Fastener/Small Parts Organization

[yellowrosefarm]

In this area Lawson has a traveling rep that calls on us at work occasionally. One of the other guys in the shop has bought stuff from him with his personal credit card, but this guy will do about anything for a sale.  I would call them and ask who the rep is for your area.

[mmi]

54 minutes ago, KWRB said:

How did you get those Lawson products storage units? I looked years ago and I believe they wouldn't sell to the public,or I couldn't find a vendor, or something. Can't recall exactly, but I remember thinking it was weird how hard they made it to purchase

Always was a DA website,catalog much faster

https://www.lawsonproducts.com/products/20-compartment-drawer-ka20?variant=46872969019616

Has to be farm/business account x $ mo min. Online may be less hoops now, but $$$

Then Basically You have to buy $$$$ /included  (+- $200 product group gets the full/packed/ marked box)or be (buddies with the rep) , ,but '19 > ,higher ups were getting $ 110% of new ,so only got a few.

Was in a BB HDW today,vendor was changing out the bins .Asked if I could buy?   Three levels of store "protocol"....  mgrs,mgr ,mgr on up "ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!"

If they dont go in the liability/destroy trash.....home with district BTO..

Also Unobtainuim  at auction.

https://www.grainger.com/search/material-handling/storage-workspace/storage-cabinets/small-parts-cabinets/small-parts-compartmented-box-cabinets-boxes?filters=webParentSkuKey&searchQuery=bolt+bin&webParentSkuKey=WP13484420&sst=4&tv_optin=true

[65806]

1 hour ago, KWRB said:

@65806

How did you get those Lawson products storage units? I looked years ago and I believe they wouldn't sell to the public,or I couldn't find a vendor, or something. Can't recall exactly, but I remember thinking it was weird how hard they made it to purchase

Wasn’t easy.
I called and tried to get them to send a salesman over like they used to do but they could never seem to make it happen so I just set up an account and dealt with as salesman over the phone. Once you get an account you have access to online catalog and pricing. Was a PITA compared to days gone by but I liked the quality so I toughed it out.  I only bought their drawers and racks.  I filled them locally for 1/3 the price. 

[acem]

I have a stack of the lawson drawers I bought at an estate auction.  Nice find!

[IHKeith]

I have a few different systems going on 

[Injpumped]

On 3/16/2025 at 9:12 PM, Mr. Plow said:

My "hardware store".

Bolts are in steel drawers in an older US GENERAL tool box. 

Hey Steve, what kind of boxes are those? Are they the Stanley ones a few mentioned here?

[boogie1456]

The start to my wall

[656hydro]

Boxes like the brown Lawson's can be found at McMaster Carr or Grainger. I had about 15 of those for small parts.

[Mr. Plow]

7 hours ago, Injpumped said:

Hey Steve, what kind of boxes are those? Are they the Stanley ones a few mentioned here?

Stanley Sortmaster, I have to order them now, as they are hard to find in stores around me.

I like the latching on 3 sides on these.

[Mr. Plow]

On 3/17/2025 at 10:25 AM, 65806 said:

I bought a bolt rack and drawer rack for all my hardware.  I built shelves that hold buckets and totes.  Every bucket and tote is numbered and I made spreadsheets to know what’s in each one.  Need something just check the spreadsheet I placed in clear holders mounted on side of shelf.  As you add or remove items just update spreadsheet.  In my experience labeling the contents on the container becomes outdated information pretty quick. Took a while to get everything organized into the buckets/totes but has since saved a lot of time looking for stuff you know you have but can’t remember where you put it  

 

 

 

That is a work of art!!!! Well done.

[65806]

32 minutes ago, Mr. Plow said:

That is a work of art!!!! Well done.

Thank you sir

[Mr. Plow]

I use these for 1/4" hex bits, saws all blades, etc. In my cordless tool bag.

They latch very securely and don't accidentally open when tossed in with other tools. 

[nepoweshiekfarmalls]

When I manage to build my shop, I intend to model it after an old IH dealer parts department.   Counter with display cases in front for toys and memorabilia.   Then my parts book collection under the counter.  Behind that, 3 rows of various size bins with locations.  All parts stored by IH part number.  Use recipe cards to keep track of locations by part number. Keep all fasteners, parts, etc. in this display/ storage area.  I can't help it, parts are my life!! 😁

[russ_alabama]

I looked at new gallon paint cans recently and they’re not too expensive bought in quantity with no lids and no bails… I have a “bolt shop” that was Dad’s… sold nuts, bolts, hw, at flea markets and at home.  He passed 11yrs ago… There is at least 100 pickle jugs from restaurants out there that are half full to full of bolts nuts and washers and the plastic is aging faster toward brittle…. Yep, it’s it’s on the list of worries.  😳