These Akro-Mils stacking and hanging organizer bins are a great way to tame a cluttered workbench, rolling tool cart, drawers, or other such areas that might be overrun by stray tools, parts, and supplies.
Everyone’s guilty of workbench clutter. If you’re shaking your head “no,” please share your secrets!
I have dozens of these bins and use them to hold all kinds of stuff.
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A long time ago, I started with Stanley bins that I found at the home center.
I went with Akro-Mils when it was time to order more, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve tried other brands as well, but Akro-Mils tends to be more accessible..
Here’s an example of what you can fit in this particular size of bin.
These bins, model 30210, have outside measurements of 5-3/8″ L x 4-1/8″ W x 3″ H. This is my favorite and most-used size.
You’ll need to source a separate rail or wall panel if you want to hang the bins. I use mine free-standing or in short stacks maybe 90% of the time, with the remainders in tool box drawers.
This size of bin tends to be priced at just under $2/each at industrial suppliers. Sometimes they’re over, but you can find them for less if you shop around or buy in bulk quantities.
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At the time of this posting, Amazon has a 6-pack of red bins for just over $10, and with free shipping for Prime members or $35+ orders for everyone else. That’s a decent low-risk price for anyone who isn’t convinced of their utility yet.
If you want more than 6, Home Depot is selling a case of 24 bins in this size and color for $26.43, and with free shipping, which I’d say is a very good price.
Akro-Mils manufactures these bins in the USA.
Mopar
Looks like Amazon is price matching HD on the 24 pack of red ones right now.
Brad
These are great. I have a pack of them that I believe are 18″ or so front to back. I believe I picked them up “used” from Amazon warehouse for a pittance.
MoogleMan3
I grabbed a bunch of these way back when mcfeely’s had them on sale for something like $.75 each. Quantum brand, but indistinguishable from akro mils. Made in the usa, other than the name stamp, identical.
JD
Wow, is there a way to hang these that doesn’t cost $175?
Stuart
Search for “hanging bin rail,” there are tons of inexpensive options, with most being universally compatible.
JD
Awesome, thanks!! $10.99 is a lot more palatable.
Stuart
Genuine Akro-Mils rails can be pricey https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-30632GY-Single-Louvered-Hanging/dp/B01C5PO9JA/?tag=toolguyd-20 but there are others out there, and you can also go the DIY route.
8020 has a profile for this, or copy their dimensional specs to make your own out of aluminum strips or angle stock. https://8020.net/8508.html
MM
I’m not sure if it’s still a thing, but I bought hundreds of these kinds of bins from Lowe’s over the years. First they were branded ZAG, then the brand changed but the design did not; if I recall correctly the new brand was Stanley. They came in various sizes, and all sizes included modular sections of plastic rail you could screw to a wall or whatever you preferred.
Chris I
These are identical to those at WallControl, which sells a wall hanger piece as well.
MoogleMan3
There’s a ton of DIY options as well if you want to put the time in, the simplest being a steel or aluminum bar screwed to the wall (or cabinet) with a spacer between it and the wall to create the space to hang the bins.
A google search will give you a lot of ideas.
David
Quantum makes a 12” mountable plastic rail that can hold 3 of the small bins. Menards sells it for a buck. I’ve got close to a dozen of these rails in my shop, and they work as well as any solution I’ve found for hanging these bins. Menards is also a good place to get these bins – in the past they’ve had them free after rebate.
https://www.menards.com/main/p-1444451730446-c-9189.htm
Mopar4wd
If you search on craigslist or FB marketplace you can sometimes find these in bulk from companies that aren’t using them or changing them out. I’ve gotten them for less than 50 cents a bin a few times for Akro mills or similar commercial duty ones. I got a bunch of the racks for free once.
Jesse
Thanks for the article, I bought the set from Home Depot! Hoping they’ll work on my French cleat wall
Jack D
I’m always so tempted to pull the trigger on these, and similar bins, but my workshop, even with a comprehensive dust collection system, still drops too much dust, into every bin. Drives me nuts, and the dust captures moisture, of course, which rusts everything…sigh…
These could be handy as an indoor system however…
Stuart
If you look closely at the photos, there are holes. Covers are available for these bins.
Jack D
Ah I see. The holes are the hinge points. Let me dive deeper… thanks!
Stuart
Just to warn you, they are not inexpensive. For a row of boxes, it would be less expensive to fabricate a clear plastic box-like cover for the group.
Jim
I use these in my pantry also. The shelves are typical 16”D wire shelves, so 4” x 16” bins, 8” x 16” bins, and 12” x 16” bins work great.