Tip of the day.

[dodge man]

Saving old bolts, nuts and screws.

Years ago when I bought a car that needed restoring, the guy threw all the loose nuts, bolts and screws in this huge coffe can. Half of the stuff didn't go on the car, but were from something else. I'm amazed at how often I need some kind of bolt or other fastner. I think I'm still using nuts and bolts from that old coffe can, but have since organized them into drawers. If you have fastners from some old project, save them, they come in handy in the future.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Saving old bolts, nuts and screws.

Years ago when I bought a car that needed restoring, the guy threw all the loose nuts, bolts and screws in this huge coffe can. Half of the stuff didn't go on the car, but were from something else. I'm amazed at how often I need some kind of bolt or other fastner. I think I'm still using nuts and bolts from that old coffe can, but have since organized them into drawers. If you have fastners from some old project, save them, they come in handy in the future.

Been doing that for nearly 50 years; you're right, the stuff comes in handy from time to time. I have even separated my bolts/nuts into "big bolts" and "little bolts" jars; makes it easier to find what I want that way.

 

[Brake Weight]

I lost the wing nut for my tractor's air filter lid. I poked around in my jar and found that the wing nuts from an old set of strut spring compressors useless locking setup fit just right.

 

[ncnurseryman]

Agreed. I am always scrounging for a tool, nut or bolt just to be sure I don't have something that will work before spending money.

 

[sodamo]

Totally agree, now if I'd only get good at organizing them

 

[boggen]

gave up on the little plastic drawer containers, that have like 20 to 100 little plastic drawers to separate stuff out. and just built some shelves. and use bigger size bins, or caps or small size boxes, to separate stuff. were my actual fingers can actually fit into and push things around and pick something up that i want.

though i do have one container that is mix match of everything, and starting to overflow. that will need some attention some time in sorting through. problem is, mom likes going garage sales, and i end up hitting large hardware stores just at right time, were they are selling off bags of various stuff, for only a few pennies of normally a few bucks cost. it may take a few years to use the stuff, but it all gets used sooner or later.

 

[Brake Weight]

I use clear canisters and jars that I can see into. Different ones hold specific items. Electrical items, machine threaded bolts, wood screws, etc

 

[RobertN]

Last year, my son worked at Boy Scout camp, in the kitchen. I got a dozen of the large cans that veggies/beans/peaches etc come in. Rinsed them out, and have great storage containers. Thses must be a #10 or so; they could easily hold a gallon.

 

[Little_Grizzly]

Yep same here. Used various jars and whatnot. Nailed the lids to the bottom of shelves. That way I can take them down and bring the jar to where I'm working.

 

[LBrown59]

*Been doing that for nearly 50 years;.

My dad did that all his life.
When he died i got his entire collection to add to my collection of 48 years.