Let's see your vintage drill bit indices

[Private Lugnutz]

I meant shots of the flats, Don, with the indexed holder on its side, but that's okay, no need, I'll take your word for it. Thanks.

 

[Fred Knox]

Here are two of my AJAX indices. One is narrower and thinner than the other. It has different markings and two internal sides with markings as well. The smaller, thicker one has no markings on its internal sides.

 

[four.cycle]

 

[Fred Knox]

Here is another photo of that area. It says “2x56-48-42, which I think is just the tap size and drill.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are two of my AJAX indices. One is narrower and thinner than the other. It has different markings and two internal sides with markings as well. The smaller, thicker one has no markings on its internal sides.

Nice ones, Fred. Do you think that the removable corner pins are original? If so, I will add those to mine.
Lugz, I’m revising my statement from identical to very, very similar. The corner screws are different and the Morse won’t lay flat like the Ajax will. Here are a few more pictures.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are two of my AJAX indices. One is narrower and thinner than the other. It has different markings and two internal sides with markings as well.

That's the model I just found. It holds sixty (60) drills. The markings on the outside correspond to the straight shank drill sizes, which go from 1 to (.2280) to 60 (.0400). The markings on the inside do not correspond to the drills. One is a letter size drills list and the other is a tap to drill alignment like you see on a machinists' tap and drill card or metal signage.

The smaller, thicker one has no markings on its internal sides.

I think that's the same one @Outlawmws has, but his is a Morse. EDIT: It would be interesting to compare that model AJAX of yours to his.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, I’m revising my statement from identical to very, very similar. The corner screws are different and the Morse won’t lay flat like the Ajax will.

Thanks. My Ajax won't lay flat. I appreciate the commentary on the construction features. That's the kind of thing I was after in comparison. Also, just to see if the Morse was the same holder (1-60) as the Ajax, as I described in my post above, or not, which is why I wanted to see the outside markings. Maybe it's just easier and more effective to just write the range of the Morse out now that I think of it. Thanks, again.

 

[crguy]

Comparison of the Ajax & Morse units, same models. Notice there are small differences.

 

[d42jeep]

I took a hint from Fred’s sets and added two small cotter pins. They look just right and if one gets lost I have a large selection of spares.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Here is one that just sold, not mine, $35 was the listing price. Listed as Acorn folding triangle drill bit stand. Pix copied in case the link dies.

 

[MisterEd]

Drill Index Huot St.Paul PAT.1930617
Closes securely. Several of smallest are broken or missing.

 

[d42jeep]

I believe that I posed my tiny number index upthread.
I found this index at an estate sale last Friday. What was remarkable about it was how full it was and how sharp the bits appeared. It was a little disturbing that I knew the previous owner who had passed away 10 years ago.
-Don

 

[dbovair]

I just got this Morse triangular index today. This one does have a pin but I’m not sure if it’s the original

 

[worldcargo]

Huot St. Paul Drill Index 1/16 to 1/2 by 1/64

 

[Jgaz]

I think I’ve posted this on here before but maybe not.

A buddy of mine smashed the outer box of is Hoit index while working on his truck.
I salvaged the bit holders from the wreckage and made a finger jointed box to hold my collection of long drill bits.

I was going for the “vintage” vibe with the finger joints

 

[crguy]

Huot St. Paul Drill Index 1/16 to 1/2 by 1/64

I think you can still buy those new.

 

[Outlawmws]

While boxed Index's don't generally carry the *** appeal of the cast and wood indexes, I like these as users, (I have 2 more like the Long C box, but those are General, who probably made this one - not sure who made the left one)

The left one I got in trade with Jeff, adn the right from a sale a week ago.

Note the Term "Automatic". when these are opened, the holders tilt open as well; you are not trying to lift each layer...




These are how its done:



This makes selection easier and they are well marked:





and the fractional set has the erfrencese so often needed:



Now if I can find one similar for Letter drills!

 

[worldcargo]

I think you can still buy those new.

Just checked, you are right

 

[d42jeep]

These two indices had been sitting around waiting to be painted. The Craftsman was rusty and the Huot number index was missing paint on the front and the back. I sanded them both and they came out surprisingly well.
-Don

 

[AntiqueBen]

I just recently picked up an Atlas drill press with a milling table & I was able to acquire a ton of vintage drill bits. They are all in excellent condition & have been well taken care of.

