Drill Bit storage, and trying to beat Mr Rusty

[FenceFurniture]

This really belongs in a sub-forum for Drilling, but we don't have one yet. Come on Dad, gissa specific forum willya?

In the last couple of years I've been numerous bit blocks, but the collection has been evolving, and so I have had to upgrade the bit blocks to suit. These are the latest versions (just giving myself room for another change there). I used some She-Oak that I picked up at the recent Sydney show, and it was cheap because it had some surface cracks in it fine for this purpose though.



These are the Brad Points, and because they are HSS M2 they don't rust. The covers are there to protect from stab wounds. (yeah, yeah, I know I've gotta fix that exposed cable)


Twist drills (HSS) at the top, and forstners below. The forstners are High Alloy steel, and therefore prone to rusty. The cut-down tubes assist, but there is still a bit happening. The tubes are what they are delivered in.





Yesterday I took delivery of 200x half gram sachets of indicating Silica Gel sachets.A drop of hot melt glue and into the end of the tube, and with a bit of luck Mr Rusty might be banished forever.



It has to be said that in the smaller tubes it looks like I've squeezed a snotty tissue in there.


The hot glue doesn't melt the plastic sachet, but the hot metal tip of the gun will.

I also put one of these sachets in all of my small boxes for screws etc, and I reckon I've used about 150 of the 200. Also, I got 200x two gram sachets, and have distributed these around the various tool drawers and plastic storgae containers with rust prone items in them.

I read on the website for Silica Gel Australia that contact with metal should be avoided. Not sure why, but it must be something to do with a chemical reaction resulting in discolouration or something.

SGA say that 1 gram controls 1 litre of air in an enclosed environment. Of course by the time a 5 litre container is loaded with tools there may only be a couple of litres of air left.

The service from SGA was very efficient. Ordered Friday, delivered Monday.

[BobL]

Too tidy Mr FF, How can you lose anything in that tidiness??

[FenceFurniture]

Wait 'til you see the plastic bin storage that I use for virtually everything. It's to keep out dust of course, nothing at all to do with being so retentively backed up that it's no wonder I talk so much #####.

[Ueee]

I noticed the racks in the pics of your DC thread, they look really neat If i showed you a pic of how my drills are stored you would probably fall over dead. I'm lucky, unlike most of the population of Aus i live far enough inland that i don't have rust problems.
Sappy timber will also rust the drills, so cleaning them with some metho or thinners can be a good idea after drilling timbers that tend to leave a residue on the drill.

[FenceFurniture]

Cheers Ewan. Time will tell if the SG sachets do what I intend, and thanks for that additional info - very useful to know.

[pjt]

Rust can be a pain, I find that in the man cave vertical surfaces are the worst.


Pete

[Christos]

I know that I mention this to you on the recent Sydney Wood show but for those that were not there I think G-15 is the product to use.

[FenceFurniture]

Hi Christos

Indeed you did, and I bought some about 10 minutes later! I don't mind it being on the shaft, but I'd prefer not to put it on the forstner head. Getting coverage over the head could be tricky too - mine are still sharp!

Cheers
Brett

[Christos]

...Indeed you did, and I bought some about 10 minutes later! I don't mind it being on the shaft, but I'd prefer not to put it on the forstner head.....

I understand where you are coming from. I have a box of tissues(and a roll of paper) in the shed that I use to clean up the bit before I put them to work. Then the same tissue is used to clean up the wood dust before I spray it, then put it away.

[Master Splinter]

A cheap source of silica gel is that crystalline kitty litter...(unused, that is!)

[Old farmer]

Thanks to all you coves for another very informative thread.

[Sawdust Maker]

I can only say it's a bit sad when some people are so organised

[FenceFurniture]

Jeez Nick, you've changed a lot since the show (and in more than one way by all accounts).

[Christos]

Jeez Nick, you've changed a lot since the show (and in more than one way by all accounts).

He has become tidy.

[FenceFurniture]

Hmmm. So that makes three ways. Anyone else spot anything?