Router Bit Storage

[kclark]

I am redoing my router table to make new accommodations in my shop. I have most(99%) or my router bits still in the packages (they are 98% whiteside bits, LOVE 'EM). My question is do most of you store them outside of the packages or keep them in packages. I have kept them in the packages as I know exactly what they are when I grab them.

 

[Bas]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

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[golfdad]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

I do as Bas does.....drawers in the router table

 

[MarkE]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

All of my bits are stored in drawers in the router cabinet. Large bits and boxed sets I usually leave in the package/box/whatever.

 

[bob vaughan]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

Early on I learned that router bits with a 1/2" shank don't easily fit down into a 1/2" hole. I use a 33/64th bit for the holes. 17/32 seemed too sloppy. For 1/4" bits, 17/32. That's just tight enough to hold the bits upright and loose enough to remove them easily.
If you want to get fancy, grind a brad point on the drill bit with a stubby brad point and somewhat shallow cutting spurs. Makes for nice flat bottom holes.

 

[Timmy]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

I store them out of their package in a portable tray in a draw that is in the router table. If I am using the plunge router i can take the tray out to where i am using it. The trays usually stay in the table though.

 

[CDPeters]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

Mine looks almost exactly like Bas' - except I have 3 drawers on each side. The top drawers are really drawers (boxed) and the bottom 2 are bit trays, middle is 1/4" shanks and the bottoms are 1/2" shanks.

 

[JimD]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

Mine are not as nice looking as Bas' but are functionally the same. Two for 1/2 shanks on one side and 2 for 1/4 o the other. Should have gone with three 1/2 and one 1/4. But so far I am not out of space.

I tried all my drill bits and found one a little on the large side to do the 1/2 holes. Sometimes it helps to have cheap bits. I also have a set of letter and number size but I don't think I used one of those, but I might have.

 

[BWhitney]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

I'm with MarkE.

Some are stored in original packaging (easy to find the right size), some are boxed sets (love my Freud and even WoodCraft sets), and some are stored in bit holders from LV.

 

[drw]

Re: Rouer Bit Storage

It is probably just me, but I store them in their original packages stuffed in drawers. I would like to do as
Bas and others have done, but my problem is distinguishing the small differences between some of the bits (e.g, 1/8, 3/16 etc.). Again, it is probably just me, but I have used bits, thinking they were something else.