Easy Button Die Storage Solution

[Blue HeelerParticipant @blueheeler]

[Blue HeelerParticipant @blueheeler]

Easy Button Die Storage Solution using some 6" x 3/4" pine, two hinges, a clasp and a forstner drill bit.

 

Edited By Blue Heeler on 20/06/2019 07:30:06

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I look at designs like that and think ‘Why?’

Too much wasted space – those lids could be much thinner.

How simple would it be to include a tool to remove the die from its space – a magnet on a stick? Bigger-thread ones are easy to pick with fingers, smaller ones may be more difficult. I can already hear the comment that “I’ve never had a problem getting them out”. A piece of bent wire might even be enough.

Colour coded would greatly assist in selecting the right thread form.

Timber boxes need to be kept dry (and metal ones kept warm?) to avoid moisture problems, or to be given a suitable soaking in an anti-rust medium (oil?) to help preseve the dies over the years.

Nearly all my tap and die boxes have two closing clasps – I suppose it might be considered ‘overkill’ but it does help prevent warpage.

Ply might be a better choice – although it is a lot harder on cheap Forstner cutters.

I prefer the dies to be proud of the holes in which they sit. A routed lid with an oily cloth affixed seems to be an alternative without too much extra work entailed.

A good idea to put them in separate boxes, though.

[Blue HeelerParticipant @blueheeler]

^ You enjoy your die storage system and I'll enjoy mine mate.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Not a good idea in my opinion. Even “dry” timber contains moisture so I’d expect the bottom of any dies stored in something like this to go rusty sooner or later. Most of my cutting tools are stored in airtight clip lock plastic boxes with anti rust paper. Old 35mm Film canisters are handy for smaller dies.

[Blue HeelerParticipant @blueheeler]

^ Well they've been in there for years and they haven't rusted.

[TrevorhParticipant @trevorh]

For me I like it – its simple and functional and easily stored

nice one

cheers

Trevor

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Blue Heeler on 20/06/2019 09:41:03:

^ Well they've been in there for years and they haven't rusted.

Do you live in a desert? UK has a maritime climate – warm and wet.

[TrevorhParticipant @trevorh]

It depends on how you keep your workshop conditioned surely

mine is dry and warm in the UK and I have never had an issue of rusting due to damp conditions

just my 10 penneth

Trevor

[RMAParticipant @rma]

Too critical on here, it obviously works and he is sharing ideas……that's what a forum is about. I have made something similar but I used thick MDF fitted into a plywood case. It houses taps; dies, and tapping drill and it's easy to find what I'm looking for, essential these days when I seem to spend half my time looking for the tool I've just used!!

Never had any problems, but my workshop is indoors. Other cases I have made in a similar fashion house squares etc.but I lined those withe green base with a little oil on.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

My set of Presto BA taps and dies which I bought over 45 years ago came in a very nice wooden box. Still no rust. To make it easier to get the dies out there is a narrower channel between each pocket to allow to to get a grip. Don't use oak, that has something in it which causes corrosion on steel

[HacksawParticipant @hacksaw]

And the steel stains the oak…

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Worked for me for the last 20 years

Rod

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I have used a similar system for both taps and dies. Works a treat and highly recommended. As for rusting, well I have a tap and die set in a wooden box from the early 1920s, which belonged to my grandfather. No sign of rusting yet!

In the boxes I have made, I usually use some modern floor varnish, just to make it look nice. The untreated ones don't rust the taps or dies. I use pine for the base and plywood for the lid. Pay no heed to the doomsayers, it works well.

Andrew.

