OrganizERs: Features I Dig & Loathe

[@alanmcrae8594]

Thanks for the ideas on how to organize my own shop. I hate looking & looking for a fastener or part that I need to solve a problem, when with a little organization I could retrieve what I need and get back to working. That said, there is, of course, always the possibility of becoming OCD with a zillion plastic containers & a handheld label gun. Sometimes the wife & children are the ones to ask if Daddy has actually gone off the deep end or not. Other times, Daddy's wardrobe closet and socks & underwear drawers could resemble a CSI crime lab evidence room, and that's a strong indicator too. There's a balance to be achieved here...

[@niceguyjoe]

Keith you re my hero. Love this.

[@LightCarver]

Many of the plastic containers you get with fastener or electronic parts collections are actually sized to match one of the common fishing box/hobby storage system sizes from Plano. When you look at the sizes you wouldn't expect a quasi-standard to have emerged but a fair number of generic brands systems match them too. It's actually a bit tougher to find other name brands that are compatible, they generally want you locked into their brand instead. Anyway there are sizes that you may want to watch for, especially if you like grabbing containers at garage sales. (This is in the US, don't know about elsewhere.) 3400 Series: 8.25”L x 4.25”W 3500 Series: 9.00”L x 5.00”W 3600 Series: 10.75”L x 7.25”W 3700 Series: 14.00”L x 9.00”W

[@embie5119]

This is exactly what I needed to see. I'm in the process of organizing my shop / maker space and this is perfect since you've done all the trial and error evaluation already. Thank you!

[@mikeg3660]

Never seen so many parts…. Thanks for the ti[s

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Great as always. I started down the road of buying a few of an organizer and use those pairs of organizers for the oddball parts. I’m glad I did as I got to learn how I personally use the organizers myself. I use the rectangular 11x7 inch organizers with the hinges that are real and do not rely on plastic fatigue. They hold all my machine screws and wood screws that would otherwise be in those little hanging plastic boxes you get when you buy them off the rack in amounts under 50-100. I like that they are strong enough for even heavy endmills for metal mill. I did splurge on a large offset of ChannelLock brand organizers. They clip together for travel for electrician parts for work. They handle all size of things from wire nuts/lever nuts to larger items like switches. I have one with every small conduit part I would ever need on site. They have a air gasket that is fantastic for storing my wood biscuits. It helps slow/stop then from fluctuate in moisture/size. I think depending on the person and habits many types of organizers can become graves for little parts you think you’ll need someday. For me the banks of drawers all hold parts of other people’s forgotten junk. I still enjoy keeping that stuff with the hope that I remember to look through it when I need something. Sorry this was so long.

[@KeithsTestGarage]

Thanks for the comments - good tips. I have never thought of air gasketed compartments, and I happen to have a bunch of moisture-inflated biscuits. Also, still thinking through conduit parts and totally get splurging when it counts. What brand 11x7's did you find that you like? I'm pretty sure they discontinued the Husky ones I like, so I'll be in the market soon and I think that's the right size.

[@FearsomeWarrior]

@@KeithsTestGarage Menard's, had packs of four Plano brand on sale. Wish I had got more :)

[@MsRotorwings]

Thanks for posting an affordable way to organize parts. Great tips regarding stacking and lids.

[@seejjordan]

Awesome video, thank you for taking this to the usability level, and love the "golden rule" of 16"!

[@chiphill4856]

Excellent! My shop is standardized on the black and yellow Stanley boxes w removable bins and clear Plano fishing tackle boxes. But you, sir, have taken it to a higher level. Thanks!

[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

I use the medium Walmart 3 Drawer cabinet for sanding disks. 4 of those units tamed my collection.

[@FounderOf4]

I have been racking my brain trying to make sense of what I currently use for storage vs what is on the market and how best to organize it all... And then I found you. Thank you helping me get a plan together.. you have a new subscriber too!

[@thallmeister]

2:58 Two banana's spotted. Also nice points on storage. I should have remembered your slotted bit storage when I was making my holder, after seeing it again in this video I kicked myself for forgetting that. Thanks for the videos, you should have more subscribers.

[@stephen_hawes]

Great vid! Super creative way to outline the video topics with your laser! :D

[@troyladoux1953]

You have a lot of clever ideas. I do like your rig above your workbench. I may use that idea next because I am running out of wall space.

