Outdoor tool storage...

[jmm]

Hey guys. Couldn't find anything on this using the search. Thinking about getting a roll cab to use at home with some of my return cash. I have a tin carport over a concrete slab that I work, park and store stuff under. I want to put a toolbox under there, because right now I have about 5 little boxes floating around with my home set spread between them.

Is it a good idea to do this? I live in the south, where humidity rules...what's the best way to at least fight the moisture, if not negate it. I'm thinking about making a cover to put over the box, and putting some sort of absorbent in each drawer. Might the moisture affect performance of the drawer slides and the casters?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[shannonw]

I considered building a wall cabinet under the carport against the wall, opening that and roll stuff out. I mean a tool box screams break into me. Would be pretty quick to frame up and you don't have to worry about weather exposure, you could even install a fan to exhaust humidity. If you do cover it you need material that's waterproof but breathable, doesn't let water in but let's air out..something like sunbrella, weathermax, even some tyvek grades I think would work for cheap (i've seen people build furniture covers, tents,etc out of it online and you can buy it by the yard...anything else like vinyl,etc will just trap moisture. Bad for box and tools.

But probably wouldn't notice much since it's covered, i'm in florida high humidity, I have a nice weber stainless i scored off craigslist and I put the weathermax stuff over it, it's under a patio. I haven't noticed anything really on moisture heavy days. I do though due to the humidity here (even stuff in the garage rusts) spray bolts,etc stuff like that with CRC corrosion inhibitor or that type stuff.

 

[shannonw]

If you framed up a cabinet to roll it in and out of you could even install one of those portable alarms on it =) I've thought of this same thing to but made room in the garage and put other stuff out there.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd try getting one of those "Golden rods" they use in Gun safes, and put that under the bottom drawer, make up a plastic cover for it or if it is out of direct rain/weather a quilted cover to "insulate" it.

 

[lwlobo]

I'd use a combination of three things:

1) Limit circulation. Building a fairly well sealed box, closet, or cupboard around the tool box will help. Keep the moist air out as much as possible.

2) Dry the air. You want to actually get the moisture out of the air inside your box. This can be effectively done with things like desiccant packs (use some in every drawer, big ones, make them yourself by sewing desiccant gel beads (available at hobby stores) into coffee filters, and dry them in the oven fairly often). Could also consider getting a plug in dehumidifier.

3) Raise the temperature. Keeping the tools and box slightly warmer than the ambient temperature will reduce or eliminate condensation. This is the principle behind the golden rod devices commonly used in safes that outlaw mentioned. I think you might need multiple golden rods in a tool box, since the air can't circulate like it can in a safe.

Both 2 and 3 lower the relative humidity near the tools, and 1 makes that more effective by not allowing that dry air to be mixed as much with wet air.

Your alternative is to always keep everything slathered with oil or buy all stainless tools.

Good luck!

 

[spotco2]

Kind of related...

I bought one of these boxes from Sams for my grill equipment and had an upholstery shop that does boats build me a cover out of the same material that they use for boat seats.

Most everything inside is stainless, but it's been out on the deck with the cover on it since last Easter and no problems yet. Not sure I'd put a bunch of chrome plated tools in it sitting outside though.

 

[nanofrog]

I'd go for something that's wood lined if you can't find/build something that dehumidifies the air inside the box, and/or keeps the ambient temp high enough to prevent condensation. Same idea behind a machinist's tool box basically if other means aren't feasible (better than just a metal box stored outside IMHO).

I say this, as I live in a humid climate as well, and even indoors, there can be issues (have an older home that's not well insulated/leaks). Relative humidity is common at ~75% indoors, so I store my electronics tools (polished steel, not plated) in wood cigar boxes with good results. Otherwise, they'd rust, and quickly. But this is easier as the temperature is high enough there aren't any condensation issues (never reaches dew point).

 

[jmm]

Theft definitely isn't an issue. Finding my house from a deserted main road isn't easy. Unless you're scoping for steal-ables in a helicopter (I live in a big meadow), then it's real easy.

When considering this I actually thought that the box being under the roof and covered in tarps might do the trick. Looks like I'm wrong.

So let me rephrase. Considering this box will probably be the US General, and the tools are mostly used or handmedowns from work or else just CHEAP -- what's the easiest way to do this. If it's absolutely necessary that I put some sort of insulator together, well I have no choice. I need a roll around at home.

Your thoughts on just toeing the line against the humidity.

 

[shannonw]

Sounds like a nice location! I'd love not to see my neighbors.

I'd just go with it then, Two things I'd do:

Check out tyvek that you can get by the yard, it's cheap but from what I recall there are different grades...do like they do on the grills with a string tie at the bottom. I researched this to sew a cover for my grill but for time + price I was able to buy one for my grill at least off koverroos.com out of weather guard which would last longer than the tyvek. But google 'tyvek outdoor furniture cover' and you'll get an idea what people do with it. Heck you could tarp it and tie wrap it with that.

Wax the box. The slides should be lubed i doubt you'd have any problem. I mean my stuff is in florida garage, doesn't matter bare metal will get corrosion just sitting there, bikes,etc no problems with painted surfaces, but small bolts nuts that type stuff which is why i spray them with crc or boeshield. I've never really had problems with tools...i mean sure things like saw blades and stuff get some surface haze but nothing major.

Since it's under a carport I'd bet that would be good enough.

 

[ears]

I would think the box should be fine out of the weather. Mine sit in an unheated uninsulated shop year round at work. The tools are a little greasy so I don't have rust problems. I wipe bigger freshly cleaned stuff with a little diesel which keeps the rust off pretty well.

Winter is the biggest problem. Last weeks 70 degrees after a long cold spell had everything dripping wet. A sunny spot would help get the temps up over dew point.

 

[AndyA]

I have problems with my condensation on my tools in an unheated shop. I can just imagine what would happen with the box outside.

I doubt the dessicant approach will work very well unless you built a box that's more air tight. I'd imagine the air exchange on a regular tool box will saturate the dessicant quickly (maybe a few days).

A small heater might lower the relative humidity enough to halt condensation. Even a 60 watt incandesent light bulb and a small fan may be enough. Heating mats under the tools would probably work well, but be expensive.

A cheap approach would be to find a broken refrigerator. The refigerator would be sealed well enough for the dessicant to work. Add additional shelves/drawers as desired.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I'd think that as long as you hit the tools with LPS or some other moisture displacing lube periodically that putting a rollaway outside wouldn't present any problems.

 

[mobiledynamics]

The condensation will get in all the nooks and crannies.

Unless the tools are literally being dumped, bathed in some sort of oil/grease, etc - I'd be more concerned about rusting.

Hows' the DEW during the spring/summer warmer months...

 

[jmm]

Hows' the DEW during the spring/summer warmer months...

The dew is heavy in late summer.

In addition to a cover, maybe I could line the drawers with greased rags, and when I'm done working, cover the tools with another layer. What do you think?

 

[mobiledynamics]

That's the thing. It's in the air....
I think all that moisture will get into the nooks and crannies, ya know.

But if they are beater tools, you may not care how well or not they operate with the rust in the joints, etc...

 

[03protege]

Sounds like an excellent excuse to turn the carport into a garage

 

[Higgins]

IMHO - I'd say NO!

Back in the 70's I spent 6 months over in the Sinai Desert working on a facility for the UN! Tools would be so hot, you had to wear gloves to handle them. At night it would really get COLD and in the morning we ended up with condensation all over the tools. The only one that this didn't happen to was those that were stored in sealed Halaberton cases.

To keep the rust to a minimum we used WD40 on everything ...........

Before to start doing anthing, I'd put a few tools outside in a tool case, and observe what happens to them over time.

If you choose to go ahead with this, make some self containd alarms and install them in each one of your tool boxes, (OR) bolt them together. You would not believe how they can walk!

 

[rick carpenter]

Consider ziplock bags with dessicant packs in each.

My family had a Christmas tree farm in Minneapolis along the Toe River. Those hills have magic.

 

[airdale]

Cover with a breathable BBQ grill cover, slide an old school drop light with a 60 watt bulb under the box.

 

[Garrettander05]

Kind of related...

I bought one of these boxes from Sams for my grill equipment and had an upholstery shop that does boats build me a cover out of the same material that they use for boat seats.

Most everything inside is stainless, but it's been out on the deck with the cover on it since last Easter and no problems yet. Not sure I'd put a bunch of chrome plated tools in it sitting outside though.

Hey, I am in Florida as well and was thinking about buying a husky tool chest to build into my outdoor kitchen. Any thoughts on this? With it being built in, I wouldn’t be able to put a cover on it but I would have a granite counter top over it.

 

[Maxcustody]

Hey, I am in Florida as well and was thinking about buying a husky tool chest to build into my outdoor kitchen. Any thoughts on this? With it being built in, I wouldn’t be able to put a cover on it but I would have a granite counter top over it.

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