nick Ferry yes sir

[@CodeFoxAus]

ooooh yeah! I have been struggling to find something that will stick to my black tubs (from IKEA) .. going to give this a go. I did try postage label, masking tape and printed nylon / pvc labels, but none of those have stuck so far.

[@NickFerry]

+CodeFoxAus awesome - let me know if it works and maybe even snap a couple pictures - I was really curious on what different materials and applications this would work with

[@MarshallLoveday]

GOOD TIP! I've tried my Dymo labels on the boxes. They stick for a short while, but end up falling off.......

[@NickFerry]

Now I just need to finish the cabinet they go in lol

[@GregsGarage]

Right on Nick. Thanks for sharing your discovery!

[@NickFerry]

+Greg's Garage it seems to work pretty good!

[@JoshMillarTheWoodMillar]

Thats a great idea nice! If you don't have any alcohol pads you can use acetone on a rag. Does the same thing!

[@NickFerry]

+Josh Millar awesome!

[@timholiner381]

+Josh Millar You have to be really careful with acetone - it willmelt some plastics!

[@bearkatwood6354]

Wow Mr. Organized, very tidy stuff there. That isn't ADD, more like OCD ;) you ever make it out Oregon way, you might want to hang out, outside my shop. I fear if you came in it would kill you. Cool Justin Timberlake shirt by the way. That comment about alcohol ruining lives is going to have cracking up all day.Thanks Nick.

[@JayBates]

Justin Timberlake shirt hahahahaha!

[@StoneandSonsWorkshop]

+BearKat Wood Lol!

[@joegekko]

I use these same containers and have been trying to think of a way to label the handles. I'm wondering if dry-erase paint would serve the same function as the melamine with less effort.

[@NickFerry]

+Joe Gekko what color dry erase would be easily visible on the black handles?

[@joegekko]

Nick Ferry Hmm, maybe I wasn't clear. I meant applying a white 'dry erase board' paint to the handles, in lieu of ironing on the melamine banding. You can usually write on dry erase with a permanent marker, and then when you need to erase the permanent marker you scribble over top of it with a dry-erase marker and it can be wiped off.

[@NickFerry]

Joe Gekko ahh that makes a lot more sense - that would be a cool one to try!

[@TerryPullen]

I use the same organizers and the labels from my label maker stick just fine and for many years. It is a pain though to get the fancy retail label off of the organizer when you get home from the store. Each one takes 3 to 5 minutes.

[@NickFerry]

I AGREE 100% - I even wrote HF about 6 years ago or so saying to switch to a couple dabs of hot melt or something similar but of course no response - I guess consumers don't know what they want

[@jeffharmed1616]

Thanks for sharing. Good idea. What about labelling the internal little boxes (for example loaded to wood screws of different sizes)? Any ideas for those

[@NickFerry]

Thanks - Being you don't see those unless it's open and there a contrasting color to black I was just using a black marker

[@WoodByWright]

That is Fantastic! thanks for the great idea!

[@NickFerry]

+Wood By Wright thanks!

[@Biomedman82]

great tip... did you ever make the cabinet these are housed in? I would like to take a look at that if at all possible Great content

[@NickFerry]

Thanks - I didn't actually - it's one of those things that just kept getting put off - it is my #1 project I WANT to get back to though

[@brianway]

Did you ever try FastCap's FastEdge Peel & Stick tape? That is what I use and it works quite well.

[@NickFerry]

+Brian Way I didn't try it for this - with the compound curve on the handles I figured the heat of the ironing helped mould the melamine to the curve

[@brianway]

Well, this goes without saying, but you do great stuff!

[@NickFerry]

Brian Way much appreciated!

[@KATBIRD1026]

Sorry Nick "OCD"? LOL!!!!! Gave you a thumbs UP!!!

[@NickFerry]

+William Rittinger thanks!

[@PhilDeGuzman]

Interested to see that storage cabinet project. I have a bunch of these stacked up on a furniture dolly under one of my worktables.

[@NickFerry]

cool , me too - hope to get back on that project soon - when it rains it pours right?

[@stevekinnaird6835]

I have 20+ of the parts storage cases. Was wondering how to label them. Thanks for sharing.

[@NickFerry]

+Steve Kinnaird glad you got something from it Steve!

[@jamesseagraves5630]

That is a great tip. I will be using this one for sure.

[@NickFerry]

+James Seagraves awesome!

[@robmazzitelli]

nice, Nick! always a challenge labeling those things.

[@NickFerry]

+Robert Mazzitelli thanks Robert!

