Any DIY home builder, hobbyist, craftsman, or professional contractor will have several tools in their arsenal. These include small handheld machinery and parts of different types, shapes, and sizes. One of the most annoying things about owning these tools is finding a space to store them. Power tools might require even more care than hand tools, since they have cords and moving parts.
Carrying your tools in your backpack sometimes isn’t feasible in certain situations. Throwing all of them into an ordinary cardboard box or toolbox may present considerable organizing and accessibility challenges. Sometimes, you spend much of your time rummaging through your tools that are in complete disarray, which can impede your productivity at work.
How to Choose the Perfect Storage for Power Tools?
While size is a primary concern, it isn’t the only factor that matters when looking for storage. Using the wrong storage for your tools can cause major problems further down the road, especially if you are frequently working on different projects.
The Usual Choice: Toolboxes or Tool Chests
Guide to Buying Storage for Power Tools
Happily, the process of choosing storage can be as fun as buying the tools themselves. You get toolboxes and tool chests available in different sizes, forms and construction that will meet your specific needs and preferences.
However, not everyone might be able to make do with a tool box or tool chest for their power tool storage. Power tools can be quite large, so they may not be able to fit into a regular tool box. To solve this issue, let’s have a look at the various tool storage options that can safely accommodate your power tools, solve your organizing dilemmas, and help you in accomplishing tasks more efficiently. We also need to look at the various aspects of power tool storage, such as pre-storage maintenance, choosing the right area, etc.
How to Take Care of Power Tools Before Storage
Before getting to the various options, though, it’s wise to look at the aspects of power tools storage as well.
Since power tools contain several complex electrical and mechanical components, they require essential maintenance and care before you put them away. Taking the time to learn power tool maintenance and putting these skills into practice is necessary in order to extend the life of your tool arsenal. This will save you repair costs, replacement costs, and undue hassle. Here are the main steps to take for power tool maintenance for the pre-storage phase:
- Clean the power tools after they’ve been used; this will do away with debris, dust, and buildup of moisture that can otherwise lead to electrical and mechanical failure. An old rag, towel, or microfiber cloth will do for cleaning most power tools
- Check for any damage before storing; since these are electrical devices, you should dispose of any defective parts such as frayed cords, cracked panels, etc.
- If you won’t be using the power tool for some time, check them on a regular basis during the storage period
- If a power tool isn’t working when you check it, get it repaired or disposed of right away. Throwing away useless equipment will help free up space and make you more likely to get a new piece
- For cordless power tools, ensure that the batteries are working properly. Replacing the batteries is necessary–for most tools, you should probably take the batteries out before storage. If the batteries themselves seem dirty, clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- If you’re going for long-term storage, certain batteries might need a periodic discharge. Before storing your power tools, check their manual to ascertain the procedures for discharging and charging batteries. On a positive note, the new kind of batteries (Li-Ion or lithium-ion), don’t require a discharge, only a 50 percent charge or more before storage.
- Power tools may also need lubricating or oiling before you put them away for some time. This practice helps in preventing corrosion and makes sure that the moving parts will function without sticking during the next usage session. Again, consult the user’s manual of each tool to determine which areas need lubrication and with what kind of product
- Clean away any signs of rust from the power tools. If you don’t, the corrosion will spread and cause abrasion damage. This leads to parts freezing up, failing, and structural compromise.
Considering Aspects of Power Tool Storage
In addition to choosing the right storage option, here are some considerations to keep in mind:
1. Choose the right place
The main goal of storing power tools is to protect them from adverse environmental effects. Another aim is to prevent the tools from getting into the wrong hands, such as that of children or inexperienced adults. Here’s how you can choose the right storage area:
- It should have little exposure to heat and sunlight
- It shouldn’t be in a place with high humidity
- Low foot traffic in order to avoid anyone getting injured or causing damage to the tools
- If possible, the atmosphere should be climate-controlled
- Near the place where they’re used (the garage for automotive repair power tools, the basement for home projects, etc.)
2. A dedicated power tool cabinet
Whatever storage solution you land upon, dedicate that to the power tools alone. This will ensure that the tools remain secure, organized, and face as little exposure to the elements as possible.
