I’ve been working on long overdue workshop and storage space cleanup and decluttering projects, and have also turned my attention to home storage and organization as well.
It’s not just me, judging by how January is a big month for storage bins and shelving at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, and other such retailers.
I have tried different methods over the years. Right now, some of my spaces require intermediate organization, where I separate what I have and then find different homes for things.
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There’s also like-theme tool samples that arrived during the holiday season, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases.
It’s not that I buy a lot during the holiday season, but that I don’t have time to deliberate certain purchases, especially in the midst of the best tool deals of the year. I also have project supplies mixed in with tool review samples.
What I need is separation.
I bought a couple more Milwaukee Packout crate style tool boxes. Each retails for $50. Acme has 2-packs for $90. Even with a 2-pack discount and the current buy more, save more sale, the price comes down to around $30 each ($90 x 5 sets = $450, $450 – $150 = $300 for 10, or $30 each).
That’s a great price for frequently used boxes. For sorting bins that can be filled, stacked, and then reused for a different purpose, $30 each is a bit much.
There are lots of different totes, but I like the form factor of small crates. I bought milk crates before, and they’re great for some things, but the holes are a problem for small or irregularly-shaped parts.
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That’s where I hoped the Hart crates would come in.
I bought 4, and they were delivered from the local store. A few days later I bought 8 more.
The Hart crates are fairly sturdy, but also a little flimsy. They stack together but don’t latch. I think they’re appropriately priced at $15 each.
I wouldn’t call them no-frills, but they’re also definitely not premium. The bottom lips curl up in some places. The grips are adequate.
Walmart says these crates have an 8.5 gallon capacity, they can hold up to 75 pounds, and can be stacked up to 5 units tall. The temperature range for the rated load capacity is 32 to 95°F.
Long term, after I’m done using them as sorting bins, I’ll likely use my Hart crates for seasonal storage, material cut-offs, and things like that. They’re pretty small and easily fit on various shelving products.
Hart says their crates are “stylish,” and they kind of are.
I definitely think they’re a decent value. I don’t see myself buying more, but I would.
Dimensions: 18.4″ W x 14.6″ D x 9.9″ H.
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Price: $15
COO: Made in USA
A reader (thanks, Jay!) let us know that Lowe’s has a similar Kobalt crate in grey, for $2 more. The product page says it’s normally $19, and right now it’s $17.
fred
Walmart also sells the more traditional open-weave plastic milk-carton-like cube crates for $7.48 each:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Juggernaut-Storage-16QT-Heavy-Duty-Plastic-Square-Milk-Crate-Black/269828837
Stuart
I bought some milk crates https://toolguyd.com/milk-crate-tool-storage/ , and then a bunch more from https://www.milkcratesdirect.com/ . They’re good for a lot of things, but not anything that can fall through or the holes or get easily snagged.
eddiesky
OH THANK YOU for that link! I have the https://www.milkcratesdirect.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=68&product_id=298 versions that you can stack, lock, zip tie (someone tampered) and hold alot. I got mine from Global but these are cheaper. A set of 3 for $45! Thats same as the Hart crates pricing.
I’ve had collectables stored for 20 years now in a set…they hold up and aren’t flimsy. Plus I color code for things like garden tools, collectables, …
Stuart
For flip-hinge totes, I’ve had fantastic experiences with Akro-Mils and Quantum. I’ve also been switching to clear-wall HDX 27 gallon totes from Home Depot for longer-term storage, but still like flip-hinge totes for active storage, moving things around, and regularly-accessed contents.
The price will be a bit higher with shipping.
Zoro’s price for the Quantum 12-gallon in gray (QDC2115-12) would come out to around $20.50 each after coupon, and you get free shipping over $50. Akro-Mils has color options but considerably higher prices. The Milk Crate price seems reasonable.
I have a couple of Akro-Mils wheeled bases that work well for rolling around stacks.
Fowler
Costco has some really nice clear flip-top bins for like $10-12. At work I mostly use Lowe’s Project Source which are $14.
They’re not as heavy-duty as actual commercial shipping versions, but still some of the sturdiest bins I’ve seen in retail stores
eddiesky
Quantum would be best deal at zoro, thanks! One thing about the HDX lids (yellow ones) that are also on the solid black ones you see elsewhere is that over time, the lids crack. I’ve had three just break…and they are also pain to open, to lift edge of that lip… I didn’t have anything heavy on top of it, but not sure if there are knockoff ones or that the yellow plastic material “has issues”.
