Tool Storage

herzausstahl

Chumono
Messages
522
Reaction score
547
Location
NE Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
How does everyone store their tools? Do you keep everything in one tool box? Separate tool box for wiring, repotting, & general stuff? I go back & forth on what I like best.
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,523
Reaction score
11,871
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
I have milk crates for wire, separated by copper vs aluminum.
I use a bucket with one of the canvas tool keeper things for my tools, cut paste, other miscellaneous odds and ends. Most of my tools are in tool rolls that go in the bucket.
I have 3 different tool rolls. 1 is all my hand carving tools, 1 is my newer set of stainless tools and 1 is my older carbon steel tool set.
I have a dye grinder in a separate tool box and a battery powered dremel for small jobs in a smaller tool box.
 

sikadelic

Chumono
Messages
900
Reaction score
375
Location
Southwest VA
USDA Zone
6B
For now, all my stuff is just thrown in an old ammo can. I plan to make a nice area for all my tools now that I have moved into a permanent place.
 

MichaelS

Masterpiece
Messages
2,013
Reaction score
4,734
Location
Australia
I keep my tools under all the cut branches, dead leaves and roots mixed in with old potting mix and preferably out in the rain. Sometimes when emptying out the rubbish in a couple of years you get a nice surprize. It's the only way to get that highly prized seasoning and antique patina.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,914
Reaction score
45,613
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
use a bucket with one of the canvas tool keeper things for my tools,

Someone at work tossed one with one ripped pocket...
So Now I use that too! Short one pocket!

And a clay pot with a toothbrush, scraper, and crap pruners stay outside.

Sorce
 

herzausstahl

Chumono
Messages
522
Reaction score
547
Location
NE Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
I have milk crates for wire, separated by copper vs aluminum.
I use a bucket with one of the canvas tool keeper things for my tools, cut paste, other miscellaneous odds and ends. Most of my tools are in tool rolls that go in the bucket.
I have 3 different tool rolls. 1 is all my hand carving tools, 1 is my newer set of stainless tools and 1 is my older carbon steel tool set.
I have a dye grinder in a separate tool box and a battery powered dremel for small jobs in a smaller tool box.

I had 3 tool boxes for separating everything & then switched to a big one to hold most but then don't want to lug it into the yard so I like your idea, think I even kept my tool roll for carbon tools. But BVF might have best one that fits.
 

herzausstahl

Chumono
Messages
522
Reaction score
547
Location
NE Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
I like yours probably the best & almost think the old tool boxes I had are almost too big for everything. But will give me something to tinker with, think on when I get around to cleaning my shelves in the garage. We use the shelves like you have in the walk in coolers at the restaurant & I grabbed a few of the old ones we replaced a year ago to use for storage in the garage. Just need to organize them again.
 

herzausstahl

Chumono
Messages
522
Reaction score
547
Location
NE Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
@Brian Van Fleet Can I ask where the drill comes in? Or just piggy backing on the shelf? Just reminded me watching my brother (an arborist) doing injections on our mothers lilac shrubs to try to cure an infection. Can't remember if it was bacterial or fungal. But didn't expect that kind of treatment to be used in bonsai. Also equally intrigued by its apparent gold color.
 

JudyB

Queen of the Nuts
Messages
13,810
Reaction score
23,382
Location
South East of Cols. OH
USDA Zone
6a
I have plastic trugs that have handles and middle dividers, one for tools and aluminum wire on fishing line spools by size, and one (unpictured) for recycled wire pieces stretched back out flat. I just keep copper in a cardboard box.
IMG_0564.jpg
 
Messages
1,336
Reaction score
1,917
Location
Brabant, Netherlands
My parents got me a plastic IKEA storage box with a handy tray or something like that that can be lifted out.

My tool roll with the nicest and/or most used tools:

20170717_164125.jpg
My tool drawer for big or less nice/ less used tools (under) and recycleable alu wire ends plus gloves and other shit:

20170717_164239.jpg
Tool roll in place:

20170717_164245.jpg

Sieves plus screens and wire rolls tucked inbetween old bed sheets for antibump:

20170717_164318.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20170717_164245.jpg
    20170717_164245.jpg
    202.5 KB · Views: 1
  • 20170717_164318.jpg
    20170717_164318.jpg
    188.4 KB · Views: 1

Arcto

Chumono
Messages
863
Reaction score
1,447
Location
PNW
I keep my tools under all the cut branches, dead leaves and roots mixed in with old potting mix and preferably out in the rain. Sometimes when emptying out the rubbish in a couple of years you get a nice surprize. It's the only way to get that highly prized seasoning and antique patina.
Yep...I'm there too.
 

wireme

Masterpiece
Messages
3,671
Reaction score
8,239
Location
Kootenays, British Columbia
USDA Zone
3
I had 3 tool boxes for separating everything & then switched to a big one to hold most but then don't want to lug it into the yard so I like your idea, think I even kept my tool roll for carbon tools. But BVF might have best one that fits.

Just watch that you don't have tools and things bouncing into copper wire, it'll get work hardened. I don't have any tools to worry about really but I treat the wire coils like newborns.
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,523
Reaction score
11,871
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
I had 3 tool boxes for separating everything & then switched to a big one to hold most but then don't want to lug it into the yard so I like your idea, think I even kept my tool roll for carbon tools. But BVF might have best one that fits.

I never need aluminum and copper when wiring a tree so I can just grab whichever milk crate I need.
I rarely need to use ALL the tools so I have them separated and can grab whatever is needed for the task at hand.
Also makes it easier if I have to grab something like the die grinder for another purpose, non-bonsai related
 

herzausstahl

Chumono
Messages
522
Reaction score
547
Location
NE Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
I never need aluminum and copper when wiring a tree so I can just grab whichever milk crate I need.
I rarely need to use ALL the tools so I have them separated and can grab whatever is needed for the task at hand.
Also makes it easier if I have to grab something like the die grinder for another purpose, non-bonsai related
Yes I've noticed that I don't need all the tools after I put them all together. Lol I think I did it so I could put the wire in with it all. Just adds up to a bulky, heavy tool box I've lugged outside the garage once I think.
 
Top Bottom