3. Put the tools on racks
For saving maximum space, a rack-like form of storage is best. This will usually work best if you have a small collection of power tools. Below are some benefits of functional power tool storage racks:
- Wall-mounted models won’t take up precious floor space
- They can have inbuilt charging outlets and other customizations
- The open-plan setup of racks will allow the user to find their required tool relatively easily.
4. Try preserving the original packaging
When possible, try storing your power tools in the packaging they came in. You can then focus on storing those boxes in the most space-saving and convenient way possible.
The original packing of most power tools will probably be the best immediate storage for them. There will usually be inbuilt internal supports that can stave off impact damage and protect the tool from environmental effects as well.
5. Hanging them up
A hanging storage solution is both efficient and usually cost-effective. This will also minimize contact with other surfaces, which is a safer option with power tools. However, you do want to make sure that there are enough pegs, hooks, or other supports to ensure that no tool falls down–especially the heavier ones.
Ideas for Power Tool Storage
If you’re consistently losing your power tools or are tired of seeing damage on them, it’s time to consider various storage options. Below are some ideas that might be of help:
1. Docking and Charging Station
Install a power strip on the wall, and add a shelf with room to hang your power tools in front of it. With this storage hack, you can charge all your power tools while storing them! Of course, it makes sense to choose a power strip where you can control the individual outlets to save energy.
If you’re making this station yourself or getting it customized, consider adding a drawer for storing drill bits, nails, bolts, screws, and any small accessories for your power tools.
2. A Rolling Workstation
Do you have a large workspace and find yourself wandering all over it in search of those elusive power tools? If so, a rolling workstation can help you solve both problems. With some caster wheels under the storage, you can take all your tools with you to any corner of the garage, workshop, or other work areas.
This option is especially good when you need to work with several tools in the same detailed project. When choosing the best workbenches and work tables, make sure to consider the option of adding wheels when needed.
3. Try Out a Pallet Project
Pallets are a versatile favorite of many DIYers. When used properly, they can be a stylish storage solution that doesn’t take up much space.
Look up ideas on how to create storage space with pallets on the wall of your workspace. Along with making a place for your power tools, you can also use pallets to create space for smaller objects, hand tools, and more.
4. Built-In Wall Unit
With an inbuilt unit, you can keep those tools organized and in your view. It also freed up a lot of space, since there’s nothing actually taking up room in your work area.
5. Coat Rack
This may seem like an unusual option, but it does make sense when you think about it. You may have an unused coat rack in the garage, so why not repurpose it here? Even if it’s just a row of hooks, it’s a sturdy place to hang your power tools when they’re not in use. Alternatively, you can design and create a hanging storage system of your own.
6. Pegboard
This is a common storage tool for kitchens, garages, crafting rooms, and work spaces of all kinds. It’s simple yet comprehensive, and versatile enough to store all kinds of tools. You only need a few inches of depth in order to get the perfect fit for any available wall space. Along with power tool storage, a pegboard can also be one of the top fishing gear storage ideas.
7. Repurposing Old Furniture
Why work on a new project when you have old furniture lying around? An armoire, dresser, or cabinet can be repurposed into a useful and attractive piece for your power tool storage.
8. French Cleats
French cleats have nothing to do with shoes, contrary to what their name might evoke. These are small shelves that you can make using any sturdy scrap wood, customizing them to the sizes and shapes of your specific tools.
This option is creative, resourceful, and a great way to keep your power tools stored separately. Once installed, you may want to add some hooks for proper cord storage.
Conclusion
It’s good to have some power tools in your garage or workspace, especially if you like to take on DIY projects. Even if you’re not a professional, this sort of equipment is quite convenient for most assembly and repair jobs.
If we don’t store power tools properly, though, this neglect can result in injury, damages, and other types of loss. Plus, power tools are usually expensive; we want to make sure that they last as much as possible. To achieve this, we want to get the best power tool storage possible. One of the ideas above may work perfectly for your unique requirements, so do think about trying it as soon as possible.