This project was built and designed by Stan Sullivan. It’s a compact, portable drill bit holder made from scrap wood—perfect for keeping your bits neatly organized and close at hand during any woodworking task.
Instead of leaving drill bits scattered in drawers or buried in plastic cases, Stan’s design creates a clean, user-friendly way to store and access the bits you use most. It’s simple to build, easy to customize, and surprisingly versatile.
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Why Build a Custom Bit Holder?
Digging through cluttered drawers or sorting through plastic containers wastes time. Stan’s rack solves that problem with a removable, transportable design that brings the bits to your bench or job site—no more back and forth across the shop.
By focusing on function and portability, the design helps streamline your workflow. You can carry only the bits you need without lugging around an entire case or toolbox.
Using Scrap Wood and Basic Tools
One of the key benefits of this project is its low cost. Stan builds the entire bit holder using leftover lumber from other projects. Most woodworkers have suitable scrap pieces already on hand.
A thickness planer is used to smooth the boards, but it’s not required. Sanding or hand planing can achieve similar results. The project also uses common shop tools like a miter saw, drill press, and belt sander—though alternatives like a circular saw or handheld drill can work in a pinch.
Building the Rack Step-by-Step
The project centers around three key parts: a flat base, and two vertical sides that sandwich a center piece drilled to hold the bits. The center board contains evenly spaced holes, each sized slightly larger than the shank of the bits.
Stan uses a drill press to create clean, uniform holes. He spaces them about an inch apart, but you can modify this layout depending on your own bit collection.
To form the vertical holder, the center piece is flanked by two thinner boards. These are glued and clamped, forming a rigid block that securely holds each bit while allowing for easy removal.
Making a Drill Bit Gauge
One clever feature of the build is a DIY drill bit gauge. Stan creates this using a scrap board and a single drill bit, forming a perfectly sized hole to mark precise reference points on the holder.
He taps the gauge against small nails to transfer placement marks—an effective way to maintain alignment without measuring each hole individually. This step saves time and ensures accuracy across the holder.
Cleaning Up the Final Assembly
After the glue has dried, any overhanging wood is trimmed on the table saw. The piece is then sanded with a belt sander to smooth the surface and refine the shape.
Corners are rounded off to prevent sharp edges, making the holder more comfortable to handle and giving it a cleaner look. These small finishing steps elevate the entire project and show that even shop storage can look professional.
Mounting or Leaving It Free
The bit holder is designed to be flexible. It can be glued directly to the base or left removable, giving you the option to carry it wherever it’s needed. If you prefer a wall-mounted setup, the base can be attached to a shelf or cabinet, while the holder itself slides in and out as needed.
While Stan demonstrates the project with spade bits, the design easily adapts to hold other items like twist bits, driver bits, pencils, or small tools. It’s a multipurpose solution for everyday shop storage.
Why This Project Works
The simplicity of this build is its strength. It doesn’t require advanced joinery or specialized tools—just thoughtful layout, careful drilling, and a bit of sanding. In return, you get a tool that improves workflow, saves space, and looks good doing it.
This is the kind of project that’s ideal for a slow afternoon in the shop. It makes use of scrap wood, improves efficiency, and provides a small but meaningful upgrade to how you organize your space.
A Great Addition to Any Shop
Stan’s approach is all about usability. The bit rack is designed to be functional first, with just enough polish to make it a point of pride in your workspace. It’s easy to modify the design for more bits, larger holes, or custom spacing based on your needs.
Whether you’re just starting to build your workshop or looking to tidy up years of tool accumulation, this project is a practical and rewarding step forward.
Get Stan’s plans here: https://www.simplyeasydiy.com/2016/05/spade-drill-bit-holder.html.