Drill Bit Storage

[DCarr]

I have 100's of vaious drill bits of all sizes and I am trying to think of a way to store the smaller ones .. .050" - .3125". I have quite few of each of those and right now they are all in a metal drawer mixed up. I would like to seperate them by size.

I was looking at plastic boxes, that might work well for the smaller ones ( under .200" ) also thought of prescription bottles, but will get limited by length and then still need a bigger container to keep them all together in.

I have 3 Full Index's, so just looking for something for all the extra's. I'm going to look specifically for plastic boxes ( tupperware type ) at the Dollar Store and see what they have.

I'm certain someone out there has an idea I am over looking.

TIA

 

[shopnut]

How about a tackle box - one for storing longer type lures?

 

[Kevin54]

Check into the Huot Drill Indexes. http://store.huot-store.com/tool-storage/category/dtri.html

http://store.huot-store.com/tool-storage/category/dtri-dus.html

Or get one of the Acro-Mills boxes that have the compartments. About $10-$15 at WallyWorld

Here is Acro-Mills online catalog http://www.akro-mils.com/FlashCatalog/index.html#?page=0 I can't get the picture up, but page 34 has a 64 drawer small storage cabinet

 

[lilredex]

These were some dollar store (Dollarama) finds from a couple of years back. They looked too good to be true ($1 ea) so I stocked up figuring they would not be around long, and they weren't. That tackle type box measures 2 1/2H X 4W X 8" Long and the flatter one 1 3/4 X 5 1/2 X 7" Long with moveable dividers.



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Also had the recent good luck to find this on CL locally for $10.



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Earlier in the spring I found Huot cabinets # 13000, 13500 and 13575 for $25 ea. on Kijiji.

http://store.huot-store.com/merchan...arch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=

Don't overlook the obvious either, like things you may be tossing out regularly, like these trays. Our cat is hooked on the packaged food that comes in these so we have a good supply. They could be cut down lower or you could make a carboard slip in tray to maximize that height. Could even make up a cardboard cabinet to hold a few of these. If anyone makes things from cardboard and has trouble making sharp folds where you want them......cut a 3/4" board (hardwood is best) at 45* angle and crush with that sharp edge at the bend line first then bend up against that sharp edge.



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As you can see, any spare time this coming winter will be devoted to straightening out my mess of bits, bolts, taps, etc. They are kind of organized now, but in multiple places, should be able to pull it all together with these ideas.

 

[DCarr]

lilredx ... your first pic is exactly what I am looking for. The 2nd pic is what they are in right now, they share 1 drawer, the rest are already full of other things.

I had gone by our " Dollar " store, they didnt have anything like that .. this trip. Will be stopping by more often.

 

[rkevins]

you could look at the tubes we use to store scrollsaw blades they clear plastic 3/4" dia 6" long the tops have hang tabs around $5 per dozen plus shipping. I use them for scrollsaw blades, needel files small rasps.

 

[bad_idea]

i keep mine in the top drawer of my vidmar by the drill press. i sectioned the drawer out to cubbys and chunk them in there roughly by size. i prefer to keep things in drawers rather than individual containers. easier to open a drawer and pick from all of them than to open 27 containers looking for one specific bit.

 

[daveroy]

I have two cheap Ideas for you ... separate them by size. then store them in pill bottles sized accordingly (if you have 20 of one size you will need a bigger pill bottle than if you have 5)

If they are pretty small, and you only have a few of each... go to McD's and get a handfull of the jumbo straws. fold over the end, and staple shut. then set in something with the open end up. label size on straw with fine tip sharpie.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I bought a benchtop rack to hold one each of sizes from 1/16 to 1/2 inch and the rest go in a Plano box by size/tipe. I've also got 2 small sets in my tool bag.

 

[Matt M PA]

My late Father had a small roll around toolbox that was next to the drill press. He just had a cutlery tray with his bits in it. (Now that these things belong to me...I do the same.

 

[evintho]

 

[sscustom]

I haven't been on here much but i made a drill press cabinate that can hold all sorts of stuff

drill press /storage cabinate build

 

[dude67]

I would fill this drill bit index first:

http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,4121.html

for easy access of Numbers, Letters & Fractional bits, then find more small storage bins for the left overs.

