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This Customizable "Stick With It" Carry Case Makes Me Wish Screwdriver Bits Were Makeup

By Rain Noe - May 3, 2012

in Object Culture

That there is my personal drivers-and-bits kit for repairing vintage sewing machines, which require very specific bits and handles. Because no one offers all of the things I needed for it, I had to buy components piecemeal from three different gunsmithing manufacturers and assemble the kit as seen.

I hate the design of the case, which was the only one I could find that even came close to what I needed. The bits are only held in place by gravity and, when the case is closed, the top of each bit being wedged in place by the underside of the case lid. But as you can see, the holes are of different depths:

That means the shorter bits migrate when the case is bouncing around in your bag and wind up all over the place. To compensate, I used adhesive file labels to cover the holes for the shorter bits, then poked the bits through the labels. The extra material shoved into the hole provides enough friction to keep the bits in place in transit.

I had to sacrifice bit storage space to fit the extra handles, a ratchet and a stubby driver, I needed in there.

The case doesn't quite shut properly, as the cushy grip on the large driver was not meant to fit here.

Lastly, the lousy living hinge doesn't open 180 degrees, so you can't use the lid as a temporary parts tray unless you weigh the thing down.

In my search for a better, more customizable case, I came across something that was wrong for me but maybe right for some of you: The Stick With It Cosmetic Palette.

This customizable makeup case is lined with some kind of sticky material (I'm guessing some sort of vinyl) that allows the user to place makeup anywhere in the case. It seems like a neat idea. Then again I'm a guy and I don't know anything about makeup, so for me to tell you this thing is any good is as absurd as a makeup artist selecting my driver case.

So, I'd like to hear from some of our makeup-wearing female readers: Does this thing seem like a good design? Would you want to carry makeup in this way, does it seem practical? I don't know how makeup comes, but in the video below it seems like you have to scrape it out of some type of plastic point-of-purchase packaging, is that typical?

As the company founder discusses her frustration with finding an appropriate case and seeking a more customizable solution, I realize her gripes are exactly like mine, but with makeup rather than screwdriver bits. I wish her husband was a gunsmith.

o

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Alex

12 years ago

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Not sure you are looking for suggestions, but to stop bits from wandering around how 'bout a thick piece foam rubber glued on the lid?
I'd also mask colour spray the lid with some cool design.
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Alex

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Andrew

12 years ago

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The answer could be: magnets.

A magnetic adhesive-backed sheet could be cut to size for the top of the case to hold active bits in place. Alternatively, one or more smaller sheets could do the job, especially if you don't want the entire surface magnetized. Small button magnets, inexpensive in bulk, can be glued into the bottom of the short bit holes. Something like these:

http://www.amazon.com/MagnetMan-MM-0816-100-Count-Crafters-Container/dp/B004TTHB3W
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tokyospark

12 years ago

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I would think that you could find a nice wooden box with a hinged lid (plenty on Amazon) that you could put a few inserts into to suit your needs. Use Sketchup to plan it out. The driver holders are just holes which could be drilled to depth and have magnets inserted. The lid would stay open, and you could even put a nice set of hardware on it that would suit the character of your work! Go old-school, go wood!
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Tom Mc

12 years ago

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What happens when the sticky gets wet or dusted with product or ambient contaminants? Sounds like a lint and dog hair trap to me.

Your plastic tool case converted into sheet metal with a foam liner would probably work the best.

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