As I mentioned recently, we partnered with Home Depot and Husky Tools, where they send over a selection of products for us to review and talk about every couple of months. As it turns out, this is a fantastic arrangement for us, as it is presenting me with both the product solutions and motivation to finally get my garage workshop into the fully productive state I have been working towards.
Translation: we’re in a paid sponsorship with Home Depot, and they’ve sent me everything I need to quit dragging my feet and get my workshop to a presentable and more productive state.
In the mix are some garage storage products that I’m still working with. But first, before I can organize my tools, and rearrange my supplies, I need to declutter.
Sure, little things can go into a drawer temporarily, but bigger things?
I have stuff in bins, on carts, on workbenches, on the floor, in larger drawers, on shelves… and a lot of that stuff doesn’t need to be there.
So, first thing’s first, it’s time to declutter.
Husky sent over a couple of these new 20 gallon professional duty waterproof storage containers to get things started.
I have no shortage of consumer-grade bins and tote boxes, as well as industrial hinged-lid tote boxes and containers.
These are better.
20 gallons is a lot. I have smaller tote boxes, and larger ones. I think that 20 gallons is a great size for bulk storage.
And, these have waterproof lids, with 6 latches all around to keep things secure.
There’s a rubber gasket, and as you can see, the lid is clear. The lid is made from polycarbonate and is said to be very durable and impact resistant, and it certainly feels to be.
Each bin has a 500 lb weight capacity.
I’m sorry – 500 lbs? My industrial storage totes can’t handle anywhere near that much weight.
The bins nest went empty, which is always convenient, and they can also stack together.
Yea… I should have put my veggie garden supplies away already, but better late than never, right?
I really like the clear lids here – they let me easily view the contents of a container.
I mentioned that I have industrial hinged-lid containers, right? And consumer tote bins? I had everything labeled once, but that was before I started decluttering, and now I’ve lost track of what’s in which box. So, I have to take the boxes down and open them all up to view the contents.
With these, I can see right through the lid.
I got tired of never having the wire I needed for certain projects. I have great hook-up wire for small circuits, but the insulation is thinner and less suited for when connectors need to be crimped on.
I like different gauge wires for batteries. A multitude of colors when numerous connections need to be made. My hook-up wire is also quite a bit too expensive for longer runs.
I found a supplier of machine tool wire where I was able to get 500-foot spools of USA-made wire for far less than 100-foot spools of my preferred brand of hook-up wire. The stranded wire isn’t as finely stranded, and the insulation is a little thick, but this stuff was cheap and plentiful.
I now need to make or buy small spools to keep 25′ to 50′ lengths in the workshop, with the rest of these spools going onto a storage shelf.
Into the bin they go, and down to storage they go.
Aside from specialty wiring needs that come up from time to time, I now have plenty of wire for my needs – and then some. And, thanks to this large Husky bin, I’ve got them in a waterproof bin that can handle the weight.
One of the lids is a little tricky to close, but other than that, everything arrived undamaged and trouble-free.
These bins are available in red and black, and they’re priced at $30 each.
About the price – this is more than I typically spend on storage bins. But, my bins will deform under weight, and they’re not waterproof or as air-tight as these seem to be.
For things like the gardening supplies, I cleaned everything before putting them away, but the strong waterproof rating (IP65) means nothing will be getting in, or smells (if any) getting out.
Worried about storing stuff in a humid environment? Desiccant and a container like this will be more effective than the other containers and bins I’ve been using, which also led to some tools developing surface rust somehow.
Do you know what I learned while writing up this post? The lid can be opened on 3 sides and kept connected on the 4th. This allows the clasps to be used as hinges! I can’t do this with any of my other removable lid containers or tote boxes.
I know, you can get an HDX 27 gallon tote box for $8 right now. More ergonomic tote boxes are maybe double that price. This Husky is $30.
What justifies the price?
- Strength
- Durability
- Clear polycarbonate lid
- 500 lb load rating
- Manageable size
The handle recesses are comfortable, and although they’re not as pronounced as some of my other tote boxes, I didn’t have any trouble moving these bins around – except maybe the one I loaded with more than a mile of wire.
Husky says that these are perfect to store tools and accessories on rough, rugged jobsites, and I believe it.
Right now they’re helping me get loose tools and supplies out of the garage workshop. Once that’s done I’ll repurpose them. And you know what? I think I’m going to save one for use with my fertilizers and plant food and related stuff.
I’ve tried a couple of Husky storage containers over the years, and these just might be my favorites. They are definitely going to come in handy over the next few weeks, and likely beyond that as well.
Perhaps one of them would be perfect for storing my dust collection hoses and fittings.
I’m liking these storage boxes much more than I anticipated. They work really well, and offer features usually found in smaller containers with much higher price tags.
The containers measure 26.7″ L x 18.3″ W x 15.3″ H.
Price: $30
