Good Sunday Morning
A simple question from a simple woodworker. Over the years not unlike many of you I have gathered a number or plastic cases thru the purchase of new power tools such as routers, drills etc. I now have some twenty five or so and I’m looking for your ideas on how to store these individual boxes. To keep my tools free of dust etc. I would like to keep them in their original cases which I have labeled for quick identification ……. as they’ve started to all look alike. However, I still have a storage problem?
If you by chance enjoy the same problem …..what you have done, or what ideas can you pass my way to sove my little dilemma?
Many thanks in advance!
Replies
Many of the tradespeople I see keep them on shelves such as
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=34972&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&s=1
I have a storage shelf unit like this
http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=632398&Ntt=storage%20cabinet&uniqueSearchFlag=true&An=text
That I got at an office supply store years ago. Doors keep the dust out, cough, cough.
Thanks for the response! I like your method best and I'll get out tomorrow and investigate local suppliers.
Jp
Look for used office furniture or material handling suppliers, they have those cabinets or look for auctions from offices closings.
Get a photograph of the tool (from the manufacture's advert sheets, a catalog, or even off the internet (althought quality is generally poor). Laminate it or put it into a sheet protector from office supply house, and use an adhesive to stick it to the front of the box. Now you can quickly ID the tool you're looking for. Want to get a little fancy, since it seems you could have up to 25 power tools, you could incorporate a color coded indicator: (red for routers, blue for sanders, green for saws, etc.) This can be a colored dot on the label, or a strip of colored tape or paper across one side of the label, or print the photograph of the tool as a black and white image on colored paper (although cheap colored papers fade quickly).
HEY........THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUT!This is going to become a great little project with ideas like these.Thanks again!
I kept the tools in their original cases like you do for a period -- about 10 minutes. LOL! Then I put the cases in storage and kept the tools on shelving where I could grab them for use and store them after use quickly and conveniently. (Although I do keep a few tools in cases -- a buscuit joiner I only use occasionally, more sensitive stuff like laser levels, and stuff like a Bulldog, right angle drill and sawsall that have lots of bits/blades that I like to keep with the tool. But this stuff is mostly contractor-type stuff that I use outside the shop, not woodworking shop-type stuff that I use in the shop. I also have a small file cabinet mounted on a caster that I use to store a router, DT jig & all my router bits -- kind of keeps the "system" together in one spot that I can move around my shop as needed.) Don't really have an issue with getting a little dust on my tools -- heck, they're tools, not dinner plates. ; - ) I just fire up the leaf blower once in the spring and once in the fall to tidy up a bit!
Recently, I found myself wondering why I was saving all those huge empty plastic cases and I couldn't come up with a good answer, so I pitched 'em. Left room for MORE TOOLS! Great decision. If you get a cabinet with doors, the plastic cases are most definitely redundant, IMHO. YMMV.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
To AllI must admit I felt a little sheepish posting my tool storage question. However, now having reviewed your responses I'm delighted I did. Some of your suggestions have just been great and I have appreciated getting them.
As my shop is in the far north.....by that I mean 90 degrees in the summer and 30 degrees below in the winter, I fight warping, rust and every other little test nature sends the woodworkers way. As I spend only spare time up there it is very important I protect my chisels, saw blades, router bits as well as power tools to whatever degree I can when not there. For this reason I went out this afternoon and purchased a couple used metal cabinets where I can store and protect all my equipment. I have identified which equipment is in each, as well as identifying each equipment case as with 25 or so they all look alike.....I have a real thing about having to look twice for something!! Now....all is protected and comfy.....thanks again!
JimmieJp
I did a focus group with at tool company last month. The subject of cases came up. Definitely three camps:
- Keep tools in them all the time not in use. Good for keeping things clean and safe from drops.
- Throw them away, put tools on the shelf
- Wish they were soft-sided bags that fit better, had room for accessories and fasteners and don't shout "There's an expensive tool in here" in the back of a truck.The group varied from remodeling contractors, other people doing work on-site, DIYers, to garage-dwellers.Personally, I wish they'd forgo the case and put in a postcard indicating what type of case you'd like sent to you, if at all. Or drop the price $10 and offer to send you a case for $10.I got some tools without cases and tried in vain to find universal cases. The closest I could find was metal pistol cases for about $30 each. Quite an expense for a $14.99 - $90 tool. I ended up waiting for Harbor Freight to put their canvas tool bags on sale for $3.99 and stocked up. The problem I had was every one was a different size and they didn't orient well with each other. Now it's a pile of black fabric and no one can look in the window and realize what's in the bags.
When looking at your local store, check the various cabinets they have on display. You want one high enough and wide enough to house all your tools, with adjustable shelves. Once you find what your looking for, you could be adventuresome and buy the materiel and make it yourself.
