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Drill Bit Organization - I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours
The photo below was semi-staged, but it's not far from what I often find on my workbench.
Seeing that our community is in constant pursuit of a 'better mouse trap', the custom wood tail lift, Randy Richmond's tool box, and Steve Melton's 3D designs immediately come to mind, I'd like to see what other have done to solve the problem of keeping various bits, cages, and the like organized. Thanks in advance from a height and organizationally challenged builder. ![]() |
I have a box that looks almost exactly like that Ernie .... well, actually, it’s not a box, its an entire drawer! I do, of course, have a couple of indexed drill boxes in the drawer, and most of the slots are full, so that’s where I go for a specific numbered bit. But I have lots and lots of unorganized 40,30,19,10, etc....bits of various lengths, and only experince tells me what to grab.
Yup - I’d like to see what others do as well! Paul |
Paul, I suspect we're not the only ones challenged in this area. At the other end of the spectrum we occupy is of course, Jay Pratt at RV-Central. I didn't realize when Jay agreed to host the 'rebuild' of the RV-1, that his shop has virtually every aircraft tool known to man; and that literally blindfolded, he can put his hand on a #11 jobber bit, a 3/8" combination wrench, or a #30 120* countersink. Pretty impressive organization and his shop was certainly a Godsend in the RV-1 project.
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Uh-oh...
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My arrangement uses drawers, and the 'usual suspect' plastic bins and large paper cups. New number drill bits are hidden: I can't find 'em to scatter 'em around. Aside from that, I have a couple un-opened drill indexes that are pristine...for a while... Now, I will admit that I put out a cushy section of paper towel on the bench to comfort the assortment of bits, de-burring tools, and rivet sets that remain on the bench until the project is finished...which appears to be years in this case, not weeks or months...so I refresh the paper towel from time to time...I might even upgrade to the BLUE towels at some point! I did arrange my measuring tools this morning. Managed to find 'em ALL!:D What really ticks me off is the new Harbor Freight store 2 miles away.:mad: Not quite on a first name basis... |
Give more consideration to that index card. You will continue to use it way after you stop using your drill bits.
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![]() Available at any good hardware store and better than a piece of paper. :) |
my method
I'm the last person anyone would ask for advice on shop organization, but I do have a simple drill bit organization tip.
Get a block of wood. (I used a 1 inch thick piece of hardwood). Trace a grid. Make it about 3 to 4 drill bits to a row and as many columns as your wood length permits: you want to be able to grab the bits, so not too close. One at a time, chuck each bit that you want to store and drill an approximately 1/2 inch deep hole. Since you are using the very bit that you will be storing, it will fit perfectly, but I marked the holes as well for ID. I find that by making small blocks that hold the bits I need most often (2x#40, 2x#30, a #19, a #12, a #10, etc), I can put my hand on a bit more quickly. Having the holes match the bits assists in identifying. I used a drill press to keep the holes perpendicular. I know this is simple and obvious, but it works for me. |
drill bits
These are not mine, but they look like this:
![]() Except #30 and #40 I have a special place for them since I love them so much. :D |
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