Many new homeowners quickly discover that taking on simple home improvement projects as a DIY adventure means substantial savings over hiring professionals. You do end up trading some valuable personal time, but more than one homeowner has discovered they have a taste for DIY projects.
Of course, most of those projects require tools. While you may start out with little more than a hammer and an electric drill, your tool collection will grow swiftly. Once you have those tools, you face the question of how to store tools properly. If you’re new to tools, keep reading for our guide on storing tools properly.
Keep Them Clean
Even before you worry about how you’ll go about storing tools, you must make sure you keep your tools clean. Dust, dirt, and grease in the wrong places can ultimately damage your tools or impair their performance. At a bare minimum, wipe your tools down to remove any lingering debris from the work process.
That holds as true for garden tools as it does for shop tools.
Use the Cases
It’s not true for every single tool you’ll ever buy, but many of your tools will come with a case straight from the manufacturer. Use those cases. Manufacturers engineer those cases to work with those specific tools.
The cases offer protection, particularly if you’re not sure where to store tools or must store them in cramped quarters. Think a tiny cabinet in the corner of your garage.
Storage for Easy Access
There are different ways to store tools depending on how often you expect you’ll want to use them. For hand tools, a pegboard on the wall with hooks lets you keep frequently used tools within easy reach.
You can also invest in a tool chest with drawers of varying depths. These chests let you segregate your tools by size while also keeping them contained to a specific area.
How to Store Tools for the Long-Term
Let’s say you must leave the area for business and don’t expect you’ll be back for six months or a year. Maybe you’re downsizing from a larger house to a smaller one with less room for tools. In a case like that, you’ll like want a self storage unit for your tools.
Keeping tools in self-storage is a little different. You’ll probably want a unit with environmental control. If you have a lot of expensive gear, you’ll want a place with good security in place as well.
Storing Tools and You
Good tools can cost you a bundle, which means you’ll want to protect your investment. That means developing a strategy for how to store tools early on.
At a minimum, use any cases that the manufacturer provides. Clean your tools of dirt, dust, or grease before you put them away. Consider storage options like pegboards or tool chests for tools that you use regularly.
For long-term storage, a self-storage unit is often best.
Looking for more tool tips? Check out some of the posts in our Lifestyle section.
