Driver Bit Cases

[aburkhardt]

As is the case (pun intended) with many (most?) on this forum, i collect and hoard infinitely more tools that i perhaps need. Don't tell my better half.

That said, i picked up another 30+ piece Dewalt driver bit set, because it was 0.02 cents off, and i can't help but comment that the method that Dewalt uses to hold the bits is, by far, the worst of those I've encountered.

Comparing to another Dewalt toughcase from 5+ years ago, which has not been improved upon, a Makita gold bit set, and several Milwaukee sets, the dewalt yellow cases require you to slide the bits in at almost a negative angle, pass the first set of stiff rubber, then lift upward until you slide into it's final resting place. As a product development engineer, this is maddening.

Given that i'm a weekend warrior, and use my bits more frequently in and around my home, what are some better alternatives to storing driver bits for easy access?

In addition to the big box sets, i've got a plethora of loose bits from Wera, wiha, PB Swisster, #2's from KC Tool, and some other orphans.

What's your favorite storage system/method?

 

[JBH]

I like Felo’s bit boxes the best. I use those and the red PB Swiss bit strips for randos. The black Wiha tin cans with foam inside work well too.

 

[kctyphoon]

If you just wanna make your life easy. Just buy one or two of these $4 organizers, and throw everything inside.. sometimes easy is better than pretty.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6...rganizer-Clear-and-Black-THD2015-03/301959981

I had pictures of the ones i have at work.. but anyway - if you pull the dividers out on one long side, it’ll hold normal size drill bits, and then you still have up to 3 separate compartments to keep driver bits separated.. I HATED the dewalt driver organizers.. even the Milwaukee can get annoying sometimes.

What’s nice too, is with those husky storage bins being clear, if you have multiple ones you can easily see what’s inside without opening them. They are nice and small, and hold up very well. I have 3 on the bucket truck at work just getting banged around inside a utility door with other hand tools. None have broken yet.

Actually here - when they were newer.. they come divided into 6 compartments .

 

[woody 73]

I like the GJ ask a question get an answer...

 

[aburkhardt]

I like Felo’s bit boxes the best. I use those and the red PB Swiss bit strips for randos. The black Wiha tin cans with foam inside work well too.

The PB Swiss "bitblocks" look to fit the bill, but unfortunately they're inflated to $11+ on amazon. They're more reasonable from Count-On Tools, and possibly Toollady, the usual suspects, though. Guess i'll just have to add some more items to the cart to justify shipping ...

 

[aburkhardt]

I like the GJ ask a question get an answer...

Can't quite make out the make on those red magnetic holders. They look similar to the Olsa ones on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Olsa-Tools-Organizer-Magnetic-Specialty/dp/B01LR8XYCO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1549338959&sr=8-14&keywords=magnetic+bit+holder

 

[mbshop]

.22 ammo plastic cases.

 

[woody 73]

Can't quite make out the make on those red magnetic holders. They look similar to the Olsa ones on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Olsa-Tools-Organizer-Magnetic-Specialty/dp/B01LR8XYCO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1549338959&sr=8-14&keywords=magnetic+bit+holder

http://www.torinjacksusa.com/torin/...n-tool-storages/item/magnetic-bit-holder.html

 

[Shane6377]

HDX small parts organizer from Home Depot. They are a double sided parts organizer with removable dividers. Works great for drill and driver bits. Under $10 too. That's my go-to portable option.

I drill 1/4" holes in a 1x4 for storage inside the toolbox.


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[mr.lemons]

Been using these cheap direct from China bit strips and then whatever box or case they fit in. Bits are a tight fit so they would be too fiddly for anyone swapping bits all day but good for keeping bits organised.

Five strips for £1.31 ($1.70)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-pcs-St...Holder-/192762139272?var=&hash=item2ce184d288

 

[LB-1911]

Ullman
BH-2 - 1/4" Vinyl Bit Holder available via various sources would be an option to corral a few of your loose / miscellaneous bits.

 

[Wyoming09]

https://www.midwayusa.com/ammo-boxes/br?cid=683

 

[M_George]

Here's one for under $10 at Home Depot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Torin-7...etic-Bit-Small-Parts-Organizer-581T/300203433

 

[Bob275]

I have some of these along with the accessories.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43326&p=71906

Looks like its unavailable now though... sorry.

 

[Danglerb]

Link to seller still in China, but via USA ebay, same 5 pcs 10 or 12 slot less than $2: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-Hex-Sh...-Head-Storage-Case-Deck-Durable-/192748069956

Been using these cheap direct from China bit strips and then whatever box or case they fit in. Bits are a tight fit so they would be too fiddly for anyone swapping bits all day but good for keeping bits organised.

