Drill bit toolbox organizing

[Gunny]

During the last few projects it was obvious I needed to organize this part of my tooling to make it easier to get to and more important, FIND.  Had Forstner bits in 3 spots, spade bits in 2 spot etc etc.  Never mind the various drill bit kits I have tucked away, or those fancy bit kits for drivers.

 

So I started with this Forstner bit holder.

 

 

That is done and installed.   Have two more smaller trays that are in the works for the open side.  Made this box and drilled the holes and thought to myself why not highlight it, make it easier to see?

 

So I taped off that section and applied two thin coats of poly (it is a shop project don't get excited).  Let that cure for two days and tonight I came back, removed the tape and stained the raw wood left.  Interesting look, hey might do that again.  Be a few days before I can apply poly, but I have plenty to do in the mean time.

 

 

The other insert I decided to make dual purpose.  So I made it exact light the others, same height.  But I edge banded the bottom edges of the box and plan to turn it over and use as a tray.  If needed later I can flip over and use it that way as well.  Takes longer to finish but I have time.  These two inserts are put together with screws, no glue.  Allows changes later as needed.  And this happens alot.

 

 

So now I have next drawer down.  Have 3 3/4 inches of height in this drawer.  Made an insert with runner made of Corian for the trays above to slide on.  Sanded the Corian down to 2000 grit then polished with buffer.  The trays above I took a piece of 1/8 Lexan 1/2 wide and epoxied to the bottoms.  Same deal here, sanded to 2000 and then buffer for polish.  My idea being they would slide better.

 

 

 

Bottom of upper tray.

 

 

So yes they do slide, very well.          Okay, if I barely nudge the drawer they slap to the back.  Maybe too slick????

 

 

That is as far as I have gotten since Friday.  Plenty more to do but layouts take time and then to find scraps and make that all work adds to that time usage.  In the end much easier to find and use these tools.

[Gerald]

Ok what kind of monopoly do you have on vex bits. Really like what you are doing

[Gunny]

5 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Ok what kind of monopoly do you have on vex bits.

 

Got them as a gift awhile back.  Had to run down to Macon, Ga to install a alternator on the side of the road for neighbor.  He asked my wife what I might need and she showed him my wish list.  This is what he brought back few days later.    They get alot of use, already had to sharpen few of the bits.

[Larry Buskirk]

@Gunny

Very nice! 

[Cal]

That's pretty slick Gunny, in all sorts of ways

[Gunny]

Did some sorting tonight of all the drill bits I found stuffed away in several places.  The 3 index sets I have are full so these are "extra's".  Not really sure how these came to be but suspect they mate inside the drawers or something.    Now I do keep ample stock of  1/6 through 9/64ths as those I use and break on a regular basis. 

 

Most of tonight was spent doing finish work on 3 more trays in progress.  Then at the bench with a magnifying glass and a LED light sorting these.  Big fun.

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Gunny

[Larry Buskirk]

@Gunny

I've got a couple 5 gallon buckets full of drill bits you can sort through. 

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

@Gunny

I've got a couple 5 gallon buckets full of drill bits you can sort through. 

 

Nope, I am good.  

[Larry Buskirk]

2 hours ago, Gunny said:

 

Nope, I am good.  

..Ran out of drawers? 

[Gunny]

35 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

..Ran out of drawers? 

 

 

Yeah have 10 gallons of stuff to put in  a 16 ounce cup.  

[Gunny]

So I had the Tormek out this morning to do some sharpening on a couple of chisels.  Wondered to myself hey maybe they make a attachment for drill bits?  Had been looking at a Drill Doctor 750.

 

Yeah, glad I was sitting down!!!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Drill-Bit-Sharpener-Tormek-DBS-22/dp/B004AYCXVG

 

If you don't want to look at it price is $293  

 

Should have come with a warning before showing the price.  A sign, brace for impact or something.    Don't get me wrong the Tormek was expensive when I got it years ago, but has worked well on all the chisels and blades I have thrown it's way.  Bought every jig they offered when I got the package at the WW show.  

 

BUT WOW!!!!!!

 

 

 

[Smallpatch]

Gun I have the Tormek with all the attachments but the drill bit sharpener and I think the Drill Doctor would be a better sharpener....no matter if its higher or cheaper!!

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, Smallpatch said:

Gun I have the Tormek with all the attachments but the drill bit sharpener and I think the Drill Doctor would be a better sharpener....no matter if its higher or cheaper!!

 

Yeah at $130 much easier on my wallet ya know...    Till then I can just use the one at work..

[Gunny]

Have this completed and just out of finishing room.  Two more sets of Forstner bits, one a common do all set and one for hardwoods.  Ran out of stickers, have to get 1/4 inch tomorrow from set at work.

 

 

 

This will be the tray behind that.  For the moment I plan on turning it upside down and using as a box.  If needed later I can flip it over and use as I need.  Got the inside coated with poly.  Stained the outside and top tonight, be a few days before ready.

 

 

Moving up the box I am working on these organizers.  Doubt I will keep those three larger bits in here but had to put them somewhere.  Drawer below is next, it will hold 4 indexes and some bit holders I have.  Now getting it to fit is proving to be difficult.  Will sleep on it.

 

 

[Gunny]

Finished the #3 tray / insert for this drawer.  For the moment it is being used as a tray.  If needed it can be used for more bits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a page from what I have seen @steven newman do I made a solid box and will cut in half when it comes out of the clamps.  Got small hinges and clasps in stock so just a matter of cutting it, then adding hardware and a finish.  This box will be storing my concrete bits.

 

[Gunny]

Another drawer all done.

 

[FlGatorwood]

Great organization and job.  

[Gunny]

Last drawer all done.  Only item let is a box for concrete drill bits.  Be done in few days, finish can only dry so fast and I have to work.  

 

Another sliding tray with access to drill index below.

 

[Gunny]

Other view.

 

[Larry Buskirk]

I would never be able to find anything if I got that organized.