Make a rack for labeled drill-bit cases

Keep cutting edges protected

A rack of bare drill bits can leave sharp points exposed and make sizes difficult to identify. This project stores small drill-bit cases upright instead. Keep bits in suitable protective cases or sleeves and retain their size labels. The rack organizes those containers; it does not replace safe cutting-edge protection.

Gather the cases and measure their width, thickness, and height. This example uses a 240 × 100 mm base with a low front lip and a taller back. Divider positions are intentionally fitted to the actual collection.

• Base: 240 × 100 × 9 mm plywood.
• Back: 240 × 100 × 9 mm plywood.
• Front lip: 240 × 20 × 9 mm plywood.
• Divider panels: 82 × 60 × 6 mm, quantity determined by the cases.

Calculate spaces that permit retrieval

The front and back stand on the base, leaving 82 mm between their inside faces at 9 mm thickness. Dividers fit across that depth. Add the measured case widths, the chosen retrieval clearances, and the full thickness of every divider before deciding how many cases can fit across 240 mm.

Do not force an arbitrary number of equal compartments onto a collection of unequal cases. A wide case needs its own space, while two thin cases may share one opening. Keep the size labels visible above the front lip and below the back panel.

Build the shell, then fit dividers

Sand the surfaces that will touch the cases. Attach the back and front lip to the base with a suitable adhesive, checking that both remain square. Small reinforcing blocks can be added where they will not interfere with the cases.

After the shell cures, dry-fit every divider with the actual cases. Mark both faces of each divider on the base. Glue only after checking retrieval from the center of the rack. If you expect the collection to change, use separate removable spacer blocks rather than permanently dividing every opening.

Use the rack as a visible inventory

Label the compartments by bit type or case size, using removable labels until the arrangement proves useful. Return damaged or dull bits to a clearly separate place rather than mixing them with ready-to-use tools.

Keep the rack away from bench edges and drilling debris. Lift it from underneath, and avoid grabbing a projecting case as a handle. Do not store loose pointed bits in the gaps between cases. If a case will not close around its contents, solve that problem before putting it back in the rack.