Before you put away tools
Whatever tool it is and wherever you keep it, storage always requires some preparation. First and foremost, it must be clean. Remove dirt and grease and dry the tool thoroughly after cleaning. The moment a tool goes “into the closet” for a while is also the time to check it for damage or wear. Does the circular saw blade still rotate perfectly? Does the masonry drill need to be replaced, are the blades of the planer still razor-sharp…?
Tip: If tools are going to be stored for a longer period of time, you can spray them with an anti-rust spray or with WD-40. This lubricant coats the metal and helps repel dust. This is important because dust attracts moisture, which makes rust more likely.
The best place to store tools
It doesn’t really matter whether you keep your things in a workspace, in the garden shed, or in the garage. As long as the spot is dry and frost-free. Moisture is the mortal enemy of tools. To prevent rusting due to condensation, good ventilation of the storage space is therefore of great importance. Especially with cordless tools, both high temperatures and frost are disastrous for the life of the battery. The Li-Ion batteries of modern power tools are best stored uncharged if you are not going to work with them for a while. When such a battery is empty and stored in a relatively cool place, it will lose approximately 10% of its capacity in a year. In a warm place and fully loaded, the capacity decreases by 50%.
Storage systems
Do you have a lot of tools or just the basic equipment to do a necessary job every now and then? Do you have a workshop? Do you often work on location? These circumstances determine what is the most efficient way to store tools in your case. A few possibilities:
In the original packaging
Occasional do-it-yourselfers, in particular, like to keep their tools in their original packaging. Simple and nothing wrong with it. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation because in a humid environment tools will even rust in their box.
In a toolbox
The same applies to storage in a toolbox: ventilation is important. And don’t put the box on the floor.
On a pegboard
A very organized and space-saving system is a perforated board. There are all kinds of hooks and trays available to hang tools and materials on the wall.
In the workbench
What could be more convenient than having everything you need right at your fingertips at work. Workbenches are equipped with various storage options for tools and materials.
In a tool trolley
The professional way to store tools and always have them within reach is a tool trolley. Tool trolleys are available in a large number of versions, from workshop models to trolleys that are easy to take with you on a job. A mobile storage system that is highly regarded among construction professionals is the DeWalt Toughsystem.