 

[Patrickm82]

A couple of yard sale scores this morning. A standard tool and Ajax triangle .

 

[454ragtop]

After seeing all the cool ones in this thread, I'm almost ashamed to post the few that I have.

I recently acquired the small Craftsman index shown here. Trying to do some research on its value I came across this one posted by thehorse13 and recognized it, but not as Craftsman. Mine says Ashton Machine Works, only one like it I've ever seen. I've had it for probably 25 years at least. It's made to hold taps, with the tap drills, and tap guides. I'm guessing they must have made it for Craftsman. A google search for Ashton Machine Works turns up nothing. One same as thehorse's sold on Ebay for $75, empty.

 

[454ragtop]

Picked up one of these Alemite carousel types a couple months ago.

 

[RTM]

. A google search for Ashton Machine Works turns up nothing.

try here (google books is your friend) Pop Mech 1946-07

Popular Mechanics : Hearst Magazines : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY homeimprovement tips, gadgets...

archive.org

 

[454ragtop]

Awesome RTM, thank you!!!

 

[RedVise]

I took more pictures of the faint patent markings but it’s still inconclusive.
-Don

Watching this as I have the same set.

 

[RedVise]

Looking for an "L" bit !!! I have had this sitting around and realized I had a full set of A - Z bits. Well I thought I did!
Looks like a shop made drill index.

I would bet he was left handed as I cant looked at it and want to turn it or tilt my head to look at it.And stuck the last two off in a corner? Might hurt the OCD people... !!

Anyway, if some one has an "L" bit laying around ???
Any help is appriciated !

 

[esben57]

Bradson No.1 . 1/8" up to 5/8" straight shank bits held in base. Took awhile to find them all, 9/16" and 5/8" reduced to fit keyless chuck.
Yes, keyless.

 

[RedVise]

Looking for an "L" bit !!! I have had this sitting around and realized I had a full set of A - Z bits. Well I thought I did!
Looks like a shop made drill index.

I would bet he was left handed as I cant looked at it and want to turn it or tilt my head to look at it.And stuck the last two off in a corner? Might hurt the OCD people... !!

Anyway, if some one has an "L" bit laying around ???
Any help is appriciated !

Bumping this one time... ISO an "L" bit !!!

Thanks

 

[Mintgrun]

You can choose the finish that matches the ones you have.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[crguy]

Bumping this one time... ISO an "L" bit !!!

Thanks

Go to the store and buy one.

 

[Provincial]

This one may qualify for this thread, if the logo is correct.

 

[Outlawmws]

if the logo is correct.

I don';t know...

 

[Burn1]

Picked up this one.

 

[Davefr]

Can't say I've come across too many rolling indices. I'm not sure if it's a repurposed pulpit/lectern. It's pretty well built.

 

[Burn1]

Most pulpit/lectures I’ve seen had angled tops so speaker can easier view notes/presentation materials.
This one looks more purpose built w/flat top which would speak to more shop/tool specific.

Then again, could have been a former butcher block base that was repurposed...

Regardless, fantastic find and unique.
Very cool!!!!

 

[d42jeep]

I found a couple of indices yesterday at an estate sale. The first one is a piece of rectangular plastic that originally was enclosed by a plastic box. Unfortunately, the box was broken and will be discarded but I will be keeping the plastic block. The other is an apparently unused tiny number set marked PTD. I’m not sure which manufacturer those initials refer to.
-Don
Plastic index
Tiny number index.

 

[AntiqueBen]

I found a couple of indices yesterday at an estate sale. The first one is a piece of rectangular plastic that originally was enclosed by a plastic box. Unfortunately, the box was broken and will be discarded but I will be keeping the plastic block. The other is an apparently unused tiny number set marked PTD. I’m not sure which manufacturer those initials refer to.
-Don
Plastic index
Tiny number index.

I believe PTD refers to Precision Twist Drill, which is a brand of Dormer Pramet.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks.
-Don

 

[RMERR]

Here's another Cleveland #5. I cleaned it up and finished it on a sander with a 3M scotchbrite type belt. Sharpied the raised numbers to give my old eyes a break reading them. I didn't buy this because it's cool or vintage, I bought it beacause it's well thought out. The racetrack design lets you easily get two fingers on a bit. The drill numbers face upward instead of sideways, I don't have to tilt it or bend over to read them.