I need a new router bit storage/identification solution

[smorgasbord]

This seems so basic, but hear me out.
I've got a lot of router bits purchased over the decades. Most of them are in wall-mounted racks. You know, horizontal pieces of wood with ½" holes into which I stick the router bit, working side up. I use ½ x ¼ inserts as needed. I sharpie some short kind of identifier on the wood under them.

But, it's not enough to know diameter or round-over radius. I need to know composition (HSS, carbide tipped, solid carbide, coated, etc.). I should keep track of usage. I've bought some Woodpecker's Ultra-Shear bits now, so have that shear thing as well as other bits being up-cut spiral, down-cut spiral, compression-cut, helix, etc. And maybe I should keep track of brands for re-ordering, too. In the old days all my spirals were HSS, then I bought one solid carbide. Today there are all sorts of angles, materials, etc. to keep track of.

My racks don't have space for all that. Not anywhere near that. I used to have some memorized, but some of my oldest bits I would be guessing now. This isn't a problem for tablesaw blades, which are big and I stick a piece of paper (or copy of the order) with the info on them. Router bits are small and I've got a lot.

So, what do you do for IDENTIFICATION as well as storage of router bits? I may end up keeping some individual bit plastic containers that have labels on them, maybe find a source for more of them and make my own labels. Not as pretty or easy to find just by looking at a rows of bits, but at this point there's enough differences to matter.

 

[bobtskutter]

Sounds like you need to set up a database to track all that data. Give each bit a serial number, then set up a record for that bit to track all the details you like. You could use a spread sheet or a data base to store the records, even a rolodex would work.
Regards
Bob

 

[luvmytoolz]

While I don't have a particularly large degree of differing composition router bits, I do have an extremely large amount as I use a great deal for the CNC and as I break a considerable amount, I buy each type/size in relatively large quantities.

I'm at the stage I need to sort out a better storage solution myself, so I plan on making a bunch of long drawers under my router table that I can allocate a row of holes in MDF to maximise the storage of each type/size cutter, with an engraved label at the front of each row, and just use them up from the front of the line. For me this is the optimal solution, being able to see them all, and have them readily accessible, while being able to sort sizes within types.

So far as the HSS goes, I don't really see that there's really much reason to hang onto them unless it's a particularly special profile, they just don't perform compared to everything else on the market and go blunt if you look at them sideways. I ended up selling all of my HSS cutters.

 

[mac sparrow]

Agreed with the above posts. I will be doing the same and have considered labels and such but the best way as I see it is to simply create a spreadsheet of all your bits and create categories that matter to you and allocate a number to each bit and simply identify the bit holder with an allocated number and then refer to that number in the spreadsheet. If you don't want to have a digital device with you in your work area when you need to refer to the bit list, you could print it off and stick it somewhere. If you add or remove bits regularly you'd have to print it of more regularly of course.

 

[hdv]

Just like some of the other posters I have a printed list. I put that list in a transparent pouch that is attached to the inside of the systainer lid. I use the clips Festool uses for the cartons on the inside of the lids to attach the pouch. Those clips can be ordered separately.

 

[Cheese]

I use an Excel spreadsheet to easily update the list. I keep a copy of both of these pages in the Systainer that holds the router bits. I just noticed that I need to add the new Woodpeckers router bits.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I only dream of being as organized as some of you guys.

 

[smorgasbord]

Sigh, I was a software professional who did woodworking as my get-away hobby. First comes Fusion 360 and CNC machining, then Shaper Origin, and now spreadsheets to keep track of my woodworking tools?
Where's Roy Underhill when you need him?

 

[rmhinden]

I use an Excel spreadsheet to easily update the list. I keep a copy of both of these pages in the Systainer that holds the router bits. I just noticed that I need to add the new Woodpeckers router bits.

That is a good idea. I have router bits in a drawer w/ foam insert, and in a Shaper Origin sustainer. Since the 1/4" and 8mm shank bits work for the both the 1010 and Shaper Origin, it would be good to have one list. The only thing might be good to add to the spreadsheet is when they were purchased. I would also probably sort by shank size instead of manufacturer.

Bob

 

[bobtskutter]

Sigh, I was a software professional who did woodworking as my get-away hobby. First comes Fusion 360 and CNC machining, then Shaper Origin, and now spreadsheets to keep track of my woodworking tools?
Where's Roy Underhill when you need him?

I keep all my router cutters in there little plastic cases in the systainer with the of1400. I have to get EVERYTHING out the box to get the spanner for the router collet. Having things organised in draws or bit holders is stuff of dreams

 

[luvmytoolz]

I like a list almost as much as a nice stick or a cool rock, but the only issue I have is you still need some sort of indexing system where they live to be able to reference them against the list.

 

[onocoffee]

My hammer is small compared to you guys...!

 

[rvieceli]

@bobtskutter I’m a big fan of magnets. Since I rarely go out of the shop I have a magnetic strip with every collet wrench stuck to it.

You might stick a couple of rare earth magnets to the underside of the lid and stick the wrench to it.

Ron

 

[hdv]

I think I posted this some time ago, but here is a photo of how I store my router bits. It is just a few strips of ply with holes in them. Between the strips are other strips with plastic on them. On that plastic I stick Dymo labels with the most important information. That way I can easily reorganise the systainer if needed. In the lid I have a printed list with more info per bit. One tip I can give: add the article number or EAN or something like that to your list. It will make it easier to reorder a bit when its gone. Or to look up information you did not take note of.

This might not be the most space-efficient way to do this, but it certainly is flexible.

I use the plastic bushings from CMT to fit the bits. These are available in all the common shank diameters. The outer diameter for all sizes is equal. This again facilitates easy reorganising.

[Edit] Here's a link to my original post about my way to store router bits: https://festoolownersgroup.com/threads/show-your-systainer.58197/post-695495

 

[WillAdams]

I've been working on a vendor-agnostic fashion for CNC tooling:

What tooling are folks using? Numbering/organization systems?

Revisiting this, one thing which is notable is that the program Cutviewer has a quite general method for handling tools via comments. Documented it in what is currently (v0.9) of sub-section 3.1 of my project (see above link). Looking into working with the folks who write: and we’ll have to...

forum.makerforums.info

which maybe will give some ideas for this?