Side note: I have several Coleman storage containers…think like they are like coolers with red flip up lockable side handles, and a large, grey, injected-molded lid like their coolers. They store stuff well but when empty, you cannot nest so they take up space. Also sides are hard to grip to move.
Tip: Even those Quantum and Akro-Mills hinged lids have narrow hand grips so do overload the containers.
Jared
You answered my question before I could even ask it. I was thinking: “Why not a milk crate?”
They’re cheaper and plenty robust – but that’s a good point about small items.
I have shelving in my shop with a bunch of them, stacked two rows deep. I like them for storing spray paints, greases, oils, glues, tape, etc – things like that, which are not going to fall though holes in the basket, but are small-enough to be annoying if I have to move them around individually to get at something.
Ben
Straight wall containers from Uline are very reasonable and adaptable. They are also extremely robust for the price. They stack well and you can buy lids for them. I’ve used these in machine shops as well as woodshops. My favorite go to bin.
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-19507BLU/Straight-Wall-Containers/Straight-Wall-Container-15-x-12-x-7-1-2-Blue?FromOrderHistory=Y
Stuart
Those are similar to the divided industrial totes I use. Small handles, lower capacity. 0.5 cubic feet is around 3.74 gallons, vs 8.5 for the crates above.
Divided totes don’t have smooth walls, but they’re durable and I like that different sizes and colors are available.
LGonToolGuy'd
Stuart, not specifically for you, but I’m putting this out for help to find milk crates that are not crazy prices that can actually fit a record in. 12.5-13″ inner width ideal.
Stuart
IKEA? I don’t see anything with a quick search, but I know they’ve been popular for such needs in the past.
Rob H
https://www.milkcratesdirect.com/super-crates/
The super crates specifically reference storing records in them. They also have them in half-height.
DRT42
I have a couple of applications where I am using traditional milk crates and the holes are causing problems. Have to say, those Hart crates might be perfect upgrades.
Saulac
Not stackable is a no-go for me.
Stuart
They are stackable, but not lockable. Stacking them requires a little care to ensure they’re nested properly.
Saulac
Sorry I probably used the wrong term. I meant nesting inside each other, like paper cups. Which requires the bottom smaller than the opening. Which, in turn, make them not stackable on top of each other without turning side way for some form of lid. I am surprised by how cheap these are, especially the milk crates. Just getting them to the stores must have taken decent shipping cost since they don’t nested to save space.
Stuart
Ah. Yes, they are not tapered and don’t nest.
Scottaroo
Stuart said they do stack. They do not latch though.
Jay Ritchie
Reading the Walmart comments Lowe’s has same crate in gray. HD guy here but rather buy Lowe’s than Walmart. $2 more a crate tho.
Stuart
Thanks! Added it to the post. I’ve known about the Hart for a bit, haven’t seen the Kobalt.
Andy H
I have dozens of the Lowes crates. Every time they go on sale, I buy several. My local Lowes doesn’t keep them at eye level, so I always have to ask an employee to bring them down from the topmost shelf at the back of the store.
These crates are extremely robust. They stack perfectly. They’re high-quality moldings. I love them for garage and house storage.
I also keep several in the capped bed of my truck.
I’ve converted a couple of them into fishing crates that I strap to my Hobie fishing kayaks, with waterproof batteries, wiring connectors, 360 lights, rod-holders, etc.
I also use these crates on my boats.
ken
How low does the price go when on sale? They are currently $17 – do they go lower?
G G
Looks like the sale price is $17 – $19 normally.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Kobalt-Stackable-Crate/5001974065
Mitherial
I also have been using and am very pleased with the Lowes Kobalt crates, which appear to be the same size and weight-rating as these Hart crates.
They aren’t quite as sturdy as the (much more expensive) Packout crates, but they are a good bit lighter, and *much* more sturdy than the traditional milk-crate. In addition to tradtional storage/organization, I keep one in the back of my vehicles for holding miscellaneous stuff.
Mitherial
A less-obvious advantage of these Kobalt crates (and presumably their Hart knock-offs) is that they are smooth-sided and perfectly balanced to pick-up.
The Packout crate, of necessity, has the packout cleats sticking out one side and bottom, and has a generally more complicated “shape” that makes them noticeably less ergonomically friendly, though they do latch together, which is a plus.
