I use a standard moving box (stumbled onto the idea unpacking from about the second of several moves during my last career).
Its a 3 cubic foot box, so ~ 18×18x16.
Easily holds a 30 gallon bag with the taped into the up position.
Current one is 7.5 years old, and working well.
Price was right too.

 

Yea ya know a round trash can dont make much sence does it!

 

d38, thats a good method!

 

13 gallon kitchen trash can with lid. I throw a contractor grade black plastic bag in the can first, then when the can is full the bag still has room and I can go around the shop and pick up the cr…stuff I was too lazy to throw away in the first place.

 

I use a couple of 32 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck trash cans, although currently one is inside the other because I have too much, er, stuff, yeah, that's the word, stuff in my shop. I also have a small 2-3 gallon plastic rectangular can that sits under one end of the workbench.

 

Ron - I have extreme envy of your interesting drill press. I have never seen anything like it before.

 

The ideas this thread has spawned is great. I'm currently using a huge rubbermaid barrel of 1994 vintage which is about to wear out. And you guys are right. It is too big. I like the idea of the much smaller ones and just having several. And I'll be checking on that "slimjim" one to see if it will fit under the end of my bench.

I thought of making one out of plywood scraps, but it seems like a waste (pardon the pun).

Moving box is a good idea. And plenty cheap at HD. Probably cheaper than a real one from Office Depot. But I throw a lot of wet gunk in there sometimes, so plastic would suit me better I think.

 

The timing of this thread is funny.

I just got a fancy metal one from the curb that my neighbor was throwing away. lol

 

Ron - I have extreme envy of your interesting drill press. I have never seen anything like it before.

- TelescopeMaker

Thank you, sir! It was a lot of fun to build and is a joy to use in my unplugged shop!

 

Making your own is practical if you have a spot normal sized ones do not fit. I have a single safety can for rags and anything with chemicals but several home made versions that I use for wood I want burned and burnable trash. Found a 12inch by 13 inch by 22 inch tall stainless steel square tube for a kitchen vent someone tossed. Still had the plastic protective wrap on it. Currently building a frame for the top and bottom with some wheels to use as a cut off bin in a spot those dimensions fit well.

Still have a 3 gallon bucket I have used for years I just move from place to place. It doubles as a holder for small items to paint on, let dry or assemble.

 

I never had a shop trash can, I always used to go outside to the can where we tossed the household garbage can and threw shop stuff in those. About 2 years ago I bought just a small galvanized trash can that looks just like the large type. I had no idea how much stuff I was throwing out, I have to empty this 10 container almost twice a week. I also have a JustRite Safety Can that has a self closing lid for oily rags. Many years ago I was finishing something with Watco Danish Oil and tossed the old rags in my kitchen trash can. About 2:00 AM in the morning I awoke to my smoke alarm going off. Yes spontaneous combustion does happen.

 

I just use a couple of 5 gallon plastic buckets as trash cans in my basement shop (36' x 40'). I do have a old wooden box about 3' L x 2' W x 2' T sitting under the right side wing on my table saw. Our wood burning furnace sits in the woodshop so it saves me from getting crushed by saved wood scraps. That furnace is also the destination of most finishing rags etc. even in summer. If it self combusts in there who cares. If it is something I might reuse it just gets tossed to some open area of the concrete floor where it can't set anything else on fire.

 

For those with bad backs or lifting issues, a friends idea for his 90lb grandmother was genius. Take one old lawnmower and remove engine. Mount bracket or ring to support container. Place container of choice on the lawnmower. When full, roll the lawnmower out to the street. Should work for most of the containers suggested.

 

I have a large, round Rubbermaid trash can that I often think about replacing because it does use up a lot of space, but space is the only problem I have with a large trash can. The trash I produce in the shop tends to be high volume and low weight, which makes a larger can convenient (when it's not in the way).

It's also nice to know that I won't miss when I throw a paper towel across the shop into the trash.

 

Only metal cans - that will contain any small fire. Lucky to have a number of old fashion office cans - round, square, oblong. They fit anywhere. Outside in garage I have an heavy duty galvanized ash can abut 30 gal. size and more of the smaller old office cans. Nothing gets transferred to plastic waste collection barrels until garbage night.