It's easy for a workbench to become cluttered when a project calls for several types and sizes of screws, washers, nuts, and other hardware. Add a few frequently used hand tools, and pretty soon you're hunting through piles of parts instead of woodworking.
This compact small parts organizer keeps everything needed for the job in one place. Two rotating trays hold shallow containers for fasteners, while a deeper tray on top provides a convenient landing spot for small tools and larger parts.
Make the Fastener Trays
The organizer has two trays made from hardboard and plywood. Each tray holds four shallow containers.
The openings shown here are sized for six-ounce tuna cans, but there's nothing special about that particular container. You can size the openings to match whatever shallow cans or containers you have available.
Start by cutting the two hardboard tray pieces to size. Then use a circle cutter at the drill press to make the four openings in each piece.
Cut the plywood bases and glue them to the hardboard trays. A roundover along the upper edges of the hardboard gives each tray a smoother, finished feel.
Add the Spacer Blocks
A hardwood spacer block separates the two fastener trays. Besides providing clearance, the spacer keeps the containers open and visible so you can easily see and grab the hardware you need.
Glue the spacer blocks to the trays as shown in the drawing.
The center of the spacer on the middle tray has a through hole, while the spacer on the bottom tray receives a threaded insert. These become part of the center post that holds the organizer together.
Build the Top Tool Tray
The upper tool tray starts with a plywood bottom. Thin, 1/8"-thick hardwood strips glued around the edges create the sides.
This deeper tray is a handy place for the items that don't belong in the small containers — a screwdriver, hex keys, measuring tools, pencils, or larger pieces of hardware.
Make the handle from hardwood and ease its upper edges with a 1/4" roundover bit. Glue the handle inside the tool tray, then drill through the tray bottom into the handle for another threaded insert.
Assemble the Organizer
Thread the center rod into the insert in the bottom tray. Then add the spacer, a fender washer, and the middle tray.
The fender washers allow the trays to spin freely, making it easy to rotate the organizer until the hardware you need is right in front of you.
Finally, screw the upper tool tray in place.
Woodsmith Tip: Organize by Project. Instead of treating this as permanent hardware storage, load the organizer with the fasteners and small parts needed for the project you're currently building. When the project is finished, put the remaining hardware back in your main storage system and reload the organizer for the next job.
That keeps commonly used parts at the bench without covering your worksurface with half-empty boxes and containers.
Shop Storage & Organization
A well-organized shop means less time searching for tools, hardware, and supplies — and more time woodworking. Explore our collection of shop storage and organization ideas for clever ways to maximize your space, reduce clutter, and keep everything within easy reach.
EXPLORE SHOP STORAGE & ORGANIZATION → Get More Organized in the Shop
