More than 13 years ago – thanks Amazon order history! – I purchased a 3-pack of this Stanley FatMax roll-top parts bin,
I’ve used it over the years, barely, but it was always one of my favorites because of how unique the design was.
The 3-pack of bins came with a wall hanger for mounting them in an Akro-Mils kind of way.
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Each bin had a fairly comfortable and robust tube-style handle, and a somewhat flimsy roll-top-style cover.
You could stack the bins, or nest them if the cover was opened, which I didn’t see a point in doing.
Stanley FatMax described these as a modular portable storage container for small parts and hand tools.
It was a neat concept that worked reasonably well. I was a big fan of the concept, although it never quite fit my needs.
The bins were fairly large, making them suitable for bulk part storage. I used mine as repositionable catch-alls.
I spent $12.26 on the 3-pack, and as mentioned that’s in 2011 dollars.
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Unfortunately, you can’t buy this anymore.
I was looking to see when I bought my folding crates (I ordered a dolly for them 10 years ago), and came across the FatMax bins in my order history. It seemed like an interesting product to revisit.
It should be possible to adapt some of the features to existing hanging wall bins, especially with the use of a 3D printer.
I believe I gave away all but one of them. As much of a fan I still am of the concept, I never used these bins to their full potential.
If they were still available, would you pick up a set?
See Also: Organize Your Cluttered Workbench with Stacking Bins
Jared
That is unique – I’m not sure I would actually use that though. It seems like the roll top would be kind of awkward and slow. Plus if it’s not that robust, I think it would end up being more annoying that useful. E.g. if you can’t use it while stacked, then it seems like a flip top would be both faster and easier.
Tim B.
It looks like an interesting alternative to the run-of-the-mill Akro bins… can’t say I’ve ever seen one like that before! May not be overly necessary for your standard fixed work area / workbench application… but one area that comes immediately to mind where something like that could be incredibly useful is on a mobile bin organizer rack (have used them in a few previous job environments) where sometimes things get bounced around a bit.
Steven Phillips
I like them, don’t know if I would but them or not though, depending on if I had a specific need/applicaion for them or not.
MM
I find the design confusing. I’ve used an awful lot of hanging parts bins in the past, either hanging as intended or in drawers or shelves. The point is that they are space-efficient, economical in bulk, and easily labeled at the front of the bin. This bin has a large handle at the front, making them a lot less space-efficient, and blocking the labeling surface at the front.
It looks like the point was to make a hybrid between a normal hanging bin and something portable you can grab and take with you? Maybe some folks have a use for that but I don’t. If I did need grab-and-go bins I wouldn’t buy these given that the cover is opaque, and apparently flimsy. A flimsy cover on something meant to be portable is a failure right out of the gate. I also don’t like the fact that it’s hard to carry around more than one or two of them at a time. Modular systems like packout, toughsystem, etc, make a lot more sense to me. It’s easier to see the contents at a glance and units can be locked together to make it easier to carry more than one thing at once.
Stuart
Most hanging parts bins are used to keep parts and supplies at a fixed location, whether on a rack, in a cabinet, in a drawer, or on a benchtop, and you can remove them for carrying to another fixed location such as a workstation.
I see these as being more focused on portability while offering multiple in-between storage options.
I like the concept because it was different, and I have zero regrets about buying it for exploration purposes.
It was just over $12 for 3. I didn’t use them to their full potential, but still got my money’s worth over the years.
MM
I understand what they were trying to do, I just think the compromise idea they had makes the design not work well for either bulk storage or portability.
The handle wastes space and obscures labeling. This makes the bins objectively worse for traditional storage on a rack or shelf. That compromise was made in the name of portability. But, if the lid isn’t secure then just how portable are they? And how practical are they for mobile work if you have to carry each bin individually?
Sure, some workshops are messy and a lid is nice to keep grime out of your stuff. But a roll-top lid with lots of valleys and a sliding track seems like it has loads of places to trap sawdust, machining chips, etc, and would be a puzzling choice.
I think there’s good reason this product is no longer available. I’m sure you got your money’s worth out of it but that’s not saying a whole lot. You only bought one set, and according to the article you barely used them, then gave them away. That doesn’t sound like a glowing endorsement.
There’s probably some niche they were great for but I don’t think they’re of much general interest.
eddiesky
I need to see what is there and how few are left. One could label all the bins but you still need to see contents. Now, step to open, then close.
Unless you are in a messy shop and dust, sawdust, debris accumulate in the bins. Then this could be ideal. $4 each is alot if you need 30 bins. Plus they are only one size, unlike those red, blue and yellow or grey larger parts bins you see hanging on metal wall plates or vertical cart.
Would also want a lockable version, as I might have small, expensive parts and don’t want kids or neighbor accessing (stainless fasteners, brass or bronze plumbing parts…)
Stuart
If you’re in a messy shop you can add flip tops to standard Akro-Mils bins, but it’ll likely cost you more than $4 per complete bin. They won’t have a handle and you won’t be able to tilt them vertically.
If you need 30 portable bins, you can get a few of these – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-packout-tilt-bin-organizer/%3C/a%3E .
Lockable? https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/logix-usa-tool-box-deal/%3C/a%3E or similar.
I had 3 and they were useful. Not everything is going to be the ultimate organizational solution for 99% of all users or workshops.
Fowler
Someone is going to design this as a 3d print and it will explode in popularity. People love print-in-place roll tops
Stuart
I’d love to see that; hopefully providing some inspiration was part of my intent for this post.
fred
They almost look like a heavy-duty version of roll-top floppy (5.25inch) disk bins that I once had
Blocky
Please tell us more about your folding crates.
Stuart
I bought a bunch of folding crates from Polymer Logistics. I can’t find my order history, but if I recall correctly they didn’t cost much more than consumer models.
As they specialize in retail packaging, accessories were available such as a 4-wheel dolly with spring-action pins that hold the bottom stacking crate in place.
It seems the company was bought out a few years ago. I can’t find my crate orders, but I ordered at least the dolly from Zoro.
Sometimes they’re in use for months at a time, other times they’re folded up until I need them again.