Plane storage

[dennyom]

This is my first post to this forum, been reading the postings here for a couple of months since I joined and enjoy them much. I am from St. Paul, Minnesota in the USA.

The I have used power tools for a while and last winter started using more hand tools. My shop space is split between my basement and garage. My large power tools are in the garage because of space, dust and noise. As it can get to -40 or below here in the winter not much work is done there that time of year. I built a workbench in the basement and started with two hand saws, a cross cut and a rip, and a plane or two from e-bay. Then a friend said his family was looking to dispose of some tools left by a deceased family member. He dropped off a couple of boxes of planes and chisels. There are 27 planes, most are in good shape and I would like to keep them that way. What are some of the best ways to store planes and keep them handy for use?

Thanks Dennis

 

[bugbear]

This is my first post to this forum, been reading the postings here for a couple of months since I joined and enjoy them much. I am from St. Paul, Minnesota in the USA.

The I have used power tools for a while and last winter started using more hand tools. My shop space is split between my basement and garage. My large power tools are in the garage because of space, dust and noise. As it can get to -40 or below here in the winter not much work is done there that time of year. I built a workbench in the basement and started with two hand saws, a cross cut and a rip, and a plane or two from e-bay. Then a friend said his family was looking to dispose of some tools left by a deceased family member. He dropped off a couple of boxes of planes and chisels. There are 27 planes, most are in good shape and I would like to keep them that way. What are some of the best ways to store planes and keep them handy for use?

Thanks Dennis

You might want a more local forum with specialist knowledge of your conditions. We're not experienced in those temperatures!

BugBear

 

[Toscageoff]

Greetings

Try the hand tool forum on www.wooodnet.net

It is a friendly U.S.site which has people in your exact area who should be able to help

 

[Harbo]

It's condensation and damp which are probably the main dangers.
We don't get temps down to that level in the UK (I hope?) but we get a lot of rain and damp weather.
So the main thing here is keeping things dry and rust proof.
I get away with a few low voltage electric heaters and coating everything in furniture (non silicon) wax and/or camellia oil. In fact I keep my stuff oiled all the time.
You also have to be aware of other materials which may attract damp - timber, leather and cloth.
I recently bought a leather saw case to house a couple of new saws. Even though the were still wrapped in the protection paper, one had just started to rust in one minute spot. Luckily I caught it in time. The leather has been put out to dry and will be sprayed with WD40 or something before the saws go back in again. So what ever precautions you take, vigilance is the key and make regular checks.

Rod

 

[Digit]

Or you could ask Waka to knit you some plane socks of course Rod.

Roy.

 

[Frank Drew]

It's condensation and damp which are probably the main dangers.

Dennis,

Rod's right, if you can keep moisture off your tools they'll be fine no matter what the temperature. If there are some tools you'll use only rarely, consider keeping them inside the house.

Rod's suggestion of a moisture barrier such as wax or oil directly on the tools themselves is a very good idea, and plastic bags might also work well as a method of isolating the tools from humidity.

 

[Harbo]

Digit - now that's a thought - I wonder if Waka would do them in green?

Seriously I do keep my smaller planes in socks - but old cotton/wool ones - generally blue or black size 8!

Rod

 

[Digit]

You could always offer to supply the wool Rod! :lol:

Roy.

 

[ivan]

Rapid temperature change is the worst culprit; tools are still cold and air is now warmer = condensation unless humidity is very low.

 

[dennyom]

Thanks for the replys but on re-reading my post I was not clear as to what I was asking. I do not work in the garage in the winter, that is the reason that part of my shop is in the basement where hand my workbench and hand tools are. I would like to keep my planes safe and easily accessible near the workbench. I have seen several methods of storing planes on this forum and other web sites and wondered how you experts keep yours and why you do it the way you do.