Moving soon. Best way to pack hand tools?

[autobon7]

Uhaul has some silverware boxes but think they are too shallow. Would like to have a container for each drawer but have not found any plastic totes that are 2-3 inches deep. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

 

[alinc100]

The post office will drop flat rate postage boxes on your doorstep for free. https://store.usps.com/store/result...ping-supplies/_/N-alnx4jZ7d0v8v?No=0&Nrpp=18& You could use a vacuum sealer,or even ziploc bags to keep a bit of organization.

 

[LXCam]

I left everything in the drawers and hoped for the best. All though it’s only been a little over four years I have no recollection of anything being much of a mess.

One of several but my main box with all the hand tools highly organized







All kinds of other stuff went in large storage bins, a lot of them

 

[RTM]

Use the smallest bins the tools will fit in, especially for hand tools. They are very dense when packed tight. I filled a small yellow n black bin, was the heaviest when filled with chisels, files, hammers etc. and beware , the black n yellow leak in heavy rain.

 

[mrb1]

The post office will drop flat rate postage boxes on your doorstep for free.

Those aren't moving boxes. Federal crime to use those USPS boxes for "personal" reasons . Intended for mail service only. That's why they started putting the logo also on the inside (plain brown side). Ebay and online sellers were flipping them inside out and using them elsewhere.
@autobon7 ...if we're talking a lot of tools, and you can't leave 'em in a drawer (putting crumbled up newspaper in each drawer will help bouncing around) for a short move. Get a bundle of blank newsprint paper and used "book" boxes from a moving company. Dump a drawer, or a small bundle of tools on the paper and roll them up diagonally. If a box gets too heavy, just fill halfway and then cut upwards on all four corners and fold over and tape, you don't have to fill a box. Common way among professional movers when packing tools and free weights.

 

[garfieldzzz]

I emptied my box out and put the tools in plastic bins like 10-15“ high with 2-3 layers of bubble wrap in between. Stuff wich was prone to be scratched was packed like one layer as a wave resulting each tool was separated by bubble wrap.
Large items like clamps tied together and wrapped up loose.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

I went through this last year and the advice here is sound.

Everything went into small/medium size yellow/black bins. Each socket rail went into a big ziplock bag or similar. I’d do a “layer” of tools, then a layer of bubble wrap. Think of like a tool lasagna.

Smaller bins because they can get heavy in a hurry. Resist the urge to fit everything into one big bin.

 

[Steve_P]

The problem with "leave it in the toolbox" is that if you are using a uhaul, there is no way the average homeowner is getting their GJ member totally overfilled box into the truck at one time. I guess you could remove all the drawers, put the boxes in the truck, and install the drawers. But I'm betting that a lot of us can't even lift much more than maybe our screwdriver and plier drawer; so that'd mean partially emptying most drawers....and at that point, you probably could've just boxed up the tools. I ended up boxing mine in random cardboard boxes, probably mostly liquor store boxes, and using rags and such as protection.

 

[VolvoRyan]

When I moved 250 miles, I pulled tools.... pulled drawers... then put boxes into the U-haul. Drawers back in.... tools back in. Rinse and repeat for unloading.

Fortunately, we had a new puppy, and had a zillion of those "pee pads". Thin, but padded. Those were awesome to protect tool box paint from tools moving in transit.

Only other suggestion: don't get extra-large boxes. Those get real heavy real quick. Yes, I felt kinda dumb.

-Ryan

 

[Snapped-off]

I've moved mine east coast to west coast, and west coast to midwest. I left the toolbox drawers full. No way I was going to unload them. Cases and other miscellaneous tools got boxed up in home depot boxes. (Return any unused boxes)

 

[yellowbox]

I've moved mine east coast to west coast, and west coast to midwest. I left the toolbox drawers full. No way I was going to unload them. Cases and other miscellaneous tools got boxed up in home depot boxes. (Return any unused boxes)

This right here

 

[GaryM909]

I bought a bunch of used 5 gallon buckets and filled each one until they weighed about right. I wrapped up what had to be and put lids on. That was 25 years ago.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Just moved about 250 miles, took out enough drawers to get each box on the truck, then put each drawer back in the box for the trip.

I was driving the uhaul, so I was careful going over bumps. Took two trips because my better half was to scared to drive one.

 

[619DioFan]

I work in the moving and storage industry and have since 1981. I have moved hundreds of boxes from every brand and never emptied a drawer. Never had a customer want them emptied either. I have the customer lock them then I shrink wrap it then pad wrap and shrink wrap again. Some customers ask for cardboard as well which goes on after the pads and before the second shrink wrap. I have NEVER paid a claim on a toolbox. With proper help you can roll it up the loading ramp. Good luck with your move.

