Protecting infrequently used tools

I don't have any expensive hand tools so I've never had to worry about keeping them clean for storage. Plus, they're used regularly so that helps. My power tools are another story. I keep any battery-powered tools in the house w/ heat and a/c and I clean them after each use like they were a new-born who just soiled a diaper.

My problem is knowing where anything beyond the basics is. I keep a medium size toolbag in the truck with the basics. Hammer, assorted screwdrivers, pliers, measure tape, zip ties, etc. It's incredible how often I use it.

I keep a larger box in the garage, ready to grab on a moments notice. I keep the basics in it, plus sockets, wrenches, tin cutter, vice grips, and basic plumbing tools, joints and pipes.

My rolling box at home has all of the above plus a variety of specialized tools, and the storage area is where I keep the angle grinder, sawzall, etc.

The problem comes into play when I'm cleaning up after a job and get lazy and toss tools in one of the boxes I don't normally keep them. And I only discover that when I'm working on something across town. <= = = precisely the reason I have two dozen caulk guns and a dozen paint rollers/trays and more bottles of propane than I'll use in a lifetime. And don't get me started on a spouse borrowing tools and not putting them back....or I'll add that to the pet peeve thread.
 
I have found that Sears products are mostly fairly good if you stick to the ones that do not use electricity, gasoline, or have any moving parts. When purchasing their home appliances, their extended warranties they sell you aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

They have no repairs shops anymore, at all. They will send a service representative to your home to determine the problem, then order the parts, that will then be shipped to your home. Then they send another representative to install your new parts. If the first guy got it wrong, the process repeats itself until they get it right. Their service representatives are given little or no training before being sent to your home, I asked one of them, that was his answer.

It took six trips and two months to repair my three month old Bosch dishwasher. Then it lasted less than two weeks before failing again.

That was six days lost from work. It would have been cheaper just to buy another dishwasher. I use my worthless Bosch dishwasher from Sears as a place to store dirty dishes until I can wash them in my sink.

Their clothing is OK, as long as it doesn't have zippers or buttons.

Sears has a reputation for beating their suppliers into the ground on price. They pay what you would pay for crap, and that is what they sell you, only at fine product prices. Now, as a result of their questionable retail expertise, their departments are stocked at a bare minimum. It is clear they can't afford to fill them. I expect to see them fold in the not too distant future.

At one time a well managed, truly great company. Now....well....no, no they are not....not any longer. Once any retail firm trades it's retailers for bean counters, and their only concern is the price of their stock, they are on their way out.

All it takes is a degree in business and accounting to destroy a retail company.

-John
 
If you have big stuff, you can opick up military surplus fiberglass containers on ebay.
I have about 4 of them, waterproof, airtight, heavy duty.

Metal tool boxes seem to get cheaper and cheaper, I haven't cut over to a plastic box yet.
 
Most of my tools just get a wipe down an put away. My air tools get the occasional oiling and my torque wrenches get cleaned and stored in their cases.
 
Snap on man brings the new tool to you and never complains or balks, just questions 'what the hell did it take to do that?" Even when the answer contains "a 10' pipe loaded with a 20ton jack them we waled on it with a sledge, broke the bolt free though..."
 
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