Should I identify and sort drill bits?

[jives]

Just came into a load of drill bits from a local auction. I'm not sure if it would be useful to try and identify and sort them for specific purposes or to avoid using them on some stock. Backstory is that I won an online auction from a small sheet metal fab business. $25 for a 13 drawer MAC tool box overflowing with bits and small tools (box needs total refurbishing). Masonry, hole saws, and spade bits not shown. The pics show incomplete drill indexes with only Cleveland and Vermont American and DeWalt names identifiable. Most of the loose bits I organized roughly by size in the clear parts container. I believe most or all of these are Norseman. Aside from the brad pointed drills for wood, there are some different flute designs, point angles, and clearly different quality. These are in addition to my existing 4-5 incomplete drill indexes, including my 'best' Bosch M42 Cobalts.

My inclination would be to toss them all in cases by size like the Norseman in the clear case (save for the obvious wood drill bits), and be done with it. Any point to having a bunch of drill bit index cases lying around?

 

[cvairwerks]

Separate by size, length, point style and point angle... different styles and angles are for different drilling needs.

 

[WaveBlasterer]

If you are bored on a rainy day, measuring and sorting out all your bits can be cathartic. I toss mine into a drill dispenser.

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[jives]

If you are bored on a rainy day, measuring and sorting out all your bits can be cathartic. I toss mine into a drill dispenser.

VEVOR Drill Bit Dispenser Guide: Which is Right for You?

Optimize your workspace with a drill bit dispenser from VEVOR. Our drill bit dispensing organizers will keep your bits stored and easily accessible. Shop Today.

www.vevor.com

Yeah, I thought of one of those (or similar), which is one reason for this inquiry. Does it make sense to have a slot for 1/4' bits with 135 deg tip, and another slot for 1/4" bits with 118 deg tip, and then separate out different flute styles? I reckon I need to know the purposes of each, but ugggh.

 

[WaveBlasterer]

My thought is that if you're doing something specific or precise enough to care, you ought to have a dedicated index or single bit. I throw everything of the same size in together. Only separate by material type (i.e. wood, masonry, metals)

 

[RoninB4]

-I've got a lot of drill bits that become a pile-o-bits from the last jobs I've done in a hurry. I'll start by separating them based upon purpose like wood, masonry, and extra length. From there I'll further separate them based upon quality of brand, the cheaper stuff gets used for jobs I don't expect the bit to survive or won't feel bad if I trash it. Those bits are in the minority of what I have so they don't take up much room. The majority of my drill bits are either HSS or cobalt from my machine shop days. Those that are in good condition go to fill appropriate index so I have complete sets where I'll need a better quality drill bit. Any bits that are dull or chipped go into a small bin for re-sharp days or are used as a sacrificial bit. All multiples not going in an index get a special drawer in one of my tool chests. It's a solid couple of hours with a micrometer but it's the only way I can have the correct size readily available instead of hunting for the correct one. I think periodic sorting is a necessary evil but it really depends on what you need your drill bits to do and what type of work is being done.