Router Bits

At the time I bought my first router, the multipurpose Bosch 1617/18 series, I was shopping around for some bits, and I happened to be in that orange Big Box store. Although they don't normally sell router bits, they did have a set lying in the bargain bin. I can't remember what I paid, but it was peanuts. They were never the best router bits, obviously, but they have served my needs to date. I've replaced/upgraded the 1/2" straight cut and flush-trim bits after the originals wore out while some of the more unusual bits have never been used.

Still, I very recently built my dream router table, and I decided it was time to upgrade the bits as well. After much consideration, I ended up with a 13-piece set from Freud, and I added one extra bit I use a lot that wasn't in the set:

I want to combine the two sets since there is not complete overlap and because it is sometimes useful to have "less good" bits for rough cutting big projects. I came up with a 4 x 9 grid where the bits I expect to use the most are at the front and similar bits are arranged in columns: 

Ultimately, I want to keep the router bits in the top drawer of my new router table....so I need to make some custom storage trays. I'm using scraps of walnut-veneered plywood to make the trays. I wanted to have few extra spaces, so I made my grid 4 x 10. 

Drilling the first hole. The bits have 1/2" diameter shanks; I'm boring 5/8" diameter holes and using plastic inserts which hold the bits:

The inserts protrude about 1/2" below the plywood trays:

I set up a backstop on the drill press and went into production a with a 5/8" Forstner bit:

The holes are spaced at a mixture of 1-1/2" and 2" on center to accommodate bits of varying sizes: 

Using plywood strips to build a supporting frame inside the drawer:

Trays installed into drawer...the gap at the front of the drawer is designed to accommodate the pair of wrenches I use to change router bits.

My original router set came with some detailed labels, which have been very useful over the years, and I didn't want to dispense with them entirely. However, I don't really need all the information these labels provide at this stage.

I finished up making may own labels using a mixture of Photoshop and the internet, and, after twiddling around to get the right size, I printed them out onto self-adhesive paper and stuck them in place:

The big picture includes a few blank spaces, six actually, for potential expansion. After that, it may have to be one in, one out.