I used to have a drill bit guide (not sure if this is the correct nomenclature), but it has gone missing. The guide had holes that you could place the bit to determine the size. I have 50-60 drill bits and would like to go through them and downsize by getting rid of duplicates. Does anyone first know what I am talking about, and secondly know where I can purchase one. A plastic one would work as my old one was metal! Thanks In Advance!

LynnandCarol wrote:I used to have a drill bit guide (not sure if this is the correct nomenclature), but it has gone missing. The guide had holes that you could place the bit to determine the size. I have 50-60 drill bits and would like to go through them and downsize by getting rid of duplicates. Does anyone first know what I am talking about, and secondly know where I can purchase one. A plastic one would work as my old one was metal! Thanks In Advance!I brought a metal one many years ago from Sears - I still have the heavy paper envelope it came in.Not sure if they are still available in metal (what is these days), but they shouldn't be hard to find - try Harbor Freight,Sears,Home Depot etc.

Lowes, think it is made by general tool.

I think I saw one at the local TRUE VALUE store here in King George... I'm sure you can come up with one from LOWES...I got a coupe of those in tools boxes around here... Sometimes they come in handy... I probably use it more to tap a center hole in something...Roy Ken

And this has what to do with Forum Technical Support?

Drill Bit Guide | Good Sam Community

1492
Moderator
Apr 10, 2014
Moved from Forum Technical Support
westend
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
I would suggest to buy a drill index box and fill it. An index with 25 holes will get almost any job done. That is the total fractional sizes from 1/8" to 1/2".
peajay
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
LynnandCarol wrote:
I used to have a drill bit guide (not sure if this is the correct nomenclature), but it has gone missing. The guide had holes that you could place the bit to determine the size. I have 50-60 drill bits and would like to go through them and downsize by getting rid of duplicates. Does anyone first know what I am talking about, and secondly know where I can purchase one. A plastic one would work as my old one was metal! Thanks In Advance!

I'm no help in answering your question but I just have to say I'm impressed with your vocabulary! I haven't seen or heard the word "Nomenclature" ever used outside of my workplace. Any chance you are/were involved in the healthcare or insurance business? :)
LynnandCarol
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
peajay wrote:
LynnandCarol wrote:
I used to have a drill bit guide (not sure if this is the correct nomenclature), but it has gone missing. The guide had holes that you could place the bit to determine the size. I have 50-60 drill bits and would like to go through them and downsize by getting rid of duplicates. Does anyone first know what I am talking about, and secondly know where I can purchase one. A plastic one would work as my old one was metal! Thanks In Advance!

I'm no help in answering your question but I just have to say I'm impressed with your vocabulary! I haven't seen or heard the word "Nomenclature" ever used outside of my workplace. Any chance you are/were involved in the healthcare or insurance business? :)

Retired Boeing Analyst! Days of reading boring manuals are OVER!! Thanks to all who replied! I have located one via Amazon and will check into the others soon!
YamaDooed
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
For me the best way is to measure the drill size is with a set of calipers. Then you can just compare the decimal reading and you'll know if its a fractional, letter, number or even metric drill bit.
usmohls2
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
most all drill bits have the size stamped on them. Make your own with a small block of wood.
Horizon170
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
usmohls2@yahoo.com wrote:
most all drill bits have the size stamped on them. Make your own with a small block of wood.

Right but the problem is if the drill ever slips in the chuck the size is then unreadable. :(
F1bNorm
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
YamaDooed wrote:
For me the best way is to measure the drill size is with a set of calipers. Then you can just compare the decimal reading and you'll know if its a fractional, letter, number or even metric drill bit.

X2. Fractional is probably the most common, but number and letter systems are right behind it in popularity. Example: a 1/8" drill is .125, a #30 is .1285

Having said this, probably the handiest item would be a combo drill gauge/screw checker.

Norm
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 10, 2014
YamaDooed wrote:
For me the best way is to measure the drill size is with a set of calipers. Then you can just compare the decimal reading and you'll know if its a fractional, letter, number or even metric drill bit.
That's the way I do it. Determine what size hole I need and measure the drill bit at the shank. It will be a couple thousandth's smaller there than at the bit end, so if it reads .262 at the shank end the actual size will most likely be .264.
Vulcaneer
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Horizon170 wrote:
usmohls2@yahoo.com wrote:
most all drill bits have the size stamped on them. Make your own with a small block of wood.

Right but the problem is if the drill ever slips in the chuck the size is then unreadable. :(

Then it ain't gunna fit in a drill index either.

If using the drill in a hand drill, then caliper measurement is close enough. The hole is going to be a few thousandths larger anyway. In a machining center then the hole will be a lot closer to the drill size.

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