Glass Rack Storage Idea

[jesgen]

Greetings All! I have been gleaming LE for the past few months for information and ideas to support my new lampworking addiction. I have seen lots and lots of beautiful work and filled notebooks with information and ideas.
My workbench is in the garage and I am having bead withdrawal because it has been too dam cold. 10 degrees has been the high for the past few days. I have a space heater but it does not heat the great outdoors very well. It has to be at least 55 degrees before I am able to hold a mandrel steady.
I thought I would contribute this idea for a glass storage rack for what it might be worth.
My wife paints with acrylic paints. One day she caught me eyeing her acrylic paint racks. I told her what I was thinking and she agreed to let me use one of her racks TEMPORALILY to see if my idea would work. The rack is a wire cage 15 ½ h X 13 w X 8 ½ d and is on a swivel base. It is divided into 80 cubby holes about 1 ½ X 1 ½ inches. Each cubby hole will hold about 1 ½ lbs of 13 inch rods. Because of how the rack was made each cubby hole could separate and store two colors if one so wished. The swivel base is built to handle a lot of weight or the base can easily be removed. For longer rods of glass, 21 inches or so, one could use the rack sideways which is divided up into 50 cubby holes. Each cubby hole would probably hold 2 ½ lb of 21 inch rods. I covered the rack with a heavy clear plastic to keep some of the dust off my glass. Michels sells these racks for $30. Once or twice a year they have a sale on them for 50% off. Every other week they have been having coupons for 40% off any one regular priced item. $18 or $15 is a price that I can almost afford. It organizes my glass and does not take up a lot of space. My biggest problem is figuring out how long I can make TEMPORALILY last without getting into too much trouble.

[jesgen]

I have a couple of photos but have not figured out how to get them posted.

[jesgen]

Here are the photos I hope

[tradesbears]

cool idea

[bead crazy]

I like this I may have to go check it out.
Lori

[kahlamodie]

That`s pretty awesome! I`m wondering what the purple thing is in the foreground of your pic, some kind of arm/elbow rest? I need to get something and am looking for ideas.

[jesgen]

That`s pretty awesome! I`m wondering what the purple thing is in the foreground of your pic, some kind of arm/elbow rest? I need to get something and am looking for ideas.

The pruple thing is a swimming noodle that I bought at a garage sale for 10 cents. I cut it into and used double tacky tape to mount a piece on both sides of my torch along the edge of my workbench. It works very well for an arm rest and it keeps things from rolling off my workbench. Glass breaks when it falls on a cement floor. It was worth the dime.

[beadygirl]

Great idea for storage! Looks cool too! Those swim noodles are also great for stuffing into the end of PVC pipe if you use that for storage. I cut pieces of noodle in different heights so that my glass gets "stadium seating".

[A.Loomis]

I really like that idea! Especially cuz I have one of those that is only about 1/2 full of paint right now so I could grab it and use it for glass..... I think I would like to stick labels on it so that I could also track "how much I have, how much I need" for all my glass. Trouble for me is that I don't have enough table top space for it right now. My studio is also my garage, and it has been really cold here too. Hmmmmm, this is a good project for this long weekend in January--thanks for the idea!!

-Angela

[yeepers]

Thanks for posting the pics. This rack ROCKS!! I need to get one asap :D

Now...if I could just figure out where to get the freakin' coupons.

-Yee

[Feldt's Glass]

Thanks for the tip!

[Wiley]

Great minds think alike! I have 3 of them...I took the center spinning part out.
54518
I have a light on top of the cabinet that shines down on my table...looks neat going through the rods.8-)

[jesgen]

The coupons come in the newspaper. Micheals has a sales flyer out this week in this area so there should be a 40% off coupon in it. I believe Hobby Lobby and Jo Ann Fabrics also carry this rack and they have coupons too. Hobby Lobby does not have a 40% off this week but well probably have one next week. Jo Ann Fabrics has a 50% coupon out now (12 -15)!
Jerry

[jesgen]

Robin I like the way you put them up on a support rack so that they are easy to get to but do not take up that much bench space. Have any ideas for stringer storage. The ice cube trays are interesting but there has to be something better. It has to be convient, sturdy, not take up much space and Cheap, Cheap, Cheap
Jerry

[Wiley]

Thanks! Right now I just have my stringer in a vase on the table. When I loaded the paint spinner I used 1 large square per color.... where you could fit 2 paint tubes. I thought that when I do get a large amount of stringer I would put the rod on one side of the center line then the stringer on the other. I'm not sure if this makes sense! I just ran out and took this picture.

54520

Can you see how the rod is on one side, then a space, then rods again? In that space to the right of the rods is where I plan to put the stringers.... when I get some more!

