How to Pack Tools for a Move

All My Sons Moving & Storage provides professional packing services to get everything you own, including your tool collection, packed up and ready for your move. 

From the sharp edges of your garden tools to the heavy weight of your screwdriver collection, your tools pose a unique challenge to pack when it comes time for you to move. Get them all packed safely for the move with this simple five-step process.

Your tools represent a significant investment, but every bit of extra weight and truck space your tools take up means more money, time, and energy spent on your move. Now is a great time to evaluate what you use on a regular basis, and what needs to go.

Sort your tools into four major categories.

• Keep: These are the tools you are taking with you. Pack them carefully.

• Sell: Tools in good condition that you do not want to take with you can be sold on OfferUp, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace. You also might be able to sell used tools in good condition to local pawn shops.

• Donate: Tools in good condition that you don’t desire to sell can be donated to a local charity that will make good use of it. Goodwill and The Salvation Army both accept tool donations. Habitat for Humanity accepts used tools to sell in their thrift ReStores. 

• Dispose: Tools that are broken or dysfunctional likely still have scrap metal that can be recycled if you take them to a scrap yard. If you have a large collection of tools that you must dispose of, you can call for same-day junk removal from Junk.com and the junk removal team will ensure everything is either properly recycled or disposed of responsibly.

Prior to packing power tools that use fuel to operate like chainsaws, lawnmowers, and leaf blowers, be sure to drain the fuel tank and take the proper precautions for disposing of the gasoline. 

Remove batteries from electric tools like drills, circular saws, and nail guns. Unplug, remove, and wrap any power cords.

If your power tools will disassemble at all, take them apart and store any extra hardware pieces for them in a labeled plastic bag.

If your garden tools like hand trowels, spades, rakes, and hoes are caked in grass and mud, now is a great time to hose them off and make them shine. This step is especially important if your tools are going into storage for any length of time, as dirt and vegetation will attract pests. Making sure items are clean and dry is an essential part of preparing items for storage.

Clean blades and knock dirt off handles. Then once your tools are dry, proceed to the next step.

Wrap blades and other sharp edges with packing material like old towels, bubble wrap, or furniture pads. Tie tools that are the same length into a bundle to help avoid losing any of them.

Power tools might be able to go back into their original packaging if you still have it available. If not, pack them into the smallest box that can comfortably accommodate them.

Long tools like rakes and hoes might be able to fit into tall wardrobe boxes. Fill as much empty space in the box with packing material as you can.

Check the weight of your box before you seal it and make sure it is easily lifted or easy to place on a dolly before you declare it packed and finished.

In lieu of a full moving inventory, always label your boxes with as much detail as possible. Make sure to put a destination room on the box label, like “garage” or “tool shed” so that your movers know where to deposit the box.

All the tools are packed and ready to go to your next home. Have fun with all your DIY and home improvement projects in this next chapter of your life.

You can always skip packing the tools when you choose professional packing services from All My Sons Moving & Storage. Get the experts in local and long-distance moving to help you get settled into your next home. Our professional movers can provide everything from storage solutions to just the heavy lifting. Click the quote button below to start your next move.