by Bernard Martin

You’ve probably opened a drawer, reached for a drill, and thought, “Where is that size #7 drill so I can tap this 1/4-20?” If you’ve ever cursed at a disorganized pile of drill bits or spent a minute too many feeling for the right size by touch alone, then you already understand the value of a good drill index. But where did this simple shop tool come from? The answer goes all the way back to 1930, and it’s a piece of shop history that you may not be aware..

The First Indexed Drill Cabinet — A Smart Idea Nearly a Century Old
Back in 1930, an inventor named Eugene F. Huot from St. Paul, Minnesota, filed a patent for what he called an “indexed drill cabinet.” This was a big change in direction for the inventor who's first patent applicaiton was a for a Fish Scaler in 1927. It would change history and create the legacy that Huot Munufacturing carries on to this day.  That very first drill index patent was granted on October 17, 1933 as US Patent 1930617A. The goal was straightforward: make it easy for machinists and woodworkers to store and quickly find the drill they needed instead of rummaging through a loose stack of bits.  The patent opened with a simple mission...

"The chief object of this invention is to provide an indexed drill cabinet of convenient size for storing drills and adapted to facilitate the quick selection and removal of the desired drill."

You can almost hear the old machinist saying, “Put it back where it belongs, will ya?” just by reading the patent. The core idea was to turn drill storage from guessing and fumbling into an organized, efficient process — a purpose that hasn’t changed in nearly a century.

What Made the Original Drill Index Different
The genius of this early design is its focus on visibility, accessibility, and accountability. Huot specifically designed the holders so that:

• The drills stood upright and separated, ready to grab without sorting.
• Drills were grouped by size and tilted out of the way when not in use, making selection intuitive.
• The cabinet was small enough to fit right in your tool chest, not clutter up the bench.

That combination of rugged simplicity and clarity was an immediate hit with people who work with drills every day.

By the late 1940's Huot continued to develop new products and new patents.  Here's a great insight form his 1951 Patent US2564601A into what he was thinking:

"A workman having a set of drills often loses these drills by leaving them lying about in ldifferent places in the shop. It is desirable to have a drill holder comprising a casing or cabinet in which a plurality of drill-holding members are mounted, said casing or cabinet being of a size which can be placed in the workmans tool box or his locker and locked up whilev not in use."

From the Patent to Today’s Huot Drill Indexes
The drill index didn’t stay a curiosity — it became a reference point. Modern Huot drill indexes and dispensers take that same concept and refine it for the way shops run today. 

Modern Huot indexes:

• Come in fractional, letter, and metric sizes so you have exactly what you need for your work.
• Feature clearly marked holes that reflect the same indexed clarity Huot envisioned in the 1930s.
• Use heavy-gauge steel and durable finishes built to survive shop floors, not just sit in a drawer.
• Include options like drawer-style dispensers or stackable units that let you scale storage with your tooling inventory.

It’s not uncommon to see old Huot indexes from the 1930s pop up decades later, still intact and still usable, because the core idea was sound from the beginning.

Factory Tooling Solutions is excited to announce our return to the Wichita Industrial Trade Show 2025 (WITS), taking place October 21–23, 2025 at the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas. As one of the largest regional manufacturing and machining trade shows in the Midwest, WITS 2025 brings together professionals from across the industrial, aerospace, agricultural, and energy sectors to explore the latest in machine tools, precision tooling, automation, workholding, and metalworking technology.

Held every other year since 1974, the Wichita Tool Show has built a strong reputation as a must-attend event for manufacturers, engineers, and industry leaders throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and surrounding states. Factory Tooling Solutions will be showcasing product innovations from all 19 of our world-class principals, giving attendees a hands-on look at the cutting tools, toolholding systems, workholding, and metalworking fluids that drive manufacturing efficiency and precision.

Our booth will feature a wide-ranging display of tooling innovations and solutions from all of the world-class principals we represent. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on with the latest products featured on our website and speak directly with the FTS team about your application challenges.

