How do you organize and store your drill bits?

[ebinmaine 67,695]

Please post pics of the way you store your drill bits. 

 

Right now I have a complete lack of organization for any bits that don't already have a package from new. 

 

Bins?

Drawers?

Holes in blocks?

 

What else?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Get you a drill index for up to 1/2" , here's one loaded https://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-with-index-115-pc-61620.html, plus for the price with bits you can use those for sharpening practice. Now above 1/2" they stay in the bit drawer of the tool box and if they came in a plastic tube they stay in those... While in the machine shop my mentor would drill a hole in the tap set box and keep his tap drill with the correct set wouldn't have to check the chart and look for it.

Edited January 17, 2021 by WVHillbilly520H

[squonk 41,164]

I should scrap my old bits. I prolly could buy a tank of gas with it.

 

I buy the cheap index's from TSC or HF. When the get dull they get thrown into the drawer. Sets are almost always on sale at Christmas. I do keep a couple of sizes in their pouches that are real common and also buy a tube of double ended 1/8" bits. Napa USED to sell awesome bits individually. 

[formariz 11,987]

Depending on what type of bits they are and how they are used I keep them in many different ways and places. I have literarily several hundreds of different type bits.For small bits up to 1/2” it’s always best to have some type of an index case. Masonry bits are kept in hammer drill box except for spare stock. Hole saws are usually in their own box since they are always needed outside of shop. Here are some of the ways they are stored here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

Just store them away from magnets..

[formariz 11,987]

3 minutes ago, roadapples said:

Just store them away from magnets..

I actually use a magnet at the bench to keep them together when several are in use!

[roadapples 6,983]

I hate the cuttings sticking to the tip...

[ebinmaine 67,695]

Just now, roadapples said:

I hate the cuttings sticking to the tip...

Agreed. 

[formariz 11,987]

14 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Agreed. 

 

15 minutes ago, roadapples said:

I hate the cuttings sticking to the tip...

Before using rub bit on your shirt sleeve or with a rag. It removes any metal shavings that may have stuck to it and somehow it demagnetizes it if that happened.

Edited January 17, 2021 by formariz

[Handy Don 12,246]

1 hour ago, formariz said:

Depending on what type of bits they are and how they are used I keep them in many different ways and places. I have literarily several hundreds of different type bits.For small bits up to 1/2” it’s always best to have some type of an index case. Masonry bits are kept in hammer drill box except for spare stock. Hole saws are usually in their own box since they are always needed outside of shop. Here are some of the ways they are stored here.

Almost, but not quite, want's me to go rearrange my drill bits. Brace and bit set in one place, Forstners in another, one drill index on the drill press workstand and a second in my "go" tool bag. The masonry and spares (I, too, buy up to 5/32 in packets of 10) are in a tool chest drawer one below the taps and dies.

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

No fancy drills here: 

 

I do know some people here, that take a thick wood board, and drill a hole for every size they have, they hanged then up next to the drill press

Like This: 

[Ed Kennell 38,251]

 

Who moved my 1/2" drill bit.   I know i put it right there last week.

[ebinmaine 67,695]

Just now, Ed Kennell said:

 

Who moved my 1/2" drill bit.   I know i put it right there last week.

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

3 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

 

Who moved my 1/2" drill bit.   I know i put it right there last week.

HAHAHHA, i know a tractorshop, biggest dealer of new holland around here, their shop looks like that, all the bences look like everything is about to fall of like an avalanche., clucthes stacked up to the roof!

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

5 hours ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Get you a drill index for up to 1/2" , here's one loaded https://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-steel-drill-bit-set-with-index-115-pc-61620.html, plus for the price with bits you can use those for sharpening practice. Now above 1/2" they stay in the bit drawer of the tool box and if they came in a plastic tube they stay in those... While in the machine shop my mentor would drill a hole in the tap set box and keep his tap drill with the correct set wouldn't have to check the chart and look for it.

 

I bought the same set years ago and while not the greatest bits, its nice to have numbered, lettered, and fractional all in one spot. I use these at my house and have bigger sets in the shop. I really need a drill doctor for the number of drills I have that need sharpened. I could spend an entire winter doing it!! 

 

Great advise above 

 

This would be nice for the bench to keep your most used bits. 

https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-Hanson-60172-Drill/dp/B001737K1G/ref=sr_1_23?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3Y-ABhCnARIsAKYDH7v6suLlLJtaKr8_Ok6sRvz6jkUnglR2rPbc3UxQwoiU3pJd1xg_aVwaAkLZEALw_wcB&hvadid=490225498704&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023400&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13749660673748799877&hvtargid=kwd-19374951197&hydadcr=24660_13446930&keywords=drill+bit+index&qid=1610920738&sr=8-23&tag=googhydr-20

 

 

Randy

[8ntruck 7,022]

Most of mine are in drill indexes.  There is that one cigar box, though.

[Shynon 7,459]

Great topic. Always looking for good ideas. Since my machining capabilities are increasing I have managed to buy bulk lots of tooling and drill bits. 

[formariz 11,987]

4 minutes ago, Shynon said:

Great topic. Always looking for good ideas. Since my machining capabilities are increasing I have managed to buy bulk lots of tooling and drill bits. 

Those are actually a little easier since most are 1/2” shanks. I use lots of removable sliding trays to maximize wasted space in drawers.

 

[Stepney 2,325]

I have an ancient Cleveland cast iron upright index that goes to 1/2" down to .. I think .035". Bigger drills are just laid in a drawer and rarely used. Taps and dies are respectively kept with a carbide drill of the correct size, in a nice little rack from S&K I think it is. Ill have to get a photo when I think of it, nothing fancy. 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326]

@Ed Kennell I am sure that is not your work bench . You have shown photos before of your work area. 

[lynnmor 7,315]

I really cringe when I see drills, reamers and end mills just tossed in a box.  Yes, you can place them carefully against each other if space is at a premium.

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

Here is my drill bits and tap and dies, mostly in index boxes. Pics speak for themselves. 

 

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

21 hours ago, lynnmor said:

I really cringe when I see drills, reamers and end mills just tossed in a box.  Yes, you can place them carefully against each other if space is at a premium.

Unfortunately the last shop I worked at just poled them up all sizes and types together, and wondered why it took so long to get a job going or why they wouldn't cut clean a smooth, mind boggling trying to call themselves a tool and die shop.

[lynnmor 7,315]

13 hours ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Unfortunately the last shop I worked at just poled them up all sizes and types together, and wondered why it took so long to get a job going or why they wouldn't cut clean a smooth, mind boggling trying to call themselves a tool and die shop.

One time at an auction there was a very large selection of end mills in a wooded block, separated nicely and all were excellent.   I didn't win the bid, some yuppie got them and he proceeded to toss the end mills one by one into a bucket on the floor.  The rocket scientist didn't need no stinkin' wooden block.  Ever wonder why everything is going to China?

[WHX?? 48,834]

Just stumbled on this thread & I can see Cas & Max & others need to loan or will me their organizational skills. Pics coming you may not want to see!