What's everyone using to store hex bits?

[sjlee]

I finally got around to moving my Craftsman mechanics set into my tool cart. I purchased socket organizers for the sockets and placed the ratchets into the hanging holes.

The problem I'm having now is where to put all the hex bits. I checked Sears and Harbor Freight, but it seems that they only sell hex bits already in organizers... no empty organizers.

I'm looking for ideas beyond just putting them into a tray or small container.

 

[bustdknuckle]

I have a 5 row lock a socket tray used a die grinder with a burr and made the 1/4 row wider then have a row for long ball end sockets, long triple squares, metric allens, SAE allens, torx, and adapters all on the tray

Makes it real easy if going on a road call and not sure what your gonna run into to grap it and have everything.

Ill get a pic of it tomarrow

 

[Biomed]

I use three methods to store hex bits:

1. Commonly used handles have bit storage in the handle.

2. I use the Ullman Devices molded sleeves like this:

These are available from a number of resellers including Epstein Hardware, Jensen Tools, etc.

3. I also have several Wiha Tools storage boxes like this:

 

[Noxx]

I don't have a pic as I'm at work, but I just took a block of Delrin I had laying about and drilled it to accept 24 bits

 

[dsmnickk90]

I use three methods to store hex bits:

1. Commonly used handles have bit storage in the handle.

2. I use the Ullman Devices molded sleeves like this:

These are available from a number of resellers including Epstein Hardware, Jensen Tools, etc.

3. I also have several Wiha Tools storage boxes like this:

He is talking about hex bit sockets.
I have mine on rails. If I had a big box and didnt carry them around I get the mechanics time saver holders

 

[richfinn]

I use the "mechanics time savers" for my individual 1/4 hex bits and my 1/4 square drive sockets

 

[lilscorpion]

I have two of the mechanics time savers and a few home brew racks for the longer ones made out of Delrin. If you have a drill press, I'd recommend buying some plastic and making your own because the Time Savers are pricey little units for what you get. Had I known it was as easy as it it ended up being, I would have made all of them.

 

[PCO6]

I use Plano plastic storage boxes. I figure that the number of hex bits I have will always flucuate and there's no point in having a holder for all of them.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Not the best picture, but this is what I have...a piece of metal stock drilled out to fit 1/4 inch bits. Extras are in the yellow box.

 

[franzdom]

I use the Mechanics Time Savers trays as well, they are really nice.

 

[JASTECH]

Jeff, did you make the hex holes with a hex drill bit so they would fit perfect.

 

[Davefr]

A piece of 3/4" thick Oak about 3" X 6" with lots of holes drilled in it. (stagger every other row)

 

[Plasmatic]

I use the Wiha "Bits Collector" box, part number 91020. Holds 60 bits, and I can close it up and shove it in a tool bag and not have to worry about the bits coming out or poking/scratching other items I might have in the bag, too.

I got mine here:
http://www.micro-tools.com/store/P-91020/Empty-Bits-Collector-Case-For-60-Bits.aspx

 

[SweetD]

I don't have a pic as I'm at work, but I just took a block of Delrin I had laying about and drilled it to accept 24 bits

Same here, but mine is even cheaper with a piece of scrap pine. You can make it as large or as small as you want. Just measure out a grid in pencil and go to town with the drill press (or drill). Easy and free.



Dave

 

[jeffmoss26]

No, they are not hex holes...lol

 

[sjlee]

Thanks for all the replies. I've seen the Mechanics Time Savers ones, but they are kind of expensive for what you get. I'm kind of surprised that more manufacturers don't make them or that HF doesn't carry a cheap Chinese-made version.

I will consider making my own. I do have some scrap wood lying around, but no drill press... so I'd be doing it free-hand with just a drill.

 

[blasto9000]

Thanks for posting this thread! Hex bit storage is a hassle that never occurred to me to find a better solution for. I like the .25" holes in metal stock idea. That's awesome. I might have to do that on my mill this weekend... drill undersized pilots and finish with a 1/4" end mill for flat bottoms.

 

[franzdom]

I think your drill bit will need to be at least 15" larger than the 1/4" flat size.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I finally got around to moving my Craftsman mechanics set into my tool cart. I purchased socket organizers for the sockets and placed the ratchets into the hanging holes.

The problem I'm having now is where to put all the hex bits. I checked Sears and Harbor Freight, but it seems that they only sell hex bits already in organizers... no empty organizers.

I'm looking for ideas beyond just putting them into a tray or small container.

For my loose keys I cut a quart oil bottle in half lengthwise or a vertical cut separating front from rear.. Hope that makes sense

 

[sjlee]

For my loose keys I cut a quart oil bottle in half lengthwise or a vertical cut separating front from rear.. Hope that makes sense

I think so... sounds like you're basically using it as a tray. I'm looking for something that'll keep the bits a bit more organized though.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[84TurboBuick]

I use the Blue Point magnetic holders for all my bits...

