DIY Network

Handy Router Accessories: Making a Router Bit Storage Case From "DIY Tools & Techniques" episode DIT-314

Host David Thiel reveals how to make a storage case to protect your router bits.

The storage case is a simple box with four drawers. Some of the drawers have holes cut inside to hold router bits (figure A). The other drawers are regular drawers used to hold router accessories. Build the storage case with the drawers you need for your router bit collection.

Protect your router bits in this simple-to-make storage case.

Figure A

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I

1. First, cut out the top, bottom, back and sides for the box out of plywood. The drawers will be built later.

2. Mark each side of the box to cut dadoes for the drawers to slide into. Spacing is critical in this step. The dadoes need to be cut in the same place on each of the two sides. Leave enough space between the dadoes so that your tallest router bit fits into the drawer. Also, allow some room beneath the bottom drawer. The dadoes will not be cut all the way across the board (figure B). Make your last mark 1/4 inch from the back of each side to show you where to stop the cut.

3. Next, draw a start and stop mark on your router table fence (figure C) to remind you to lift the board out of the cut 1/4 inch from the end of the board.
   Using the marks as your guides, make the cuts in the first board (figure D). A 3/4 inch flute bit will cut about 3/16 inch into the board. Cutting too far into the board will affect the integrity of the plywood.

4. Now, cut the second board. Since the second board is a mirror image of the first, align the back end of the board at the start mark on the fence and drop it into the cut.

5. Assemble the box (figure E).

6. Cut the drawer fronts and bottoms out of plywood. Also, cut sides and a back if you are making accessory drawers. Remember to cut the sides and back smaller than the size of the drawer bottom (figure F) so that the drawer will slide into the grooves properly. You don't need to cut sides or drawer backs for router bit drawers.

7. To make a drawer for router bits, first draw a grid on the drawer bottom (figure G). The shanks of your drill bits will determine the size of the holes. Use a drill press to drill the holes part of the way through the board. Then, use the depth stop (figure H) to make sure you don't drill through the board. If you drill the holes all the way through, the shanks will fall through the holes into the drawer below. Finally, attach a drawer front.

8. If you have chosen to include accessory drawers, assemble them as well.

9. Put the drawers into the box (figure I) and load it up with your router bits and accessories.

RESOURCES :

Craftsman LaserTrac Drill Press
Visit local Sears store
Free power hand tool catalog: 800-377-7414
Web site: Sears.com/Craftsman

Bench Dog Router Table
3310 Fifth Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 800-786-8902
E-mail: info@benchdog.com
Web site: Benchdog.com

Senco Pneumatic Brad Nailer
SENCO Products, Inc.
8485 Broadwell Road
Cincinnati, OH 45244
Phone: 800-543-4596
E-mail: toolprof@senco.com
Website: Senco.com

Router Bits
Vermont American
Website: www.vermontamerican.com

Freud Fluted Router Bits
Freud America, Inc.
218 Feld Avenue
High Point, NC 27263
Phone: 800-472-7307
E-mail: customerservice@freudtools.com
Web site: Freudtools.com