New bit holder free sample

[bitbelt]

Hello Garage Journal members

I created a new hex bit storage/organizer device and i would like to give free samples to Garage Journal members that are interested in testing it and providing feedback in this forum. Ryan gave me permission to post here and offer free samples.

In my garage shop i require many types of fasteners because I work with a wide variety of stuff: machine tools, scientific instruments, vacuum systems, electronics, automotive, and plumbing. So this means I need torx drivers, nut drivers, hex drivers (ball end and square end), adapters, extensions, and screwdrivers, of all sizes and metric + standard. This adds up to over a hundred different types of bits! It was driving me crazy.

So one day I was building a project involving 3/16" rubber sheet and I noticed that the holes I was punching in the rubber have an "hourglass" shape that matches up quite well with the annular groove of a 1/4" hex bit. So i decided to make a bit holder based on this concept. The rubber hole grips the annular groove.

I hired a company to make a few thousand prototypes, in two sizes: 6-bit and 20-bit. Pic of the 20-bit holder below. if you would like to try a free sample, and you are willing to write about the performance in this forum, please message me with your address. I will send free samples of both sizes.

thank you
dan steinberg

 

[bitbelt]

Mike65 said:
Are there any more available? If so I will try one out.


Sorry, no. Free samples are gone. Bitbelts can be purchased here: https://vaporgenie.com/product/bit-belt/



Moderator Edit: I have merged this post with another previous so fellow members do realize that the free samples are no longer available.

 

[KnurledNut]

@bitbelt
Have you thought about bonding this to a rigid substrate, perhaps with magnets strong enough to facilitate one-handed removal of bits?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Pm sent

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I received my free sample. Excited to try them out. Thanks. I noticed you’re pretty local to me as well which is cool.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I paid for mine, two with 10 holes and one with 6.

Although you can use insert bits they do not hold as well as power drive bits and I would not do it if I needed the bits to stay put under duress. Here are six vessel impact rated insert drywall bits.



I bounced it around and they did not fall out. You can even attach this to a tool lanyard if you are running up a ladder. In the background you can see a Chapman 104 bit container.

Next I tested power drive bits; this is designed for power drive bits.

In the picture below, I have three Makita nut setters that I tested because they are heavy. If these hold well, it should hold anything.

The other bit in the photo is a PB Swiss 2" bit.



Even loaded up, we can slop this thing around and everything stays where it should and does not fall out. It does take some force to get the bits out, huh? I don't think they're going to come out on their own even if they're bouncing around.

I wanted to try them to throw on a toolbox and have the bits stay put. Also good when I scamper up a ladder.

Not a bad product of you have an appropriate use case.

 

[fourjeepin]

Got mine today, one 6 hole and one 20. They hold the bits surprisingly well considering how thin they are. The thinness is also an advantage as it makes the short bits easier to remove.

Unsure what I will do with the small one. The 1/4” bits multiply like rabbits around my house.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Got mine today, one 6 hole and one 20. They hold the bits surprisingly well considering how thin they are. The thinness is also an advantage as it makes the short bits easier to remove.

Unsure what I will do with the small one. The 1/4” bits multiply like rabbits around my house.

So did you try them with power drive bits or with standard insert bits? Most of my power drive bits are over 1 in Long. If I remember correctly, my smaller 1 inch power drive bits are Makita. I don't know if I have any Milwaukee that are like that.

I think for PB Swiss, zephyr, and vessel... Apex... I don't think they make a 1-in PD bit.

 

[four.cycle]

I paid for mine,

what is the price point?

 

[Ohio Andy]

what is the price point?

I bought directly from him, paid with PayPal, I paid $10 for the 20-bit $5 for the 6-bit, and then $5 for shipping.

 

[rust in the eye]

Inspiration comes in unexpected ways sometimes.
So simple, love it.

 

[bitbelt]

Free samples are still available, but only for the next couple days.

Thank you for the reviews.

I sent about 18 samples so far, so I am expecting more reviews soon,.

