During the cold winter months, it’s important to store your power tools carefully to keep them from being damaged.
With the onset of winter, many will hang up their power tools until spring and take some time away from their workbench in favor of enjoying more time with family and friends over the holiday season. Even if you still plan to do projects on a smaller scale, it’s important to take some steps to store your power tools properly during the winter months so that they don’t become damaged.
Clean & Protect
The first step in protecting your power tools from the harshness of winter is to give all of them a thorough cleaning and take steps to keep them protected. Now is the time to clear everything out, remove as much dust as possible, and have your tools shining. Sharpen your knives and blades, and coat all metal parts with mineral oil to protect them from rust.
Remove Gas & Batteries
Before you store your power tools, it’s important to drain the gas from any gas-powered tools into an appropriate gas can for winter storage. Also, top off the oil, or replace it if necessary. For battery-operated tools, remove the battery and put it on its charger until full. Once the battery has finished charging, store it in its bag or a plastic bin to protect it from cold and moisture. For the best results, store these inside your home.
Insulated Shed
When there isn’t enough space in the home to store power tools, many people opt to store them in a shed. The problem with a shed is that they aren’t insulated or protected from the extra humidity that winter brings. If you’re going to use a shed to store your power tools, the shed will need to be insulated and, if possible, have a dehumidifier to keep moisture out.
Keep Out Moisture
If a dehumidifier in the shed isn’t possible, you can store your tools in moisture-proof bags or plastic bins. For smaller tools, plastic bins are a good option, as well as a toolbox. If you’re going to use a toolbox, you will want to add silica gel packets to absorb moisture and avoid the degradation of your tools.
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