 

[isb cornbinder]

My sister has the moving event refined to the finest detail She and her husband move very often, Her move is totally predictable. I estimate the amount of time her neighbours take to get to know their real neighbour, she puts her next move in gear. My mother was able to hold off for 5 years between moves. My sister can make it to maybe 3 years.
Sister has a large number of Rubber Maid tubs, with lids at the ready. As soon as her neighbours say something she does not like or they stop answering the 'phone, the Rubber Maid comes out. She uses self-tapping screws and speed-nuts to hold the lids tight.
Call display is a wonderful thing. I do not answer her calls.
She has moved 8 times to my once, in the same amount of time.
When I retired and took my big toolbox home, I closed and locked the drawers and the mover and I put straps around the box and secured it all to the trailer.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I work in the moving and storage industry and have since 1981. I have moved hundreds of boxes from every brand and never emptied a drawer. Never had a customer want them emptied either. I have the customer lock them then I shrink wrap it then pad wrap and shrink wrap again. Some customers ask for cardboard as well which goes on after the pads and before the second shrink wrap. I have NEVER paid a claim on a toolbox. With proper help you can roll it up the loading ramp. Good luck with your move.

^^^This^^^

In July we moved the entire contents of my two garages (including my fifty-year tool collection comprised of six Craftsman three-tier rollaround chests) 500 miles, EXACTLY as described above. The moving company rep came out to my house before the move to estimate T&M and to answer questions and alleviate all of my fears and concerns.

Some of my wrenches dislodged from their holders, and a couple of 1/4" sockets popped out of the tray; otherwise no damage whatsoever. I couldn't be happier with the results, and it was money well spent.

 

[seber]

I used a reversing comalong to pull them up a ramp and let them down. Needed a riser to keep the cable off the deck. Padded the front and then put boards in front to relieve the locks. All kept in place with ratchet straps. No unloading. They're tools, not china.

 

[dr_clyde]

I think a lot depends on how far you’re moving and how many tools you have. Cross country moving is a bit harder to do without stuff banging around and getting damaged so it pays to take care and pack stuff more deliberately. Across town? I’d just make sure everything is strapped in safe.

A smaller single bay box is pretty easy to move loaded. Triple bank or something gets a bit heavy.

I personally use pallets and a forklift to move my tools, but that’s not feasible for a home shop. However, if you rent a truck with a lift gate a pallet jack is cheap to rent and makes moving a truckload of pallets fast and easy. Might be worth doing if you have concrete on both sides of the move.

I never unloaded my boxes when I’ve moved, longest I’ve had to move them was only 50 miles though.

Lock the drawers, stretch wrap the **** out of it and I prefer to put the box up on 4x4s so the bounce loads don’t overload the casters and their mounts. Distribute the load across the bottom of the box and you’ll be less likely to bend or flex the sheet metal when you hit a big bump and the whole box dynamically loads the wheels. Plus it won’t try to roll.

 

[cvairwerks]

Unless they’ve changed things recently, the ramps on Uhaul trucks are rated for less than a thousand pounds. Most double bay boxes are 400 pounds or more when empty.....

 

[619DioFan]

Unless they’ve changed things recently, the ramps on Uhaul trucks are rated for less than a thousand pounds. Most double bay boxes are 400 pounds or more when empty.....

The ramps on uhaul trucks are rated for 1000 pounds. There is a safety margin built into that. Working in the moving industry I have loaded many rental trucks for customers. Loaded toolboxes , grand pianos , etc. The heaviest item was a 1400 pound safe. Ramp was fine and no one died.

 

[LNKMK8]

The post office will drop flat rate postage boxes on your doorstep for free. https://store.usps.com/store/result...ping-supplies/_/N-alnx4jZ7d0v8v?No=0&Nrpp=18& You could use a vacuum sealer,or even ziploc bags to keep a bit of organization.

Unless you are planning to mail those tools, misuse of US Postal boxes is a Federal Offense.

"

Terms and Conditions​

I understand that Priority Mail Express™, Priority Mail®, Global Express Guaranteed®, Priority Mail Express International™ and Priority Mail International® packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Priority Mail Express™, Priority Mail®, Global Express Guaranteed®, Priority Mail Express International™ and Priority Mail International®. Misuse may be a violation of federal law."

