My small cabinet used to store my router bits was filled to capacity, so it was time to build a new one. I researched ideas online and came up with this design. It’s a basic case with mitered corners which are reinforced with hidden splines. I wanted to leave room for adjustability in the future, so I milled sliding dovetail joints for the shelves. They are not glued in place, which allows them to be replaced if necessary. I have attached a photo showing the jig I built to rout the dovetail slots in the cabinet sides using a bushing. The back is attached with screws only so it can be removed as well.
The holes for the bits start with a half inch hole drilled 5/8” deep, with a 1/4” hole centered inside drilled an additional 1/2” deep. This allows each spot to hold either a 1/4” bit or a 1/2” bit. I like this design because it allows me to keep bits with similar profiles such as flush trim bits grouped together regardless of their shank size.
I added a small drawer to hold my accessories such as collets, wrenches, and bushings. The cabinet and drawer face are made from some leftover quilted maple that doesn’t show quite enough quilting to be used in a show piece. The shelves are poplar since it’s the only wood I had on hand that was thick enough. I like to add a finish even for shop projects, and I used 2 coats of Osmo Polyx Raw 3051, which I really like for light color woods since it doesn’t introduce additional warmth. Now I just need to buy some more bits to fill this puppy up!
That is beautiful. I have my bits in plastic boxes or in original packaging. So I'm hesitant to make shelving like yours unless I mark all holes w sizing of the bits.
That is a right handy cabinet and I like that you have lots of space for more bits. Fill 'er up!!!!!!! I made some similar storage in my router station and now I'm out of room:
Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day
Thanks everyone. I think a big part of how you store your bits depends on whether you have more wall space or more cabinet space. I’m running out of both!
There is a great idea with the two-step holes! I have two table drawers like Jim shows, top for 1/4 and bottom for 1/2. Organizing for bit shape/style would be much better for packing density as even my overflow drawer is full.
Well done, that is my plan to make something like that cabinet.
I currently have 2 types of trays like shown. One is premade with 1/2 and 1/4" shank spots, and those little plastic collars. The other is also both sizes, just holes popped in a piece of black foam. When I had more of a cabinet for my router they seemed to be ok. Now I have an open storage area under the router, and there isn't a good space to keep the forms, so they are always getting in the way.
Great looking cabinet. I made my storage system 30+ years ago out of MDF and it's full and the design sucks. The spacing is all wrong. I also like the two step idea.
