Tap and die storage

[78C-10]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if some of you store your taps and dies in a more compact way. In the photo is one of my tap and die sets, three sets total. These cases take up quite a bit of space in my tool box. I'm wondering if there is a way to downsize the storage at all. If you have something different I'd like to see it. Thank you in advance.

 

[joel63]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if some of you store your taps and dies in a more compact way. In the photo is one of my tap and die sets, three sets total. These cases take up quite a bit of space in my tool box. I'm wondering if there is a way to downsize the storage at all. If you have something different I'd like to see it. Thank you in advance.

Nice set.

I keep mine in the same case.

I agree that it takes up a lot of space, but I like having all the pieces in one place, so I just bear with it.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Me the same. I found it a good idea to spray a light mist of WD-40 over them maybe once a year so things like that don't get rust.

 

[lilredex]

I do mostly the same, but these are not in the toolbox (screw plate). But the others, for everyday use, are.

 

[Mr_B]

I like that butterfield set

 

[Professional Tool User]

A case is probably as compact as you can get without putting all of them in a box or a plastic bag.

 

[lilredex]

I like that butterfield set

Thanks, that was a $20 garage sale find a couple of years ago.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Nope, I leave mine in the original case. I'll sacrifice a little space for the organization. I could consolidate all my drill bits to save space, but I don't want to have to dig though them to find the right size.

Now, the taps and dies that I bought that were not in my set are all kept in small case. That's only a half dozen sizes though.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The case also keeps them separate, so they don't bang into each other which potentially will damage the cutting threads.

 

[Rickster]

Theres another style of tap & die set storage thats a bit more compact that uses a two tray version. I believe theyre popular with Ace, some Craftsman and others. Heck, I think I have an empty Snap-on two tray box here somewhere when I forgot to check the pieces at an estate sale and they all turned out to be from china ....

 

[woody 73]

I use several different types, first I use a little mineral oil on each tap new/used then I take a small section cut from a plastic bag and wrap each tap so they do not bang against each other then I store them in a tap box (from any store like msc). You can use fishing plastic boxes which is much cheaper to use.


It sure beats banging them around and keeps the water off them.;Pictures to follow.

 

[woody 73]

Like I said you can buy a fishing tackle box just be sure and mark the numbers for each compartment.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have four sets that remain well organized and protected in their cases. Being they are kept in My own shop, I prefer to store cased tools in a cabinet or shelf; rather than in a tool box.
I used a different approach when working in a dealership; as I had to worry about the whole case disappearing if not locked up in My toolbox.

 

[woody 73]

I use a fishing tackle like box to store my round dies in, if you need any pictures just ask my camera batteries are acting up.

 

[2oolhound]

I cut the plastic lid off so it fits in a shallow drawer of the tool box. The double decker ones have to go in a little deeper drawer so I leave the lids on those.

 

[plinker]

I have Plano boxes for larger taps & dies that dont have a place in a set, works well and the boxes are available in a lot of sizes.

 

[78C-10]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I'll probably just leave them as is. I have the set pictured then the large set in the same size case and then a metric set. I work on heavy equipment so I need the large ones too.

 

[thooks]

Instead of WD40, spray them with Ballistol

 

[mbshop]

Yea, I just use the original setup. Has a tray so doesn't take up that much space. I hate stray stuff.

 

[rk_tek]

I keep mine in the original case. Mine is a Craftsman set that is laser engraved. Any surface rust makes them unreadable, so I sat down one evening and labeled every slot in the case. So long as I don't dump the case(which has happened before) I can find the tap or die in seconds.

 

[bts]

These days I`m spoilt, I built some draws below one of my benches that takes this sort of stuff. All laid out and easy to find.
For the years that I was on the road it was an endless problem. The vibration destroyed anything I used and all the taps ended up rubbing together anyway.
Nothing worse than using a blunt tap even when it was mostly cleaning out a thread.

 

[d.mcfarland]

That's a pretty well organized case. I understand it takes space, but unless you are a machinist the best way to keep them is from getting damaged and easily organized.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a Huot drill and tap index in my toolbag, all of my other taps are in a small plano box.

 

[bczygan]

Keep them in their cases.

Loose ones in a three drawer hand carry box.

Bill

 

[HotWire]

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app