Five strips for £1.31 ($1.70)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-pcs-St...Holder-/192762139272?var=&hash=item2ce184d288

 

[Rarified27]

.22 ammo plastic cases.

Yup!

 

[Joe Mamma]

.22 ammo plastic cases.

I like the white CCI 9mm ammo trays that come inside the cardboard box of 50 rounds. Bits fit loosely (so they can easily be pulled and put back), but they still stand up.

Different brands have different size and shaped cutouts (even for the same caliber), so anyone considering ammo trays should experiment.

Joe Mamma

 

[Rarified27]

I like the white CCI 9mm ammo trays that come inside the cardboard box of 50 rounds. Bits fit loosely (so they can easily be pulled and put back), but they still stand up.

Different brands have different size and shaped cutouts (even for the same caliber), so anyone considering ammo trays should experiment.

Joe Mamma

The ones I use are from the non-brass blazer stuff. I put them in a deeper clear plastic case and it works pretty well.

 

[rick carpenter]

I use clear Plano/Flambeau/Ozark Trails fishing lure boxes from Academy. Shallower than the Husky boxes kctyphoon has, but with several different sizes. You can only adjust the compartments lengthwise though.

 

[Biomed]

.22 ammo plastic cases.

I like the ammo case idea but are the .22 ammo holes large enough to actually fit a 1/4" (0.25") bit? Ammo cases are readily available and cheap. I was going to order a few today but I'm just not sure the bits will fit. Anybody actually doing this?

If the bits won't fit in a .22 ammo case I'm sure there are other ammo calibers that would work.

I really like that Wiha box in Mr. Lemon's post but I don't think Wiha sells those in the US.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

As is the case (pun intended) with many (most?) on this forum, i collect and hoard infinitely more tools that i perhaps need.

You have no way of knowing how many tools you may need until you die. Don't take any chances!

 

[bonneyman]

.22 ammo plastic cases.

I like MTM cases.

https://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/rifle/ammo-boxes-rifle-r-100.php

 

[mr.lemons]

I like the ammo case idea but are the .22 ammo holes large enough to actually fit a 1/4" (0.25") bit? Ammo cases are readily available and cheap. I was going to order a few today but I'm just not sure the bits will fit. Anybody actually doing this?

If the bits won't fit in a .22 ammo case I'm sure there are other ammo calibers that would work.

I really like that Wiha box in Mr. Lemon's post but I don't think Wiha sells those in the US.

Doesn't have to be a Wiha box. Any Bosch, Makita or even an Altoids tin will do. I used to keep bits in a box similar to the ammo cases but specifically made for bits. Knocked it of my bench a couple of times with the lid open and the bits went everywhere. That's why I started using the strips.

 

[racingtadpole]

A piece of timber or HDPE cutting board with 7mm holes in it is completely customisable

 

[seber]

I second the plastic on a drill press.

 

[Biomed]

I guess I will try this one more time...

Are the holes in a .22 ammo storage case actually large enough to accommodate a 1/4" (0.25") hex bit? Is anyone actually doing this or is it just an idea someone had?

 

[BFHtime]

I guess I will try this one more time...

Are the holes in a .22 ammo storage case actually large enough to accommodate a 1/4" (0.25") hex bit? Is anyone actually doing this or is it just an idea someone had?

How about some pictures. Really need pictures in this thread.

 

[Shane6377]

This is my toolbox solution. Scrap 1x4 cutoff with 1/4" holes drilled about 1/2" deep. Works good inside the drawer and can easily be taken out if needed. The only downside is there is no retention so if you drop it your picking up a lot of bits!





My portable case is an HDX double sided small parts case from Home Depot. I've been happy with it.


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[Joe Mamma]

.22 ammo plastic cases.

I guess I will try this one more time...

Are the holes in a .22 ammo storage case actually large enough to accommodate a 1/4" (0.25") hex bit? Is anyone actually doing this or is it just an idea someone had?

My guess is that people are just laying the bits down in the plastic rectangular boxes that often come with CCI 22 ammo, with multiple bits in a single rectangular box. This is after removing the dividers with the individual cutouts (holes) for each cartridge.

I would love to be shown that my guess is wrong.

b-man

 

[Shane6377]

A 1/4" bit won't fit in a .22 hole. I just tried it in a CCI plastic case.

You could take out the insert and store them loose as was suggested above.




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[Biomed]

A 1/4" bit won't fit in a .22 hole. I just tried it in a CCI plastic case.

Thank you!! That's what I thought.

There are some really weird ammo calibers so it should be possible to find an ammo storage case that would work.

 

[mr.lemons]

It's possible that some .22 cases will fit hex bits. The top review for this one says they do. Another review states that the ammo is a loose fit so the holes could be oversized. I've never touched any ammo or ammo cases so just going off these reviews not hands on experience.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045HLTMW/?tag=atomicindus08-20