 

[cvairwerks]

The ramps on uhaul trucks are rated for 1000 pounds. There is a safety margin built into that. Working in the moving industry I have loaded many rental trucks for customers. Loaded toolboxes , grand pianos , etc. The heaviest item was a 1400 pound safe. Ramp was fine and no one died.

See enough idiots trying to roll stuff up them that shouldn't... Ramp twists a little and then the load goes over the side. Sometimes the idiots try and stop things from going over the side....Not much the average person can do to stop a 1000+ pound tool box going over sideways when it happens.

 

[alinc100]

Unless you are planning to mail those tools, misuse of US Postal boxes is a Federal Offense.

"

Terms and Conditions​

I understand that Priority Mail Express™, Priority Mail®, Global Express Guaranteed®, Priority Mail Express International™ and Priority Mail International® packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Priority Mail Express™, Priority Mail®, Global Express Guaranteed®, Priority Mail Express International™ and Priority Mail International®. Misuse may be a violation of federal law."

Not saying it couldn't happen, but my defense would be all items are pre-packaged ,to be listed at a later date on eBay, and will be shipped in the appropriate box. I doubt the Postmaster General has a team staking out my garage.

 

[vavet]

me and two ”professional” movers loaded my Matco two bay box into the back of a Penske truck, it was rough, but we got it loaded, the better way is to hire a rollback. They winch it up on their bed, then back up to the moving truck and use the truck‘s under lift wheel lift (not sure my terminology is correct) to lift up the back of their truck to match the height of the moving truck, you might still be pushing uphill, but it’ll be much less that’s trying to push it up the ramp.

 

[autobon7]

I think a lot depends on how far you’re moving and how many tools you have. Cross country moving is a bit harder to do without stuff banging around and getting damaged so it pays to take care and pack stuff more deliberately. Across town? I’d just make sure everything is strapped in safe.

A smaller single bay box is pretty easy to move loaded. Triple bank or something gets a bit heavy.

I personally use pallets and a forklift to move my tools, but that’s not feasible for a home shop. However, if you rent a truck with a lift gate a pallet jack is cheap to rent and makes moving a truckload of pallets fast and easy. Might be worth doing if you have concrete on both sides of the move.

I never unloaded my boxes when I’ve moved, longest I’ve had to move them was only 50 miles though.

Lock the drawers, stretch wrap the **** out of it and I prefer to put the box up on 4x4s so the bounce loads don’t overload the casters and their mounts. Distribute the load across the bottom of the box and you’ll be less likely to bend or flex the sheet metal when you hit a big bump and the whole box dynamically loads the wheels. Plus it won’t try to roll.

Not moving far (30 miles) but moving to a VERY rural property. The last couple miles of road is very rough and hilly.

 

[budget76]

I bought a bunch of used 5 gallon buckets and filled each one until they weighed about right. I wrapped up what had to be and put lids on. That was 25 years ago.

i did this 5ish years ago but no lids, didn't have a good way to get the box loaded full or I would have

i think I left the socket drawer full and emptied everything else. it doesn't take long to re-fill the box with ratchets/pliers/screwdrivers etc

 

[Wamsutta]

These styrofoam sheets are really nice for wrapping up tools in.

 

[kyrbz]

I bought a bunch of these shallow crates from Epstein's. They had a Malco tool shipment arrive packed in these and have been selling off the crates as they empty. They're US made by edgemanufacturing.com and have a 150lb. weight capacity and stack nicely. Normally they're $30 ea. new. I made a bulk purchase from Epstein's for $10 ea. I primarily bought them for an upcoming move to put tools, car and motorcycle parts in




From Epstein's Instagram account

 

[Wamsutta]

I bought a bunch of these shallow crates from Epstein's. They had a Malco tool shipment arrive packed in these and have been selling off the crates as they empty. They're US made by edgemanufacturing.com and have a 150lb. weight capacity and stack nicely. Normally they're $30 ea. new. I made a bulk purchase from Epstein's for $10 ea. I primarily bought them for an upcoming move to put tools, car and motorcycle parts in

What's that little truck you got called? It looks like a workbench on wheels.

 

[kyrbz]

What's that little truck you got called? It looks like a workbench on wheels.