 

[NitroPress]

I just usually leave my smaller bits broken off in whatever I was drilling.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would fill this drill bit index first:

http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,4121.html

for easy access of Numbers, Letters & Fractional bits, then find more small storage bins for the left overs.

$25, that's cheap enough.

 

[machine_punk]

I just usually leave my smaller bits broken off in whatever I was drilling.

I nearly cried laughing!

On another note...I've always kinda liked Grizzly's solution to this problem...

View media item 11741

 

[PCO6]

On another note...I've always kinda liked Grizzly's solution to this problem...

I have one of those and they are pretty efficient. I throw out the drill bits the box came with as they wear out or break. In the meantime I have been filling the box with better bits. The original bits point in one direction and the good ones point in the other direction. Eventually it will be full of bits pointing in the "right" direction.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Look at MSCDIRECT.com and look for "drill dispenser". There are several types. I have a three drawer unit in fractional sizes. It will hold probably 2 dozen of the smaller sizes in each divider, and 6 or so of the bigger 3/8" to 1/2'> It will hold a lot of bits. They are pricey but its a one time purchase. Its about $105 or so for a fractional size and they have letter, number, metric, drawers if you need them. Enco I think also carries them.

 

[DonkDonk]

I would fill this drill bit index first:

http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,4121.html

for easy access of Numbers, Letters & Fractional bits, then find more small storage bins for the left overs.

$25, that's cheap enough.

I also recommend these for storing a full set of bits, makes it so easy to just get the one you need.

I picked up the 115 piece cobalt drill bit set from Harbor Freight and it comes in a box just like this... really good bits and have not broken one yet. They go on sale for $99 or less, then 20% off coupon they are not too bad:

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-piece-cobalt-drill-bit-set-47653.html

They also have a regular high speed steel 115 piece set in the same index for $39.99, so with a 20% coupon you would get all those bits for $7 over the cost of just the index from Huot and it is probably the exact same index.

http://www.harborfreight.com/115-piece-high-speed-drill-bit-set-with-index-528.html

 

[DCarr]

Oddly enough .. My Wife mentioned this idea tonight .... I do like this idea and think this is what I will be going with. I have 5 of these full of everything else ... some have had the same parts in them for probably 20 yrs ... and havent been used in 15 ... But I just would feel right emptying ( throwing away ) those parts .... I mean ... how many Quadrajets will I rebuild in the future ... I probably do 1 a year now. Or my stock 64 Chevelle moulding clips ... put them in the drawers in 1986 and havent touched them since ...
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Thanks for the pic !!

 

[DCarr]

On another note...I've always kinda liked Grizzly's solution to this problem...

View media item 11741

da** I should've read all the post ... That would be about as close to perfect as can be ... I dont need to buy one with drills already, would defeat the purpose.

 

[A_Pmech]

Look at MSCDIRECT.com and look for "drill dispenser". There are several types. I have a three drawer unit in fractional sizes.

I like those. Not as fancy as the ball-bearing slide "Master Drill Dispenser Cabinet", but they're not $1,100 either!

 

[ihredo4]

If you have an empty drawer somewhere you could make your own bit holders to fill it. Thin walled PVC pipe with a cap on both ends. Adjust the length for the bits you plan to put in them and also the diameter of pipe. Just a suggestion.

 

[muibubbles]

I like those. Not as fancy as the ball-bearing slide "Master Drill Dispenser Cabinet", but they're not $1,100 either!

more pics please!!! close up and inside!!

 

[72Anthony]

I use the Slotted Grooved Trays from Lista. They measure 6" x 6" and come with two, three or four grooves to store bits. They also have snap-in dividers to separate your bits. I've got 8 of these trays in my cabinet storing forstner, brad point, and miscellaneous other bits. These are on the right hand side of the drawer and the total cost was less than $50.

I also have some bits in plastic trays from Shaller...these are towards the center of the drawer and store masonry and old twist bits.

Hole saw, taps, and screw extractors are stored in their plastic cases.

Still trying to come up with a better way of storing the spade bits located in the back of the drawer...The piece of cardboard is keeping the points from contacting the drawer. I would like to make some type of tray that allows them to be stored vertically.

Large auger bits are stored in between a set of Lista dividers towards the center-left.


Regards,
Anthony