I'm able to store several heavy metal tools and cans of liquid product (on top bin so no space restriction) without any indication of the plastic buckling. I am quite happy with the quality of the plastic.But, I think people should know, the measurements currently listed (10 7/8, 11, 5) reflect outside product measurements, not the actual storage space. For the space where you can actually place your items, I would say the flat interior space is about 9.5" (width) x 9" (length). The box front tapers out so it can hold items in the bin slightly longer toward the top, but it will not be laying on a flat surface the whole way towards the top, the length of usable storage space is ~10.5". Once the bins are stacked, usable height is around 4.5" but the openings between bins doesn't really allow for anything higher than 3" to pass anyhow.
I wouldn't recommend placing a lot of very small items in your bins because of the small opening. Trying to jam you hand/arm in to shuffle things around to get to small items that have been buried under other small items is something I found uncomfortable and irritating. It's much easier to store larger items that can be laid out in one or two layers at most and easier to reach without sticking your arm in very far.
We've bought stacking bins like these in the past but were frustrated because the legs broke very easily. This won't happen with these because they're built in such a way that they slide together which adds to their stability. As a result, you can set them on a table, on the floor, or even use the screws and strip they provided and mount them on the wall. The set did not come with instructions, so it will take a few minutes to figure out how you'll want to stack them. First, let me say one thing. These bins arrived nestled tightly together in their shipping box, and I had a bingo of a time separating them. The trick is to pull on the plastic side of a bin and it will flex without breaking, thus allowing you to remove the nested bin. Pull diagonally up & out. It's not easy but it works, trust me.
This false start didn't color my evaluation because in all honesty, the "Storability stacking, hanging interlocking plastic bins" were disappointing in their own right. Maybe it's just me, but I assumed based on the product photos that these might *slide* like drawers. They don't. So while the company's claim that the bins stay locked together is certainly accurate, I am less convinced of the usefulness of the stacked bins in practice. After all, unless you are planning to fill an entire bin with the same item (for example, a bulk load of the same size screw, or Cheerios, perhaps), you are forced to snake your hand in there and fish around, sight unseen, for what you want. In other words, there is not a lot of visibility to see what is in any of the drawers other than the top one, nor is there much space to reach in your hand to any of the drawers (again, other than the top drawer), much less pull it out with your prize. This presents a real problem for men with large hands or for anyone who uses these bins to store even moderately sharp objects, like gardening tools as the manufacturer suggests.
My own solution has been to use these bins independently: one bin on my workbench to catch loose nuts and bolts, another bin on the shelving unit nearby to hold packs of batteries, and so on. I may use the remaining bins in pairs of two, if I can justify filling the bottom ones with enough of the same content. Failing that, I might put another one in the laundry room and a couple in the garage. At the very least, these should be good catch-alls for small, somewhat thematically-grouped items. This has the added benefit of being able to store more tall items (like cans of spray paint). I understand that my planned usage defeats the advertised purpose, but honestly, I don't think the manufacturer asked enough potential customers to try these. This is a Vine review, and I *am* trying it now in all fairness, but at this point the product is already on the market.
The bins are very easy to slide and lock together, but decidedly less easy to separate. I would certainly not wish to attempt to do so with full bins whose contents may spill out. The manufacturer touts the stability of the bins: "They will not fall apart and collapse when placing items into the bins or removing items from the bins." This begs the question: How violent and clumsy are some people when placing items into or removing items from bins?
I am reviewing the Large size, and each bin offers just under 10 inches by 10 inches square of usable storage space. There is 4-3/4 inches of height, but that measurement is deceiving, because each opening when stacked is actually less than three inches. That means any large item would need to be creatively turned in hand to remove.
Good color, at least for garage workshops and laundry rooms. Good strength; the advertised hanging load capacity is 35 pounds per bin. Made in China. There are some plastic burrs from the manufacturing process which are somewhat sharp but easily sanded away.
I have not attempted to hang these bins, although a pack of wall mounting hardware was included. I think I might be more inclined to purchase some separate BinClips for mounting on a pegboard.
Triton graciously sent me a pack of dividers. (Somewhat surprisingly, dividers are not normally supplied with the bins.) While the dividers can be placed in any of three configurations, they are not nearly as locked into place as the bins themselves. Assuming you use these bins as intended (i.e., stacked), the dividers will be held in place adequately. However I might suggest not using a divider in the top bin because it can be easily dislodged. In any case my preferred configuration is either one divider in the middle guides or two dividers on the far outer guides, although the latter configuration would obviously deplete your supply much quicker. (The dividers come in packs of six.)
Each bin is fronted by a 4" x 1-3/4" area for labeling, however no card stock was provided for this purpose. Nor were any assembly instructions of any kind included. I would hope that this is not the case for a non-Vine supplied order.
In summary, this is a new product for which I believe the manufacturer is experiencing some teething problems. No instructions, no labels, no dividers included, and questionable efficiency for the stated use. When the bins are stacked, it is difficult to see, much less remove, the contents. Even the name of the product has an identity crisis; it would seem the manufacturer is still on the fence about branding. The accompanying parts list clearly identifies these as LocBins, as does Triton's own Web site. However the parts themselves self-identify only as "Storability (TM) By Triton Products"; nor does the Amazon listing mention the LocBin name at all. Even the "From the Manufacturer" Product Descriptions for the dividers and wall mount referenced above are switched!
Jason Kirkfield, Vine Review, May 18, 2011 My husband has a massive amount of "little stuff" that he uses on our multitude of home renovation products such as screws, nuts and bolts, wires, etc. While he tries to keep these things organized, it can be a little difficult.
So I thought these Triton Products 3-235Y LocBin Stacking, Hanging, Interlocking Polypropylene Bins would be perfect.
I wasn't wrong.
10-7/8-Inch (L) x 11-Inch (W) x 5-Inch (H) are the perfect size for keeping those "extras" organized and, being stackable, you can do it in a relatively small space.
These are not cheap, flimsy bins found at big box retailers but quality, thick plastic perfect for the garage or other storage areas.
If they make my husband happy and keep "little pieces" out of my drawers, counter tops, or floors, then it definitely gets five stars from me!
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