 

[archirelic]

All of mine stay in the holders/containers they came in when I purchased them. I've got dewalt bit sets, milwaukee bit sets, wera bit sets, and a cheapie husky bit set. I've got multiples/duplicates of many bit sets b/c I always like to have set in the garage that stay put and ones that travel with me in my tool bags.

 

[gfc62]

I'm kind of surprised that more manufacturers don't make them or that HF doesn't carry a cheap Chinese-made version.

I'm surprised too. I ended up buying two of these when they were on sale:
<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20481.jpg" width=50% >http://www.harborfreight.com/100-piece-security-bit-set-68457.html

I kept the security bits in one kit and dumped the bits from the other kit into an altoids tin for use when I loose or break one of them in the first kit. Once the second kit was empty I filled it with standard bits and marked it with a sharpie to make it easier to ID the two.

It's not a perfect solution but was cheap and easy. I now use these in my car tool bags. For my shop box I bought a few of these on sale:
<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_13781.jpg" width=50%>
http://www.harborfreight.com/33-piece-security-bit-set-93388.html

again saving the duplicate security bits for replacements and using the empty holders for standard bits. With the tops off these make the bits more accessible in the drawer.




On a related topic, a few years ago I bought some 1/4" hex bit to socket adapters from HF that I use with my Bosch impact driver.
<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20482.jpg" width=30%>
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-hex-drill-socket-drivers-68513.html

It pissed me off that these didn't come with a holder as the three adapters were always getting lost in my tool bag. Recently I was in HF and see they now sell that (or a similar) set with an included flexible plastic block to hold the set together. That was worth buying another set for $3.

I noticed that several of their new screw bit and nutdriver sets include a similar flexible plastic storage block. I think this same block can be seen in 84TubroBuick's post above on the set of color-coded long hex bits on top of the green box.

If only they would sell larger sized versions of these separately. The flexible material grips the bit tightly but still makes it easy to pull it out.

I'd like to get something similar to hold these hex-shank drill bits that go in my toolbag:
<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_18340.jpg" width=30%>

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-drill-bits-1800.html

 

[Cameronl]

works for me.

 

[zer01]

I have about six of these Dewalt cases with different bit organized into each one. Keeps them all within an easy to tote around case. Adjustable dividers and only $5 each at home depot and lowes.

 

[BD1]

I use a eye glass hard case. Works great and takes up little space.

 

[TireTracks]

Take a chunk of MDF, Drill holes in it, insert bits, viola- bit organizer.

 

[deter]

I use the rectangular plastic baby food containers. each bit type I just throw them all in one. allen, torx, flat, phillip, etc. It takes slightly more time to find the right one, but cleanup is a breeze. The big benefit is that I have several of each bit in case I break or lose one

 

[lametec]

I use words or long words. One holds 16 bits while the other holds 32.

 

[cheechi]

I know you said you don't want a case, but here is how i sort mine. If you want to keep them flat, the HF security bit set (93388) that gfc62 linked above give you top & bottom to use as storage. They're cheap & usually on sale also.

 

[crewchief888]

i ran across an MTS bit holder at a pawn shop a while back....

i dont think they knew what it was, or how to price it....

so it was a freebie


i have several set of bits laying around, most of them in small plano type plastic boxes.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

Wow that is nerdy, should be x64 by now...

I use words or long words. One holds 16 bits while the other holds 32.

 

[Danglerb]

I have no set storage, most I leave in the plastic case the 100 bit sets from HF come in, some in clear ziplocks, some loose in the various bags that hold tools that use the bits.

 

[Danglerb]

Those hex drill bits I left in the plastic pack they came in, messy, but it works, just peel up one side to get the bit you want. They are life savers too, when for whatever reason a power tool with a chuck isn't handy, pop one into any hex drive tool and drill the hole you need and be done with it.

 

[3xpendable]

I have about six of these Dewalt cases with different bit organized into each one. Keeps them all within an easy to tote around case. Adjustable dividers and only $5 each at home depot and lowes.

I have a few of the DeWalt cases. I love them! I also have two magnetic strips from HF that I have mounted to the edge of one shelf above my wall bench and I just toss they up there and let'em hang out

(x)

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I keep mine in a Scotch 33 electrical tape can. Ghetto, but it works great.

 

[CWP1616L]

Thanks for all the replies. I've seen the Mechanics Time Savers ones, but they are kind of expensive for what you get.

They hold 37 bits and one 1/4'' Drive universal joint in a small compact area with a magnetic base. They are well worth the money in my opinion.