Dallas
I’ve picked up a few of these over the last few months. They’re a good size, big enough to fit a decent amount but not so big that you want to overload them. They have slots where you could cut some 3/4” plywood for dividers if you wanted to get fancy. They’ve been a good middle ground between milk crates and more expensive husky/packout/insert-other-stacking-system crates.
John
Made in USA.
That’s welcome, and surprising!
Stuart
There are a number of USA-based plastic molding companies that already produce simple tool boxes, crates, and containers. I’d be surprised if they weren’t made here.
CA in NJ
Farmplast (the milkcrate company) makes them up the road from me here in NJ. I’d imagine that it’s not economical to ship these across the ocean as they don’t nest. The warehouse is wild. Stacks of crates 30 feet high. They have forklifts with special pincer-type attachments to pick up whole stacks and move them around.
Joe E.
These look much better than the USPS flat rate boxes I’m using to hold items. Guess I’ll be heading to Walmart!
Dave
*Misuse of USPS boxes may be a violation of federal law.
🙈🙉🙊
Joe E.
Not if they’re used and shipping has already been paid for.
ToolGuyDan
A couple small things:
Overdo -> overdue
Seasonable -> seasonal
Feel free to delete this comment. 🙂
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
The first one was a slip because I kept thinking that I’ve been overdoing it with my cleaning. The second… maybe I had “reasonable” on my mind.
CMF
Not this post, but related to all posts in general, Stuart; wasn’t there a box to click and we would get notified when someone responded or added a comment?
Stuart
I had to deactivate that option because of a site-breaking bug the service provider introduced with a new “features update,” even though the dependent feature was deactivated.
They fixed the big, but then there have been more. Every time I open a support ticket, they have me going through lengthy processes before they shrug, and then a month later “oh we found the problem and fixed it.”
They’ve also started nickel and diming for features. They introduced paid subscription options, which is the update that broke the site, and I’m convinced they’re going to put all advanced comment features behind another paywall.
The parent company announced they’ve slashed manhours towards free and open source feature updates, and will focus more on for-fee services (such as the one I’ve had problems with). That wouldn’t be so bad if they worked properly and weren’t outlandishly priced.
I’ve been switching features and services away from that provider, not just because of the bugs and nickel and diming, but because of the bloat and impact to speed, and there’s no other replacement other than completely replacing the comment system with a 3rd party package, which I don’t want to do.
How does a deactivated feature break the entire site? That’s part of the bloat. I can’t turn it back on without activated a lot of adjacent packages, and for various reasons, including others not mentioned here (https://www.google.com/search?q=automattic+drama), I’ve been flipping the switches on other features as quickly as I’ve been able to find suitable replacements. I haven’t found a replacement for comment subscriptions.
Dave
Somewhat related, is there a way to view all comments that we’ve made?
Stuart
No. In the backend, I can search all comments by email address.
But as there are no user accounts, that type of search is unavailable to you.
There are 56 comments listed for your email address, going back to December 2016.
There could have been others, but comments disappear for deleted posts.
Dave
December 2016! ToolGuyd 4 life! 😆
First discovered this site working as an Engineer for Honda and have been a near daily visitor since. Keep it up. 👍🏻
CMF
Too bad that is the case, and thanks for the explanation. All too often, we that live on the front end, rarely know what needs to go on in the back-end…so that everything looks pretty and keeps working in the front.
Al
Thanks for this, Stuart. Heading to local Lowes today to grab some.
I have a bunch of sturdy milk crates, but they’re impossible to keep clean. I built a lid for the ones under my drill press, but collect shavings through the side.
Hopefully made in USA injection moldings.
Al
Picked up a few grey crates from Lowes. The mold marks are sharp, so will hit them with a sander to knock it down
They’re good enough for garage work. I keep one on top of the freezer to transport foods to the house. Good size to fit through a doorway and hold multiple objects.
They are stiffer than the milk crates that I have. And they clean out easily with the swipe of a rag or a hit of compressed air. Milk crates gather dust and are impossible to get clean, even in a bathtub or shower. I think these crates will be less likely to harbor spiders and their egg sacs.
Frank D
Speaking of crates.
What happened to the Ridgid ones?
I have loved the Ridgid Crates with their sturdy interlocking handles, probably have like nine of them; but I have not been able to buy any extras for probably 12 months now. It is like they have been pulled off the market / discontinued … along when the new series 2 boxes were announced.
