TagMan
12-10-2003, 11:13 AM
These aren't really "Tech Tips" and if they're too far O/T I'll apologize in advance.
Several years ago (20?), I wanted to be able to store a lot of parts, be able to find 'em fast, but not spend a lot of money either. I didn't have a lot of room, so I decided to go up. I built a rack, holding discarded Xerox paper boxes for the bins and I ripped down a few 2"x4"x8'er's into 1-1/2"x1-1/2"x8' for the frame, on my table saw. I used some junk 3/8" plywood I found in trash day along the curb, for shelves & facing. I used some Fed-Ex type clear-faced, sticky-back envelopes and stuck them on the ends of the boxes. I inserted a piece of paper, with the contents of the box written on the paper, in the envelope as a label, so I could tell at a glance what was in the box. For heavy items, I inserted either thick cardboard or thin plywood in the bottom of the box to add strength. When I put something different in the box, I changed the label to show the current contents. These boxes hold an enormous amount of stuff and keeps the stuff from getting lost in the shuffle, while also cleaning up the shop floor with little floor space. When the boxes wear out, I replace 'em. Best of all, the cost was almost zero!
http://home.rochester.rr.com/mrplates/xrx.jpg
I also found a local Library that was tossing out there old file card cabinets, after going to an all computer system. Picked up the double-decker (72 drawers) for $75.00. I cut off the rods, which held the cards in, and lined the bottom of the drawers with 1/4" luan plywood to cover the slot in the bottom. Drawer fronts have the labels that you can mark the drawers contents on. Again, perfect for small parts, doesn't take up a lot of room and it's a nice piece of furniture. Only question now is, how come my shop's still a freakin' mess http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
http://home.rochester.rr.com/mrplates/library.jpg
Several years ago (20?), I wanted to be able to store a lot of parts, be able to find 'em fast, but not spend a lot of money either. I didn't have a lot of room, so I decided to go up. I built a rack, holding discarded Xerox paper boxes for the bins and I ripped down a few 2"x4"x8'er's into 1-1/2"x1-1/2"x8' for the frame, on my table saw. I used some junk 3/8" plywood I found in trash day along the curb, for shelves & facing. I used some Fed-Ex type clear-faced, sticky-back envelopes and stuck them on the ends of the boxes. I inserted a piece of paper, with the contents of the box written on the paper, in the envelope as a label, so I could tell at a glance what was in the box. For heavy items, I inserted either thick cardboard or thin plywood in the bottom of the box to add strength. When I put something different in the box, I changed the label to show the current contents. These boxes hold an enormous amount of stuff and keeps the stuff from getting lost in the shuffle, while also cleaning up the shop floor with little floor space. When the boxes wear out, I replace 'em. Best of all, the cost was almost zero!
http://home.rochester.rr.com/mrplates/xrx.jpg
I also found a local Library that was tossing out there old file card cabinets, after going to an all computer system. Picked up the double-decker (72 drawers) for $75.00. I cut off the rods, which held the cards in, and lined the bottom of the drawers with 1/4" luan plywood to cover the slot in the bottom. Drawer fronts have the labels that you can mark the drawers contents on. Again, perfect for small parts, doesn't take up a lot of room and it's a nice piece of furniture. Only question now is, how come my shop's still a freakin' mess http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
http://home.rochester.rr.com/mrplates/library.jpg