 

[egdede]

I recieved a pair and am surprised. They hold bits well. The material ios well selected. I bought 'centpede' (I think) socket holders that were made of a urethane that was too hard. The hard urethane made it difficult to .place or remove sockets. This material would be perfect for that.

30 years ago I would have put my drill's cord through the big hole. That ship has sailed : ) I'm too busy to work on any project with them right now, but will warrioring this weekend, and I will give an update.

 

[bitbelt]

If you received samples, please write reviews!

 

[duneslider]

I got mine the other day. I filled the big one up with heavy big nut drivers and extenders just to see what it was like and they seem very secure. I put some small bits (not designed for the small bits) in the small one just to see what would happen. They seem to hold plenty good enough to be honest, not as locked in but I don't see them easily falling out.

I will take some pictures later but I tossed them in my tool bag to see what happens. I actually really like them so far and plan to buy a handful more. I think I will probably end up with several more of the smaller size. I can load up a small one with all my torx bits in a row by size.

One suggestion I would have is maybe some different colors to help with organization, or just color coordinating. I wouldn't mind one color for torx bits, one for square drive, one for phillips, etc. It might make it a little easier to grab what I want from the bottom of my messy tool bag.

After more thought, I am probably going to get a few to give to some friends as "stocking stuffers".

 

[bitbelt]

I got mine the other day. I filled the big one up with heavy big nut drivers and extenders just to see what it was like and they seem very secure. I put some small bits (not designed for the small bits) in the small one just to see what would happen. They seem to hold plenty good enough to be honest, not as locked in but I don't see them easily falling out.

I will take some pictures later but I tossed them in my tool bag to see what happens. I actually really like them so far and plan to buy a handful more. I think I will probably end up with several more of the smaller size. I can load up a small one with all my torx bits in a row by size.

One suggestion I would have is maybe some different colors to help with organization, or just color coordinating. I wouldn't mind one color for torx bits, one for square drive, one for phillips, etc. It might make it a little easier to grab what I want from the bottom of my messy tool bag.

After more thought, I am probably going to get a few to give to some friends as "stocking stuffers".

hi Duneslider

thank you for the review! I do plan to make various colors. That will happen when bit belt is selling and making money.


I caution against using bit belts with 1/4" hex bits without the annular groove, because the constant deformation of the rubber will cause compression set and damage the rubber over time, and eventually the bit will fall out. Compression set is when rubber acquies a new shape because of constant deformation.

Bit belts should only be used with groovy bits, i.e. bits with an annular groove.

 

[bitbelt]

I paid for mine, two with 10 holes and one with 6.

Although you can use insert bits they do not hold as well as power drive bits and I would not do it if I needed the bits to stay put under duress. Here are six vessel impact rated insert drywall bits.



I bounced it around and they did not fall out. You can even attach this to a tool lanyard if you are running up a ladder. In the background you can see a Chapman 104 bit container.

Next I tested power drive bits; this is designed for power drive bits.

In the picture below, I have three Makita nut setters that I tested because they are heavy. If these hold well, it should hold anything.

The other bit in the photo is a PB Swiss 2" bit.



Even loaded up, we can slop this thing around and everything stays where it should and does not fall out. It does take some force to get the bits out, huh? I don't think they're going to come out on their own even if they're bouncing around.

I wanted to try them to throw on a toolbox and have the bits stay put. Also good when I scamper up a ladder.

Not a bad product of you have an appropriate use case.

hi andy

I caution against using bit belts with 1/4" hex bits without the annular groove, because the constant deformation of the rubber will cause compression set and damage the rubber over time, and eventually the bit will fall out. Compression set is when rubber acquies a new shape because of constant deformation.

Bit belts should only be used with groovy bits, i.e. bits with an annular groove.

 

[Ohio Andy]

hi andy

I caution against using bit belts with 1/4" hex bits without the annular groove, because the constant deformation of the rubber will cause compression set and damage the rubber over time, and eventually the bit will fall out. Compression set is when rubber acquies a new shape because of constant deformation.

