Storage for dies

[pendragon1998]

I came across a few die storage threads today and I had a few thoughts to add. If you're a coin collector, you're familiar with 'coin flips', which are little plastic 2x4 pouches (they're sealed on all edges, and open in the middle, so you can insert a coin into the top and bottom sections and fold them across the middle). It occurred to me that those might be a nice way to keep your dies from floating around the toolbox. You can heat seal some flips, so if you needed a more long-term solution, that might be one option. The PVC-free flips are a bit pricier, but are perhaps better, because PVC/vinyl can release some green, acidic schmoo over long periods, especially if it's hot.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMPKNU/?tag=atomicindus08-20


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043WUBK0/?tag=atomicindus08-20


They also make cardboard and plastic boxes to store stacks of 2x2 flips.


You could also go with a Presidential dollar-sized coin tube, if you have multiples in a size. Pres. dollars are 1.040", so those tubes would hold a 1" die (or you could go to a half dollar tube if you wanted larger). I like the square-sided tubes, since they stack better.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DB8R2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20



They also make these things called Direct Fit Airtites, which would be awesome, but I don't think they come in an appropriate thickness for dies, unfortunately.

 

[Packard V8]

You're welcome to go that way, but it is an extra step to get them in hand.

The best storage I've found for taps and dies is the Kennedy #520 7-drawer machinist's chest. They're felt lined.

I've five or six and use them for taps, dies, drills, reamers, punches, hole saws, files; anything small, round, flat et al.

jack vines

 

[James-W]

My tap and die set is a wooden box with individual holders cut into the wood. I don't normally take it out of the shop though.

 

[Wamsutta]

The best storage I've found for taps and dies is the Kennedy #520 7-drawer machinist's chest. They're felt lined.

Does the chest come from Kennedy with the felt already installed?

 

[Richard Cranium]

mine did

 

[Bob P1]

I occasionally spray some WD40 right on the felt, keeps anything from wanting to rust.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Huot index cabinets for taps and dies. Plano cases for larger dies.

 

[Jason280]

All of my dies are in a small top box/tool box, and I keep the dies in small ziploc bags.

 

[oldwino]

Probably not the ideal solution but I store mine in 3x5” envelopes (key envelopes from Ace) with the apprioate taps and drills in a file cabinet drawer. They don’t leave the shop so no rattling around.

 

[Jim c]

You can make a really nice die holder out of a piece of pine 2x8 cut to whatever length you prefer. Use a drill press with spade wood boring bits of the appropriate size for each of your dies and drill just deep enough so the dies will set flush with the surface of the wood. You can also cut a piece of felt to the size and glue in the hole. Use a dremel or a chisel to make a notch at each hole so you easily lift out dies with finger.

 

[6PTsocket]

You can make a really nice die holder out of a piece of pine 2x8 cut to whatever length you prefer. Use a drill press with spade wood boring bits of the appropriate size for each of your dies and drill just deep enough so the dies will set flush with the surface of the wood. You can also cut a piece of felt to the size and glue in the hole. Use a dremel or a chisel to make a notch at each hole so you easily lift out dies with finger.

You can also take a router bit and run a groove across the round holes to make all the finger holes in one shot. A Forstner bit will also make nice flat bottom holes for the dies.

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