[@wmwalkerco]

Really great idea! I aspire to be as organized as you one day. Thanks for the tip!

[@NickFerry]

+Wm. Walker Co. lol - me organized? if you only knew

[@ChristopherDemetrick]

Great idea. We both must have organization on the brain. My video I posted this week was making a stand to house plastic containers.

[@NickFerry]

+Christopher Demetrick always working on better organization - great minds think alike

[@dkheaton]

Great video thanks. I would love to see how you built the wood shelves to hold your organizer bins

[@NickFerry]

+David Heaton video and plans to come on that within a few weeks hopefully - working on it this weekend

[@vaulimere]

You must have a ton of little bits if you need 40 of those suckers. :) The labels look handy.

[@NickFerry]

+Jon Stewart (Vaulimere) spent 6 hours in the shop last night and managed to fill 17 of the 40 without trying to hard - I have 20+ years of hardware to sort through

[@NinjaDag1]

This is actually a pretty good tip on which I stumbled by accident! Thx

[@NickFerry]

glad you liked it!

[@PhlipPhlop13]

Can you put the printed labels from the label maker onto the edge banding?

[@NickFerry]

+ScoobJack not sure - didn't try that

[@hmbwoodman9444]

Hey Nick, I love your attention to detail. Thanks for the labeling tip. I have several HF storage organizers waiting for a good home. How's the cabinet coming? Thanks again and continued success!!

[@cjorg16]

Great Idea Nick. Thanks for sharing.

[@NickFerry]

+cjorg16 thank you!

[@SeanRubino]

Genius, Nick, sheer genius!

[@NickFerry]

+Sean Rubino lol Sean thanks

[@maxretire]

Did you a video of a rack or cabinet for these Harbor Freight storage bobes?

[@maxretire]

Darn spell check! ...storage boxes

[@NickFerry]

Nope - it’s one of the top projects I want to come back too - it’s all designed and mostly cut out 😂

[@maxretire]

Thanks Nick Anxiously waiting. Have the boxes but would to better designs for the cabinet than I've seen.

[@NickFerry]

@@maxretire how many did you get?

[@maxretire]

Right now I have 2 large (8 bins/ea) and 6 mediums (20 bins/ea). Will probably need to expand by 2 more mediums. I am old but need to organize what I have and put them on wheels. I have enjoyed your videos over the years and appreciate what you do for us woodworkers, Nick! Thanks, Wayne

[@andreashotzel172]

hi Nick, thats quite neat. i did the trick in the opposite direction. i put numbers on those Boxes and a table of content in the computer. :-)

[@NickFerry]

+Andreas Hötzel wow

[@drmlzhang]

very cleaver ideas, you work good!!

[@NickFerry]

thank you!

[@yrralyou]

They make sticky back heavy paper and also sticky back vinyl for computer printers. Just put paper in a printer, use a word processor or a drawing program to design the label, print it out trim and stick on. Relatively easy to replace if need be.

[@NickFerry]

I like the vinyl idea but paper label anything always seems to get beyond legible dirty in my shop - maybe I should wash my hands more often but that’s not the point here

[@yrralyou]

@@NickFerry Try Mr-Label White Waterproof Vinyl Sticker.

[@NickFerry]

Good to know - I have a vinyl plotter so I’d probably just go that route for the material

[@artistwo]

I made me a storage organizer but with out labels good idea thanks

[@NickFerry]

+artistwo awesome, thanks

[@Canadiansasquatchbrewery]

Nice tip! Could even use dry erase on it, for real temporary labeling if need be. I like it! Cheers!

[@NickFerry]

+Canadian Sasquatch thanks - dry erase rubs off too easily when grabbing the containers though

[@Canadiansasquatchbrewery]

*really* temporary then (=

[@MakerInTraining]

I'll have to try that. . . I like the semi permanent idea!

[@NickFerry]

+Maker In Training awesome!

[@marceaton3128]

Nice idea Nick, gonna use that one for sure.

[@NickFerry]

+Marc Eaton thanks Marc, works pretty slick!

[@barstad-9591]

Hey,Nick! Thanks for the information. But where’s the cabinet for these - I cannot find it in your videos?

[@NickFerry]

Never finished it - number one thing I want to get back to

[@Retroweld]

Free Tip Friday! Great idea Nick.

[@NickFerry]

+RetroWeld thanks Douglas!

