How to Pack Your Tools
Most people focus on packing their house for a significant residential move, including rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. While packing these rooms is undoubtedly important, many homeowners must also pack and move a garage— home to many tools and equipment. Packing tools can be challenging because of their weight, sharp edges, and unusual sizing. Creating a plan of attack for packing your tools can help you speed through the process and safely transport your tools to your new home.
1. Sort Your Tools
Before you pack your tools, you’ll want to get organized. First, sort your tools and decide what to bring to your new home. Transporting unused, broken, or duplicate tools to your new house doesn't make sense. It can help to divide your garage into different working zones, allowing you to quickly put tools in the keep, donate, or discard pile.
2. Pack Hand Tools First
Hand tools like screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, or wrenches are most straightforward to move in a toolbox. Use additional padding inside the toolbox to prevent the tools from flipping around or scratching one another through the move. A simple layer of bubble wrap or an old towel inside the toolbox should work. If you don’t own a toolbox, place like-sized tools together in a small or medium box. Avoid using a large box because it can quickly become too heavy. Protect any sharp edges on saws or planes with a cloth or protective wrapping.
3. Gardening Tools
Before packing your gardening tools away, ensure they are clean and dirt-free. Group tools of similar sizes together. You’ll want to combine all the long-handled tools, like shovels and rakes. Do the same with short-handled tools, too. Collect the tools into a blanket or old towel and wrap them together. Secure the towel with a string or rope so it doesn’t open during your move. Remember to keep any sharp edges on trimmers, sheers, or hoes protected with blankets, bubble wrap, or towels.
4. Power Tools
The easiest way to move power tools to your new home is by transporting them in original packaging. Remove any attachments or removable parts to prevent damage during the move. Using small ziplock bags to keep parts together with the appropriate tool can be helpful. If you do not have the original packaging, keep the power cords wound together and protect sharp blades with bubble wrap or blankets.
5. Large Saws
To move large saws and power tools, you’ll likely need experienced help. Large tools are cumbersome and can be challenging to balance. Before carrying large saws, you’ll want to remove all attachments and ensure cords are adequately bound together. Place extensive tools on a flat surface in your moving vehicle, and protect the entire tool with moving blankets or old towels.
6. Gas Powered Tools
Large and bulky items like snow blowers and lawnmowers that run on gasoline can be easy to move if you take the proper precautions first. Professional movers can only move these items if they are empty of fuel. Remove excess gasoline with a siphon or let the machine run dry. Be sure to cover any dangerous blades with blankets or towels.
Relocating Your Household and Tools
Moving tools can be easy when you sort and organize your garage and garden shed before the move. If you need help with your large and bulky items, a professional moving team can effectively and safely transport your tools and other household goods to your new home. Contact us today for a quote on your next move.