Magnetic tool holder storage strips

[C_Claycomb]

Always looking for ways to better store and organise tools (and am actively trying to find a better way to organise my drill bits than all mixed in rough size groups in plastic boxes.

An elderly pal of mine has been trying to reduce his tool collection and gave me four Navaris 12" magnetic tool holder strops, and I am wondering if these things have any place at all in a workshop that grinds and drill steel. He didn't grind steel and he had several on his walls for holding pliers, screw drivers, rulers, wrenches and similar general tools. I saw someone on here say they used a magnetic strip for organizing their drill bits next to the drill press. It just seems to me like a bad thing to make drill bits magnetic when they will need to drill steel, and to have tool storage that will attract steel dust out of the air.

Anyone use these things in their shops? Pros, Cons?

 

[fitzo]

Anything you hook on those becomes magnetized. Chips stick. While I use a couple over my bench for scissors, bench knives, scribes, etc, I'd never use them for drills. I have a hunch that may become a real aggravation and send you shopping for a bench demagnetizer like I use on the engraving bench. I could imagine chips always stuck on a drill has to be as aggravating as chips starting to stick on the end of a graver from impact-induced magnetism.

 

[Timothy Lindblom]

I use them in my shop for all sorts of things. Scissors, rasps, multi tool blades, nut drivers and such. They go on sale occasionally at Harbor freight and are well worth it

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

They are handy but can cause problems magnetizing stuff.... on the fence here.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Ah, ha, hello Daniel, it was your post from 2014 that I saw about using them for drill organization. So, 11 years later, still using them, or were the problems with magnetized drills too much?

 

[Horsewright]

I use them in the shop and have for years. I hang knives on them that have their wooden handles being finished. To dry after finishing and in between coats. I’ve never had any trouble with them becoming magnetized but they are not being stored there. Just a couple three days max and more commonly over night.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Any tool that has become magnetized on these strips just needs to be sharply tapped on something hard. This demagnetizes the item.
Try putting a few neodymium magnets in a baggie near your belt grinder.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Ah, ha, hello Daniel, it was your post from 2014 that I saw about using them for drill organization. So, 11 years later, still using them, or were the problems with magnetized drills too much

No big deal... I lost the shop and might buy more, not sure. I'm trying Bills tip. I like a drawer for bits to keep them clean now.

 

[navman]

I use the cheapo magnetic strips in my shop above the bench for olding files and screw drivers. Works great and keeps them out of the way. I like the idea of using one to hold drill bits.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I try to keep most tools in the big tool cabinet, or in their sets/boxes. Accent on the word "try". However, I would sometimes find tools laying all over the shop or hunting for where I put a specific tool or bit.

I have magnetic "bowls" by the drill press. They are usually used to hold nuts and bolts so they don't go astray when working on things, but I stick the four most used bits in them, as well as other bits I might be using for a project. I try to put the bits away when done, but often the bowls are full of bits. I haven't had a problem with the bits, but the bowls do get full of drilling chips and curls. Easily cleaned out with a shop rag. IF a bit gets magnetized and has chips on it, I wipe it off with a rag before putting it in the chuck.

I have magnetic strips in various places for holding needed tools, like Allen wrenches or a certain size box wrench to adjust a tool. I also keep a few "often needed" tools on them like a couple screwdrivers, a file or two, pliers, and similar tools you want withing easy reach.

Where I have found magnetic strips most useful is holding the bits and burrs that I need for doing tasks like Corby bolts and rivets. I want the right size drill bit, counterbore, reamer, etc. side by side. When not in use, I try to store these specialty bits/burs in the boxes with the Corby bolts and rivets, but if I don't, at least I know where I left them.

Since I use grinding magnets often, I have a demagnetizer I run all blades through after final sanding. Don't worry about any magnetism before HT. It disappears at 1340°F.

TIP:
Many tools that come in a set get separated all over the shop and you can't find the one you want. Or, you have them all in a jumble and try three sizes before finding the one you need. A quick and cheap solution is to take 2X4 wood pieces and drill holes for the tools. Put them in order. If you want, take a Sharpie and mark the holes with the sizes. This works great for Allen wrenches, special drills and bits, burrs, small tools/screwdrivers/etc. Just pick up the block and take it to where you are working. TRY to put it away when done, but if you don't, at least all the pieces of that set are still together. If you want, you can use fancier wood, paint them, stain and varnish, whatever. I just leave them wood.