Bit colors for brace and bits

[Mike Wagner]

What do the colors mean on the bases of the bits for a brace?

[Joe Bailey]

Highly doubt there is any meaning to be attached to the various colors.
I have always assumed that the paint is there to stop the square taper end from rusting as it is repeatedly clamped and unclamped by the jaws.
The different colors, when present (my Russell Jennings and Irwins have never had paint) are probably just different mfrs.

[Eric Brown]

Some makers changed colors possibly to indicate a different production lot or a different quality level for different sellers.
Another possibility is to indicate that the bit was used and is no longer "new".

Some bits were painted by the owners to keep track of their possessions.

Have fun.

Eric

[Jim Koepke]

Many of my Stanley Handyman bits have red paint, or actually remnants of red paint..

Some of my no name bits have a black paint similar to japanning.

I doubt it means anything.

jtk

[Mike Wagner]

Thanks everyone for the knowledge/comments. I thought I was missing some meaning to the different colors, but it sounds like there is no meaning to the.

Mike