looking for some way to store my router bits, mostly 1/4″ shank, to take to jobsites. thanks for any info.
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Well, a router bit storage box comes to mind.
I use a bunch of the plastic divided boxes for fishing from Wal Mart. It keeps the bits separate, clean, dry, and easy to see. They stack up, and I label them as to the type. II have three or four boxes and they work great in the shop and the jobsite. The only bits that don't fit are the large panel raisers, the rest work fine.
Peck out some holes in a board.
'Me not built for pretty - Me built for strong' TM
I like Ethafoam. Looks like Styrofoam, but it's resilient. Often used (and then thrown away) as a packing material for computer equipment, machinery, etc. I snatch up all the scraps that I can find.I cut it to fit trays, boxes, etc. A garage sale cash box, for instance, makes a perfect router bit box when fitted with an Ethafoam block. Drill 15/64 to 1/4" holes for 1/4" shanks, 15/32" to 1/2" for 1/2" shanks. I've got two of these cash boxes for use in the field, one for 1/4" bits, one for 1/2" bits.Overflow goes onto larger blocks of foam on a shelf in the shop.The nice thing is that you can use this foam in any size box. The smaller Festool boxes are good, too.AitchKay
Here's a couple suggestions...Julian
I bought some storage thingys that are grey foam with holes and you stand the bits up in the holes--the foam grips the shanks tightly so they don't fall out if the thing is tipped--probably could even turn it upside down and they would stay in. I probably got it from Rockler.
I use an old tackle box. There is room for the collet wrenches and other misc stuff in the bottom.
The opaque trays look handy also. http://www.planomolding.com/tackle/products.asp
It's their ProLatch boxes if the link doesn't take you to the right page.
woodpecker47
I like well made wooden boxes so I tend to buy sets and then put them all in one large wooden box That I used to show off my wood working skills.. Mine is a box made with a variety of woods cherry, hard maple, black walnut, etc.. that way the finger joints all show off my joinery skill.
Plus I get to use up smaller scraps of wood which would ordinarly go into the fireplace..
Edited 9/30/2008 9:20 am ET by frenchy
I use 2 divided plastic boxes for the full collection.
But for the 3 bits that travel all the time in my regular tool box, I use 35mm film cans. The plastic ones that film comes in.
Put a 1/4" hole in the top, drop the bit in, and snap the top on over the shaft.
I have a straight bit, laminate trimmer, and a pattern bit (that doubles as a hinge bit) stored this way. Always have them with me, and they're protected from the other tools in the box...buic
PS - added benefit, they're free.
Edited 10/2/2008 11:03 am ET by BUIC
http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/487925/SYS-OF-D8D12-Router-Bit-Storage-Systainer
I'll chime in with another recommendation for the Festool Systainer with the router bit insert. It's quite pricey but works very well - for me. I recently bought that along with one of the medium-sized Systainers to store a couple of my - gasp - non-Festool routers in. So far it does work nicely and it all stacks together into a nice package. Before I had the routers in a very heavy metal case and kept my bits loose in a couple of tackle organizers. I hated how they clanged together all the time so I changed my setup.
Honestly, I like Julian's setup better but I just don't have the time and patience lately to make that sort of setup. That sure is slick though Julian, nice job.
Nick
Just throw them loose into the router case, or any other convenient box, then complain that they are dull and chipped. (When you are using them, just throw them on the floor, be it the kitchen floor or a concrete garage floor.) Also, don't oil the bearings and then complain when they burn and chip. That's what a guy I work with does. One time we were routing plastic laminate and it was chipping because the bearing was all gummed up and he just took a can of Brake Clean out of the customer's garage and hosed it down with that--did take the gum out, but doesn't exactly lubricate the bits. We have also used WD-40 and the other day, alcohol, we found at the customer's house.