Explore the Full Factory Tooling Solutions Lineup
You’ll find product samples and technical displays from across our lineup, including:
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• Boneham Metal Products (BMP) – Dowel pins, drill bushings, and custom precision components
• Carmex – Thread milling tools, DMT carbide, and laydown inserts
• Canela – Lathe holders, ISO boring bars, and turning tools
• Dümmel – Ultra Mini and Swiss Line micro-machining tools
• Everede – Specialty boring bars, indexable ANSI tools, and custom form tools
• Fullerton Tool – High-performance end mills like VMAC, Fury, and Aluma series
• Greenleaf – Advanced ceramic inserts and tooling for titanium and Inconel
• Hangsterfer’s Laboratories – High-performance coolants like 5080, Hardcut GTL, and S 500CF
• HEULE Tool – COFA, BSF, and other automated back chamfering and deburring tools
• Huot – ToolScoots, CNC tool storage systems, drill dispensers
• Jergens Workholding – Ball Lock, 5-Axis vises, tombstones, and quick-change fixturing
• MAPAL – Replaceable head reamers, QTD indexable drills, and PCD tooling
• Nine9 – Spot drills, chamfer mills, engraving and centering tools
• OMG – Right angle heads, speed increasers, and facing heads
• Rego-Fix – Powergrip, ER collets, and RE Cool coolant-through technology
• Riten Industries – Live centers, face drivers, and workholding support products
• Rocky Mountain Twist – Cobalt drills, threaded shank drills, and micro stop countersinks
• Superior Abrasives – Quick-change discs, flap wheels, and convolute finishing products
• Tanis Brush – Disc brushes, bore hone brushes, and abrasive filament tools

See What’s New – and What’s Next
If you’re looking to stay competitive in precision manufacturing, you won’t want to miss this event. Our team will be on-hand to guide you through tooling strategies, help identify cost-saving opportunities, and match your application with the right products.

Whether you’re optimizing for cycle time, surface finish, or material removal rates, FTS has the solutions to help you stay ahead.

We look forward to seeing you in Wichita this October!

by Bernard Martin

If you’ve ever juggled armloads of collet racks, tooling trays, and hand tools across the shop floor from the tool crib to your CNC you know the struggle is real. That’s where the Huot Toolscoot steps in—it’s a rugged, roll-ready solution designed specifically for machinists who need to move tooling safely and efficiently from tool crib to machine and back.

Whether you’re setting up a CNC mill or running a job on a lathe, the Toolscoot is like having a mobile tool crib at your side. Designed and manufactured in the USA, this cart was built from the ground up for serious shop use. Its heavy-duty construction, smart layout, and modular storage options help reduce tool changeover time, minimize dropped tools, and keep your high-value holders protected and organized.

Built Shop Tough
The Huot Toolscoot isn’t some off-the-shelf utility cart dressed up for the shop floor. This thing is built to work—hard. It’s made entirely from heavy-gauge steel, finished with a tough powder coat that stands up to chips, dings, and general shop abuse. Once it’s loaded up with tooling, it rolls smoothly thanks to locking front casters and fixed rear wheels that give you control and stability without wobble.

But what really makes the Toolscoot a machinist’s best friend is how it’s laid out. You can choose from several configurations that offer tilted trays, vertical toolholder racks, and built-in drawers—so you’re not just pushing around a pile of gear; you’ve got a purpose-built mobile station.

Every toolholder rack is precision-machined to hold your CAT 40s, CAT 50s, BT 30s, HSK 63s—whatever you run—with no risk of tools tipping over or bouncing out. And the trays are angled just right so you can see and grab what you need without digging around.

Toolscoot Models and Options
Huot didn’t stop with just one design. They’ve created a range of Toolscoot models to match the way you work. For basic setups, you can go with the CAT 40 or CAT 50 versions that hold either 18 or 40 tools—great for shops doing frequent tool changeovers. If you need to carry more than just holders, the combo carts mix in drawers and shelves so you can stash collets, inserts, wrenches, or whatever else you need at your station.

Looking for something a bit more streamlined?
The ToolScoot II has a slimmer footprint that’s easier to maneuver in tight spaces and includes thoughtful upgrades like a built-in handle and optional storage bins. And for the high-output shop, the ToolScoot Pro takes it up a notch with even more stability, higher load capacity, and an ergonomic design that’s built for all-day use.

Want your cart to match your shop colors or include your company branding? No problem--Huot offers custom finish options to keep things looking sharp and professional.

Specs That Matter

• Material: Welded steel frame, powder-coated finish
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,200 lbs, depending on model
• Toolholder Compatibility: CAT 30/40/50, BT 30/40/50, HSK 63/100
• Tray Capacity: 18 to 80 tool positions
• Footprint: 18" x 32" up to 28" x 48"
• Accessories: Drawers, locking doors, storage bins, ID tags, and more

Why It Matters
Let’s face it—dropped tools cost money. Time wasted looking for a tool during setup adds up fast. The Huot Toolscoot solves both problems while protecting your investment and keeping things flowing. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about improving efficiency, reducing tooling wear, and helping machinists work smarter.

Ready to Roll?
If you’re looking to streamline setup time and protect your tooling, Huot’s Toolscoot might be the missing piece. Factory Tooling Solutions is your go-to source for getting the right Toolscoot model to match your machines and workflow. Reach out today—we’ll help spec the right cart and get you rolling.