Whether you’re a hobby handyman who likes to do things yourself on Sundays or a professional craftsman who works as a tiler, painter or plumber every day, for all of you, the correct handling of the working materials is the be-all and end-all. To keep tools in good shape over the long term, however, it is not only regular care that is crucial, but above all proper storage.
Some equipment is used in the cold winter months or is only rarely used due to its special field of application. Then it’s a matter of making sure that the tool is in the right condition and in the right place
to be able to find drills, circular saws and the like after storage in the same condition in which they were sent to their resting place. So that expensive equipment does not fall victim to rust or other damage, we have summarized the most important information on the subject of tool storage for you.
Source: Pixabay
Where is the best place to store your tools?
By far the most common reason for having to store your equipment is seasonal and relates to its winterization. Many outdoor works, such as on the facade of the house, on the roof or in the garden, have to be paused during the cold months. But where to put all the unused equipment?
Garden storage
“Only the tough get into the garden” is a common saying and has its justification especially when it comes to tools, because not all types of working materials have what it takes to spend the winter in the garden shed or even outdoors. Only very simple equipment, often made only of wood and metal, can be exposed to the cold without hesitation. Examples of this are garden tools such as Shovel or rake, but also hammer or a simple hand saw can cope with temperatures below freezing. Only and only wetness must be avoided at all costs, as Humidity is considered the absolute mortal enemy of any kind of tool. While wood swells and eventually cracks, metal objects are affected by rust and can suffer irreparable damage.
Source: Pixabay
Safe storage in the house or garage
Also to be protected from moisture but also from cold are all devices made of plastic, and especially those that are powered electrically or with gasoline. Cordless drills, electric saws or even generators have no place in a cold environment and would not survive the winter in an uninsulated shed as well or at all. However, this is not to say that the angle grinder and jackhammer have to spend the winter months in the heated living room. However, the temperature should be well above freezing.
For single-family homes, the basement or even the attic may be best suited for storing all kinds of equipment. As you can read in our last blog article on the subject of “Possible problems with the use of Containers, attics and cellars for storageHowever, as you can read in the section on “The use of the new”, even these locations are not always suitable due to possible humidity or temperature fluctuations. Is a storage room available in the heated area of the house, this would probably be the best alternative.
If necessary, the garage can also be good, provided that it is well insulated and therefore not exposed to drastic changes in temperature. In apartment buildings, the situation is often more difficult, as there is usually a lack of space in the apartment and basement compartments are not always available. And even if a cellar compartment is available, it is not advisable to store very expensive tools there due to the risk of burglary.
Self-storage as a secure solution
By far the safest alternative to protect tools from cold, moisture and theft during storage is undoubtedly the self-storage option. With video surveillance, alarm protection, as well as sensors for the constant monitoring of temperature and air humidity in the storage compartments of STORE ROOM for absolute storage security provided. During storage, your device is thus optimally prepared for the next use.
What is the best way to store tools?
However, when it comes to the proper storage of one’s working materials, the question is not only WHERE to store one’s tools, but above all HOW. There are a few different options here, with no limits to creativity.
Toolbox
Toolboxes are probably the most common way to store his tools safely and certainly the most practical. In a variety of compartments wrenches, hammers and several other tools can be neatly sorted and transported at any time.
Tool cabinet
The tool cabinet is basically a tool box on steroids. Spacious compartments and drawers can store conventional tools as well as large equipment such as drills and the like. In addition, a workbench with vice is often integrated, which makes certain work much easier.
The only drawbacks: For outdoor use, you have to resort to the case and a lot of space is a basic requirement.
Perforated wall systems
Perforated wall systems offer a very clear way to store your tools. On hooks that are simply plugged into the wall, you can clearly hang your pliers, files, wrenches and Co. at will and take them off the wall when needed. However, this form of storage is only suitable for smaller items, as the risk of falling would be too great for larger equipment.
Magnetic strip
A more unusual form of storage for metal objects is that of the magnetic strip on the wall, or attached to a wooden beam. However, since only iron, nickel and cobalt have magnetic properties, this type of storage is not suitable for all items. For most drill bits or wrenches, however, a practical as well as creative do-it-yourself solution.
Wooden beam with brackets
Similar to the magnetic strip, a simple wooden beam with attached staples can also serve as an ideal storage option serve. Clamps of this type are available in any hardware store and are simply screwed to the wood. Subsequently, objects of all kinds such as shovels, brooms or hammers can be easily hung.
A day for winterizing
Before you store your storing your tools for longer periods of time it is advisable to take a day or at least a few hours to prepare them, depending on your needs. Namely, you should thoroughly clean your entire device to get rid of any dirt residue and moisture. In addition, it is advisable to seal metal objects with special anti-corrosion spray to give rust no chance. In the case of more complex tools such as electric drills or saws, it is also advisable to take them apart and clean the inside thoroughly. During use, dust or other small particles can get into the inner workings of the device through small openings and cause damage in the long run. A regular general refurbishment of the equipment before it goes into storage will save you some frustration and, above all, money in the long run.
Self-storage as an ideal solution for commercial craftsmen
Not only for storage for several months, such as during the winter period, but also as a regular storage facility in a commercial context, the storage compartments from STORE ROOM are excellent. This is a great offer especially for professional craftsmen, as they usually have a lot of different equipment, not all of which is in constant use, and its inexpensive as well as safe storage is a basic requirement for good business. The easily accessible storage compartments in the south of Vienna with 24/7 access are thus a perfect storage facility for all kinds of equipment, which can be stored and retrieved at any time and as needed.
Since well-functioning equipment is the capital of any craftsman, its proper safekeeping is an absolute priority, along with regular maintenance. We hope that this article has given you a better idea of what you need to bear in mind. Relatively constant temperatures above zero and dryness are the be-all and end-all, while storage safety is, of course, also one of the three most important characteristics of a storage facility for tools. Sorted in a tool box or cabinet, nothing stands in the way of the proper storage of your work material!
Your STORE ROOM Team 🤖