Bit belts should only be used with groovy bits, i.e. bits with an annular groove.

Good to know that it was not because it could not hold them. Thanks for that information....

@duneslider you can always hit it with a bit of nail polish or even a paint marker, but yeah, full on color would be nice for segregation purposes with easy identification. I had not thought of putting Metric Hex in one color and SAE Hex in another, especially useful with my Zephyr bits since Zephyr uses odd-ball part numbers that do not easily map to the actual size. Well, they follow a pattern (mostly), but my mind won't hold that in my mind.

Just do not borrow your wife's or daughters, they will have you for lunch!

 

[bitbelt]

Hello
I am ending the free product offer. I appreciate all the interest and support.
Bit Belts are available to purchase here (they are $10 and $5): https://vaporgenie.com/product/bit-belt/

 

[Milton Shaw]

Hello Garage Journal members

I created a new hex bit storage/organizer device and i would like to give free samples to Garage Journal members that are interested in testing it and providing feedback in this forum. Ryan gave me permission to post here and offer free samples.

In my garage shop i require many types of fasteners because I work with a wide variety of stuff: machine tools, scientific instruments, vacuum systems, electronics, automotive, and plumbing. So this means I need torx drivers, nut drivers, hex drivers (ball end and square end), adapters, extensions, and screwdrivers, of all sizes and metric + standard. This adds up to over a hundred different types of bits! It was driving me crazy.

So one day I was building a project involving 3/16" rubber sheet and I noticed that the holes I was punching in the rubber have an "hourglass" shape that matches up quite well with the annular groove of a 1/4" hex bit. So i decided to make a bit holder based on this concept. The rubber hole grips the annular groove.

I hired a company to make a few thousand prototypes, in two sizes: 6-bit and 20-bit. Pic of the 20-bit holder below. if you would like to try a free sample, and you are willing to write about the performance in this forum, please message me with your address. I will send free samples of both sizes.

thank you
dan steinberg

If you still have some samples. I would like a set. I hate the ones from Milwaukee that you have to have pliers to remove and put them back in. Would like to try yours. Milton Shaw, 1601 Shirley Way, Knoxville TN 37909

 

[bitbelt]

If you still have some samples. I would like a set. I hate the ones from Milwaukee that you have to have pliers to remove and put them back in. Would like to try yours. Milton Shaw, 1601 Shirley Way, Knoxville TN 37909

hi Milton

ok sending you samples even though its past my arbitrary cutoff lol.

 

[four.cycle]

Hello
I am ending the free product offer. I appreciate all the interest and support.
Bit Belts are available to purchase here (they are $10 and $5): https://vaporgenie.com/product/bit-belt/

so... the https://bitbeltorganizer.com/ URL is not the one to use? Or... ?

I just thought of another lead. Check your P/Ms.

 

[bitbelt]

so... the https://bitbeltorganizer.com/ URL is not the one to use? Or... ?

I just thought of another lead. Check your P/Ms.

sending! thank you

 

[bitbelt]

 

[bitbelt]

Free sample recipients are not posting reviews! That was the deal. Recipients, please do so!

 

[four.cycle]

^ I haven't picked up my mail yet, and you have to give them enough time to put it to the test.
I'm still waiting for a review of a socket set I shipped out last December. Some of them are faster than others.

 

[ATC]

Day late and a dollar short....I literally just drilled holes in a scrap block of wood last weekend to store a bunch of bits I had laying in a drawer of my toolbox. Looks like a nice product.

 

[Jazz1]

I have not seen anything on the market like this,,great idea.
Definitely would have been handy this am up a ladder blindly pulling bits out of my pocket

 

[Ohio Andy]

Remember that you can buy them directly.... it is what I did. Shipped quickly. Nice product. The only draw back is that you want to use Power Drive "Groovy" bits (see post #24 above). It would have been very useful for my last trip to my roof a few weeks back. It was really annoying tracking my bits without letting them fall or slide away. This product is exactly what I wanted for that task but did not have.

 

[Mike65]

Are there any more available? If so I will try one out.

