Wire storage solutions...thoughts please

[Cadillactaste]

I'm planing on having the husband build me something for my wire. I seen this caddy...but think changing out the wire could be a pain.


Contemplating something like this...with holes drilled in front to bring wire though. But making it mobile. Before showing the ideal to my husband. Can anyone find flaws in this plan? Figured I could mark the size of wire on the front of each section.

 

[JudyB]

I use plastic fishing line spools. easy to wind the wire on, and they store right in one side of my tool trug.

 

[garywood]

Spools are a convenience and attractive but there is a trade off if that matters. The more the wire is spooled and unspooled the more it work hardens and has a tendency to have hard spots. Aluminum is not as bad as copper.

 

[Adair M]

Don't use those with copper. Just store the spools laying down in a cardboard box when not in use.

When in use, lay each spoil out flat on a table.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Don't use those with copper. Just store the spools laying down in a cardboard box when not in use.

When in use, lay each spoil out flat on a table.

Thanks Adair...I was curious if the copper in such a caddy would work the copper when pulling through the hole. I read your not to overly manipulate the copper prior to use. I have a wooden box military box for ammo I think. I could possibly store them inside there. Would have to see if they will fit. Thought about a tool box with drawers as well.

 

[sorce]

Aye.

Pegs in a wall to mount them flush is the best use of space IMO.
It never really has to be more convenient than that.
Anything more almost makes it a hassle.

Fancy looking...
But less useful IMO.

Sorce

 

[JoeR]

Mine hang on hooks in the top of my closet... Easy, just grab and go.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Aye.

Pegs in a wall to mount them flush is the best use of space IMO.
It never really has to be more convenient than that.
Anything more almost makes it a hassle.

Fancy looking...
But less useful IMO.

Sorce

If it's nice out...I work outside. I don't always work inside the greenhouse. So to be able to be mobile is more useful for me. But I get the peg concept.

 

[Cypress187]

David Cortizas uses the first one (iron version), it looks very convienent.

 

[rockm]

I hang mine outside on nails in my deck support columns. I never really got the caddy idea. Reminds of:
http://www.hark.com/clips/jlylgvrjtb-i-noticed-some-of-you-admiring-my-tape-dispenser-cozy

 

[Adair M]

Here are a couple pictures of Shinji Suziki's workshop. He's rigged up a pole with spacers to hang the larger coils of copper. From the looks of thinks, it appears the apprentices lay spools of the most oft used wire (14 and 16) on the bench next to them. Also note the magnetic strips on the walls at each work station used for holding tools. (I wonder if those work for stainless steel tools?)

Also notice the repurposed barber chairs (hairdresser chairs) repurposed into hydrolic bonsai work tables. I have a couple of these, and they work great!

 

[GrimLore]

If it's nice out...I work outside. I don't always work inside the greenhouse.

Think plastic, tool caddy, cleaning caddy etc... You won't like lugging a wood box around Also check out the cloth/nylon type tool totes at the big box places - many have a cover.

Grimmy

 

[JudyB]

Spools are a convenience and attractive but there is a trade off if that matters. The more the wire is spooled and unspooled the more it work hardens and has a tendency to have hard spots. Aluminum is not as bad as copper.

I should have noted that I only use spools with alum...

 

[Adair M]

Oh... I think Julian Adams sells a custom bonsai turntable/work stand that has thin drawers you can store tools and wire in.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Think plastic, tool caddy, cleaning caddy etc... You won't like lugging a wood box around Also check out the cloth/nylon type tool totes at the big box places - many have a cover.

Grimmy

I was actually looking online at storage organizers. But...nothing so far seemed appropriate. I have until spring...if I find nothing. Something will be built. I will check on cloth/nylon types. The plastic ones...so far...do nothing for me. I need an appropriate amount of space per roll. I don't mind my aluminum and copper to be in separate caddies...but, it needs to not be overly large...and have enough adequate space.

 

[Adair M]

Darlene, I have to chuckle a bit...

Here you've never used copper wire, barely even any aluminum, and you've been stressing for a couple days over wire caddies.

I've been doing bonsai over 40 years. Never owned a wire caddy. Just keep it in a cardboard box until I'm ready to wire. Then, lay it out on a table and wire. When done, return it to the cardboard box.

It funny, everyone when they're new thinks they need all the tools. You really only need a few. Yes, over the years, I've collected a pretty complete selection of tools. But I find I only use a few for more than 90 percent of what I do with bonsai.

I suggest you start with the cardboard box. If after using it a few months, then maybe buy or build something else.

At Boon's we lay our wire out on large plastic "bread trays". ( I don't know the real name for them). They're what they have the loaves of bread on when trucked to the grocery store, and they can carry them into the aisles to stock the shelves. Maybe about 4 foot square. They're light weight, and can be moved around, store on edge, etc. we use milk crates to put them on as temporary tables.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Darlene, I have to chuckle a bit...

Here you've never used copper wire, barely even any aluminum, and you've been stressing for a couple days over wire caddies.

I've been doing bonsai over 40 years. Never owned a wire caddy. Just keep it in a cardboard box until I'm ready to wire. Then, lay it out on a table and wire. When done, return it to the cardboard box.

It funny, everyone when they're new thinks they need all the tools. You really only need a few. Yes, over the years, I've collected a pretty complete selection of tools. But I find I only use a few for more than 90 percent of what I do with bonsai.

I suggest you start with the cardboard box. If after using it a few months, then maybe buy or build something else.

At Boon's we lay our wire out on large plastic "bread trays". ( I don't know the real name for them). They're what they have the loaves of bread on when trucked to the grocery store, and they can carry them into the aisles to stock the shelves. Maybe about 4 foot square. They're light weight, and can be moved around, store on edge, etc. we use milk crates to put them on as temporary tables.

Adair...I have OCD...organization keeps me calm. Having a place to store them while not in use...and also be mobile is my desire. I'm not stressing it, but the wire I currently used is in a cardboard box it was shipped in. And I can't help think there is a better solution. It doesn't seem organized in the least. I have to pull them all out and figure out sizes. So...not worried...but, wanting a better optional organization situation. Yes...it's how I live my entire life. Not just bonsai.

 

[Adair M]

When you get your wire, don't pull the size labels off. That way you don't have to figure them out all over again.

You can still be organized in s cardboard box: put the largest gauge wire on the bottom, lay a piece of bubble wrap, then the next largest, etc

I find I use the small gauges the most. Rarely the biggest wire. So, when I open my box, the wire I'm most likely to use will be on top, and I'll just lay those out. The larger stuff stays in the box.

Works for me.

But then, I'm ADD not OCD.

 

[GrimLore]

When you get your wire, don't pull the size labels off. That way you don't have to figure them out all over again.

You can still be organized in s cardboard box: put the largest gauge wire on the bottom, lay a piece of bubble wrap, then the next largest, etc

I find I use the small gauges the most. Rarely the biggest wire. So, when I open my box, the wire I'm most likely to use will be on top, and I'll just lay those out. The larger stuff stays in the box.

Works for me.

But then, I'm ADD not OCD.

Mine is stored similar to yours just in a plastic storage container. Actually it has not been out at all since Fall 2014 because of the plant loss. I only have landscape wire out for the Garden stuff - probably on a shelf in the shed, not certain

Grimmy

 

[DougB]

These posting made me curious, so I went to our old friend Google. I searched for "bonsai wire holder" and was surprised at the wide variety of devices. And at the cost some many hundreds of dollars for a open metal frame. So perhaps during your long winter sleep you could peruse the web and then design your dream wire holder as you lay in front of the fire all nice and comfy in you winter hibernation. Stay warm.