[@davidrempel381]

So you're saying you're not a minimalist 🤔 Great video. It makes organizing my shop feel less intimidating. Your approach is fresh and it doesn't require me to take a week off just to build cabinets for my shop.

[@KeithsTestGarage]

I respect productive minimalists, but I am not one. Reminds me of a time I was at Ace, and the guy in front of me was returning 2 carriage bolts that he didn’t end up using. My first thought was “seriously?” Then I realized the peace of mind he must have, not having to maintain an inventory of parts.

[@NewTestamentDoc]

every shop guy needs to watch this video once in life at least.... or every January... or when reorganizing the shop layout.... or... oh, crap.. just every so often!

[@gussguss75]

You have a tray labeled "Foreigner Bits"!!! I love it! Keep em coming!

[@KeithsTestGarage]

thanks for catching that! :D

[@cwell2112]

@@KeithsTestGarage I noticed that too! I did a double take, but then said it out loud and got a chuckle.

[@The_Bearded_Lady]

randomly watched this even though i didn't really need to, but boy am i glad i did. i think those "itty bitty" ones will be perfect for holding all the little pieces for my board games and getting rid of the little baggies... excited to see how it goes! thanks for sharing :) gonna try a few of these actually. i normally just use free stuff... like cardboard that i reinforce with tape etc and sometimes shapes and dividers just with the glue gun etc. but a few bucks isn't much (well if i tried to collect the amount you have or the amount i need to replace all my boxes at once maybe lol)... we shall see. thanks on the sales tips too. i just got some good stuff on some father's day sales, but am looking forward to the next sale dates ;)

[@SuperMIKevin]

loved it.

[@NWGR]

Great tips. I have a bunch of those heavy duty stacker totes too. I love those things.

[@TheWrate]

Great video. One thing I loath are the bags that big box stores force on us when buying unusual hardware that isn't prepackaged. I make it rule to ditch the bag and store the hardware in a proper container. The other thing that I struggle with is the miscellaneous flotsam and jetsam that accumulates when rebuilding machines.

[@CheaddakerT.Snodgrass]

I think it's been a couple of years since home depot has those flip top latching containers on sale at really good price. I remember I snuck off to a home depot an hour away to buy more of them. It's an illness.

[@Garland77]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@brx017]

What's the specs on that laser? Looking to add one to my Ender. Great videos BTW... just discovered your channel!

[@Wolfyjinny]

Buy a retracting lanyard, (the little fella with a string inside a mini tape-measure reel) attach it to a shelf and attach a pair of tweezers to the free end, have you ever tried to get one 1/4" screw out of a compartment that is 1.1/2" wide and 2" deep without stabbing yourself.

[@MrTapanes]

It's interesting to see how this approach allows for a much higher density of parts and things in a smaller area. I'm trying to reclaim my 2 car garage from the disorganized bastard (my wife's pet name for me) that has cluttered it up over the past 20+ years. I am watching closely and taking notes. Keep up the good work. BTW, what's with the toggle clamps on the ends of some of your shelf brackets?

[@KeithsTestGarage]

Ahhh.. The toggle clamps at 2:44? Good catch. Visibility. (another video on my list). I bought some at a garage sale, don't naturally use them, yet they are a unique style of clamp that may be useful in certain cases. Since it's wildly different, and I don't have a good use for it, I like to have those types of things visible. That way when I'm beating my head against that wall unable to think of a solution, maybe it'll fall on me and be the perfect solution I needed. Re: density, stay tuned for my upcoming drawer video (in a few weeks) as my drawer strategy is intended to oddly increase the visibility of organizers. Which is weird for drawers. But very dense too! Hmmm.... now you have me thinking about that visibility video...that may come next...it'll be a short one. Thanks for the comment!

[@KeithsTestGarage]

I'm about to release a video response to your question. Stay tuned.

[@mikecurtin9831]

Several very useful tips here. Also, when buying parts from McMaster-Carr, save the ziplocks. They're super handy for small parts and take up almost no space. Thanks very much, and thumbs up to crush a troll.

[@chascollette]

You have a lot of stuff😃

[@Kachel94]

I just watched 6 of your videos in a row as youtube has decided not to show you in my subs GRRRR!

[@DLoCTheCreator]

The 2 people that disliked🤦🏽‍♂️smh they must be jealous because your to organized for them

[@steveridnour2307]

Your OCD is deep, I like it. But you have too much stuff, my friend. Be happy.