router bit storage/holders

I have been wondering that myself!

I would think they would be a pipe cap or some sort of flange cap, but I have been able to come up with a source.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

I’m guessing, how about bushings? And no, I don’t know where you would find them. Is the box a gift? Otherwise, do you really need them?

-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew

I know I saw them in a catalog awhile ago. My husband said they be called ‘sleeves’.

Like I said, I’m guessing. I looked online at Rockler’s, couldn’t find them.

-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew

Here’s a question for you-why do you need the sleeves for the router bit shafts? I’ve built about a dozen router storage “blocks”-basically 2” by 5” by 1” pieces of hardwood with holes drilled in them to hold router bits. Just went out and got a 17/32 drill bit so they fit in holes drilled loosely enough to take them out easily-didn’t need any sleeves.
I find these “blocks” easier to handle when you have a lot (50+) router bilts like I do. Simply throw them into a drawer in the shop and grab the block that has the bit you want, and take it (along with the other 5 or so)to the router table.
Gerry

-- Gerry

Gerry, that’s why I asked if this box might be a gift for someone. If something, in my experience, is for someone other than ourselves, we tend to go overboard and try to make it as nice as we possibly can.

So, Kathy, is it for you, or a gift?

-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew

Search McMaster Carr for “Sleeve Bearings”.

IF I were using something like that, I would go with product #6294K448, however they are quite cost prohibitive at $2.05 each. Depending on how well stocked they are, most Ace Hardware stores I have been to either have, or can get in sleeve bearings at a small fraction of what McMaster Carr wants for them…

On mine I simply drilled my holes 9/16” in the wood, and used a Q tip to get some poly in the bore to seal it up. Works great.

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The tannins in some hardwoods (red oak, for example) will discolor metal surfaces like drill bits, router bits, etc.

The wood tannins from oak were often used in tanning animal hides. I learned this the hard way … I made a push stick out of a scrap of red oak and left it laying on the cast iron of my table saw one night. That push stick was chewed up and tossed many moons ago, but the stain on the table will probably be there forever.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

The box is for myself, and yes I like to go overboard :) Im going to make a small box to hold approx 12 bits and I will be taking the box back and forth from school. The bit shafts are varying in sizes because the bits are small for making detail work on decorative boxes, and I would like to only make 1 size hole then add the sleeves to fit.

In addition to the tannins … wouldn’t the moisture in the wood tend to be A Bad Thing, over time ?

I’d use a sleeve, too….

-- -- Neil

Thanks for the explanation, Kathy. My inner cheapskate is demanding to be heard: how about the sleeves from another box, one in which you may have bought a set of router bits?

-- Wish I were Norm's Nephew

Axminster power tools uk and woodcraft USA hold them I believe .If you have difficulty there get back in touch with me Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Lee Valley has bit holders, but they’re not inset sleeves.

Woodcraft has some with magnets in the base.

CMT has some inserts/sleeves that may be what you’re looking for. Here’s the idea link
http://www.amazon.com/CMT-03-51-0049A-Bushings-Router-Organizer/dp/B000P4HJ14/ref=reg_hu-wl_mrai-recs

-- Karen - a little bit of stupid goes a long way

I’m guessing you want the sleeves to keep them from easilly falling out. If so, I would prob. fashion milk jug material either vertical or horizontal to ‘keep’ them in place. Also, in my experience, holes for the bits should be through-holes so dust won’t collect in the bottom of the holes. Sorry, no suggestions on sources for store bought sleeves.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Kathy, If you are just concerned with storing the bits you might not need a sleeve. I cut a piece of scrap plywood and drilled holes for my router bits with a 1/2” Forstner bit (I only run 1/2” bits by the way) and the resulting holes are a snug fit.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine