Reply To: Tool storage ideas
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I also utilise half of a single garage as a workshop. The main enemies of the tools in my case are humidity (usually >75%), dust and lack of daily use (it might be a week, or two in the worst case, without touching any tools). The combination of all three leads to rust and I ended up spending more of my, limited and therefore precious, time cleaning and resharpening my tools than actually making something.
In an effort to protect my tools I have learned, the hard way, that the ordinary single, solid pine cupboard (flat pack type) converted for tool storage by adding plane rack, selves, tool holders etc. was not up to the task. It looked nice, offered plenty of storage space without a huge footprint and easy access to the tools. But the doors when closed left enough gap to allow some dust and most important humidity to pass through. Last winter there was condensation dripping all over the inner side of the cupboard walls and on the tools as well.
Therefore, last summer I built a large tool chest (the internal dimensions are length 98.5cm, depth 55.0cm and height 61.0cm). The single opening of the chest gave me the option to add a weatherstrip, in order to get an airtight closure. It’s nothing fancy, just a plain utilitarian chest, but now it keeps dust and excess humidity out and, with the addition of some VCI pots, this winter rust was not a problem any more. I finally sharpen my tools when they get dull by use and not by rust.
Compared to the cupboard the chest has a larger footprint and less space. However I find it easier to find the tool I need when looking from above, and due to the less available space I had to keep the tools that I really need (ok, and few that I just want).