Super Cheap Small Parts Storage

I love free stuff from junk. This is a project to give you lots of small parts storage for almost no cost but your effort. The result is a set of ten to hundreds of small part storage containers, perfect for nuts, bolts, buttons, and the like. You can buy storage systems but you may be put off by the price.

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Step 1: Materials

Large number of cleaned cat food cans or other small free containers. Cardboard. Construction adhesive.

D006DR says: May 20, 2013. 1:35 PM

Nice tip. Love it.

Jmae says: Aug 1, 2009. 2:58 PM

What about clear plastic lids so that you can hang it on a wall? I just can't find any lids that would fit... :(

spacenookie says: May 9, 2008. 10:47 PM

you could cut square or tubular stock and glue it to the substrate for compartments as well. When I first saw your picture I thought you were using the cardboard that comes with paper towel rolls.

jugglingmaniac says: May 9, 2008. 6:44 PM

I actually use this too. Very Effective. My dad owns a business called EEIAM(They work with computers). My family always save their tins but they dont work with ICs and parts that have to be in anti static bags. Good instructables!!

burzvingion says: May 9, 2008. 11:12 AM

hmm... interesting, but it seems a little limited. For one thing, you can't really tell what is where except on the top layer. This wouldn't be too much of a problem if you keep related items on the same layer (i.e. resistors of various values on one layer, electrolytics on another, etc), but for esoteric things it might be annoying. Secondly, getting one of the bottom layers out would be frustrating for me... I can just see everything spilling all over. Perhaps it would be nice to make a frame for them with slits up the sides for the "racks" to slide into (like an oven). Overall a good idea though, and a great way to re-purpose tuna/cat food cans.

russ_hensel (author) in reply to burzvingionMay 9, 2008. 3:30 PM

Perhaps a label on the end, bent down to make it more visible would help.
A related Instructable Ultimate Parts Storage, http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultimate-Parts-Storage/ might be better for your applications.

burzvingion in reply to russ_henselMay 9, 2008. 5:40 PM

actually, I prefer the big plastic organizers with lots of little clear drawers. A quick google for "plastic drawer cabinet" led to this one on amazon.