[@jacobmyrland3757]

In most cases you can also color over the perm marker with a "expo dry erase" marker and wipe it off with no extra elbow grease

[@NickFerry]

+JAKE SCOTT okay now you get a funny story - at a previous job someone used permanent marker on a huge dry erase board and then had to do what you said, write over each letter with a dry erase marker to wipe it clean - took them the better part of an afternoon - thought it was pretty cool idea and pretty funny as well

[@sayubu]

Wow, this is a fantastic idea ... but too much work in my opinion, thanks for sharing

[@NickFerry]

Thanks!

[@himonides]

very clever! thank you Nick!!!

[@NickFerry]

+Evangelos Himonides thank you as well!

[@scotthaun8582]

what do you put in all those? I have a few but struggle to find items to put in them...

[@NickFerry]

+Scott Haun mostly hardware - I probably won't fill all right away but I'm guessing I will fill more than half of the 40 without a problem - I'll probably show a lot of them at some point

[@BenBrandt22]

This is fantastic. Thanks Nick.

[@NickFerry]

+Ben Brandt thank you Ben!

[@howardjones543]

I wish Harbor Freight was in the UK! I've been looking for someone selling the equivalent of these, with the removable bins, and can't find them anywhere near the same kind of $10 price point...

[@NickFerry]

+Howard Jones I hear ya - I've used just about every bin out there and these seems to be a great mix of price, features and quality

[@ExpatPhil]

Great idea Nick! many thanks

[@NickFerry]

+Phil Sale thanks Phil!

[@MichaelLawing]

I think that's gonna look really sharp!

[@NickFerry]

+Michael Lawing I am hoping it'll be easy to use too, thanks!

[@Tensquaremetreworkshop]

Why are you stacking them horizontally, either needing a shelf for each one, or having to lift off the ones above? Stack them vertically, and you lose the shelves and gain the space. Hinges down, and they fit deeper but narrower (usually better space management in a workshop)- and you have the side of the box to attach your labels!

[@MissCandyTattoo]

Can't wait for the video of the tower build for these organisers.

[@NickFerry]

me too - hoping to get back to it soon

[@stevecollins9450]

Good one there, Nick.

[@NickFerry]

+Steve Collins thanks Steve!

[@brucehurlburt7740]

ayeee HE LIVES! Been a long time MR! Nice organization, love it. GG

[@NickFerry]

+Bruce Hurlburt I had the TV lift vid not too long ago and the April fools one so it hasn't been that long - well maybe

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

This is a really great idea man.

[@NickFerry]

+The ShavingWood Workshop thanks Tommy!

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Anytime :-)

[@ITubeTooInc]

Thanks for the video. Couldn't you just use a white permanent marker and write directly on the black handle instead?

[@NickFerry]

I've only seen white paint markers and that wouldn't be easy to change

[@smycker8563]

well done brilliant idea

[@NickFerry]

+smycker thanks!

[@SawDustMakerRJM]

Neat idea Nick!

[@NickFerry]

+Saw Dust Maker thanks man!

[@ioscaleb]

Dymo Rhino labels stick very well.

[@NickFerry]

never heard of those - I may look into them - thanks!

[@reforzar]

Face in gray. Great shirt and great tip.

[@NickFerry]

+Brian Prusa lol right

[@Hugh_Mungus1]

Thanks for the video. Follow you on Instagram as well. I just went out and purchased these same exact bins to use in my garage.. and Poof, here is your video on it. Looking forward to the build. I'm the same way with organizing too!

[@NickFerry]

+Robert Daniel my hope is to be somewhat organized by the time I die - I have a feeling I'm a bit behind, lol

[@Hugh_Mungus1]

+Nick Ferry I'll have to show what I've been working on sometime as well.

[@NickFerry]

Robert Daniel do it!

[@Hugh_Mungus1]

+Nick Ferry Not too sure on how i can show you.. I'm not famous on KZbin :)

[@NickFerry]

Robert Daniel facebook or email some to me and I can possibly share on IG or FB

[@PaulMeyette]

That's persistent. I think I would've tried up cycling vinyl window blinds with pop rivets. Nice tip Nick

[@NickFerry]

+Paul Meyette some sort of die-cut plastic would be slick too!

[@Westsidewood]

Clever! Thank you sir, will be giving it try.

[@NickFerry]

+1kenkelly awesome - let me know how it goes!

[@alexpettigrew8971]

Excellent tip!

[@NickFerry]

+Alex Pettigrew thank you!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Great tip! I beat it would work on totes also!

[@NickFerry]

+Mrcaffinebean yes!!

[@grandolddrummer]

Right on! Thanks for the tip!

[@NickFerry]

+grandolddrummer no problem

[@DavidBishopinc]

That's a lot of storage. You gonna fill all those?

