Bushings and Bits - Storage

Jim Smith · Jun 20, 2009

Modified Bushings and Bits -

Based on great input from some of the IAP members, I made a few modifications to my Bushings and Bits storage rack. Rodney Bailey recommended securing the bushings in the event that the rack dumps on the floor. I thought about using O-rings as he suggested but thought that it would be a pain to replace the O-ring every time, especially if they were nice a tight. So I ended up with a modified RAdams suggestion and simply put threads on the end of the 1/4 aluminum rods and added wingnuts to keep the bushings in place. I also added my Barrel Trimmer bits to the rack. I've left plenty of room for the barrel trimmer bits as I am in the process of making the correct size bits for all the pens I make. I hate having to use corian bushings to size up the bits for larger tubes.

All in all, the rack works extremely well for me. I think the one thing I would have done differently would be to have used 3/16" bolts epoxied into the board instead of aluminum rods. This would have provided the threads already and prevented me from having to thread the rods. No big deal, but it would save a step.

Thanks for your input and I thought I'd share the modifications.

Jim Smith

HawksFeather · Jun 20, 2009

Looks very nice and it will be easy for you to find what you need. In fact it almost looks too neat to mess up. : ) I am just getting started and have put bushings and bits in Plano plastic containers.

Jerry

markgum · Jun 20, 2009

Very nice... been wondering what to do with all the bushings.. I'm off to the yard sales to see what I can find...

antiquetoddler · Jun 20, 2009

Wow! That's what I call organization. It makes me dizzy.:biggrin:

rjwolfe3 · Jun 20, 2009

That is an awesome idea - mind if I incorporate it into my design?

Rollerbob · Jun 20, 2009

Na, way to orginized. I would take a picture of mine but I gotta find my camera first!!:redface:

Jim15 · Jun 20, 2009

Great idea, looks very nice.

hewunch · Jun 20, 2009

Your stuff is way too clean. :biggrin: great idea. It wouldn't work in my shop, but it is a great idea.

Mack C. · Jun 20, 2009

Jim Smith said:
It's not very fancy,

Click to expand...

Hi Jim; It appears that you and I have a different definition of "not very fancy".

Here's one for the pill poppers out there.

Until a little while ago I told my wife to throw out those empty pill bottles. This is my definition of "not very fancy". Now, are you able to see the difference in definitions between your "not very fancy" and mine.:biggrin:

mickr · Jun 23, 2009

that's right..keep making me look like a slob..wow, how organized..great finds, great organizational skills...but I'm gonna stick with chaos..I understand that better!!!

traderdon55 · Jun 23, 2009

Great idea. I need to learn to organize like that so that I don"t spend half of my time hunting for what I need.

Jim Smith · Jun 23, 2009

Traderdon,

That is precisely why I took a couple of hours to build this rack. I found that I was wasting precious shop time looking for drill bits and the right bushing sets and it was getting very frustrating. I don't get to spend nearly enough time turning pens and I sure don't want to mess around looking for stuff. As far as looking too neat, my wife nearly fell over laughing when I showed her those comments. Enough said about that

Jim Smith

aggromere · Jun 23, 2009

I spend at least 1/2 my time looking for stuff that is usually lurking in a mess right in front of me. Great idea.

baileyr4 · Jun 23, 2009

Hi Jim,

I see one possible improvement you could do to your bushing storage system to keep them separated if the stand ever got overturned. The addition of a thick/fat O ring on the top of each post will discourage them from coming off easily. I have read many posts on other forums by people that have dropped their bushing box and they all got mixed together. The small O ring could save hours of frustration later if the stand ever did get bumped over.

Rodney Bailey

cnirenberg · Jun 23, 2009

Yeah, I agree. Very cool, way to organized, great idea.

TBone · Jun 23, 2009

I would consider making one of those if I could find that box of drill bits I bought. I organized them in pen tubes with the size written on the tube and a white paint pen marked over the sizes to make it easier to read. Now I can't find the box they're in. :frown:

But I like the way your's looks :biggrin:

I need to treat my drill bits like I do my bushings. Very adament about putting them back into containers because once mixed up, you're in trouble.

desertyellow · Jun 23, 2009

two great ideas
thanks for sharing

Jim Smith · Jun 23, 2009

Great idea Rodney! I have experienced a smaller version of the bushing jumble when I used a small tackle box to keep them sorted. I will pick up the o-rings on the way home from work today. I also plan on adding my pen mills to this rack so I will have everything in one place.

Jim Smith

RAdams · Jun 26, 2009

OR, you could always get super fancy, and use a pin chuck and turn little closed end caps for them all. would make it a bit safer too. Pretty snazzy idea either way.

Jgrden · Jun 27, 2009

Jim Smith, I thought I was organize but you make me look like Sanford and Son's garage.

Bushings and Bits - Storage

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