Taps, files, reamers, cutters etc. - Storage question

[MattF]

Been wondering about this, and then the toolbox thread jogged my memory. How much truth is there, in reality, about placing the above stuff in boxes, drawers etc., and the chance of them damaging or blunting each other or suchlike if they're joggling each other or piled atop each other?

Just wondering whether I need to be quite as anal as I currently am regarding storing this stuff. For example, taps I lay opposing ways if close to each other, so that cutting portion contacts shank of next one along, and don't pile them atop each other. Do they actually knack each other, over time, if just piled in there?

 

[500e]

Did a terrible thing years ago milled slots with a bull nose cutter in wood after making the wood trays to fit draws then soaked in oil, Wood in the Colchester for weeks

 

[Pete.]

Here's my take on it:

If you make aerospace or other fine-tolerance parts then worry about it. If you don't - don't.

 

[brightspark]

the only thing I would separate are reamers and router bits

 

[frank horton]

mine are in a home made wood cupboard made of 3/4" plywood........heated by an eco bulb, behind a wire mesh screen placed in the bottom........so no rust worries.......
all the taps, dies in one drawer... reamers in another, you get the idea........
taps are in holes drilled in a false bottom standing upright with the corresponding die right next door., placed in row's for Metric std, M/fine, Unc, Unf, Bsf, Whit.....etc etc.......reamers are laid in a wave pattern of bubble wrap in there own drawer etc etc........even the files are tidy........
plan for the future is to have bigger drawers (nothing to do with the wife) so that the tapping drills are located next to the taps as well.......and proper location for everything else.......

it's def worth taking the trouble to store and seperate tools.......easyer to find, u can c if anything is missing.......and just looks better.......be proud of what u've got.........
have plans in my head for better / more storage in the next workshop, that'll have a lot more room......
frank

 

[RichardM]

My files are individually stored either in plastic or cardboard tubes.

Taps dies etc in separate drawers, in a cabinet I made, some (most) do rub together though.

Reamers and milling cutters are separated.

 

[MattF]

What do you use for the tubes; Bought items or just tubing/rolls repurposed?

 

[graffian]

Go into your local tool shop and ask for some tubes, mine has a big cardboard box of
empty tubes you just take what you need.
You have to store carbide drills, mills and reamers in tubes other wise your going to open the draw
and there will just be a pile of chips of carbide.
I am not so particular about everything else, I do try and store sharp taps in tubes. If you ask for tubes
in your local tool shop see if they have multi tubes, look like the old leather cigar holders, you can get
M6 - M12 taps in them; I have all my bestest sharp taps in the things, only downside is I put the whitworth
one down last week and haven't see it since[I used a scarily squeeky 5/16whit tap today].

 

[RichardM]

plastic pipe, corrugated card rolled up, air-line, as long as it stops them rubbing together and free then it's good