kabster, you are correct; on end is a recipe for disaster. In those younger days it was tough to get subsidized for much more than repair parts and fuel, so we made do. I finally bought a stand, but not before beefing up ye olde milkcrate with plywood and a few various wooden cradle contraptions to accommodate different bikes. Even had a wedge shaped jig for fork work, which was still used after the stand came on the scene.

OK, enough with "Ode to milkcrate". I think most of us have used it for other than it's intended purpose, and though maybe not ideal (small parts sifting through), the milkcrate is a stalwart companion. I got an honest streak and cleansed myself of all milkcrates about 10 years ago, because they weren't mine to hoard.

Footnote: It's fortunate for you kabster that Ador is not known nationwide - the spelling police are cracking down.