TIL I've been storing my drill bits totally wrong for years

I used to just toss all my drill bits loose in a plastic coffee can, digging through them every time I needed a 3/8 or 5/16. It was a mess, I'd lose the tiny ones all the time, and my neighbor pointed out they were getting dull from banging into each other. About 6 months ago I switched to a cheap magnetic strip stuck to the wall above my workbench, with the bits organized by size. Now I grab one in 2 seconds and they don't roll under my bench anymore. But here's the thing - my brother-in-law swears by those plastic index cases with numbered slots and says the magnets can mess with the temper of the metal over time. Who's right? Has anyone else dealt with rust or damage from storing bits on a magnet?

2 comments

2 Comments

sean_perry13d ago

Wait, your neighbor said they get dull from banging into each other? I had no idea that was even a thing, I've been tossing mine in a toolbox drawer for years.

ivan4013d ago

Holding off on the magnetic debate for a second - have you actually noticed any rust or damage on the bits you've had on the magnet for those 6 months? I'm curious because my neighbor swears by the magnetic strip method and he's had his set up for close to two years with no issues, but my brother-in-law is dead set that it'll ruin them eventually. Doesn't help that both of them are stubborn old guys who've been building stuff since before I was born.