Huot 10550 Drill Bit Index for Jobber Length Sizes 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64" Increments

I've had metal drill bit indices like this in the past which always ended up as a mess because the bits would slide off the "shelf" that they sit on and end up all over the place. If it didn't happen right away, the index would bend over time, which would create issues with bits sliding around. This is not a problem with this drill bit index. The holes sizes must be more accurate, so the bits can't go in sideways and slide off of the shelf that the bottom of the bit sits on. The folding motion of the hinges is also smooth and build quality is very solid, so I expect that these will last. They are compact and feel good in your hands, and are also small enough to fit into most tool drawers while lying down. The case is epoxy coated... the coating seems very tough. An all around great product at an excellent price. I bought 2 of these - one to replace the index which came with a set of Norseman CN-Tech drill bits, since the factory index was too bulky to fit into a shallow tool chest drawer; and the second one to replace a broken Black & Decker index of similar design. Great product and would buy again.

I've got a mess of drill bits floating around my work bench, and finally decided I needed to get them all in one place. I knew my dad had a metal drill bit holder that he's had since probably before I was born, but I had no idea where to find one. I tried the orange and green "big box" home improvement stores with no luck, and the Ace Hardware up the street from me didn't have anything like it either. They all sold basic plastic cases that came pre-filled with bits, which is not what I needed.I figured I'd look on Amazon and bingo! This is EXACTLY what I wanted. It's 100 percent steel, there isn't a speck of paint on it anywhere. All the drill bit labels are stamped into the steel, and each hole is precision made to match each bit. It's very solidly made, I could probably stomp on it and not damage it.One little feature that surprised me is bit sizes in fractions AND decimals. Every now and then I'll come across a drill bit size reference in decimal and not fractions. Since this has both for each bit, I don't need to dig out a calculator.When I saw the brand name, Huot, I will admit I initially thought "Oh, some piece of Chinese junk." But then I read that it's made in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has been since 1926. I think this must be the exact same case my dad has which has definitely stood the test of time. Being from Minnesota myself, when I pick it up I feel a little bit of pride inside.

This looks almost the same as a box I inherited from my Father that I know was purchased before I was born in 1960, so I am confident this box will outlive me. I had a decent set of drills in a plastic case that finally started to fall apart, and this metal box had slots for every single drill bit including the 5 or 6 in the set I broke or lost over the years, It might be a little more convenient if the large drills were in the back, but then I think the box would have to be bigger. Its east to find the right drill, this takes less room in my tool bench than the plastic box did, and the bits are easier to get out than they were in the plastic box. My cover is slightly dented because the seller or Amazon shipped it in a lightly padded envelope, but it just makes it look like the cover is the same age as the bIts, which are close to 20 years old. This is a really well made box, and if you have a good set of drill bits that could benefit from a new home, I think you will be happy you bought this.

Some reviewers commented a bad design is the shorter bits are in the back of the box instead the front. See photos. I respect other opinions. Here is mine with photos attached…1. The design of the box results in a very compact index2. If the shorter bits were in front the other two racks could not open3. The space under the short rack allows the midsized rack to open4. The space under the midsized rack allows the long rack to open5. The placement of the racks keeps the bits from falling out the racks when the index is closed. A no brainer.I have no problem getting any of the bits in and out. The stamped size markings are easy to read even for the not so perfect eyesight.Overall this made in the USA box is very good quality like we used to make. As a DIYer I should never have to replace this index as long it is not abused or doing something like using it as a hammer.

works good

Great solid steel and simple construction. The holes for bits are labeled with a size engraved on the rack. It holds all 29 of my drill bits with a perfect not too loose yet not too tight fit and none of the bits fall out of the holes even when I turn the box upside down. Looking back in time before I purchased this bit index, I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. I used to drill a bunch of holes for my bits in a small piece of wood. This bit index has saved me a lot of time fiddling around with bits and has made life a whole lot easier.

I bought it 4 years ago and I love the quality and fit, but the sizes are not labeled with different color so it is very hard to read the sizes, other than that I love it, I just have to have my flash light and magnifying glass with me.

My Grandfather did a lot of woodworking, so I learned my preferences for certain shop tools and aesthetics from him. When I started purchasing tools like drill bits for a shop/house build, I discovered that the cases most bits came with felt cheap, and I was having to pry the drill bits out of them, and I had to do that to even see the drill bit sizes to select them.My grandfather had a case like this one in his shop, and I now see why. It has a solid construction, and the drill bit sizes are easy to see and to access. I don't have to pry anything out, I just simply slide out the bit and easily put it back in. I am a HUGE fan of this buy. Sometimes the classics did it best, and that is very clear in this case.