Organizing cleaning stuff

[spitfire_er]

I have been working to organize my shop and am trying to get a "Cleaning Station" setup. I have a Decker rifle vises I use for the guns. I need to get all my rods in a good easy to reach spot along with making an organizer for all the different caliber jags and brushes for each caliber. I was thinking a simple wood block with holes drilled in rows for each caliber, but anyone got any good ways to organize this stuff? Everything from 17 to 50 cal jags and brushes. I used them quite often so a simple easy to find, easy to access tray would be best.

I also want to get a good container for patches. I have seen guys use the little drawer plastic containers, but was thinking a nice round spinning tray would be nice. I usually have 4-5 different size patches I use.

Trying to keep everything neat and organized with a goal to make everything more efficient in the shop. Also trying to make everything look "Neater".

 

[K22]

I have all my cleaning equipment organized in a Craftsman's tool chest. The drawers are label. This provides easy and efficient access.

Jag and brushes (in service) are stored in MTM jag containers, one for each caliber. Since I buy brushes in bulk, those not in service are stored in a large plastic container. After about 5 cleanings, I toss the brush and replaced it with one from bulk storage.

Patches are organized and stored in caps and label by size for quick and easy access. The caps are from various spray products such as Right Guard, etc. and hold enough patches for several cleaning. Since I buy patches in bulk, the bags are stored separately in plastic shoe boxes. I refill the caps when they get low from the bulk supply.

Cleaning rods are hung on a homemade wooden rack and hang from the handle vertically. The rack is very simple to make, just cut a 1/4" groove to hold each rod.

For someone like me who hates to clean firearms, this provides a quick and easy way to access all the tools I need. I use a bench vice with wooden pads to clamp the barrel into the vice. This is far superior to any cradle I've seen on the market.

My stock protector is nothing more that painter's drop cloth. You can buy a roll of this at Home Depot and it will last a very long time. I cut a piece that will fit the stock and place the absorbent side face up. This works very well. When it gets too grimy, I just replace it with another piece, about once a year.

 

[Forum Boss]

We have written about Rod Racks in the Bulletin many times. Here are some options,

DIY:


Fishing Rod Racks (NOTE price is $16.81 now):

https://amzn.to/3loV9Xt

Tipton Cleaning Rod Racks, $7.99 at MidwayUSA (but back-ordered)

 

[jpx2rk]

I use a 3-4' long piece of 4" diameter pvc pipe with a flange glued on one end so it will stand up at the end of my "work" bench. I have 1/2" IIRC pvc pipe down inside the 4" diameter pipe so I have a protected rod while in the holder. I used some pvc reducers/enlargers (?) on one end of some of the 1/2" pvc pipes so the cleaning rod handle will fit better and not slide or fall down into the 1/2" pipe. I use Pro Shot rods for the most part so I used the reducer/expanders to capture the handle. Some rods have larger handles so no reducer was needed. I use one MTM jag with 4 divided compartment, and label the compartments as needed. I keep patches in the bags until needed, and pull the right size bag of patches off the peg board and get some out. Unused patches may stay on the bench until the cleaning, so.... I have extra brushes and jags stored in a plastic storage unit, and unopened bags of patches are stored in a cabinet, all in the "cave".

 

[L1986]

Area419 makes a really nice rod holder. Not cheap but great product and it has spots for jags and brushes

 

[625-8]

Some good ideas here. I’ve been organizing my cleaning supplies/area for many years. No permanent solution yet. LOL

 

[K22]

Somewhat related but if you want a cheap but very effective cloth to wipe down your firearms here's what I use:

I use a 12 x 12" cotton flannel cloth. I dribbled some Hoppe's Gun Oil (mineral oil) on the cloth, wring it out to distribute it in the cloth. Store in a zip lock bag. Don't overdo the oil, just enough so you feel it but don't saturate it. *

The soft cotton flannel will not harm the finish of the firearm and the cloth leaves a very light protective coating of oil on the firearm with a sheen. You can get a yard at any fabric store that will probably make enough cloths for 20 years of use. Make a couple and keep with your range and / or hunting gear to wipe down the firearm after use.

Far superior to any commercial cloths I've ever used. Just make sure that it's 100% cotton flannel, plain with no colored patterns containing dyes.

*Credit to gunblue490.

 

[spitfire_er]

I was going to make a fancy rod rack, but do to lack of ambition and need to get it set back up and functional I made this quick on the mill. Don't mind the blowout near the end.

I have to mount it on a post hence the block.

As for patches, I found a clear organizing container at Menards that will work for what I want. Looks like I'm running low on 6mm patches.

I set this bench up in my shop specifically for cleaning. I hate moving things around on my main bench to clean a gun.

Now I have to make a block for all the jags and brushes. Slowly getting there.

 

[Retired shooter]

Gentlemen
This is my answer to storing cleaning rods, and bore guides. At home or on the go. Patches , jags, brushes go in a plastic ammo box. Different calibers per each. tray different dividers per tray. Chemicals and cleaners different plastic ammo box .

Short tube holds two bore guides and chamber cleaning rod, couple brushes.
Long tube holds up to four cleaning rods. 26 in., 36 in., and 42 in.

All made from 2 in PVC pipe and fittings. Not cheap anymore, however neither are bore guides, and cleaning rods.

Maybe will help someone.!

 

[358WCF]

I got something similar to this for storing jags, brushes, patches, & etc. separately by size.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Bin-System-39-Compartment-Plastic-Small-Parts-Organizer/1000578341

Cleaning rods hang from... Wish it had a few more slots though.

Screwdriver/cleaning rod rack. - Inline Fabrication

This handy rack is perfect for screwdrivers, cleaning rods, primer rod, etc. It is 6 3/4" wide Wall mount or...

inlinefabrication.com

Bore guides along with misc. other stuff are in an old small toolbox with drawers.

Chemicals are on a wall shelf above the 4' deep x 8'long built in bench.