Best Practices For Storing Power Tools

Storing your power tools in a storage unit can have many benefits. The storage facility can protect your tools from extreme temperatures, humidity spikes, exposure to the elements, and damage by pests such as rodents. But for best results, you'll want to carefully prepare your power tools before storage, especially if you plan to store them for months at a time.

Here are some of the best practices for storing your power tools.

Remove fuel or batteries

Any tools with batteries should have the batteries removed before storage. Ideally, the batteries should be stored with around one-third charge (between 30 and 40 percent). Store the battery in a safe place, such as a storage unit (first check to make sure batteries are permitted in your storage unit).

If you have any gas-powered tools, make sure you add a stabilizer to the last tank of gas (and use gas with low ethanol to avoid corrosion). Then run the tool until it runs out of gas.

Wrap any cords

Electrically powered tools may have long cords that can become tangled if not organized properly. Tangled cords can become kinked or pinched, which can result in damage. So to ensure that your tool's cords are protected, be sure you carefully wrap them before storage. A simple tool such as a velcro wrap or a cord spool may help with extra long cords.

Make sure the tool is clean

Best practices for power tool use often include cleaning the tool between uses, and especially before long-term storage. Compressed air can be a big help in cleaning dust out of any crevices in your power tool.

Pack accessories together

Any accessories that go with the tool should, if possible, be stored in the same place. For example, if you're storing an orbital sander, any spare sanding discs that go with the sander should stay with the tool so you can find them easily later.

This will avoid having to search through the entire storage unit when you come to get the tool out of storage or, worse, accidentally going home without accessories you need.

These tips and best practices can help you store your tools in a storage facility so that you can easily access them and have peace of mind that they won't become damaged in the interim. For more information about the types of things you can store in a storage unit and the sizes of units available, contact a local storage company today.

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