rainjer Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 I need to make some trays for router bit storage. What is a good grid pattern? I am using the Rockler router bit inserts so every hole can hold 1/2" or 1/4" shank bit.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Pegboard pattern usually works for most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Base your spacing off of your actual bits. Because the heads are different sizes, you'll find that your spacing will change. Also, consider future bit purchases. I used the inserts in my RB Storage cabinet and they work well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainjer Posted February 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 I am thinking about modular french cleat system. I drew this up in Sketch-up with a 1" on center hole pattern with the idea i would just put the inserts in the holes as needed. if I made 8 tray and only used 1/2 of the holes I could have 128 bits... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 I did mine 1 1/2 on center. If you were to have a couple of different style molding or raised panel bits that may be a couple of inches in diameter or more and if you want them side by side for organizational reasons, you could end up with the blades banging against each other. I ran in to this with my 1 1/2 inch layout and have to have them away from each other. Every time I open my bit drawer I have to avert my vision so it doesn't bug me that they aren't lined up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted February 20, 2020 Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 I use a series of smaller blocks in a drawer. I can make a new one in a few minutes when I need it and don't have any trouble tossing an old one that my bit collection has out grown. But that isn't going to work with your shelving idea. It is going to cost you a fortune to buy all of those inserts. An alternative would be to layout a grid and alternate 1/4" holes with 1/4" holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Chet said: I did mine 1 1/2 on center. If you were to have a couple of different style molding or raised panel bits that may be a couple of inches in diameter or more and if you want them side by side for organizational reasons, you could end up with the blades banging against each other. I ran in to this with my 1 1/2 inch layout and have to have them away from each other. Every time I open my bit drawer I have to avert my vision so it doesn't bug me that they aren't lined up. O See D C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 But those inserts are pretty cool. Kev, are they so tight in the hole that you drill that the inserts don’t come out with the bits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Ragatz Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 I agree with @BillyJack about a simple grid layout. Given that you plan to have multiple shelves, I think I'd plan different layouts by shelf, and plan that based on what your collection of bits looks like. For narrow bits - straight, spiral, groove bits, etc. - I'd drill the holes 1-1/4" - 1-1/2" apart. For edge profile bits or rail and stile door bits, you might want a little wider spacing to allow room for your fingers. You don't need to put an insert into every hole - put them in where needed, as needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 Never really liked reaching into a small forest of cutters so . . . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 11 hours ago, Coop said: But those inserts are pretty cool. Kev, are they so tight in the hole that you drill that the inserts don’t come out with the bits? Yes, they stay in and work very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 7 hours ago, gee-dub said: Never really liked reaching into a small forest of cutters so . . . Agree the plastic cases can work as good as a router bit drawer. I use the Bass Pro boxes I got on sale on there black friday for a $1 each. The bigger, larger bits like raised panel bits stay in there form box in the drawer... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnesota Steve Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 I just took a piece of 3/4" plywood and drilled 1/4" and 1/2" holes in it... maybe 1" between them. Some bits are wider so they cover multiple holes. This is in a little wooden box. And then one day I got a bit which was about 4" tall and it won't fit in my box standing up... I also agree that it's not much fun pulling on the bit from the sharp end to get it out. So honestly the little plastic parts boxes make a lot of sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 My usable bit collection doesn't exceed my router motor collection by much, so storage isn't that big of a problem! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edgar Posted February 22, 2020 Report Share Posted February 22, 2020 I have mostly Freud bits. The containers they come in are large and take up a lot of space. The bits are also well ensconced in the containers; I often need to use a heavy leather glove to safely remove the bits. I have explored another system, but the outline on the container that describes what cut the bit does is a help to my senility....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted February 23, 2020 Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 I believe those "outlines" are printed on a. Piece of paper that can be removed from the container. You could just cut off the relevant part and stuff it in the multi-compartment plastic box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainjer Posted February 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2020 Change of plan... I decided on a pull out drawer. All 3 shelve have a different pattern. I did on glue the shelves so i can change them out if I decide I want to change them out for a different hole pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted February 24, 2020 Report Share Posted February 24, 2020 I bought my table already built on Craigslist so sadly mine are thin/deep drawers that slide out. I wish that they were set in small squares in the drawers so that I could take them out and look at a few at a time. It would be nice to be able to see like 4 of them at a time. Hard to tell which one you need without taking out 3 or 4 and looking at them till you get the right one. I find that I only use about 5 of them so those are all in the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TheAverageCraftsman Posted February 24, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 24, 2020 I love those bit holders. I did 2" oc staggered. These are the trays I made for my router table cabinet: 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 Here are my router and drawers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 19 hours ago, duckkisser said: Here are my router and drawers Almost looks like my old router setup..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinb Posted March 2, 2020 Report Share Posted March 2, 2020 These inserts were cheaper .... https://www.woodline.com/products/plastic-bit-holders I went with this as a removable tray in the top drawer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted March 2, 2020 Report Share Posted March 2, 2020 You guys have me rethinking my bit storage. I just used drilled holes but the bits stick especially the 1/2" ones I may need to look into these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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