Perfect Storage for DIY Mixers (IMHO)

[Dracconus]

Sometime last month, my wife, and I went to WalMart to get a few childproofing things for the house since our baby's learning how to walk, and climb things (she's better at climbing.) Back to topic: We walked into the makeup aisle, and were getting a few things for her when we saw a "Caboodle" makeup case that was fairly large, and costs only 29.99. Hers has a very feminine design, and didn't really attract my attention until I was using the bathroom (which seems to be when I get all of my brilliant ideas TBH) when it struck me that with it's multiple pull out compartments, and large bottom storage area it would be PERFECT for all of my mixing utensils/tools provided my flavor bottles fit.

So I went to my desk area, pulled out my DIY box made of Cardboard, and zip ties (Yeah, awesome, right!) and started stacking stuff into her box...Lo and behold, everything fit JUST FINE! From 10ml syringes, to 30ml Bottles, even my 150ml PG/VG/Base bottles, AND my HUGE "King" butane bottle that I use for my torch lighter (that will be oxidizing the steel mesh I have coming in the mail.)

This thing is perfect in my honest opinion for most "simple" DIY mixers that need something fairly cheap, and with very good storage size.
For those that use 50ml bottles if you don't want to put them in the bottom, then you can put them on the two topmost L&R top drawers as the lid closes above them quite ab bit providing the room you'd need.

Below are a few pics with my current setup. I've got A LOT more coming in the mail within the next week so I'll put up pics after I get all the rest.

BTW, I coated my syringes in Superglue to keep them from fading while mixing, but I do NOT re-use them.
Anyone that wants to ask where I get my needles, I get them from the hospital my wife works at. Anytime they open something that hasn't been used in surgery they have to trash it, so I figure, hey, why not...I get free lap clots (like HUGE super absorbent paper towels) needles, syringes, and gloves, so it's pretty perfect xD Plus since it locks it's PERFECT for keeping my curious 1 year old out of my stuff.

Pics following, and yes, I know it's not very manly...YET...but wait till I get my camo paint on this bad boy, and powder coat the steel...or just chrome plate it at my Families Chrome Plating shop.


Sorry about my daughter being in the pic...she's VERY curious about all the stuff I block her off from in my desk area ^_^

The pics are actually larger than they're displaying in the thread. Just right click, and copy image url, then browse to it if you are concerned with seeing the edges of them.

OLD SETUP (Warning don't try making one of these if you're not crafty, and have a HELL of a lot of time...smaller areas require needlenose pliers, and a lot of patience to zip tie closed...

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New Storage Solution:

 

[four2109]

I guess I'm out of touch, what's the butane for?

 

[Dracconus]

The butane is for my green torch lighter that's on the top left.
I'm going to use it for oxidizing purposes, as well as for my silica wicks - all of which is coming in the mail.

IT's cheaper than a chefs torch, and safer too...so yeah ^_^ Minimal modding will give blue flame.

 

[onry]

im not into DIY juices YET but that is the stuff right there.
i think a trip to walmart is in order.
good thing it is my birthday today so i
guess i get a makeup case for my birthday.
that just DOESN'T sound right coming from a guy

 

[Berylanna]

Are you saying this locks? Or are you just going to keep it up high?

I bought a small lockable box and found out it is amost not UNlockable....so...quality matters too.

 

[Dracconus]

Are you saying this locks? Or are you just going to keep it up high?

I bought a small lockable box and found out it is amost not UNlockable....so...quality matters too.