[Chris BradburyParticipant @chrisbradbury76252]

I like the idea thanks for sharing

[Andy CarruthersParticipant @andycarruthers33275]

Good idea, well executed

[Nick HulmeParticipant @nickhulme30114]

I use 4" x 4" x 1" stackable plastic containers with hinged lids stacked in four 2' tall columns in a cupboard, each box edge is labelled and houses either one size of taps and dies or a range, depending on size and the quantity held.
If you have a job for M6x1 you take the M6 box to the job and you have what you need.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

All my taps and dies are stored in simple open topped drawers under my milling machine as are my milling cutters, large drills ect.. My garage/workshop is separate from my house and unheated. This country is not known for its warm climate but to date, I have not had a problem with rusting of taps or dies , perhaps a little surface rust, but nothing to worry about.

I like your idea, I,m just too lazy to make one. Don't mind what others say, no matter what you do or say, someone will find fault with it. If it works for you, that,s all that matters.

Tell the doomsayers to just "Go away" or words to that effect !

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Nice job !

Must get me some faustener bits , bunnings don’t seem to sell them so i will try a few other tool supply stores .

I hate those blow molded plastic boxes that most tools seem to come in these days .

Funny thing is with the naysayers stating that wood will make the tools rust is many of the most respected tool manufacturers always supplied their tools in nicely made wooden cases and never had a problem with them rusting . I have quite a few Starrett , Moore and Wright and Mitutoyo tools in their original wooden cases some over 50 yrs old and not one speck of rust on them . If you look around you will find plenty of sets of gauge blocks all supplied in wooden cases and surely if timber is going to cause rust the one thing you wouldn’t store in a wooden case would be gauge blocks ! If rusting was a concern i would rub some oil into the wood or use lanotec like i did on the ply covers for my mill table – “nuthin like a bit of sheep grease to stop corrosion” !

[Blue HeelerParticipant @blueheeler]

Cheers guys and as others have said I too have lots of quality measuring tools and other tools that came supplied in wooden cases.

[Ian WelfordParticipant @ianwelford58739]

like it, one suggestion for you

I did with mine ( made similar to yours was ) to use a smaller forstner but to drill a second half hole on the end be of the large one for the die. You can then get a finger tip in to extra the die.

As was said earlier in the thread don’t use OAK as the tannin in the oak attacks the steel allowing rust and turning the oak black, If you ever want to darken oak put some steel wool with a dash of washing up liquid into a small jar coantaining vinegar , leave a few days and apply the resulting liquid to your oak. It turns in black. I know some old fool boxes are made of oak but they’re also oil soaked to,prevent contact.

Thanks for sharing.

Ian

Ps. XD351 there’s a really good wood shop in sydney that sells forstner bits. Where you at in Aus as can ask a mate for local stores.

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Hi Ian ,

I’m in western Sydney near Penrith .

I find it odd that bunnings doesn’t sell them as they seem to sell everything else and I haven’t noticed them at H&F , i will have a look at total tools but I can’t recall ever seeing them there in the past.

any links to tool shops is always welcomed !

Ian .

[Blue HeelerParticipant @blueheeler]

Ian, cypress pine is also another timber that goes blue/black in the presence of iron.

[GrottoParticipant @grotto]

I’ve had some tools which stored in wood have surface rusted (some R8 collets) and others which have not. I’ve never worked out what the difference is, maybe the type of wood? All the wood is well seasoned (over 100 years since the trees were felled). I know some of my Tap & Die sets came from the factory in wooden cases, but they look like they were oiled/varnished/sealed (hard to say as they’re pretty old). I now oil any wooden holders I make with linseed oil which has stopped any surface rust, but I’m not sure if the oil has any negative impact on the tools.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by RMA on 20/06/2019 10:16:25:

Too critical on here, it obviously works and he is sharing ideas……that's what a forum is about. I have made something similar but I used thick MDF fitted into a plywood case. It houses taps; dies, and tapping drill and it's easy to find what I'm looking for, essential these days when I seem to spend half my time looking for the tool I've just used!!

Never had any problems, but my workshop is indoors. Other cases I have made in a similar fashion house squares etc.but I lined those withe green base with a little oil on.

Concur, i think they call it a tough crowd….

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