In my workshop I hate wasting time looking for things, particularly when I have to do it a few times in a row. One thing that I found would frustrate me was looking for the right threading tap and drill bit for my use. When the frustration was too much I designed and made this holder. It has two of everything so as to have a backup. These are then organised into rows which include starting, intermediate & bottom taps and the appropriate drill bits.  The thread sizes and pitches are engraved at the front. and drill bit sizes at the back. All holes where countersunk and reliefed for easy removal and install. Simple yet functional and neat although seemingly like everything else it took some time to make, however I do believe I will get that back eventually from the hassle saved. It will also help me identify what I am missing. It was shaped from a 25mm (1") thick section of aluminium with a 100mm (4") width. The holes where drilled such that there was equal spacing between the pairs and another equal spacing between the different sizes allowing for diameter differences. Making it in this way allows for the highest practicality in terms of ease of use. Even a simple tool stand in this workshop doesn't escape an attempt at optimisation.  In due time other stands will also be made for general drill bit sizes, reamers with their associated under-size drill bits and possibly another stand for various other less used thread sizes. This stand will not be bolted to a wall as it is practical to have this portable still so it may be able to be carried to where work is being undertaken. This also prevents the taps and drill bits from not being returned and then possibly misplaced.

The holder finished but still missing many taps and drill bits which will be ordered.  (Click on image to zoom in)

This bench was made first and was planned to hold some of my bench tools on it. From this basic concept I developed the design more to also have under bench storage and house my cut-off saw. So now completed it houses the following: Hand-sheer (Top left):This high quality Taiwanese cutter can cut up to 6mm flat plate steel. It also happens to be so sharp that I can slice up receipt paper. Really usefully for jobs such as trimming steel plates down to size down to chopping straight sections in gasket paper. Bench Grinder 200mm (Top Center)- Good old fashioned "eight inch" bench grinder. Fitted with a rough stone for metal shaping on one side and on the other both a wire wheel and a sewn polishing wheel on an extended shaft. Arbor press (Top Right)- This was bought off ebay and is rated at 2 metric tonnes. A very useful tool and particularly good for changing suspension bushes in a car. Cut-off saw (bottom left)- This powerful Hitachi saw is for chopping the masses of steel I use for all my projects including this table. It has its own outlet near the ground and it pulled out whenever it's used. Wooden drawers (bottom center)- These draws are for multiple uses and their use was planned in advance; hence the different heights. Each one uses all metal ball bearing slides that are rated at 45kg each and allow for full extension opening. Slide Tubs (bottom right)- These are cheap Australian made storage containers used much like draws. Simple, effective, practical and very cheap. An interesting note is this entire bench was made during the set up phase of the workshop and hence ended up being welded together with an Arc welder that was discounted down to $90 AUD!