Best way to store drill bits in a tool chest?

[may0naise]

I have managed to acquire several sets of drill bits (brad point, hss, cobalt, masonry, sdsplus, spades, etc). I want to store them together in a drawer in the tool chest, and don't really want to have 5 different indexes or just tubs of mixed sizes in there. does anyone make trays (for example with multiple 1/2"-3/4" wide slots) for this or it is just going to be a "make your own" situation? maybe drop in adjustable trays like these http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20121118/ahu4esaj.jpg

 

[PugetDude]

Rubbermaid interlocking drawer trays, find them in the kitchen section at Walmart.

 

[californiaHank]

I use a wide variety of bit sizes and types, and indexes still make sense for me - Without multiple indexes, I'd find it a pain to keep the Cobalt separate from the plain HSS and the 118 degree bits separate from the 135 degree ones.

 

[PugetDude]

I use a wide variety of bit sizes and types, and indexes still make sense for me - Without multiple indexes, I'd find it a pain to keep the Cobalt separate from the plain HSS and the 118 degree bits separate from the 135 degree ones.

...but it's pretty easy to separate the spade bits, masonry bits, step bits, hole saws, and sds bits from the twist drills.

 

[californiaHank]

...but it's pretty easy to separate the spade bits, masonry bits, step bits, hole saws, and sds bits from the twist drills.

True enough, but I drill a lot of small 'similar but not the same' holes for tapping and clearance in both soft and hard materials for the same job and it's hard to tell the difference betweeen the bits I use just by looking at them.

Indexes keep me sane (or at least I hope they do). I still have a pair of calipers and a loupe magnifier on my bench pretty much all the time to double check bit sizes and types.

 

[may0naise]

My primary issue is that I have acquired several cheap kit sets for clearance pricing and dont want to store the cases all over the place. Letter bits get an index as do the more expensive cobalt bits. But I have like 6 of each size hss bits and I figure masonry and brad point is easy enough to visually distinguish so I just want to have one slot for each size. But a bunch of 2" wide fork trays will imo just take up too much space as I dont have that many 5/32 drillbits to fill one up. Maybe I will just get a bunch of 3/4" L shaped angle iron and tack it all together. I have never welded aluminum. Maybe this can be my learning project as it does not have too look that great or be super structurally perfect.

 

[rsanter]

Keep them in their index boxes and label what they are.
That way you can grab the set you need and take them where you need them

 

[rshadd]

Prehaps a Huot Drill Stand Dispenser?

 

[Legion Prime]

If you insist on not using indexes, unless you're willing to use a chest like rshadd has above then a drawer tray is an option.
https://sawdustgirl.com/drill-bit-storage-2/

 

[woody 73]

Crazy I know, but after years of buying used drill bits one day I was walking around the menards store and I came across new huot drill index boxes for sale. Now mind you not cheap (as in finding them used) but still a nice way to store 10,000 used drill bits.

I also have the boxes above very nice; still wish I could find them used but alas no such luck. As others have pointed out buying those plastic trays will be your cheapest option.

 

[woody 73]

Oh before I forget: I use wooden blocks but again( NOT A WAY TO STORE THEM IN A TOOL CHEST). So know help to the op but still another way in case you have some shelves to put the blocks on.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271214

 

[PugetDude]

Prehaps a Huot Drill Stand Dispenser?

I have three of these-
One for fractional drill bits
One for Letter bits
One for drills/taps

All of them from Amazon Warehouse deals.

The rest of my bits go into trays in a dedicated drill drawer.

 

[Bob-B]

I use 2 of these for fractional and number drills. Always on the hunt for 1 for letter drills. I also have indexes for work away from my shop.

 

[Mr_B]

Maybe I will just get a bunch of 3/4" L shaped angle iron and tack it all together. I have never welded aluminum. Maybe this can be my learning project as it does not have too look that great or be super structurally perfect.

I've done just that no welding required.
I cut a thin piece of ply fit the draw the used L section of couple varying sizes to create custom layout I wanted.
cut all the L section on a chop saw and bonded it to the ply with pu40 adhesive.
you'll need a few flat bars of aluminium if doing multiple runs through the depth (front to back) of the drawer .
Cost is fairly low and it nice life long durable end result all aluminium and no ply visible and looks clean if do cuts nice .

 

[may0naise]

The rest of my bits go into trays in a dedicated drill drawer.

what trays do you use?

I've done just that no welding required.
I cut a thin piece of ply fit the draw the used L section of couple varying sizes to create custom layout I wanted.
cut all the L section on a chop saw and bonded it to the ply with pu40 adhesive.
you'll need a few flat bars of aluminium if doing multiple runs through the depth (front to back) of the drawer .
Cost is fairly low and it nice life long durable end result all aluminium and no ply visible and looks clean if do cuts nice .

Thank you, I like this suggestion. I may do it this way, though I also may be fishing for a reason to mess with molten aluminum. also thinking of using angle iron and spraying it with bed liner when complete.

 

[bob15]

Here are plastic trays: https://www.schallercorporation.com/plastic-boxes/?sort=featured&page=1

We use these at work for drill bit storage: https://www.americanworkspace.com/plastic-parts-boxes/2858-lista-std-4.html

 

[samss]

Would a magnetic tool holder work?
https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-60433.html
At least the bits wouldn't roll around.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the drill indexes that Snap-on has.

And they come in real Snap-on red too.

 

[Legion Prime]

I like the drill indexes that Snap-on has.

And they come in real Snap-on red too.

https://snap-on-products.imgix.net/B129C.jpg

I prefer the Huot indexes personally, but that red sure looks nice!

 

[PugetDude]

what trays do you use?.

I use Rubbermaid interlocking organizer trays from the kitchen section at Walmart.
Kudos to my wife; she brought a few home for me to try. They work great.

 

[Allen Arin]

I use Rubbermaid interlocking organizer trays from the kitchen section at Walmart.
Kudos to my wife; she brought a few home for me to try. They work great.

I also liked it,it's just great

 

[fsae0607]

If you can. pony up for a Huot Drill Dispenser box. Some of the best dough I ever spent in my shop!

 

[Jazz1]

Those HUOT dispensers are nice, need a metric as well as SAE

 

[PugetDude]

Those HUOT dispensers are nice, need a metric as well as SAE

Keep an eye on Amazon Warehouse deals, I bought my last letter bit cabinet for ~$50, it arrived in a beat-up box but the cabinet was perfect.
Change it to Metric with a labelmaker.

 

[may0naise]

I was going to make something with angle iron then It turns out that these little indexable storage cases from harbor freight fit perfectly in my drawer (https://www.harborfreight.com/18-divider-storage-container-94456.html). And at $2 each(ty 30% off coupon) it proved to be the best solution for me.

 

[zktk01]

I got some plano fish tackle cases put drills in those and stack them I like them they are clear, I throw in desiccant in them also.