Friday, February 13, 2015

Drill Bit Storage Cabinet


One size drill bit gets used quite often in my shop.  I have several of the same size.  Why?  I use it to predrill holes for the #8 screws I use in a lot of projects.  Unfortunately I have a nasty habit of misplacing all of them.


One will be placed in the top drawer of my table saw workstation.  Another I'll place on one of the shelves of my cordless tool charging station.  A third I'll find stuck in some random spot in my shop.  Probably I thought that random spot would be great at the time.  I'll place it here so I don't forget where it is.  Hahahahaha, I probably said.  Six months later I'm sweeping it up in a dust pan after my semiannual shop cleaning.



I also hate those plastic bit containers manufacturers give you to "help" you keep everything neat and tidy.  I can't ever get what I want, when I want it out.  Either that or I end up losing the whole container and not just one drill bit.

I don't like fuss.  I don't like muss.  I want to throw my bits at a board and have them stick.

Yeah, lets build that!

DIY: Drill Bit Storage Cabinet - Magnetic





Cut List:


1 - 1/4" plywood base panel @ 24" x 18"
2 - 1/4" plywood front doors @ 11-15/16 x 18"
4 - door horizontal frame pieces top @ 1" x 3/4" x 10" 
4 - door vertical frame pieces side @ 1" x 3/4" x 18"
2 - rear vertical frame pieces @ 1" x 3/4" x 18"
2 - rear horizontal frame pieces @ 1" x 3/4" x 22"
4 - vertical front frame pieces @ 1" x 3/8" x 18"
16 - horizontal pieces @ 1" x 3/8" x 10"
1 - box of magnets 50 pieces
4 - cabinet hinges


TIPS: The following measurements may be substituted.
1.5" = 1x2's
2.5" = 1x3's
3.5" = 1x4's
5.5" = 1x6's

Use caution working with solid lumber wider than 1x6's.  Especially soft woods such as pine.  I find they show a greater propensity to warp, twist and cup.  Gluing boards side by side, otherwise known as a glue up, will offer greater stability across the project.

Step 1

Attach the two vertical and horizontal rear frame pieces to the plywood base panel using glue and brads.


Step 2

Attach the vertical frame pieces that are the same thickness as the magnets you are using to the front of the base structure.  Glue and clamp in place.  You could also secure with brads if it suits your fancy.


Step 3

Attach the top and bottom horizontal pieces. 


Step 4

Attach the middle vertical frame pieces.


Step 5

Hot glue the top and bottom rows of magnets.  Then attach another wooden frame piece next to the magnets.  Repeat for the rest of the rows.






Step 6

Attach the remaining rows.  Space each row according to what fits your needs best.  I went two inches up from the bottom row and three inches down from the top row.  That way the longest of my bits could be placed on the top and the shortest on the bottom.


Step 7

Build the cabinet doors using the same technique as the base structure.


Step 8

Attach the cabinet doors to the base structure with cabinet hinges.  Then attach your choice of door knobs if desired.


Final Thoughts


Obviously with the cabinet style version you can not allow the items you attach to over hang the sides or the doors will not close.

I used ceramic magnets that can be found here: CMS Magnetics® Ceramic Magnet 1 7/8 x 7/8 x 3/8" for Kids' Science and Physical Therapy, 50-Counts.  


Their is an alternative design that I feature in the video above.  You can view the cut and material list for that design by clicking here.

As always if you have any questions, I'm here to help.

Happy DIY'ing




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