[Sheltie19]

wow.. what a great idea... I have been looking for something better to store my glass in... I will have to check this out ... can you get the coupons if you order online?? Don't have a store close by here.. would be much easier for me to order it online..
Sheltie

[Wiley]

I also meant to add that I had one spinner for years and then after I got the studio pack from Moretti & More for Christmas I ran to Michaels and bought 2 more. Thankfully they were 50% off that week! Also taking the spinner out gives you more room for rod and I didn't like the rack spinning when I had it on the table. I rearranged everything and put the racks on the shelves when I bought the other 2.

[Wiley]

wow.. what a great idea... I have been looking for something better to store my glass in... I will have to check this out ... can you get the coupons if you order online?? Don't have a store close by here.. would be much easier for me to order it online..
Sheltie

I'm not sure... Hobby Lobby has a newsletter that goes out each week with a coupon but the store by my house didn't have any paint racks. I'll have to go to the Michaels website to see if they have a newsletter....

[jesgen]

Sheltie i just sent you a pm

[jesgen]

Robin, I understand what you are saying about using the racks for stringers storage also. I am not a peace in my mind about doing stringer storage that way. I must admit that I would not have trouble deciding what color of stringer i have doing it that way. I try not to have too much stringer around. I find it messy and after a few days I am not sure what glass it is. When I get too much stringer laying around, I make end of day beads and use it all up to clean up my work area. I am not a neat freak, just claustrophobic.
jerry

[Donna*Jo]

For peeps looking for these online here ya go ;)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110078575743
http://cgi.ebay.com/ACRYLIC-PAINT-BOTTLE-ROTATING-RACK-HOLDS-160-BOTTLES_W0QQitemZ320071270682QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31 401QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPINNING-CRAFT-PAINT-RACK-for-160-Two-Oz-Paint-Bottles_W0QQitemZ150081077314QQihZ005QQcategoryZ31 401QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Would this work for stringer ????
http://www.vikingwoodcrafts.com/Merchant2/graphics/images/73-0390-00.jpg

better pic
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/Images/Products/JerrysProductImages/EquipmentAndAccessories/BrushAndPaintStorage/BrushBasinsAndHolders/BrushCrate.jpg
or this
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/images/238-2927.jpg
Ok gonna go browse some more. Hope to find more goodies ;)

[Wiley]

54526 Hey! I have one of those and it only has about 5 brushes in it! That's a great idea!! Thanks! I hate having stringer all over my table - this has all the individual sections for different colors. Thanks Donna Jo=D>

[Donna*Jo]

I hope to find other ideas but.....
Anytime Wiley ;)

[Wiley]

I hope to find other ideas but.....
Anytime Wiley ;)

Wiley, hunh!? Do I know you:lol: ? Off to organize my stringers!

[Donna*Jo]

Make sure to show and tell ;)

[squid]

Thanks for posting the pics. This rack ROCKS!! I need to get one asap :D

Now...if I could just figure out where to get the freakin' coupons.

-Yee

If you tell them at Michael's that you forgot your coupon, they will deduct the amount anyway. I do it all the time.

[beading mama]

Thanks for the idea! Now, I have another question, how is your set up in your garage, if I may ask. I am just so new to this and open for ideas - cheap ideas, that is. I, too, am planning on setting up something in my garage, but safety first and would like some input. I plan on using propane, which will be outside, and from there, I am at a loss! Thanks for anyones input.

[Wiley]

Thanks for the idea! Now, I have another question, how is your set up in your garage, if I may ask. I am just so new to this and open for ideas - cheap ideas, that is. I, too, am planning on setting up something in my garage, but safety first and would like some input. I plan on using propane, which will be outside, and from there, I am at a loss! Thanks for anyones input.

:oops: Not sure if you are talking to me or not but....I will take some new pictures of my garage/"studio" today and put them up. I have rearranged a lot since my last pictures. I do lampwork/fusing/stained glass and bookbinding in a one car garage so it is a bit crowded! Here are some old pictures... I'll get new ones up later today.

Welcome to LE!!

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/554593983qcnfYQ

[Sue H-K]

Robin, what do you do with your short pieces? I am using pvc and I saw those paint spinners, but wondered if you would have problems with less than full length pieces falling through or are the grids small enough that it isn't an issue?

[Wiley]

Robin, what do you do with your short pieces? I am using pvc and I saw those paint spinners, but wondered if you would have problems with less than full length pieces falling through or are the grids small enough that it isn't an issue?

Hi Sue, I keep three glasses on my table - one for boro, bullseye, and 104 glasses. Once I have used a rod a few times I can't keep them in the spinner - they do fall out. So I just put them in the glasses on my table. I still haven't taken recent pictures -- will get them up soon!

[Sue H-K]

Ahhhh...gotcha! I was hoping to eliminate some clutter on my workbench, but I think no matter what I'll still have my coffee cans of short pieces :)

[Wiley]

I said I would show, so here it is...

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/557036357knAWiT?vhost=home-and-garden (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/557036357knAWiT?vhost=home-and-garden)

My propane is inside - soon to be on the other side of the wall and Jon's hvac guy is working on a vent hood for over my table. I am having a big one built to cover the lampworking and stained glass area (soldering fumes). I'm a little embarrassed to show my space after seeing so many beautiful studio's but I did say I would...

[jesgen]

Here are some photos of my workbench. One side of my workbench is attached to the wall of the garage and the side I work at has two legs. The legs have bolts in the bottoms of them so I can level the top of my workbench. The purple thing is a swimming noodle I use for an arm rest and it helps keep things from rolling off the bench. I covered the top of my bench with ceramic tiles so I protect the top of my bench from a lot of burn marks. To the right of my torch I have a tray of 3 concave wood pieces that I use to store rods that I have used and stringers. To the left of my torch, in a wood block, are some radius gauges, from my machining days, that I use to help me make consistant size beads. I can gauge the bead footprint and diameter with these gages. I am not happy with my propane setup so I will not talk about it. On the shelf, under my workbench on the left hand side is a copper enameling kiln and about 4 boxes of enameling supplies. Theses were given to my wife many years ago. I am using some of the enamels in my lampwork. The spray can, by the fiber blankets, is burn medicine. I have put my hand in the flame of the torch once and I seem to always be picking up hot things. Flesh does not work like glass for making beads. Don't try it, just take my word for it. The garage has good ventilation! With all the doors closed I still had 2 ft snow drifts in my garage this winter. As the lampworking thing grows I put more thought in how I want to organize everything. Organizational methods that work well for a few things do not work well for a lot of things. Good organization changes with the quanity of things to be organized.
Hope someone finds some ideas they can use from this.
Jerry

[jesgen]

Robin! Can I come over and play! I would feel like a kid in a candy shop! You have so much to work with. Looked like some nice stained glass work in there too! Since I stated lampworking I have not done much stained glass. I have buyers for beads and not my stained glass candle holders or boxes.
Jerry

[Allie_T]

I did a search and found the 'stringer spinner' :lol: available at www.craft-supplies-online.com

[Byrdbeads]

Cool Idea! Been trying to figure out how to organize my small selection of Bullseye and I even have one of those at home too! Can't wait to get off work now!

Robyn

[Janetda]

Great thread everyone. I actually did find a wire basket that works great for stringer. This isn't the best pic, but it's the only one I have right now. I think you can tell how it works. I pick it up at Walmart (I think). It's a dishwasher basket for baby bottle nipples and such. It's works great for me and I think I paid about $5.00 for it. I did have to attach a piece of cardboard at the bottom so stringers won't slip through when I pick it up.

54860

[Donna T.]

Jerry, I've used this very rack since the beginning of my lampworking. I used it before for paint when that was my passion, saw it in attic one day and had a lightbulb moment. It's full now. Time to get another. I like the idea of taking the swivel out.

[jesgen]

Robbin and Donna, it is nice to know that others thought about using this rack and have found it suitable for glass storage. I am happy that others have thought it a good idea. I am glade now that I posted the suggestion.

Earlier I said the Hobby Lobby and Jo Ann Fabrics also had these racks. I was sure that I had seen them in Hobby Lobby. I guess I was wrong. I know for sure Michaels does carry them.
Jerry

[mtnlaurel]

I cut pvc in 2", 3" and 4" pieces. I then cut a piece of plywood about 12"x5". I glued the tallest in a row across the board. (These would be with the hole towards the ceiling). Then the next row across is the 3"ers and the front row is the 2"ers. It's great for stringers or short rods! By the way- I not only glued the rows but glued the rows together too. Hope you understand what I just said :-) Renee

[aurora.ray]

Cool ideas for storage. Thank you.

[jesgen]

The spinner paint rack is on sale this week (Feb 18 - 24, at least in the Denver, CO area) at Michaels at 50% off, $14.99 each, no coupon needed. Now is the time to get them!
Jerry

[Heather/Ericaceae]

To store stringer, I combined a Lee Valley lazy susan:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/projects/12k6401s.jpg (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32743&cat=1,250,43298,43316)

with some Lee Valley shop storage tubes in various sizes:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/assorted/27k6003g1b.jpg (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32173&cat=1,43326)

I made a base out of old plywood, and a structure with old jars and a margarine container all glued together. I made short sleeves out of cardboard that the shop tubes fit into, so they're all removeable. I have about 25 sections in all, to hold my opaque and transparent stringers, my twisties, mixes, etc for easy grabbing. I can reach anything without stabbing myself, which is a bonus. I didn't do a great job of making it pretty, but the stringers are nice to look at. The top section is actually one jar that holds my thicker cane. This is a reasonable Paint-drawn facsimile:

[magicannik]

that is a very cool design with your lazy susan.