The Amazing Drill Bit Sorter (imperial, fractional)

cults3d

"How am I supposed to find that blasted 9/64 drill bit in this chaos?" If you're a DIY enthusiast like me, you know exactly what it's like to have a jar overflowing with unsorted drill bits and the agony of searching for the right one in a world of confusing fractional imperial sizes. Yes, we all remember those pesky numbers by heart, don't we? Like 17/64! I do have a nice set box with compartments for each size, but let's face it – who has time to organize them neatly when creativity is at its peak? I'd rather buy a new sorted set than waste time trying to sort through the mess with calipers or magnifying glass. So how can you sort drill bits like a ninja? Here's the absolute best way: create your own precision-made sorter, designed specifically for this task. All you need to do is slide the drill bit into the groove from the right and – voilà! – that's the size. Less than a second, exact reading. There are two files available, both identical. One has tabs so it can be attached to a wall or workbench for one-handed operation. A ZIP file includes a paper template (PDF or PNG), which needs to be printed on paper (make sure it's 100%, no "fit to page" settings). The PDF is the preferred choice as it prints correctly on Letter paper, but I've also included a PNG – just be aware that you'll need to figure out how to print it at exact size using some software. There's a calibration square on the printout for your convenience. Cut the strips, then use known-size drill bits to "calibrate" your 3D print. Trim and insert. Here are the steps: Print the sorter in 3D without scaling it by accident. Grab the paper template PDF and print it on some harder paper. Ensure it's 100% – no "fit to page," "scale," or other sneaky settings. Cut the strips, designed to fit inside the lines, not on them or outside. Make sure they don't show any lines after cutting. Now, calibration time! The strips are longer, so mark where to cut on the sides. Get some known-size drill bits of various sizes and measure them with calipers if necessary (just use mm settings to avoid rounding errors). Position the strips so they align with the bits, then mark the ends with a pencil. Cut the strips accordingly and insert them into the tabs – easiest way is to put the bottom under the bottom tab and force the top under the top tab with your fingernail. Since each 3D printer may have its own calibration quirks, you might need to shim the groove if it's just a hair too wide. Add some Scotch tape or electrical tape to make the grooves tighter – my Creality CR-10 was within good tolerance. This design can be used for metric drill bits as well, but you'll need to create your own strips or use clear paper and pencil marks. I hope you like it! I absolutely do – it works perfectly for me.