Simple, No-Spill Dye Storage

[Wicked Welts]

Recently things got to the point where I had to address dye storage in my work space. The goal here was to keep the stuff I use a lot right near the bench and have the larger bottles and back up inventory in my derelict 'explosion proof' type cabinet in the garage. This started with a search of my junk room and I discovered this wood cabinet that I haven't touched in years. I don't recall where or why I got this thing but it looked like I last used it for storing audio cassettes so that might give you an idea of how long it's been kicking around here. I think these cabinets where originally sold for curio or beer can display, it looks like a pair of tall boys would fit nicely in each cubby but it's been a looong while since a sheetmetal can of suds was in my hands so that's little more than a guess.

Right now I keep the 4 oz bottles in here along with a few of my home brewed elixirs and of course, the dye caddy hanging at the bottom. The dye caddy is based on various ideas I got from the smart people on here. I keep gloves, applicators and a few rags in there so it provides for a simple grab-n-go deal that also makes it harder for Murphy's law to take affect and also helps me avoid repeating Monica's attempt to refinish her floor with leather dye.

The plastic caddy has compartments in the front half that are perfect for holding the 4 oz bottles so I carry that to the bench and ALWAYS return the bottle to one of those compartments instead of setting the bottle down on the bench. This makes it impossible to knock just the bottle over since it's always put back in the caddy. Now, when I say that, I actually meant that and EVERY time I open a bottle to put dye on a rag or whatever, I immediately return the bottle to the caddy instead of setting it down on the bench. Since then, I've had zero dye bombs going off in the shop.

[Wicked Welts]

Oh, I just realized the pics are blurry, sorry about that. My 'good' camera met it's maker the other day after it lost a rather viscous battle with my drilling hammer. I think this computer might be next.....And yes, the cabinet was overflowing the minute it went up so this may be an interim step as my empire of scrap continues to grow.