Since the assistance with bi-fold doors was so good, I hope no one minds a return to the well with an off-the-wall question.
I’ve become addicted to the Stanley 9 compartment organizers. They’re extremely durable, they hold everything in the little compartment boxes even after tumbling around, and they fit neatly into a tool bag. They’re so handy, we’ve organized all of our small parts storage around them.
I suddenly need to replace a couple of them (apparently they aren’t able to survive being run over by a truck — don’t ask) but I can’t find them anywhere. Stanley has been all of no help.
Does anyone know where to find them? And, if they’ve been discontinued, which means revamping our whole system, all suggestions for alternatives would be extremely appreciated.
Technology willing, I’ve attached a picture of one of the, um, survivors.
Thanks.
Neal
Replies
Ever try parachute bags?
Mike
Thought about them. But they don't close securely enough to prevent spills.
Don't worry about spills, they never tip over.
MikeInsert initially amusing but ultimately annoying catch phrase here.
<<They never tip over.>>
While they're probably very stable, you've never seen us in action.
Also, we carry small quanitites of some of the parts, which have fit neatly into those little compartments. The parachute bags I've seen seem to want to hold a whole box of screws, etc.
Plano makes an adjustable storage box that's about 2" x 8" x 10". I've had some for years , they hold up well. And they're surprisingly cheap, about $5 IIRC.
I use them for screws, nails, parts and router bits. 3 of them keep several hundred dollars in bits from banging into each other.
Last ones I bought were from Lowes...buic
We looked at those too. And tried a couple.
You must have a softer touch, or got ones from a particularly good batch.
On ours, the tops were so flexible that screws migrated when the boxes were shaken, and if we accidentally overloaded a compartment, the adjustable side piece flexed and allowed more parts to migrate.
I left out an important detail i guess. On these boxes, and many other things that I want to stay shut, I use rubber bands.
Not any old rubber band mind you. I've got these thick ones that are 3/4" wide and come 4", 6", 8", 10", and bigger.
Places that do ceramic crafts use them to hold molds together. They're cheap and they last forever. Maybe $4 or $5 a box.
I bought 5 sizes maybe 15 years ago and still have plenty left.
I even use them on boxes of gun nails once I open them to reinforce the boxes.
One of those things that once you've got them, you'll find dozens of things to use them for...buic
edit to add - On other types of boxes I've had that let the parts "migrate", I cut a piece from an old t shirt or towel that's the size of the box. Place it on top of the compartments then close the lid. Acts like a gasket.
Edited 6/17/2007 10:55 pm ET by BUIC
I love them too and buy them at any of the local Home Depots.
Have you seen any there lately?
What part of Florida?
The last one I bought was about a month ago but I haven't looked lately. I'm in Fort Myers, south west Florida.
Now I have a serious reason to travel to Florida (during the summer).
Thanks.
Ft Meyers eh? Know any Tarantinos down there? My wife's family is from there. Most are married females, but Antony is contracting there or on Sannibel Island.
I use a tackle box for my main storage of the small stuff. It has drawers with divided spaces. Have a couple of bead sorters from a craft store for the portable stuff.
Check your Michael's craft store. They have a number styles of compartmented (is that a word?) plastic storage containers.
I am also a big fan of those things. I have 10 or so, all from Home Depot. I got a couple of low-profile ones, same design but thinner, at Target. I use those to store router bits.
Haven't tried these myself, but have been drooling over them for a little while --
http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_dynamic_wrap.cfm?FamilyID=207
or
http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_wide_slidedrawer.cfm?FamilyID=65
Try this site. I use a double sided bin case for misc. stuff. Very good quality. Look under the containers section.
http://www.cabotss.com/material_handling.asp
On a hill by the harbour