-
Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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.
-
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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/
Millermatic 252 MIG
Miller Dynasty 200DX TIG
Altas 12x36 Metal Lathe
Bridgeport Milling Machine
Arclight Dynamics 4x8 plasma table
www.psacustomcreations.com
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
This just came up on a machining forum I frequent. There are some good sources discussed: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thre...sleeves.91471/
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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!
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
The clear plastic tubes are usually Tenite. You can get them from US Plastics: https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/it...x?itemid=22858
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
How about just PVC pipe with caps and you could mark it with pertinent info for each bit?
Ol' Stonebreaker
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"
Hobart G-213 portable
Miller 175 mig
Miller thunderbolt ac/dc stick
Victor O/A setup
Makita chop saw
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
1 or 2 lb containers of tig filler comes in those same type of tubes.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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.
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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.
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
theres all kinds of test tubes/similar on ebay ( diff sizes in plastic glass) w/ plugs/caps/corks etc, for cheap
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
Originally Posted by
VaughnT
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
Who is John Galt?
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
Originally Posted by
bassboy1
Hell, you can't get any cheaper than that!!
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
:
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
Y'all are just too damned organized
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
Originally Posted by
farmersammm
That must be your drawer for screwdrivers.
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
Originally Posted by
Lis2323
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!!!
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
X2
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
:
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
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.
-
Re: Plastic Tubing to Store Bits
tagged clear plastic storage tubes
"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749
"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!
" - duaneb55
"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding
"Stick-man"