Jim,
Those tool boxes really come in handy. If you fill them with concrete, and set them up in a row of columns with one in the first column, and two in the second, and three in the third, .... you get a great and durable staircase, -- real nice for outdoor use.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
And all this time, I've been using the concrete-filled ones to hold doors open. Thanks, Mel.
Dear H and H,
Some use the concrete filled boxes for door stops. Others for steps. Doesn't matter. It shows the utter creativity of woodworkers. There is a use for everything, even a biscuit joiner.
When I was studying psychology, I came across an early test of creativity. I don't remember all the details but the essence of it was. You were given a certain amount of time, say three minutes, and your job was to come up with as many uses for a brick as possible. There were no real wrong answers. The more you generated, the higher your score for "creativity". I didn't say it was a valid test, but in psychology, what is a valid test. It is a difficult area.
I suppose we could come up with a test for woodworker creativity. Same idea, but we substitute the plastic tool cases for the brick.
Have fun.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
My youngest is a few weeks away from being a licensed School Psychologist. She has been trained on all sorts of tests. I heard that all psychological theories are based on sophomore college students taking psychology because they are required to have lab time (as guinea pigs to upper class and graduate students).Drill 1" hole, insert a rope, fill with concrete and you have a great boat anchor. I tried using my PC detail sander, but it didn't work any better there than it did on wood sanding.
A thought and a question.
From a manufacturers persective they make great shipping containers. I'll bet they actually save money over previous shipping methods! Less labor intensive, less enviro issues, i.e. no more styrofoam popcorn, plastic wrap, etc, etc.
Which weighs more, a ton of bricks(tool containers filled with concrete) or a ton of feathers?
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 4/3/2007 12:46 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Edited 4/3/2007 12:47 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
we have a floor store and always have boxes of prefinished wood floor left from jobs have made many cabnets work station also several other wood people buy we sell it very cheap as does most stores
I worked for a hardwood flooring company in a former life. My boss had 80 sf of Birch unfinished flooring that he gave to me. Some of it is becoming a home for my growing plane herd in the shop in the form of a Plane/Chisel cabinet from it which will hang on the wall above the bench.
Recycling works for me,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
GREAT THOUGHTS..........KEEP IT UP!!
jimmieip,
What it is, what it isn't? What it was, what it wasn't?
What say you man?
Since the containers provide dust protection to some degree, why not make shelves to place them on. Since my shop is small (16' x 20') portable is the name of the game with me.
I'm thinking of an assembly table on casters with a cabinet base that has those ubiquitous shelves for my hand power tools, or at least some of them.
Other shelves might house those tools in a place where I'm most likely to use them. In my mind the development of the woodshop depends very much on the primary intended use of it, i.e. what pieces am I most likely to make? Make room for the piece that doesn't fit the mold.
I feel woodshop development is an evolutionary process, so keeping things mobile in the initial stages affords the greatest flexibility. You can always remove the wheels when your done!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Thanks my friend~Iam in fact currently building a mobile workbench that will house a few everyday tools on a lower shelf. Because my shop is in the north it is mandatory that I maintain a certain amount of equipment to upkeep snowblowers, ATV, Boat etc. so my shop is multi purpose. This all drives me to want to keep the woodworking side of things to its own side of the shop and not mix with non workshop side.Thanks again for your input..............JimmieJp
Where up north are ya?
I'm in northern NH, just 10 miles from Oh Canada! I hear ya as to other stuff needed to keep your head above the snow. I guess I'm fortunate to have my woodshop on the second floor. It's a dedicated room just for woodworking.
I have all my major stationary tools in an island in the center and am designing a dust collection system which will no doubt happen at a later date. The DC will be downstairs and a central plenum constructed under the outfeed table (portable now, but the wheels will come off!) that will exhaust everything downstairs to the DC. By taking advantage of gravity, my DC requirements are greatly reduced!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 4/4/2007 8:04 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Up north is a little town called Parry Sound. It is in fact 150 miles north my home here in Toronto. It takes 2 1/2hrs to be at my home away from home, and is worth every moment as any woodworker would attest.
Parry Sound is located off Georgian Bay and is great for both summer and winter recreation. My cottage is on a small inland spring fed lake that we enjoy a whole bunch with our water toys of course.Take care...........JimmieJP
Please be aware that this is a work in progress. Just thought I'd pass along to you. The Ritz cracker boxes are used for plane parts when I'm restoring one.
