Drill Bit Stand

[Jigantor]

Don't clamp the stand to tight when welding.
Aluminium plates will bend and buckle when welded if they have to much axial compression placed on them.

Ji

[Jigantor]

Take all your drill bits and sort them from large to small.
Then I clamped the stand into a drill press and using the largest bit start drilling.
I left a 5mm or 1/4" space between each hole.

This takes some time and is boring.

Ji

[Jigantor]

When all the holes were drilled I deburred.


Ji

[Jigantor]

I then cut another length of plate and TIG welded it to the stand as the base.
I also added four silicone feet.

Ji

[Jigantor]

I then sanded the stand.
Always sand aluminium in one direction.
I use 240 wet and dry to begin with.

The stand is now ready.

Ji

[Jigantor]

Time for a test fit.
Sweeeet

I am very happy with the result.
I have some extra area for expansion or somewhere to place my countersink bits.

Ji

[Jigantor]

This was well worth doing.
Sharp bits all arranged ready to go.

Ji

[TJS]

Looks good and functional. I will be doing this as well. I have a hard time reading the sizes on the drill bits even with 1.5 cheaters glasses. When I do this I am going to punch the sizes next to the holes. Tedious but a time saver in the long run.

[Jigantor]

Hi TJS,
It may take time to mark the size near the bits but you will only do it once rather than every time you go looking.
All these little workshop devices save bench space and time.
If you take a little more time they also look great for years to come.

Ji

[curly]

Good idea, I like it.