DIY is something that can be pursued throughout the year. But it’s fair to say that our tools tend to get more use during summer than winter. If you’re locking up your tools for months on end, then it’s critical that they’re given suitable protection. 

Excess cold, moisture, and friction can all inflict damage that will render your tools less effective – or even unusable. By spending a few hours organising and protecting your tools, you’ll save yourself considerable hassle the following year. 

But exactly what do the right storage practices look like?

Labeling

If your toolshed lacks a system for labelling, you’ll struggle to locate the tool you need. What if you have several dozen types of fasteners, drill bits, or saw blades? You can either go through them all every time you need to locate the one you need, or you can spend some time labelling and enjoy a more productive toolshed.

Your labels should be water-resistant. Stick them to the tools themselves, or to the drawers you’re keeping them in. Invest in a good label-maker, and don’t look back!

Cleaning

Before your tools go into storage, they should be cleared of any dirt or debris. Apply a light coat of oil to metal surfaces. This will prevent the formation of rust, which can be damaging in cold sheds. Metal tools will naturally cause airborne moisture to condense, which will accelerate rust. Oil is something that will prevent this.

If you’re storing power tools, then you should be especially wary of any moving parts. Friction can accelerate wear-and-tear, and cost you money in the long term. Spray some oil into those motors, too.

Storage

Moisture is something that we need to worry about, too. Keep power tools locked in their original cases. In the case of smaller power tools, like routers and multi-tools, you can invest in a larger toolbox, like a Milwaukee packout box, which can be easily stacked and comes with built-in dividers.

Combatting frost

If the temperature in your shed should drop too low, then you might have a trickier time dealing with rust and frost. For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in a little extra insulation. Apply weatherstripping around the edges of doors and windows, and run electric dehumidifiers. Where sensitive components are being stored, you might throw in a few silica gel packs to soak up the excess moisture.