 

[duneslider]

I let them bounce around in my tool bag for a couple of days and had no issues. I did load the big one up with a lot of heavier pieces, it was honestly a little unwieldy completely full of bigger heavier items. I really like the smaller one a lot. It holds a good amount of bit and is easy to keep around and handle. The big one full is a lot for the stuff I had in it. I am honestly thinking of cutting the big one in half to make it a stubby 10 bit holder, I think that would be a good size for me.

If I haven't mentioned though, I really like the smaller size and am going to buy a bunch more of them.

I also did have the small one full of "non-groovy" bits for a couple days even though the designer said not to but I'm a rule breaker and I use a lot of small bits. Even though bitbelt says not to do it and that it will eventually lead to long term damage I am willing to risk it and will just replace them when they stop working and holding properly. I feel like it works good enough for me that if I have to occasionally replace one that is fine with me.

I will def go for different colors when those become available as well.

 

[scfoxman]

Clever concept. Just test fit for all bit types and rubber durability. Size chart and stackable/wall-mount options would help.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Clever concept. Just test fit for all bit types and rubber durability. Size chart and stackable/wall-mount options would help.

I think a simple pegboard hook would suffice. Easier to track things off these were available in different colors, but I am sure that many but types would be ready to immediately recognize... Ignoring SAE vs Metric hex or the different types of "star" bits

For now I would just mark the edge with either a paint pen or nail polish.

 

[bitbelt]

A colored zip tie attached to the bitbelt large hole can also be used for identification. Thats what I do.

I am going to make colored versions on the next run.

 

[bitbelt]

Clever concept. Just test fit for all bit types and rubber durability. Size chart and stackable/wall-mount options would help.

Thank you. Yes the concept works great. I have been using these for 3+ years now. Never had one fail.

The rubber is very durable. Buna-N/nitrile rubber is tough and abrasion resistant. It does not wear out or rub away. Some other rubber materials are susceptible to abrasion damage, like silicone.

There is an engineering standard for the annular groove, so they are all the same, at least nominally. The standard is ASME B107.4.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Thank you. Yes the concept works great. I have been using these for 3+ years now. Never had one fail.

The rubber is very durable. Buna-N/nitrile rubber is tough and abrasion resistant. It does not wear out or rub away. Some other rubber materials are susceptible to abrasion damage, like silicone.

There is an engineering standard for the annular groove, so they are all the same, at least nominally. The standard is ASME B107.4.

Geeking out, Particularly appreciate E.

 

[rust in the eye]

Mine arrived today, thank you Dan.
Power bits are retained VERY securely. NFW will they shake out and easier to remove from the BitBelt than from my previous organizers which often required using another bit to push them out from the bottom.
These are beautiful in their simplicity and made from quality material.
While the maker clearly states only for use with power bits having an annular groove I've loaded some plain 1" bits and am confident that unless truly manhandled I wouldn't lose them.

The 20 bit holder will live in my toolbox while the sixer has grown a carabiner to hang from a belt loop and earmarked for a particular "set" of tools I've segregated for the quick repair of my rotting cedar fence posts and rails which more and more frequently wind up on the ground after a good wind. I've been applying various patches and bodges the past few years to keep it standing well enough to contain our dog until a new fence is in the budget. Part of all this bodging has meant using whatever fasteners are at hand so each time I need to get out and patch it up again I find myself juggling three of four different power bits to drive the motley assortment of screws it is loosely held together with. This will make that miserable task just a little bit more bearable.

 

[Benw455]

I received mine in the mail today. I do like the fit. I will be using them this week and will give my review Friday. Thanks

 

[DAWrench]

Got my samples in the mail today. The power(groovy) bits fit tightly and rubber feels like it is quality and will be durable. Overall I like them but I definitely prefer the smaller 6 bit holder over the 20 bit holder. The 20 if fully loaded with the longer power drive bits would be a bit awkward for my uses.

 

[ATC]

I think a 12-bit size would be perfect to fill the gap between 6 and 20