lee.jpg

Organizing 1/4″ Bits

Posted by 141drew Posted onApr 3, 2015 at 11:41 AM and filed under Projects
Updated onUpdated on May 28, 2021 at 11:40 AM


I had no good way of organizing 1/4″ bits… and I seemingly had hundreds of them in varying degrees of usability. So, google to the rescue… I found the above from Lee Valley. It’s designed and sold as a tool box organizer that can hold anything from sockets to screwdrivers (with little plastic clips), but screw all that noise – I just bought the board and it works great for bit storage (450 of them).

Details here.


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MattVette89

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

That looks like a very good system for organizing them. One of the best I've seen. Do they seem durable (ie: if you accidentally dropped a ratchet on them, would the plastic break)?

Any idea if they will be sold in retail stores?
 
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coljar

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

Ryan,

I have a question. How big are those holes? The reason I ask is, I wonder if a person could use those grills that are used in drop ceilings and cut them to fit the toolbox drawer if the square holes are the same size. Thanks, Jeff
 
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Ryan

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

coljar said:
Ryan,

I have a question. How big are those holes? The reason I ask is, I wonder if a person could use those grills that are used in drop ceilings and cut them to fit the toolbox drawer if the square holes are the same size. Thanks, Jeff
Click to expand...

They are for 1/4" bits so... :)
 
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coljar

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

Thanks, I couldn't tell if it was a larger hole, such as 3/8" or 1/2" and reduce to 1/4" on the part that stuck out, making it a one size fits all three. I was looking at sockets and not at the bits above them.
 
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n8n

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

twertsy made a real nice bit organizer, I have one of his prototypes... but if I didn't I would totally steal this idea
 
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KPSquared

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

Geez. . . this is why I love this place. I don't come around for months and the first time I open the website, I have to go buy whatever Ryan posts on the front page.

I've been in full on rage mode with all my 1/4" bits. Needed to get the organized. This is awesome. Thanks again GJ. . .
 
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PFSard

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

n8n said:
twertsy made a real nice bit organizer, I have one of his prototypes... but if I didn't I would totally steal this idea
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to a pic of twertsy's bit organizer? Or a pic, of course.
 
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Kevin54

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

I may very well have to place an order. The prices are some of the best that I have seen. Not only for the board, but for the additional parts. :thumbup:
 
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taumac

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

I've made some from wood but I've collected so many that I use a clear bin. I really like this pre made idea. Sure trying to drill tons of holes in a piece of wood all the same depth
 
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Jim_No_Garage

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

I wonder how many GJ members hadn't heard of Lee Valley until Ryan posted this thread?

It's is right up a high end tool aficionado's alley.

Cool idea - I'll have to consider getting some - that's the least expensive thing I'd buy there - that's for sure.

Cheers

Jim
 
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Dennis Leigh Henry

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

I do like the fact their pre made and really do a good job ..

I have simply poked mine through a 1/4" pegboard ... anywhere I need them. Both in garage and in my basement shop (pictured here). I suppose with a couple of pieces of pegboard and some accurate rabbiting / dado work on some 1x2.... someone could fab up a fairly inexpensive equivalent with pegboard..
 

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AndyL

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

Lee valley is bad mmmmkay...

Getting tool **** in the mail quarterly empties the bank account at an accelerated rate.

Now - anyone come up with a good toolbelt solution for 1/4"hex bits? all the ones I've found break or stop holding bits after 50-100 insertions...
 
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RiverRider

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

Been on this site, what---a couple of days? And I already had to go buy this. I'm not sure I can afford to hang out here!
:yikes:
 
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sberry

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

taumac said:
I've made some from wood but I've collected so many that I use a clear bin. I really like this pre made idea. Sure trying to drill tons of holes in a piece of wood all the same depth
Click to expand...

I agree, in the end a couple bins and tuna cans that they get tossed in to work as well as anything if you are really busy with them.
 
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mstewart

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

+1 on Lee Valley. Request the catalogs and get on the mailing list. They have some deals every now and then on the list.

The bit organizer has worked good for me. I haven't tried the socket pegs or clips (except what's shown in the pics with the clips which I don't think it counts).

I wouldn't hesitate to cut it up and customize the size to fit your need.
 

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Strouty

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

These look like they would be nice for socket holders. I bought the Westling aluminum ones, but now I am finding I have a few too many pegs or a bunch of weird socket groups because of the pegs not being movable. I may try some of these out. The price seems decent as well.
 
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Strouty

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

mstewart said:
+1 on Lee Valley. Request the catalogs and get on the mailing list. They have some deals every now and then on the list.

The bit organizer has worked good for me. I haven't tried the socket pegs or clips (except what's shown in the pics with the clips which I don't think it counts).

I wouldn't hesitate to cut it up and customize the size to fit your need.
Click to expand...

Would you be able to measure the thickness of the base? I am seriously thinking of using these, but I would like to measure my drawers first.

It looks like 12 MM or about ½" thick. The website has various colors too. This could be very cool!

http://www.conquer.tw/products.php?func=p_detail&p_id=5&pc_parent=15
 
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The Frisco Kid

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

I've been a fan of these organizers for 1/4" hex bits.


5NND9_AS01
 
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jim faston

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

This picture just answered my question--do the clips grip securely so they don't pull out with the sockets, etc. when you grab one. The holes appear to be rectangular so the clips will twist in to lock.
 

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rharman

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

The Frisco Kid said:
I've been a fan of these organizers for 1/4" hex bits.


5NND9_AS01
Click to expand...

I have accumulated 4 of these. I like them but am still working out how to store/stage them better. Just sitting on the bench really bugs me.
 
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Banjorear

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

zable9 said:
Many time Lee Valley has very usefull and interesting stuff....
Click to expand...

I love their stuff. A lot of Canadian, German and US-made stuff too. If you like their tools, also ask for their hardware catalog. It's just as awesome.

Love the idea of the holder, but it seems like it takes up a lot of drawer space. It also could just be me and I may need to rethink my tool box situation/layout.
 
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mdbeck1

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Banjorear

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

Does anyone know if the Snappy one has better magnets? I would like to be able to hang it vertically without the bits falling out.
 
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esvee

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

I love the idea behind these but to be honest its hard for me to find a reason to take my bits out of their cases. I've got my makita drill and driver bag, which holds those, the battery charger, my drill index, and my full set of impact bits. For that particular type of work its easier to grab the whole bag and bring the set to the project than to nickel and dime what I'll be bringing.

I would love this system for screwdrivers in drawers though. Weird how Lee Valley is seemingly the only place that sells them. Can't find anything on ebay even.
 
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Tanro

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Re: Organizing 1/4\" Bits

esvee said:
I love the idea behind these but to be honest its hard for me to find a reason to take my bits out of their cases. I've got my makita drill and driver bag, which holds those, the battery charger, my drill index, and my full set of impact bits. For that particular type of work its easier to grab the whole bag and bring the set to the project than to nickel and dime what I'll be bringing.

I would love this system for screwdrivers in drawers though. Weird how Lee Valley is seemingly the only place that sells them. Can't find anything on ebay even.
Click to expand...

And they dont even carry the full range of products. I would love to do my wrench, screw driver, and pliers drawers in this stuff. Maybe even ratchet/extension portion of my socket drawer.
 
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