I'm not certain if this needs to go here or in the Router Bits sub forum...
When I had 3 or 4 router bits it didn't matter where I kept them. But when I built the CNC last year and also began doing more with my router table the number of bits and collets has grown accordingly, just like most of you have experienced.
It was time to do something besides keep them all on my workbench, especially since I just cleaned it off. So here are the bits and collets (not near as many as some of you have, I know) -
I decided a better place to keep them is at the end of the CNC which is also where the router table is located. The gantry doesn't go this far on the CNC so this is a safe zone (meaning I often use it as a temporary place to set things, as you can see). If I need to place a long work piece on the CNC then I'll just move these things but that's not going to happen often -
12" x 12" x 3/4" MDF seemed like a good piece to make this out of. I clamped the piece to the spoilboard and then bored 4 holes with the CNC, removed the clamps, and then screwed it down to the spoilboard. If I need mounting holes to hold this in place later I can just use those same holes -
Testing for fit; the holes for the 1/2" shaft bits are 0.515" and the holes for the 1/4" bits are 0.26". I didn't bother with holes for the 1/8" bits, I'll just set them in the little tray or use the 1/4" holes -
Here it is at the end of the CNC and taking up a lot less space than previously on the workbench. I didn't concern myself with any labeling or thinking through any placement on the board, just sort of stuck them in the holes, except for the collets; those I placed in order.
Not a fancy or complicated project for a shop tool but definitely better than what I had before!
David
When I had 3 or 4 router bits it didn't matter where I kept them. But when I built the CNC last year and also began doing more with my router table the number of bits and collets has grown accordingly, just like most of you have experienced.
It was time to do something besides keep them all on my workbench, especially since I just cleaned it off. So here are the bits and collets (not near as many as some of you have, I know) -
I decided a better place to keep them is at the end of the CNC which is also where the router table is located. The gantry doesn't go this far on the CNC so this is a safe zone (meaning I often use it as a temporary place to set things, as you can see). If I need to place a long work piece on the CNC then I'll just move these things but that's not going to happen often -
12" x 12" x 3/4" MDF seemed like a good piece to make this out of. I clamped the piece to the spoilboard and then bored 4 holes with the CNC, removed the clamps, and then screwed it down to the spoilboard. If I need mounting holes to hold this in place later I can just use those same holes -
Testing for fit; the holes for the 1/2" shaft bits are 0.515" and the holes for the 1/4" bits are 0.26". I didn't bother with holes for the 1/8" bits, I'll just set them in the little tray or use the 1/4" holes -
Here it is at the end of the CNC and taking up a lot less space than previously on the workbench. I didn't concern myself with any labeling or thinking through any placement on the board, just sort of stuck them in the holes, except for the collets; those I placed in order.
Not a fancy or complicated project for a shop tool but definitely better than what I had before!
David