Workshop Storage Organizer From Old Canisters

by inspiredStudio

11K9921

Intro: Workshop Storage Organizer From Old Canisters

Easy way to recycle/up-cycle your (and maybe your friends) empty jerrycans. I’ve been using jerrycans for storing stuff for some time now, but recently I’ve made some tiny improvements and I’m quite happy with the results.

The result looks neat, stuff is protected from the dust, organized, it's easy to build, cheap, robust and helps the planet a little by re-purposing old canisters.

STEP 1: Tools

Exacto knife will be our main tool

Optional: Masking tape, sharpie.

STEP 2: Cleanup

Remove stickers asap if possible and clean look is desired. As the years pass the sticker will be harder to remove. If needed clean canisters from inside and out.

STEP 3: Side Cuts

Lets make a cuts using our exacto knife in the middle of those sides, so both, the canister and its lid will stay rigid. Do not cross the reinforcement ridges i marked with red lines.

STEP 4: Top Cut

Next lets cut top part of the opening lid, i like to cut just before the ridge to keep the containers rigidity. Optionally you can cut a small pull hole for easier opening, i prefer not to.

STEP 5: Finishing Touches

Bend the lid to 180 degrees, fully opened position, couple of times so it could open/close smoother. Masking tape is good and cheap way of making labels for organizers. You can always peel them easily of when reorganizing.

STEP 6: Complete

Of course the units are not meant for everyday usage but more for organized storage. In my case I made special shelf from scrap wood specially for those canisters. They are stackable, but in my practice it's better to stack 2..3 on top of each other, no more. I have 2 shelves in my garade workshop that uses old canisters.

14 Comments

bonedanc3r 2 years ago

This is a genius idea, reusing materials, the lip of the canisters also prevent the items from falling out, and built in handles! Great job/idea

nixo007 2 years ago

It very helpfull, I wanted to buy plastic organizers, but this is simpler and beter. I will do it

inspiredStudio 2 years ago

One small step towards cleaner planet by recycling! ;)

TerrenceNZ 2 years ago

Awesome, just wondering how many OCD types look at your finished rack and scream, the left side blue cap on the top row, the red and black caps caps in the second shelf, that is something I would have done to annoy one of my mates, he hates coming into my workshop ;)

inspiredStudio 2 years ago

Yeah I know, it bothers me a LOT, but did'nt want to draw attention to it. It as been already replaced ;)

silkier 2 years ago

Great idea, beautifully and simply executed.
Love it

leggs1959 2 years ago

This is a great idea for recycling cat litter jugs!

inspiredStudio 2 years ago

I have'nt seen cat litter in jugs in our country, but why not, as long as it's rigid enough it's a good storage unit.

bjm1950 2 years ago

Bloody brilliant idea mate, thanks for sharing!
Now I know what I'm going to do with all my all empty milk containers I've been saving.
As a great bonus, we keep them out of landfill.
To make it simpler for the cutout, I'll make a template that I can tape on. In this way all the cutouts will be uniform.

inspiredStudio 2 years ago

You are right. keeping them out of landfill is one of it's main purposes. I did not have enough containers myself, so I’ve been asking my friends to keep them for me as well. As the years go by I try harder to recycle and produce less waste.

svarti1 2 years ago

Excellent instructable.