It's a Suzuki Carry which are made for the Japanese domestic market and referred to as Kei trucks or Keitora. There are several different brands (Honda Acty, Subaru Sambar, Daihatsu Hijet) but basically to be a kei truck, the engine size is limited to 660cc and there are overall size requirements. They also come in variations with dump beds and scissor lifts. Typically they're 4wd and their small size is to accommodate very narrow city streets as well as rough mountainous terrain. They're the work horses of Japan. You see them everywhere there. I read somewhere that 40% of all vehicles in Japan are kei trucks

Suzuki Carry Japanese Website -

https://www.suzuki.co.jp/car/carry/capacity/

 

[P0234]

I just put my shop rags and detailing rags into my tool box, wherever there was space. Got to the new place and unloaded my rags and my tools were just fine, I do think a few sockets moved around but NBD.

 

[RTM]

me and two ”professional” movers loaded my Matco two bay box into the back of a Penske truck, it was rough, but we got it loaded, the better way is to hire a rollback. They winch it up on their bed, then back up to the moving truck and use the truck‘s under lift wheel lift (not sure my terminology is correct) to lift up the back of their truck to match the height of the moving truck, you might still be pushing uphill, but it’ll be much less that’s trying to push it up the ramp.

25 years ago, they put my 17' boat & trailer into (and out of) a moving van the exact same way.

 

[Walkers]

Those aren't moving boxes. Federal crime to use those USPS boxes for "personal" reasons . Intended for mail service only. That's why they started putting the logo also on the inside (plain brown side). Ebay and online sellers were flipping them inside out and using them elsewhere.
@autobon7 ...if we're talking a lot of tools, and you can't leave 'em in a drawer (putting crumbled up newspaper in each drawer will help bouncing around) for a short move. Get a bundle of blank newsprint paper and used "book" boxes from a moving company. Dump a drawer, or a small bundle of tools on the paper and roll them up diagonally. If a box gets too heavy, just fill halfway and then cut upwards on all four corners and fold over and tape, you don't have to fill a box. Common way among professional movers when packing tools and free weights.

Well, perhaps he was going to mail them to himself but inadvertently packed things in front of them and couldn't find them when he was ready to ship.

 

[GreyOwl]

I don’t think the post office puts a deadline on when you have to use them for shipping

 

[Old Man Roger]

The ramps on uhaul trucks are rated for 1000 pounds. There is a safety margin built into that. Working in the moving industry I have loaded many rental trucks for customers. Loaded toolboxes , grand pianos , etc. The heaviest item was a 1400 pound safe. Ramp was fine and no one died.

Back in the day the uhaul ramps were almost as long as the box, made it way easier to roll heavy things into the truck. Nowadays the ramps are short as hell.

 

[buildyourown]

I bought a pallet jack on CL and rented a truck with a lift gate. Kept everything full and brought some pallets home from work. Loading a few heavy pallets beats carrying boxes.

 

[dr_clyde]

You guys know you can rent trucks from other places besides uhaul, right? Like, liftgates are available to lift way, way more than toolboxes.

Get a truck that is rated to move what you intend to move instead of getting the cheapest thing available...

 

[Old Man Roger]

Two 26 foot uhauls pulled everything I own with ease. Each towed a car on a trailer too.

I admit, the lift gate would have made it easier, but they were difficult to reserve, and cost waaay more for a one way move.

To be honest, the heaver load rode better than the lighter load.

I have to admit it was mostly I-95 driving in flat Florida.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

Having just done a move with my company (they paid for the packing and moving) here's what I did. This is the fourth move we have done with a moving company. If you're moving yourself, not all the tips may apply. With professional moving company, you have to keep in mind the packing crew have three tools; boxes, paper and tape. About a month before the move I ordered 100 6x8 inch zip lock bags from Amazon.

Move -2 weeks: I boxed all my chemical and shop supply's like aerosols from carb cleaner to WD-40 myself. We moved about 2.5 hours, so I was able to drive the boxes to our temporary apartment. Some items I gave to a neighbor. I did oil changes on our vehicles, so it used up all the extra oil I had and we were in an apartment temporarily for 5 months and didn't want to have to pay for an oil change.

All small pieces like nuts and bolts were bagged in the zip lock bags. The ziplocked baged pieces were put back in the small drawers

Move -1 week: I took all tools from peg boards and bagged, and put them in rollaway tool cabinets, and kept locked. I put the minimum I thought would be handy in Milwaukee Packout.

Everything arrived in the new place, after 3 weeks, I'm still sorting out everything. The Packout has been very useful.

 

[MovingAlong]

United Van Lines moved my tool boxes from east coast to west coast fully loaded, no issues.

Recently moved 1000 miles up the coast and put fully loaded tool boxes (and everything else I owned) into six of the U-Haul "Boxes". No issues.