My apologies, entirely. YES! This box DOES lock. It uses the hinge latch with a locking mechanism, and has one on the left, and right of the carry handle. I'll include a picture of the top here in a bit, and add it to the original post.
Thanks for bringing that up, as it was the PRIMARY purpose behind getting it - to keep my daughter out of my goodies. ^_^

 

[MintHat]

That storage box is badass! lol

 

[ppatel2001]

Ive been looking for some type of storage...looks like this might fit the bill...thanks for the pictures

 

[Dracconus]

I've included a pic of the hinge/latch locking mechanism that's on the top.
Also noteworthy, there are 19.99, and 29.99 versions. This is the 29.99 version. The 19.99 would probably only be good for single flavor mixers, and minor needle/syringe storage, due to its general lack of dimensions.
Glad you all like the post. Always feels good to help people save money any way I can.
Also, I've tried SEVERAL (some up to 60 dollars) tackle boxes, sewing storage, craft storage, and sterilite drawers.
They work, but this feels like it's MADE for DIY'ing. Everything fits pretty much JUST right.

 

[Dracconus]

im not into DIY juices YET but that is the stuff right there.
i think a trip to walmart is in order.
good thing it is my birthday today so i
guess i get a makeup case for my birthday.
that just DOESN'T sound right coming from a guy

Believe it or not, some of these are fairly masculine. They had one that was all black, with powder coated edges, and looked slightly less industrial, and more masculine than this one, but I just didn't feel like using it due to it containing makeup within it.
You can alternatively check out beauty supply stores, makeup supply stores for studio makeup artists, and caboodle's website for other options, as well as ebay, amazon, and the likes.

 

[Jacoji]

Kaboodles started out as pink tackle boxes (fishing). Tackle boxes might be cheaper and in most all cases more masculine. I think it is pretty common for them to have latches that are possible to pass a small cable lock through.

(Just finally noticed previous comment that mentioned tackle boxes - apologies for duplication).

 

[Dracconus]

The depth, and sizes of the compartments, and how "tightly" everything seems to fit is what attracts me to them the most, honestly. With tackle boxes I'd have to fill most spots with stupid crap I didn't really want to buy a ton of like drip tips just to fill the smaller parts that nothing else would fit in.

 

[Jacoji]

I looked at your pictures more closely and that is a really great case for the price. Kaboodle has come a long way since 1991.

 

[Dracconus]

This is the one I have, if anyone's looking for it specifically.
I looked at Caboodles website, and this one is one of the only "manly" looking ones with THIS particular layout, so I figured I'd give the info in case anyone wanted it.
My Caboodle

 

[Xylocaine]

I like what you have going on, I'm not going to lie I use a metal sponge-bob lunch box and a metal Tasmanian devil lunch box!

 

[Dracconus]

I like what you have going on, I'm not going to lie I use a metal sponge-bob lunch box and a metal Tasmanian devil lunch box!

Those sound like they could benefit from my first "box mod" using zip ties, and cardboard ^_^

 

[Aurora-Oblivion]

This is the one I have, if anyone's looking for it specifically.
I looked at Caboodles website, and this one is one of the only "manly" looking ones with THIS particular layout, so I figured I'd give the info in case anyone wanted it.
My Caboodle

There's a few non-girlie ones on ebay too, search for Caboodle Train Case

 

[Dracconus]

There's a few non-girlie ones on ebay too, search for Caboodle Train Case

Yeah, people can alternatively search for Cosmetology Case, and similar terms. Airbush makeup carriers are also good ones.
Also...I LOVE your name! I named my Daughter Aurora due to my fascination with the Aurora Borealis! (OT, I know.)

 

[Jacoji]

For tank & juice storage look for "foundation organizer". Some trays will be filled with foam similar to shown below. This one is for nail polish. But generally OPI nail polish, a foundation bottle and a tank are all around the same diameter.



For the ladies out there, this OPI polish case is lined with pink satin, but only available from the UK. : (

 

[StereoDreamer]

That Caboodle case looks pretty cool, but I would be worried about storing my liquid bottles laying on their sides. I know they are supposed to be liquid-tight seals, but I'd worry about leakage.

Just the paranoid artist in me, who has seen too many bottles of ink or solvents with supposedly "liquid-tight caps" end up leaking a few ounces of India ink or turpentine all over the inside of too many artist's boxes over the years--mine and others--to be comfortable with laying liquid-filled bottles on their sides...