Tying storage solution found

[SilverFly]

Posted this on a couple other boards and thought some here might find these useful.

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Well still being in the process of moving, I finally got fed up with all my tying stuff being stored willy-nilly in plastic boxes, ziploc bags, and (I'm ashamed to admit) GARBAGE SACKS! :o

On a hunch, we made a visit to "Swede-Mart" a.k.a "IKEA" thinking those pragmatic scandahoovians might have something simple, modular, and made from actual wood. Aside from the stupendous mistake of visiting Ikea on a Saturday afternoon (never again), - it was an "interesting" and successful experience. Once we got past the "Toto-we're-not-in-Kansas-any-more" sense of surreal disorientation, - we got our bearings and followed the herds down the yellow brick road (if you've been there, you know what I mean). It was kind of fun and wasn't too strange since I've actually been to Scandinavia once.

Anyway I found these neat little storage boxes with 3 sizes of sliding drawers. The plywood they are made from is 5 ply and I think is birch. They are also unfinished so you can stain them to match any existing woodwork or furniture. They are not preassembled but go together quickly with a phillips screwdriver and a small hammer. When I get all my crap organized I think I will build a modular unit to house the individual boxes.

Not for everybody, but at $12.99 a unit, cheap Swedish crap ain't so bad!

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/TyingStorage.jpg (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24353)

[Dr Bob]

Great post! I am still chucking on your description of "Swede Mart". :rofl::rofl: I made the mistake of accompanying my wife there on a Saturday about 5 years ago. :beathead: I have not been back since. I still feel disoriented!!

Those storage boxes are handy. I have some I use for office supplies, but storing fly tying supplies is a great idea. I tend to go to "The Container Store" for my tying storage stuff or Ben Franklin. They have some good things too.

Dr Bob:beer2:

[fredaevans]

Neighbor had a full set of these (plus desk) at her 'garage sale.' Price was next to nothing. Recommend she put a sign on the 'collection' and call it a 'fly tying desk' ..... and quadruple the price. Sold in less than an hour.:beer2:

[SilverFly]

Thanks Doc, glad my warped humor isn't lost on everyone. I might have to check out the Container Store since plastic bins, boxes, trays, what-have-you still have their place, and are useful for sub-dividing the drawers.(especially for hooks, beads, etc..). I especially like the plastic dubbing boxes with the "dispenser hole" (orifice?) in the bottom of each compartment.

Fred, yup it's all in the "marketing"! ;)

My long range plans for these include a modular rack of sorts built to the dimensions of each box. I also think I will take the extra step of reinforcing the corners of the boxes with fiberglass tape and sealing the entire box (and drawers) in marine epoxy after I stain them to match the racks (the glass becomes invisible when wetted with epoxy). Once finished this way, they should be fairly waterproof and it would be easy to grab a box or two when going on a trip (I can probably get my honey's mom to sew up some sort of "carrier"). Of course, portability begs the question of how to organize materials, by material type, or by tying application. I'm thinking application would be best, although similar or exact materials would be distributed among different boxes, and more materials and storage would be needed (is there ever an end to that problem though?).

The carrier bag is the only tricky part but shouldn't be a problem so long as I specify the right fabric. Showing up with a paisley handbag at some of the rivers I fish might be hazardous!

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[Allison]

They tend to have nice pill boxes at dollar stores that are a great way to store hooks and beads. When I say pill box, I'm taking about the kind that old folks use to sort out by the day and morning day and night. I use them for my jewelry making stuff too.

[Loopy]

Great post! I am still chucking on your description of "Swede Mart". :rofl::rofl: I made the mistake of accompanying my wife there on a Saturday about 5 years ago. :beathead: I have not been back since. I still feel disoriented!!

Dr Bob:beer2:

"Swede-Mart" Not heard that before.
:rofl:
Thanks.