Plastic Bit Holder Revisited

Intro: Plastic Bit Holder Revisited

Previously I put up a similar bit holder. This is a new take on it, made with slightly different materials, and new techniques.

STEP 1: Materials

This project is made out of plastic bottle cut outs, and a scrap of wood. In this picture you can see the donor water bottle that I used for the holder that I made.

STEP 2: Cut Plastic Into Strips

Two equal plastic strips will need to be cut out of the plastic bottle stock.

STEP 3: Measure for Length

For my application I needed my holder to fit into a specific space so I needed to measure that length for the dimension.

STEP 4: Cut Strips to Length

I used my measured distance to dimension my plastic strips to length.

STEP 5: Determine Spacing

Now I need to determine how far apart my bits need to be from each other, and mark my stock accordingly. I put my first bit half the distance of my intervals from the ends.

STEP 6: Clamp Stock to Drill

In this step I am showing how I clamp my two plastic strips together so I may drill them together too. This way all of my bit slots will come out aligned, and I work twice as fast too.

STEP 7: Select Drills to Use

I measure the shanks of my tools, then consult a drill chart to pick the appropriate bit to use to drill my plastic with.

STEP 8: Drill Plastic

I set my clamped up plastic onto my drill press and drill the correct sized holes where marked.

STEP 9: Slit Holes Open

With my holes drilled I need to slit them open so I can push bits into them. Later I will refine my openings with a pair of scissors, but it is easiest to start out with a utility knife now to rough out the openings.

STEP 10: Refine Cut Outs

This is what my plastic looks like after I have worked at it with a pair of scissors for a bit.

STEP 11: Test Fit Bits

Time for a trial run. Might have to trim a bit more with scissors here. Once happy with holding action move onto the next step.

STEP 12: Measure for Wooden Base

A piece of scrap wood will be cut for the base. Its dimensions should be determined now.

STEP 13: Layout Base

Once the dimensions have been determined in the previous step the appropriate piece of scrap wood can be selected. Layout cut lines on it now too.

STEP 14: Cutout Base

The title of this step is self explanatory.

STEP 15: Glue Together

Glue plastic uprights to the wooden base. I used hot glue.

STEP 16: Affix Label

I cutout a scrap of cardboard that I could write on. Then I put the bit sizes onto that cardboard.

STEP 17: Conclusion

Bits are loaded into new holder, and the holder is put into place. I leave with a similar image to what I started out with, just with the new organizer in place now.

Comments

[NTT]

How strange. I just made myself a tap holder too! I used my last cutter though. I'd you would like the plans just give me a shout. Nice Instructable btw.

[pfred2]

Initially I thought about making a box, but I wanted to keep those taps in that drawer. I have other boxes of tap, and die sets. Those are my oddball taps in that drawer though.