I’m always trying to figure out how to use the many things we throw out in our day to day lives. In no way can I be considered a fanatic about this, but I try to consider any containers we put out for recycling. I use our Nestle Quick canisters to store the standard screws and finish nails in my shop. They are a good size, they are sturdy plastic and they are oblong, which allows the smaller of the two available sizes to be carried in a normal cloth nail apron!
Originally the canisters had wraparound labels which were easily removed, but now they have painted-on labeling. So to mark the canisters easily I just slap on a piece of duct tape and write the contents description with a Sharpie marker. Non permanent markers will rub off. Alternatively you could spray paint the canisters, but I took the simpler/shorter route.
You can see I use gray/silver tape for deck screws and white tape for finish nails. That way I have an easy reference for what I’m reaching for. Other colors are possible for more organization.
[Above] I keep my often used nails and screws in the canisters on a few shelves I put between the studs in my shop. The top shelf has some hardware items in the larger canisters.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
6 comments so far
greg48
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615 posts in 3178 days
#1 posted 02-05-2015 04:40 PM
Better method than mine, I’ve two 5 gal. buckets. One for nails, and one for screws. Each time I need one or the other, I’ve got to go through the entire collection.
BTW, thinking of making an investment in the market. Looks like Nestle has a strong market presence.
-- Greg, No. Cal. - "Gaudete in Domino Semper"
Gene Howe
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11630 posts in 3849 days
#2 posted 02-05-2015 07:59 PM
That’s a neat way to store that hardware. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t accumulate that many Nestle’s cans in two lifetimes. You must have an alternative source.
-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
Dave Rutan
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1775 posts in 2609 days
#3 posted 02-05-2015 08:23 PM
15 years of having a child in the house.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
CFrye
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10692 posts in 2261 days
#4 posted 02-05-2015 10:59 PM
Those are a nice size and shape, Dave. I save everything from margarine tubs to spice jars. Since I am visual, I tape a sample of the contents to the top of the container (they are stored in drawers). Thanks for sharing.
-- God bless, Candy
Mean_Dean
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6971 posts in 3568 days
#5 posted 02-06-2015 01:02 AM
I always keep a clean, empty parmesan cheese tub or two on hand for mixing up Danish oil or wiping varnish. The tubs are mostly clear, and come with a sealable lid. I can see what’s inside without having to open it, and the lid is easy-on/easy-off.
When I’ve finished with them, the little remainder of finish just dries in the tub, and then I just pop out the hardened remains into the trash, and the container goes into the recycling.
-- Dean -- "Don't give up the ship -- fight her 'till she sinks!" Capt James Lawrence USN
JoeinGa
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7741 posts in 2428 days
#6 posted 02-06-2015 07:32 PM
Here’s how I keep my nuts-n-bolts-n-stuff organized.
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/77873
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
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