Mr. C
So, I was *exactly* where you are at now, with the exact same issue. I did some homework — here’s what I learned.
They still make them. But they’re released about once a month or every other month, in small batches of less than 100. They’re NOT in-store — you must order online. And they disappear within hours of when they’re posted.
No, you will NOT be notified when they’re back in stock if you use Home Despot’s email auto-notification thingy.
I was able to buy four of them a few weeks ago, at $34.98 each. I saw them mid-afternoon…and they were gone before 10pm.
What can you do? Open a tab to that crate at HD, and refresh it several times a day for a month or two. It’s an annoyingly manual process, but it worked for me.
Frank D
Thank you for letting me know.
I am not exactly in dire need of more, as I can shuffle stuff around to other types of crates if needed. But, I like the system and can fit a number of them easily on my shelving system, I can interlock them when they go in my van to stack some two three high, etc.
I will keep an eye out on the HD page to get a few more.
Thanks.
Champs
I’ve been making custom crates by ripping dimensional lumber and practicing different joinery techniques. Cheap project to get exactly what you want, develop new skills, and find your own style.
ElectroAtletico
Flimsy is a fair way to describe them. I’ll stick with the Husky.
ChuckR
About that 95º thing… I live in Phoenix soooo… maybe these aren’t good for the garage here lol. I’m assuming at maximum load and fully stacked that might be an issue? But our garage easily gets to 100+ during the summer.
John
Bought 3 yesterday with same day local delivery. No complaints other than sharp edges in the handle area from the molding. They are not as thick and rigid as Milwaukee crates, but you can buy 3 Harts for the price of one Milwaukee. For general use, they will work great.
TomD
That 32º worries me – as I’ve experienced too many plastic boxes and crates that the moment they get below freezing they shatter.
Mr. C
I went to a walmart today to give them the ol’ kick-the-tires test.
As others have said, the handles are a bit sharp, but nothing that a quick pass with a deburring tool can’t fix.
The ribs really do add to the structural integrity of the crate, but you can feel a tiny bit of lateral twisting and flex in the bottom…even when empty.
It’s not a terrible crate — in fact, I’d argue it’s rather decent. But I hesitated buying any for myself. I’m already invested in the Ridgid system — and for $35, I can get their crates that are bigger but massively more durable.
I can’t imagine this would hold up to heavy duty or challenging environments. It’d be an absolute no-go for a contractor. But for casual home storage, it’s pretty decent. I think I’d be more swayed if they were $10 or less.
Neil H
I bought a couple – they were delivered next day. They are nice to sort and store some junk I had strewn around so this will help. I might buy some more but they aren’t really a good deal when you compare it to the yellow top boxes that are 27 gallon for about $12?
SteveP
Still seems like a lot of money for some recycled (? we could hope) plastic.
I suspect a large part of the cost is just their sheer bulk and how many could be fit into a 40′ trailer/container. They are undoubtedly made in Asia so the shipping is probably half the price. And they take up a lot of shelf space for not much profit
Stuart
As mentioned in the post, these crates are Made in USA.
Can you recommend an alternative that i) doesn’t nest, ii) is approximately the same size, iii) made in USA, iv) less expensive?
Daniel
This post was timely for me. I needed some crates to go under a new 4 foot work bench I built. These looked like they would fit the bill perfectly.
Finally got a chance to pick some up the other day. Fit 3 side by side and it looks like the bench was built for them.
I went with the grey from Lowes.
Thanks Stuart!
Stuart
I’m glad it worked out! I’ve been using mine quite a bit. They’re definitely less robust than other crates – such as Packout’s – but for standalone totes that can stack (but not lock), I’ve been very pleased.
John L
“Buy once, cry never”. Ive tried every brand of storage bins, nothing beats the “Really useful box” brand Staples sells. The online price is cheaper than in store and they frequently offer coupons. I buy online and pickup in store an hour later. Lids are all clear, boxes are clear, blue, or smoke grey. Strong enough to stand on one with the lid on. Try one, youll never go back.
https://www.staples.com/really-useful-box-64-liter-snap-lid-storage-bin-transparent-blue-64l-tb/product_356539
Stuart
I’ve been buying smaller Really Useful Boxes for organization, but the pricing gets prohibitive.
You can get 17 gallon bins in black for $10, or clear-walled for $15, compared to $36 each.