DIY Hardware Sorting Tray for Screws, Nuts & Bolts
Every woodworking shop has at least one container filled with miscellaneous screws, nuts, bolts, washers, and other hardware. These leftover fasteners are worth saving, but finding the one you need can be frustrating.
Usually, that means dumping the entire container onto the workbench, sorting through the pile, and then trying to gather everything up again.
A simple shop-made hardware sorting tray makes the job much easier. It provides a shallow surface for spreading out fasteners so you can quickly find what you need. And thanks to a clever built-in funnel, returning the unused hardware to its container is just as easy.
Best of all, this handy workshop accessory is a straightforward woodworking project that uses basic joinery and a replaceable melamine sorting surface.
A Simple Solution for Sorting Small Hardware
The inspiration for this project came from an unexpected place: a pharmacy.
Pharmacists often use shallow trays to sort small items before transferring them into containers. The same idea works perfectly for the collection of miscellaneous fasteners found in most woodworking shops.
Instead of scattering hardware across your workbench, simply pour the contents of your container into the tray.
The shallow sides keep everything contained while providing plenty of room to spread out the hardware.
You can quickly sort through screws, nuts, bolts, washers, and other small parts without worrying about pieces rolling off the bench.
Once you've found what you need, the remaining hardware can be returned to its container in seconds.
A Built-In Funnel Makes Cleanup Easy
The feature that makes this sorting tray especially useful is the funnel at one end.
After sorting through the hardware, simply tilt the tray and guide the remaining fasteners toward the opening.
The funnel directs the pieces back into their storage container, eliminating the hassle of gathering up loose hardware by hand.
This is particularly helpful when working with small screws, washers, and nuts that are difficult to pick up individually.
The funnel also makes the tray convenient for sorting hardware from several different containers without mixing everything together.
How to Build a Shop-Made Hardware Sorting Tray
The construction of this tray is straightforward, making it a practical project for using leftover material from other woodworking projects.
The tray consists of a shallow wooden frame, a recessed bottom, and a removable melamine sorting surface.
Assemble the Wooden Frame
The sides of the tray are connected to the front and back using tongue-and-dado joinery.
This creates a strong, accurately aligned frame while keeping the construction simple.
The tray bottom is rabbeted along its edges to fit into grooves cut in the frame pieces.
These joints help keep the assembly square and provide a secure foundation for the sorting surface.
Add the Melamine Sorting Surface
A piece of melamine serves as the main sorting surface.
The smooth surface makes it easy to spread out small hardware and slide fasteners toward the funnel when you're finished.
The melamine is attached with screws rather than glue, so it can be removed and replaced if it becomes chipped or damaged.
This is a useful feature for a shop accessory that may see regular use with metal hardware.
Create the Funnel Opening
The melamine panel is positioned so its thickness creates a recessed area at one end of the tray.
This recess helps direct hardware toward the funnel opening when the tray is tilted.
With the funnel built into the frame, there's no need for a separate scoop or container to gather up the leftover fasteners.
How to Use the Hardware Sorting Tray
Using the tray couldn't be much simpler.
- Pour out the hardware. Empty a container of miscellaneous screws, nuts, bolts, or washers onto the tray.
- Spread out the fasteners. Move the hardware around on the smooth melamine surface to find the pieces you need.
- Collect what you need. Remove the selected fasteners for your woodworking project.
- Return the leftovers. Tilt the tray toward the funnel and guide the remaining hardware back into its container.
The raised sides help keep the hardware contained throughout the process.
And because the sorting surface is smooth and easy to clean, you can use the tray repeatedly without much maintenance.
More Ways to Use a Hardware Sorting Tray
Although this tray was designed for miscellaneous woodworking hardware, it can be useful for organizing all kinds of small shop supplies.
Use it to sort:
- Wood screws and machine screws
- Nuts, bolts, and washers
- Shelf pins and small brackets
- Dowels and other small woodworking components
- Assorted fasteners from disassembled projects
The tray is especially handy when you're trying to identify matching hardware from a mixed collection.
Rather than keeping everything spread across the workbench, you can sort through the pieces and quickly return the leftovers to storage.
A Handy Addition to Your Workshop
Good shop organization doesn't always require elaborate cabinets, drawers, or storage systems.
Sometimes a simple accessory can solve an everyday frustration.
This shop-made hardware sorting tray is a perfect example. It keeps miscellaneous fasteners contained, makes it easier to find the pieces you need, and provides a convenient way to return unused hardware to its container.
With straightforward construction, a replaceable melamine surface, and a clever built-in funnel, it's a useful project that can make your woodworking shop a little more efficient.
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