Easy Wall Mounted Storage Bins for Hardware Parts

If you're a maker, they you probably have acquired a vast assortments of parts, screws, widgets and assorted random bits. And if you're like me, then they've all disappeared into cabinets and drawers, never to be found when you really need them.

I decided to organize all my parts into bins that allow me to easily see in a glance what parts I have. At first I was going to build standard shelving, but then I came upon a solution that's inexpensive, easy, flexible and fast. And it looks pretty cool, too!

Step 1: The Storage Bins...

The key to this project is the bins. I picked up these made by Akro-Mils at a local Grainger store. They're also available on the web for $0.90 each, in cases of 24. This is the model that is 5.5" deep by 4" wide by 3" tall. Blue, yellow and green.

The key feature for the bins is the hook along the back, that is designed to fit into their shelving systems.

These bins also have a 3" by 1" slot in the front for a label.

Other brands & models may work well, but I can vouch for these.

Step 2: ...and the Mounting Rails

The hardware I used as mounting rails is actually intended to be flashing for dry wall. It cost about $8 for an 8 foot length, which will hold 23 4" bins. Yeah, the math doesn't work out perfectly there, but the bins are actually a hair wider than 4", and you want a little bit of space between the bins when you hang them.

Step 3: Preparing the Mounting Rails

This is pretty sttraight forwards. Drill a hole at each end and about every foot along the rail. I think I used a 3/16th bit, but it just needs to be large enough for your mounting screws.

Step 4: Mounting the Rails

Using a level, mount the rails on the wall.

This would probably be a fine time to point out the obvious: You should be mounting this on some sort of finished walls, rather than on a wall that's just exposed studs. If you have the latter, hang 4x8 sheet of plywood on the wall, and attach the rails to it.

I seperated the rails by 4 inches, and used a level to guarantee some semblence of levelness. Although I mounted them myself, it probably would have been a bit easier with an assistant.

Step 5: Hang the Shelves on the Rails, Fill With Parts, Label and Resort

Once it's all mounted, hang the bins. I got 92 bins to fit in this space. Amazingly, when I went through all my stuff, I ran out. I guess I'll be building more...

For $150, this gives me a really nice organization scheme. Parts are visible, classified, and easily accessible. I will be investigating using some larger bins in other areas to handle oversized parts, but so far, it's been an unqualified success.

Comments

[bigbadbuzz8]

The metal hanger he used is typically called “metal J-Bead”.

[joshua.bastion]

Dry wall flashing... Genius. Thanks mate, i have shit tonnes of bins, without mounts but its cheaper to buy new sets with rails then rails by themself! Top man.

[ALANC65]

how much weight does it hold?

[RichardP331]

Nice read but the most important part you are sketchy on
There are only a godzillion Sheetrock flashing types
Any clue you could impart which type?

[Mike Begley]

It looks like it's called something like J trim. Here's something that looks correct:

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/drywall/corner-bead/phillips-1-2-x-8-metal-j-bead/jt5hdgmen8/p-1444450726927.htm

I just picked it up at my local Ace hardware. I suspect if you ask for J trim for drywall and show them a picture, they'll be able to find something.

[Kink Jarfold]

Very nice solution to all the little parts I have roaming around my shop.

KJ

[Snowberry]

Nice job, those bins look pretty sturdy, I could only find cheap flimsy ones, I'll check out A G. I'm hoping they have different colors as well. BTW I see you use rafters for clamp storage like me.

[Nick9999]

Very cool. I've also used the steel panels with parts bins https://www.plasticboxes.co.uk/gavanised-steel-lou...

Having the bins angled like that is a good idea. Thanks

[MarkSindone]

Organizing things regardless of where the location is will help to maintain a neat and tidy area to encourage easy retrieval later on. I am in the midst of sorting items out from various rooms around the house before putting the rest up in storage and I think I’m going to start with the workshop with your instructable.

[RickS70]

real nice.....just what I need

[Yonatan24]

That looks so cool!

[huttarl]

Thanks for a helpful instructable. This got me going in the right direction for what I needed. I ended up finding a set of 20 of these bins for $10 at Harbor Freight (including some plastic rails).

[hammer9876]

What no "before" photo? Good instructable!

[Mike Begley]

The before photo would have been a bare plywood wall and a mess of parts scattered all over my workshop, and me desperately hunting for a particularly sized screw in the mess.

[bobzjr]

Mike, I should post some pics of my messy garage - it would certainly be worth a laugh. Hey we should have a contest! I'll try to throw up some samples later today.... Ever find yourself buying the same tool multiple times because you can't find it?

[static]

Speaking about the plywood on the walls, I found it interesting you got a delivery of plywood with so many sheets with the knots lined up. Almost like printed wall paneling.

[noahspurrier]

That's because plywood is made from veneer which is made by "unrolling" a log using a giant peeler. The roll is flattened out to make a veneer. Knots in a log will repeat every time the log rolls back around to the same spot. Of course, the repeats will be a little closer each time because the log diameter gets smaller as the wood is stripped off.

[agatornz]

I am using the large bins - and so used lengths of scrap inch angle iron, cutting off two inch piece, and welding them opposite to each end so they acted as feet.. to keep the rail away from the wall, then drilling through and screwing in... Angle also required a quick dust with the angle grinder to make the edge thin enough to take the bins... - was about to do and instructable on it...

[marc.cryan]

Nice -

I'm using J-channel from the drywall section of home depot, it is about $2 for 10ft.

[kyzla]

I always do this sort of thing by myself... like shelves (the uber simple kind, wood (1"x8"x8') on L brackets) and my husband comes home and just looks in astonishment.
"How? What? You could have waited!"
"You'd only get in the way," I say.

I've been doing it solo for 15 years...
It's almost easier when you're trying to balance the length of wood/flash/bracket/whatnot and the level and the pencil and the drill as opposed to just the pencil.

ha!