Tap and die storage

[Manatee91]

I have finally given up on the molded case that my tap and die sets came in. They never did keep them organized and as I have replaced bits they no longer fit I the cases leaving me with a pile of taps and dies in the top of my tool box. I have come up with a good solution for the dies but I am still thinking of a way to store my taps. I am leaning towards a drawer set that I can mount on the wall.

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[WhoWhatNow]

For taps I really like the huot indexes. This one stores the taps and drills in one place:

https://www.huot.com/products/tap-and-drill-nc/

 

[kbs2244]

I lay them out on an old towel, about an inch apart, spray with WD40, and roll them up.

 

[oldwino]

Certainly not the best method but I place mine in 3x5 envelopes (like you get when you have keys cut) with the die, tap and correct drill bit. Mark envelope with correct size then placed in a card file box.

 

[87GN]

A piece of wood drilled to hold them vertically?

 

[lilredex]

Here is what works for me. If you are nervous about the taps in the S-K box (never had a problem with that arrangement), you could just leave them in the original packaging as in the last picture.

 

[Cobra5150]

For taps I really like the huot indexes. This one stores the taps and drills in one place:

https://www.huot.com/products/tap-and-drill-nc/

^^^^^This^^^^^^

 

[PhysicsDude]

That's a pretty nifty storage solution. You could probably fit 2-3 dies of the same size if you have duplicate sets, or have a spare.

Thanks for sharing.

Huot has a lot of good products for storing/organizing bits and taps, but I'm not aware of any product they make that's really effective at storing dies, or at least not one that's suitable for most home-users.

 

[The Cobbler]

nice idea
I'm looking at your 1/4-20 & 28 dies, an odd looking 1/4 marking?almost looks like 1/2

 

[chickenfarmer]

nice idea
I'm looking at your 1/4-20 & 28 dies, an odd looking 1/4 marking?almost looks like 1/2

That's what I thought too, had to do a double take. I love the idea though!

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[MFolks]

Get some nice clear 2X4,drill to hold tap,the clearance drill bit, and the tap bit size,stored vertically, maybe use a stamping numbers and letters kit ,filling them with fine tipped marking ink,so it won't rub off easy.

 

[Manatee91]

For taps I really like the huot indexes. This one stores the taps and drills in one place:

https://www.huot.com/products/tap-and-drill-nc/

I was looking at them but they seem to only have one slot for each diameter.

That's a pretty nifty storage solution. You could probably fit 2-3 dies of the same size if you have duplicate sets, or have a spare.

Thanks for sharing.

Huot has a lot of good products for storing/organizing bits and taps, but I'm not aware of any product they make that's really effective at storing dies, or at least not one that's suitable for most home-users.

I have one that has 3 in it but I wouldn't go beyond that it gets hard to get them out

nice idea
I'm looking at your 1/4-20 & 28 dies, an odd looking 1/4 marking?almost looks like 1/2

Oops that was a goof.

Get some nice clear 2X4,drill to hold tap,the clearance drill bit, and the tap bit size,stored vertically, maybe use a stamping numbers and letters kit ,filling them with fine tipped marking ink,so it won't rub off easy.

I had thought of that but I was looking for something that wouldn't take up the entire top of my tool box.

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[Manatee91]

Here is what works for me. If you are nervous about the taps in the S-K box (never had a problem with that arrangement), you could just leave them in the original packaging as in the last picture.

It was really just me being OCD and wanting it easy to find the one I need when I need it.

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[matt_i]

Good solution on the dies

For taps the best system I've seen is a lista design (and possibly others) but there's a U-profile insert which cradles the tap in a pocket and keeps it from getting stuck in the bottom corner of the pocket where your fingers can't reach it.

If you had the time and inclination, you could bend the pieces out of thin sheetmetal, even light duty like trim coil would work just fine. Then figure out how to adhere the metal pieces to the organizer box, thinking silicone caulk would work, or other construction adhesive, superglue, school paste, etc.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I was looking at them but they seem to only have one slot for each diameter.



I have one that has 3 in it but I wouldn't go beyond that it gets hard to get them out



Oops that was a goof.



I had thought of that but I was looking for something that wouldn't take up the entire top of my tool box.

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They have individual indexes for NF and NC, but to store taper, plug and bottoming you would need three.

They also have a dispenser that would cover everything.

https://www.huot.com/products/tap-fractional-2/

 

[Manatee91]

I was kinda thinking of using one of these from harbor fright
https://m.harborfreight.com/tool-st...-organizer-with-full-length-drawer-94375.html
I could fit sae, met and npt as well as a large drawer for the wrenches. It could also be hung on the wall to free up some room in my tool box.

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[fsae0607]

I use my Kennedy machinist tool box.

 

[rq375]

I have one of these loaded with taps, SAE, NPT, and Metric:
https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10164-Plastic-Storage-Hardware/dp/B000LDH3JC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1534448944&sr=8-8&keywords=akro-mils+10124+24+drawer+plastic+parts+storage

 

[Stuart in MN]

If you're happy with the plastic cases for your dies, how about using the same type for the taps as well? Chances are you can get them with different dividers inside, or else you can fabricate your own dividers to suit. That way, all the dies and taps are in the same format storage and can stack together nicely.

 

[rsanter]

I have finally given up on the molded case that my tap and die sets came in. They never did keep them organized and as I have replaced bits they no longer fit I the cases leaving me with a pile of taps and dies in the top of my tool box. I have come up with a good solution for the dies but I am still thinking of a way to store my taps. I am leaning towards a drawer set that I can mount on the wall.

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I have gone to doing the same thing.
Since I have anywhere from 2-6 of the same taps and dies, it takes less room to store them this way, plus I can still grab the whole box to take to the workbench

 

[realseriousschitt]

sir how about using a real nice bit of exotic hardwood or go to a undertaker who makes coffins an ask for offcut mahogany?. make a series of progressive drill holes and your done.

 

[goingtoarizona]

I keep mine in the plastic boxes. I keep the taps and dies of the same size in the same compartment. It doesn't look as neat and clean as you set up, but mine get plenty of use.

 

[fermentedwaste]

I had a bunch of extra taps and dies. Picked up a square ice cube tray from the dollar store for the dies and ordered some long ice cube trays for water bottles from eBay. Put the duplicate sizes in milkshake straws so they don’t bang around each other and regular straws for the smaller ones. Stacked the trays onto one another.

 

[SGKent]

Irwin/Hanson (blue & yellow) 26376MT https://www.toolbarn.com/irwin-26376mt.html/
Hanson (red) 26376MT if you can still find one

 

[Mattlt]

If you're happy with the plastic cases for your dies, how about using the same type for the taps as well? Chances are you can get them with different dividers inside, or else you can fabricate your own dividers to suit. That way, all the dies and taps are in the same format storage and can stack together nicely.

Look at the plastic cases that have adjustable dividers. Use a square shaped one for the dies like you already have. Then make up a rectangle shaped one for the taps, in-line with the die compartment.

I like the idea of the water bottle ice cube trays too.

 

[anythingyoucanimagine]

Hospital crash cart very similar to this: