How do you store your misc. twist drill bits? Allen keys?

[Brian]

Had some free time this weekend and spent it out in the garage. I'm looking for ideas now - how do you store your drill bits?


Over time, I've collected a ton of misc. twist drill bits, in all sizes and materials (HSS, cobalt, oxide, etc.) Mostly made up of cheap kits that were add-ons, cheap, or free bonuses when buying something else. Some of them are in Dewalt, B&D, or other "small" cases, while others are part of some odd-shaped one-off container that was custom at some point. I don't know that any of them are complete sets anymore, and I also have a small pile of bits that aren't sorted in a drawer at this point. Is there an easy way I'm missing to keep track and sort all these? Something short of having a machine-shop level set of drawers, etc.?

Might ask the same question about allen keys too. I have a couple of the folding multi sets, but still keep a small pile of the cheapies that seem to show up over time. Is it worth keeping them, and if so, best way to sort? Or am I better off tossing them and just investing in a single nice set.

[ray1970]

I use small plastic fishing tackle boxes. Super cheap at any of the big outdoor stores and plenty of compartments. If I’m really ambitious I’ll even label everything with a sharpie.

[Irving]

Here's what I do.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EkAPeBht3GJe15jNFXP3BeHg3lLb6sidcSaBxuhk9f3QEEoGDt DGlFXlrnJp-LNZg-XZ_6W85BajJcwTQsEp44bL606kcIq7uvezMZhkas22bSL7BjBH BGVbuX5JqHWmF8Hbdtf_V030z6wrvRTXZjzMFah4y2cjaf8UtH sJguPgkHs6YcywVjvcEYic8lDdIpBkJeKLqS9z6xF-zO7QhqvtkjTzl6Z9zjWs8MC1RfF4EEjes56WiLShs7wRW7vGHB t5stpXcfMdKzPQKk7wd0srSbTyr2xsmmXSChWsHnrpNeepz2iW j5cJhr5tUOMUBxcI0Qodys-MklWni3bVkie5W8OaiIKMNeBjxzPWWtSJpVjAVKT_LfRDyvmq_ uV3G0iCbz5jg9tcZmy-ihsYcM4CTdRWchPsmsuyZL9Eq-1hcCMi4-nPK4UL-qphUaRvwj1GOICGpwcgO_gaWPf4crmAT3dKL4FNl1Gy8DebDkP CKfCTAc5KvTVqAKmhHGsrDORVyHIq1j4bVVu8weW2ggAkAf_uw s9pErKpSFYnHDn6n_SmWWkmtDuJ8MmKoG0llHc-9l9r1xk6hxLUS9ie5K3ESAGOKyKH8mTUy-tIn_YhzTqAYBv3K9k-adI3o_-9FYV3V7p27USgUclgG9Lgc19k9XzA0pZkyA=w1632-h918-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rI0lqWiXanDsl7Ra1-mSYd3mXoqEellFTw_hSwF6F2DyEW0O9agkHcvhtO4u66YnEhj5 UouTrXTlCWKjc9nwDznSNNba0EpSLNlngyVhxZgkrT37AzLaCS sHjjSF_CUKd3gJQqaeG5CyCCOykMo_Q_HT2V8oI6kf5kCtzUl1 qMf6-saPzsYSJuxjRB35KHAlUB5Iixm-lxSPxWx8Zrc_1kG2C2VqnA63APC1AmuxqDp6ycvmBewBwKNiG2 ekQicxGqxIQlOJ7YY4MG0_0eE8XUvMsYMh40MUnNRXc0uhp82X UjnvVzSUJ6jCAaYuXCvOMHPKQo724BWHHBo7qgpK1SvNdJB4gm qIaDnzkuagZ0UY7Acmewiu9Zt4HY7ojhRfESNWAb9kNQaax3c1 AW6ED4q8k36UdZWHIy8LMBF2a76vxY-cPZzFN1JRgl3G4QlBw_ioBFAA7CfJtFZR4a43AMQ1jiihA5sl2 M9HKssQ7cz5araTbUdpI6voWITpgA3mLkh4Pw9gYjWAqNaQN1Y 3hIES3LIDm6thDy0AVUGRdiUTfvE7oy_WctKAZqTrHJGNyOwY4 HCQ-nWvXKmEMHMs0385dJUCFUFPsFbpuc6UozypaEhSipF7oYXSPUC dv_JwHmqu3U_Opc3Ts_1-gEdX4MSdBQWYe3RRwQ=w1632-h918-no

[Irving]

On a serious note, these drill bit indexes are pretty useful. Put your best stuff in the index and everything else can go in a drawer or something. I've seen people make their own out of a piece of wood. That's got more possibilities as you could customize it to fit somewhere like a window sill.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LytBvrxN2Pie79rfwa-gigpS867Wa0jUXj6szSdFatUweNGXioGTsNG4eyrsqKHNiEOfI iDcyXiVGEWMfOTINQ68MQLxY1E46bSFIlDao6yK_RdD5x8S-RnUyyyYcIALX1kP5V23QCfT4q4xGmrsizJtzueaY7y4SwdNvEs 4tFKV1d8-wtsPLV6sDne-NGGyGsPTf8jQkl0xVk-BGDkd6BI06LJDicznfPvmkLS3vqWcYAq8dmJnkvOHTT4NapQUf gYkkP155cNN5HHGN2R_1PebZdNncGhgBoFU0V5SfdpGXNH07R-U02NqnLRiSkAVOnpXbIrRsAUXDW0aVa4KMR3ovSXBTC4lhBSTC c2_IHCZa784g-yS6njx3gHj2NfJCaA-AjLZsBhmoPU1AF1nT91eStaQhWJJMDUTLUepZk05EAsM8IvhmW 0bUyM_hkPXbMqMhR9qo83G_V7EocOd4EEEfHIS861p8ABxzbWB 543dxTyQ25CyPRcvXZE8iLPX03HSNLnokZoC5A1Siu6NFNxnzI Bkmn_xAp27CYx63Z5tuWRQJajcXB2S8dQ5otk5BXMf9kgtwzJv gaCGQ-4gmC9YNw8i3RuwaCVmTwYkwvGVBG9XEQV5TSJ92ulrEHWdipob eLQ0unk6zqAGd0XDzh5Y1xEr7QycBg=w1632-h918-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sWfbJBqaJVLxGgN4cMSIRsppwPsFohvhQ0raUiokPPlvE5kT6K aOZybuYUjMMva0EZm7jBswcfxu3j-cXf5hWXNSxsjN8KU6CiVv2jG6k0Z9ImIZToFwV9XJlf4eP1xeo Suz1YK_-ZWUu6bkaU_oubHyMGVNSS-nJmIAOyS4Y10RjqawylyqGImMeIP2CXMHlwZEk02A8IgutMhFE _HNFbUiwaQqpqrLQzJH2U8-pcBL3ZjZ_Ucd7SjTupc5JjnD4d1D005tlpDjMsJ151rwxtRPQ2 xMPzFovjc44a5PLErjJvLBYtqaPa-61tFKTawrUky13k5SgDw2HY4h0ZcFl3uVBXRLD4ZUasELvnYrr D3lmX0oG-CwcVULwt0KISwno4Lzx1tdExhgBzABu4AgPi39MV8dmrWtqmgS l-7lX6WW0oiBSvcq8L44kmvH7R9eHYN3Sg1Sle-qlHCuquEzfFGKivuFEOw3SrP5qVU0Qr_Weci9F15Mt8ylUilgx 5nqMZV1hjulhZj-nGXM4CHQ1UvzMQz__0EpF-oGtKQgOWKSSjJrWYim3hBwmRGYHnSxqPZ19yxv8J9oW2iaQNsl 9ugF5hUY_qc08kvcNUlDqDjkO9INtuVvHeEeLdmlEvGXc-eZpDwZ3JIc3AnB7Uhj0m7tkm5H95-77A=w1632-h918-no

[Brian]

Here's what I do.


Are we related? :)

[OtterbatHellcat]

Yes....we're COAR related.. :)

I buy indexes or kits....they already have a place to go. I understand misc. tools that accumulate from assembly leftovers, but usually they're junk and not worth keeping in the first place. I'm thinking that most folks "home" tools are set up about the same way Irving does....my home tools are.

[Irving]

My problem is that I've collected a lot of tools from old guys over the years and I don't know what about 40% of them are even supposed to do.

[Great-Kazoo]

On a serious note, these drill bit indexes are pretty useful. Put your best stuff in the index and everything else can go in a drawer or something. I've seen people make their own out of a piece of wood. That's got more possibilities as you could customize it to fit somewhere like a window sill.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LytBvrxN2Pie79rfwa-gigpS867Wa0jUXj6szSdFatUweNGXioGTsNG4eyrsqKHNiEOfI iDcyXiVGEWMfOTINQ68MQLxY1E46bSFIlDao6yK_RdD5x8S-RnUyyyYcIALX1kP5V23QCfT4q4xGmrsizJtzueaY7y4SwdNvEs 4tFKV1d8-wtsPLV6sDne-NGGyGsPTf8jQkl0xVk-BGDkd6BI06LJDicznfPvmkLS3vqWcYAq8dmJnkvOHTT4NapQUf gYkkP155cNN5HHGN2R_1PebZdNncGhgBoFU0V5SfdpGXNH07R-U02NqnLRiSkAVOnpXbIrRsAUXDW0aVa4KMR3ovSXBTC4lhBSTC c2_IHCZa784g-yS6njx3gHj2NfJCaA-AjLZsBhmoPU1AF1nT91eStaQhWJJMDUTLUepZk05EAsM8IvhmW 0bUyM_hkPXbMqMhR9qo83G_V7EocOd4EEEfHIS861p8ABxzbWB 543dxTyQ25CyPRcvXZE8iLPX03HSNLnokZoC5A1Siu6NFNxnzI Bkmn_xAp27CYx63Z5tuWRQJajcXB2S8dQ5otk5BXMf9kgtwzJv gaCGQ-4gmC9YNw8i3RuwaCVmTwYkwvGVBG9XEQV5TSJ92ulrEHWdipob eLQ0unk6zqAGd0XDzh5Y1xEr7QycBg=w1632-h918-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sWfbJBqaJVLxGgN4cMSIRsppwPsFohvhQ0raUiokPPlvE5kT6K aOZybuYUjMMva0EZm7jBswcfxu3j-cXf5hWXNSxsjN8KU6CiVv2jG6k0Z9ImIZToFwV9XJlf4eP1xeo Suz1YK_-ZWUu6bkaU_oubHyMGVNSS-nJmIAOyS4Y10RjqawylyqGImMeIP2CXMHlwZEk02A8IgutMhFE _HNFbUiwaQqpqrLQzJH2U8-pcBL3ZjZ_Ucd7SjTupc5JjnD4d1D005tlpDjMsJ151rwxtRPQ2 xMPzFovjc44a5PLErjJvLBYtqaPa-61tFKTawrUky13k5SgDw2HY4h0ZcFl3uVBXRLD4ZUasELvnYrr D3lmX0oG-CwcVULwt0KISwno4Lzx1tdExhgBzABu4AgPi39MV8dmrWtqmgS l-7lX6WW0oiBSvcq8L44kmvH7R9eHYN3Sg1Sle-qlHCuquEzfFGKivuFEOw3SrP5qVU0Qr_Weci9F15Mt8ylUilgx 5nqMZV1hjulhZj-nGXM4CHQ1UvzMQz__0EpF-oGtKQgOWKSSjJrWYim3hBwmRGYHnSxqPZ19yxv8J9oW2iaQNsl 9ugF5hUY_qc08kvcNUlDqDjkO9INtuVvHeEeLdmlEvGXc-eZpDwZ3JIc3AnB7Uhj0m7tkm5H95-77A=w1632-h918-no



I store my extras in 1 of the tool boxes, all drawers are labeled. Makes it easier for someone to grab a tool out knowing what drawer it's in, instead of me saying . No the top box ... next drawer, no the one on the left side. 1 box is specifically for the extras and misc items one collects over time.



Now turn those bits right side up and sharpen them.

[Irving]

Turning the bits over made more sense to me, but that's how they were in there when I got it, so I left them. Maybe if I have time I'll do that. I've been crazy busy lately. (not)

[Circuits]

I've got the original organizers for my numbered bit sets and hex key sets. Spares are kept in discrete plastic organizer boxes so I can look for one if I break the one in the organizer. Common sizes, i'll order spares/extras and keep them in the organizer boxes.

[OtterbatHellcat]

My problem is that I've collected a lot of tools from old guys over the years and I don't know what about 40% of them are even supposed to do.

That's something to look forward to when you get old then.....you'll know exactly what to do with them once you're officially old.

:)

[OtterbatHellcat]

Turning the bits over made more sense to me, but that's how they were in there when I got it, so I left them. Maybe if I have time I'll do that. I've been crazy busy lately. (not)

My work tools are a completely different story from my home tools. I have several drill indexes...there is a main one for daily use, and a complete index for replacement. All the original bits in the back up index are upwards if never used, all the ones I stole from it to replace the daily index, are then replaced and inserted downwards into that index. There are folks that have indexes for steel, aluminum, and stainless respectively.

I'll accept the "you're a weirdo" comments now.. :)

[jerrymrc]

I store my extras in 1 of the tool boxes, all drawers are labeled. Makes it easier for someone to grab a tool out knowing what drawer it's in, instead of me saying . No the top box ... next drawer, no the one on the left side. 1 box is specifically for the extras and misc items one collects over time.



Now turn those bits right side up and sharpen them.

I have the small center drawer for my misc bits. I have 4 indexes that have letter bits, # bits and fractional bits along with all the other nice things like wood bits and masonry bits. Funny thing is although I have sets that set me back over $500 my go to set is a stupid TIN coated $30 set of Dewalt's that has worked very well.

[TheGrey]

We had a bunch of different sets of drill bits, etc- we kept the ones that weren't as awesome for loaners, so we wouldn't be out a lot of money if they were lost or never returned.

[10x]

I put them in large RX bottles that I have accumulated. You can see thru and then spill out what you want. I never could keep bits and allen wrenches in order. Don't even ask me about sockets in my socket sets.

[JohnnyEgo]

Take a block of wood, or better yet, something like cutting board plastic (HDPE) that won't hold moisture. Drill a hole the size of the shank. For twist bits, it's probably the same size as the drill bit. Repeat a bunch of times. Bam, drill-bit holder.

[Brian]

Not sure I'll end up using it, but earlier this week when I was thinking about this, I mucked around with something on my 3d printer to at least keep the bits from rolling around in the bottom of the drawer. The pins help them stack on top of each other if I felt like printing out a couple. The first one I printed I had the measurements off and it was too small to hold much more than the small ones.

https://i.imgur.com/7Sh3dy6.jpg?2

[hobowh]

Take a block of wood, or better yet, something like cutting board plastic (HDPE) that won't hold moisture. Drill a hole the size of the shank. For twist bits, it's probably the same size as the drill bit. Repeat a bunch of times. Bam, drill-bit holder.

I do this with 2 2x4's glued together, or scrap of 4x4 and use the bit to drill its spot then use a wood burner to mark the size.