Another use of flooring ends are in the construction of jewelry/keepsake boxes! I glue 'em together to make panels from which I can make the boxes. I have also magnified the micro bevel edges and fill the cavity with colored expoxy. Makes for some interesting banding.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Bob,
You've just given me a headslapping moment! Why didn't I think of storing handplanes on their sides in a cabinet? You can get more of them on sets of uniform-height shelves than if they're stored upright. Good thing I haven't yet started to build my new storage cabinet. I'm stealing this from you. Don't try and stop me! And thanks for posting that photo... Zolton
Zolton,
All the shelving is made from 3/8" Birch drawer sides/backs and they are just dry fitted, for now. The reason is I have yet to decide on the final configuration in the cabinet. Got the sides/backs from Ethan Allen factory.
Like the rest of the shop, it's a work in progress.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Do you have spray cheese for the Ritz crackers? Nice addition to the cabinet
Ha ha, Lou
I looked at your profile- Man your an old dude!!! ha ha
Lou,
I stay away from synthetic cheese, maybe that's why I feel like a young 49!
The boxes are used for storing plane parts during a resoring planes. Keeps things organized, to some degree, expecially when doing similar sizes. Hopefully when the herd is complete I can eliminate them, but then again they might be useful for something else the old man in me will think of.
You know after you responded that you are keeping the RAS, a pang of guilt was felt. I don't know why...................
Best of luck in the new shop, I'm jealous,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
From a manufacturers persective they make great shipping containers. I'll bet they actually save money over previous shipping methods! Less labor intensive, less enviro issues, i.e. no more styrofoam popcorn, plastic wrap, etc, etc.
That's bogus. Go to a store and buy a tool - don't care what, saw, router, drill, what have you. The case (plastic or metal) is wrapped in colorful cardboard, might even be in a box. Get the cardboard off, open the case, everything inside is either wrapped in plastic or in a plastic bag of some kind, zip ties, wire ties and tape everywhere. What do you do with all that junk?
Nice touch.
I wouldn't quit my day job hoping for a position in Washington!
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Everything *I* wrote didn't show up in the post.
I wanted to make a point that the shipping containers are still wrapped in cardboard or a box, and then whatever tool that's inside the container is still wrapped in plastic, every little part including the owner's manual is in a bag, and it all is loaded with wire ties, zip ties or tape. So there's no cost savings.
Mel,
Long time no "talk." Your comment about creativity tests reminded me of the times my dad would give us kids a few blocks of wood and a box of screws or nails at Christmas and tell us it was a kit.
A kit of what?
Whatever you want it to be!
Still workin' on kits. Attached is the latest "kit" youngest grandson Sam and I worked on this past weekend.
Alan - planesaw
Alan,
Great to hear from you. Sam is one good lookin kid and very lucky to have you for a grandpa. I was thinking about kids toys when I wrote that response. Most of us found out long ago that toys that do one specific thing regardless of what the kid does, don't interest the kids for long. But blocks, putty, paint, dolls, etc will keep kids occupied for a long time. A Domino doesn't seem to let you be creative. It is like McDonalds' saying, "you can have it your way". THere are numerous ways of making M&T joints. I use a router and a U-jig for the mortises, and a home made tenon jig on my table saw for tenons. I can make em any shape and size I want em.
If anyone has lots of money, I would recommend they buy one of each tools and an extra building to put them in. Why not? You can't take it with you? But like you, I recommend simple toys for kids, and for adults!
Good to talk to you again, Alan. By the way, I am now the program chair for the WWG. Got any ideas for speakers that you can send down my way?Thanks,
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
I have mine in a couple of these in my shop:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=178786-444-ST30MP-V&lpage=none
They work out great and don't have the irritating sound of metal cabinets nor do I have rust problems.
Thanks for the response. I looked a couple of like cabinets but must confess I was concerned about weight. I expect to place around 15 cases in each cabinet and got to be concerned about bowing shelves?
As it turned out the used units I bought were considerably less expensive and are built such that I can insulate them easily.
So all looks good..........for the moment? Time will tell.Thanks again......nice to hear from you!..JimmieJP
Just keep the tools you use the least in the cases. A little dust you say thats what you have a air compresser & vacuum for. Also if you have a small shop you don't want cabinets with doors. Why? Do you ever notice that in a small shop items get leaned up against any place that is handy even the fornt of a cabinet. Ever try to lean out a sheet or sheets of plywood far enough to open a door & then reach in to get what you need fun isn't it? Much better to just lean the item away from the cabinet of open shelves & reach in a get what you need. You'll find you don't need to lean or move the item in question near as far away from the cabinet without the doors. Oh ya dust this is a shop not a surgical operating room, blow it out vacuum it up etc.
Edited 4/6/2007 9:29 pm by OB
I forgot here is a picture of my shelves. Its a wood working shop so I made my own. 2 sections for a total of 5' wide & just short of 7'10" tall 14" deep. I can take them apart in the middle top to bottom to move them to another bigger shop someday. I will build a 2nd one before I move & move all the tools etc. & then move this cabinet. I hate not knowing where something or anything is.
Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best.
Edited 4/6/2007 9:48 pm by OB
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