[@NickFerry]

+David Bishop I would imagine I will have no problem filling them - although that may be my problem, lol

[@DavidBishopinc]

I understand. LOL

[@waynewelshans1172]

You should use caligraphy to write the labels

[@NickFerry]

+Wayne Welshans but which nib to choose from now?

[@holdemNE1]

Great tip for a guy with as much C.D.O. as I have. It's a disease very similar to O.C.D. but it is in alphabetical order..........like it should be!

[@NickFerry]

+Big Mike is talking never heard that before - I like it!!

[@tensazero]

That cabinet shelf design is kinda overkill IMO... How about thinner material like 1/8" aluminium 90' angle bracket rests they can slide on? It could cut the height down by 20% or more. Less dadoes to cut also. Great alternative label idea though.

[@NickFerry]

+tensazero no dados in this design and I want drawer slides on the lower ones - making it from alum or mild steel is viable too

[@pvarelas]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@NickFerry]

+Παναγιώτης Βαρελάς thanks!

[@alexoliva2012]

Thanks for sharing this great idea.

[@NickFerry]

thanks for checking it out

[@Hubbmade]

Very good tip. Thanks for all the research into making it stick ;0)

[@NickFerry]

+Hubbard's Handmade that's what I'm here for - I know sticky situations

[@noahknopf8023]

how much does each organizer cost and are they strong

[@NickFerry]

+Noah Knopf been getting them for a couple months anytime I'm in the area w/ a coupon - 7-12 buck I think - depending on size - not the most durable thing in the world but I think it will serve it purpose

[@1010tesla]

This video has been up for a while. How are the labels holding up after 7 years?

[@NickFerry]

Really well, however I don’t change them all that often - I don’t think I’ve wiped one off in a couple years - so there’s that

[@joecouncil]

Would Scott's Dry Erase Tape work?

[@NickFerry]

I don't think it would contour the the compound curve as well - worth trying though

[@WigWagWorkshop]

Great Tip! Thank You for sharing -Steven

[@NickFerry]

+WigWagWorkshop thank you!

[@SkullyWoodMetal]

I was wondering how to label my bins. I just finish a cabinet for my Stanley totes.

[@NickFerry]

+Skully Wood & Metal try it out and let me know what you think

[@marconeill9510]

This is genius!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks

[@timovarblas806]

I would use just a white permanent marker and be done with it, but nice job!

[@NickFerry]

+timo varblas now that is just too easy, lol

[@samaker4]

very cool solution. thanks

[@NickFerry]

+sa-maker thank you!

[@aaragon6866]

Great idea thanks

[@NickFerry]

My pleasure

[@LivefreeanddiyTv]

Nice tip, thanks!

[@NickFerry]

+Live Free and DIY yup yup, thx!

[@BraxtonWirthlin]

Great tip, Nick!

[@NickFerry]

+Braxton Wirthlin thanks Braxton

[@VarnishSpar]

I used them on my totes they worked great. Now. I only have 10 more totes to finish.

[@NickFerry]

+Gary Scurlock that's the only drawback - having to do them again and again - I'm almost done with my 40 to do

[@GeekBuildersNet]

Great tip.. Thanks

[@NickFerry]

+GeekBuilders no problem!

[@dc5duben96]

good idea thanks!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks - my pleasure

[@ruiteixeira9802]

Good idea!!

[@NickFerry]

+Rui Teixeira thanks!

[@nickwit21]

Solid hack!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks 👊🏻

[@tacsystems5621]

I’d probably would have just put the label maker label on them instead of the sharpie. Don’t like hand written stuff if I put that much work into it but I’m ocd.

[@NickFerry]

Not a bad idea - a cleaner look for sure

[@dalewilliford3834]

Where is the video on the Hardware organize her build

[@NickFerry]

I’m not done with it yet, you can’t rush these things - but seriously Life just kind of got in the way and I never completed it - it’s probably the number one project I want to get back to but never seem to

[@Regnarrussell]

I See someone dabbles in the Garage Journal. LOL

[@NickFerry]

+Joshua Russell did they do something similar?

[@Regnarrussell]

+Nick Ferry yep almost 10 pages of building the same system. I even built one for my friend. garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289281

[@NickFerry]

Didn't catch it - been wanting to make this ever since I saw them in hardware stores for specialty hardware

[@Regnarrussell]

+Nick Ferry well should be a good read. Looking at the sketch up file in the video it looks like you might want to notch out the drawers for easy access to the handles and add the sides to allow the retaining of the strange container. The forum also has links to affordable drawer slides.

[@NickFerry]

Got the drawer slides already and wanting to see how much clearance the drawers had before notching