Plastic Tubing to Store Bits

[VaughnT]

I know I've seen them for sale somewhere, but apparently my google-fu is weak of late.

All of the plastic tubes I've found so far are chintzy little things that store either beads or coins. I'm quite sure I've seen more industrial types of tubing that you could buy by the foot with as many caps as you wanted. Clear plastic so you can see the bit you're storing, cut to length so you don't have more tube than you need.



Of course, if anyone knows a source for the clicker-type of containers, I certainly wouldn't be opposed.

[psacustomcreations]

I did a quick search using the terms "drill bit storage tube" and came up with these:

Here is a place with the click top style and the only cost $1 a tube:
https://www.precisebits.com/products...s/01-packs.asp

This place has the tubes with the caps but it does not show the price:
https://www.petropackaging.com/plast...ed-containers/

If you look for "square telescopic tubes" you end up with a bunch more for about $1 each.
This first place has bulk packs
https://cleartecpackaging.com/telescopic-square.html

This one has longer tube for ink pens but should also work
https://richardlgreenwald.com/shop/t...ackaging-tube/

[jwmelvin]

This just came up on a machining forum I frequent. There are some good sources discussed: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thre...sleeves.91471/

[VaughnT]

Thanks, gents. That gets me on the right track.

Never would have thought to call them "telescoping" tubes. Always just referred to them as clicky tubes because they click so satisfyingly!

[Denis G]

The clear plastic tubes are usually Tenite. You can get them from US Plastics: https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/it...x?itemid=22858

[mla2ofus]

How about just PVC pipe with caps and you could mark it with pertinent info for each bit?

[M J D]

1 or 2 lb containers of tig filler comes in those same type of tubes.

[INXS2]

If you go to the Menards website and type in viewtainer it'll come up with 4 sizes. I use the 2x6 tube for drill bits and other things to store in my Milwaukee Pack Out.

[VaughnT]

Dang if that wasn't more of a chore than I was preparing for!

I need about 1' of tubing in size X, but have to buy a bag of 50 rubber end caps in size X? So if I need some tubing in two sizes to stow a dozen burrs for my die grinder, I need to stockpile 100 end caps?

It's not going to break the bank, but sure didn't look forward to stockpiling a ton of caps that I have no use for!

Ended up going with those clicky tubes for the pens. While they're far larger than what I need at the moment, they'll hold my burrs safely and will also fit the larger sizes I've been planning to buy in the coming weeks. I do like me some clicky tubes for storing little bits! Might even transfer the 3/16" and 7/32" drill bits I bought from Drill Hog some time back. Since they're just in baggies, putting the in a clicky tubes might be a good way to use of some of the tubes I bought.

Shipping wasn't too bad, though it about doubled the price. When they get here, I'll be sure to update so everyone knows if they're good or not.

[jones6780]

We used a hot wax to protect the ends of cutters, just heat and dip, let cool. Had a dash of oil in it to inhibit rust.

[123weld]

theres all kinds of test tubes/similar on ebay ( diff sizes in plastic glass) w/ plugs/caps/corks etc, for cheap

[bassboy1]

All of the plastic tubes I've found so far are chintzy little things that store either beads or coins. I'm quite sure I've seen more industrial types of tubing that you could buy by the foot with as many caps as you wanted. Clear plastic so you can see the bit you're storing, cut to length so you don't have more tube than you need.

Tubes
https://www.uline.com/BL_3651/Clear-Plastic-Tubes

Caps
https://www.uline.com/BL_3702/Clear-Tube-End-Caps

[farmersammm]

Tubes
https://www.uline.com/BL_3651/Clear-Plastic-Tubes

Caps
https://www.uline.com/BL_3702/Clear-Tube-End-Caps

Hell, you can't get any cheaper than that!!

[Lis2323]

This is how I store my carbide die grinder bits.




All are Made in USA and came in nicely labeled capped tubes which I kept for awhile and finally threw away


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[farmersammm]

Y'all are just too damned organized

[Denis G]

Y'all are just too damned organized

That must be your drawer for screwdrivers.

[farmersammm]

That must be your drawer for screwdrivers.

I love a comedian

Probably the most important thing in the drawer. Don't leave home without one

We at Uranus don't get anal() about bit tips. Few minutes at the grinder, and the wheels of production resume their onward march.

[VaughnT]

This is how I store my carbide die grinder bits.

And nobody is surprised that even your grinder bits are minty fresh, custom organized, and show not a hint of dust. You truly are amazing in your ability to stay organized and tidy!!!

[farmersammm]

X2

[rexcormack]

Here is some round and square ones.

https://www.mcmaster.com/storage-tubes

[Lis2323]

And nobody is surprised that even your grinder bits are minty fresh, custom organized, and show not a hint of dust. You truly are amazing in your ability to stay organized and tidy!!!

Not a big deal at all. There is usually a layer of grinder dust but everything benefits from an unexpected BJ





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[VaughnT]

Finally got my clicky tubes in the mail.

Very well packaged and as good as I could ask for especially considering the price. I'd definitely recommend https://richardlgreenwald.com/shop/t...ackaging-tube/ if their tubes fit your needs.

The only downside is that they don't have a variety of sizes. Small bits are going to flop around in the clicky tubes, but that's not a huge problem considering there will only be one bit in each tube.

I had thought about using the other sources, but that was problematic. I really didn't want to buy a foot of each size to make my own tubes for the simple reason that none of the sources seemed to allow you to buy only a few end caps. Everywhere I looked, you had to buy a bag of 25 or 50 of the things, or some other ridiculous number, and that's just silly.

Even if I stockpiled enough tubing to make that many little holders, I don't have anywhere near that many bits that need storing. I could have narrowed things down by only getting 3/4" tubing, which is too large for my immediate needs, but I'd still have to purchase a lot of the end caps and have them sitting in a drawer for the next decade.

With the Greenwald site, I was limited to tubes that are 3/4" square, but I could buy only what I wanted and nothing extra.

[thegiff]

If you want short tubes with caps, you can plastic test tubes and plastic transport tubes from chemistry and lab supply houses for cheap (individually), the problem is they usually come in bulk like 1000/bag for about $170 per bag. If you know someone who works at a lab they might be able to get you some, they make great storage tubes for things like drills and bits.

But, ebay suppliers often break these up in smaller quantities, where you can buy them in them in packs of 10 or 25, with caps. I just looked, search "plastic test tubes with caps" and a bunch pop up in different diameters and lengths perfect for tools.

[Stick-man]

tagged clear plastic storage tubes