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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
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    Default Router bit tray (not a jig)

    Hi all,
    Not really sure where to post this question so I've put it here.

    I want to make a simple tray to store my router bits and wondered that if i just drilled a series of hole in a piece of timber could this cause corrosion on the shaft of the router bit?
    I vaguely remember reading somewhere that this ciuld happen due to the moisture in the timber.

    Has anyone done this or have another solution?

    Cheers,
    Peter

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  3. #2
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Default

    I have a wooden/Jarrah router bit storage tray made of drilled holes that is circa 25 years old and most of the bits are also that old. The only sections of the bits that are not (slightly) rusty are the section of shaft embedded in the wood.

    If its an Aussie hardwood the most likely reaction will be to generate later of black Ferric Tannate which itself a corrosion inhibitor.

    If you are still worried about it you can always saturate the holes with a few drops of mineral oil.

    I have two other boxed trays of router bits.
    One has a plastic insert - you could always get some thick HDPE (eg cutting board) and use that as a tray.
    The other box has an insert of stiff foam.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Thanks BobL, that's all I needed to hear. I'm going out to the work shop and start drilling.

    Cheers,
    Peter

  5. #4
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    Default

    Yep, no problems there, had dozens of router bits stored like that at work with no issues.

  6. #5
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by woodtryer View Post
    Thanks BobL, that's all I needed to hear. I'm going out to the work shop and start drilling.

    Cheers,
    Peter
    Possibly useful tip.
    What I found was that the 1/4" bit I used produced a hole that was still a fraction too tight for the std 1/4" router bit shafts so getting the shafts in and out was a bit of a pain. As I have a set of 0.1mm increment metric bits I used a 6.4mm bit and it worked out better. For 1/2" bits I have no 0.1mm incremental bits of that size so I ground one size of the top of a 1/2" drill bit which drills a slightly bigger hole than 1/2", from memory I had to swipe the tip a couple of times on the grinder to get it to make a significant enough difference.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
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    Sydney Upper North Shore
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    Default

    I can’t comment on hardwood but I made one from plywood and the shanks rusted. Made a new one out of Perspex and no more rusting problems.
    The shanks were lightly oiled but were ones that were not frequently used which may have been the problem when in the plywood.

  8. #7
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    Aug 2006
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    Canberra - West Belco
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    Default

    I've heard the "the shanks will rust in timber" before but as Bob has shown that is not always the case but i'll bet that any timber that sucks up moisture content easier may result in some rust happening, seal it well and likely no issues.

    if your not really in a rush these storage trays look like a good option and if i didn't have a 3D print option it's what i would have bought Router Bit Storage Tray Toolbox 11x13 inch 110 Bits 60x 1/4" and 50x 1/2" | eBay

    I have a joinable tray grid solution that i use, the 1/4 version needs less holes it's a little cramped and i really don't have that many router bits
    _Z100844.jpg

    The 1/4 inch holes all printed a little tight so i just grabbed one of the 1/4 straight bits and used it in a cordless drill to ream the holes to size, might also work for timber OR you could just use it in plunge mode directly in a router.

  9. #8
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Default

    I've have a set of MT2/3 drill bits (14 to 28mm) and a 1/2 shank set (13 to 25mm) in jarrah stands for ~10 years - again only a few of the lesser used bit areas not in the wood have developed rust.
    Here's another couple of trays.
    ER32 (Pine tray) AND ER16 (PVC, leftovers from blast gates) collets
    Collets.jpg

  10. #9
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    Oct 2008
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    Leopold, Victoria
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    Default

    Mine are just mounted in Pine and never had a problem. Sometimes when I put them away I give them a quick spray with WD40 just to make sure the exposed sections don't rust and some of this probably gets absorbed into the Pine too creating an even better barrier.
    Dallas

  11. #10
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    Canberra
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    100% agree with BobL on all points - it matches my own experiences.

    I used ordinary pine. Absolutely zero rust.


    The shanks do get tight occasionally - I put a bit of sandpaper onto a dowel using a slit to hold it (a two-flap flap sander!). Put it in a drill and gave a quick blat, just enough to enlarge it a few microns

    I've not used oil, but I don't see the harm

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
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    Hobart
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    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    100% agree with BobL on all points - it matches my own experiences.

    I used ordinary pine. Absolutely zero rust.


    The shanks do get tight occasionally - I put a bit of sandpaper onto a dowel using a slit to hold it (a two-flap flap sander!). Put it in a drill and gave a quick blat, just enough to enlarge it a few microns

    I've not used oil, but I don't see the harm

    Me, too.

    Most of my router bits have half inch shafts (12.7mm). I just drilled 13mm holes 20mm deep into a piece of 25mm thick radiata. On recommendation, I also put 3mm "ventillation holes" at the bottom of each hole - this was probably overkill.

    After about 20 years I still have no rust and bits are easy to insert and remove.

  13. #12
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    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Just had a thought based on a post from another forum member building a bench of recycled timbers.... pulling out a lot of nails...

    OLD recycled wood from a pergola.

    All the nail bodies were not rusty.

    Q.E.D

  14. #13
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    Jun 2000
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    Western Australia
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    Default

    I use a couple of these Festool storage boxes with the inserts that is similar to the ones on ebay.They are both full & I need more storage so perhaps an ebay insert is the go.
    A cheaper option of course is either timber like the Pine mentioned or the inserts on ebay.


    T-LOC Systainer SYS 1 Router Cutter Storage Box
    Johnno

    Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Saxton View Post
    I use a couple of these Festool storage boxes with the inserts .......
    T-LOC Systainer SYS 1 Router Cutter Storage Box

    Like most things Festool, looked good until I saw the Pri$e.

  16. #15
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    my way, still waiting for these to arrive

    Tactix box 405 x 315 x 97 $16.98 50 1/2" shank, 60 1/4"
    ebay router tray $19.95
    postage $ 9.95
    $43.85
    Attached Images Attached Images
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

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