Whether you’re a hobbyist woodworker or you simply have a number of power tools that you are bringing with you as you move to a new home, you may have realized that these items require some extra attention when moving.
After all, power tools are quite expensive, and the last thing you want is to have to replace damaged or broken tools simply because they weren’t properly cared for during the move. Luckily, packing and moving power tools does not have to be a huge ordeal, and if you know how to do it right, you can easily relocate your valuable power tools to your new home.
Materials you’ll need:
- Toolboxes
- Any original packaging you have from your power tools
- Packing boxes of varying sizes and shapes
- Packing materials — like paper, bubble wrap, and/or packing peanuts
- Protective sheets
- Cleaning products
- Tape
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the five steps of packing power tools safely for your move!
Separate Tools
The first step you’ll want to take is separating and organizing your tools. This will make it much easier to identify which cords, parts, and accessories belong to each device. It will also help you determine whether or not you need or even want to take all the tools you have to your new home.
In this stage, you can decide if there are any tools you want to part with — and how you’d like to get rid of them, be it donating, selling, giving to a friend, or anything else. If there are any tools you want to get rid of, do this now and save yourself time later on during the moving or unpacking processes.
Detach Anything Removable
Now that you know which tools are coming to your new home, you can start disassembling them.
Removing any sharp parts — such as blades — from your power tools is always a good idea. This will make the tools easier to pack and reduce your risk of injury when packing and unpacking these tools. Wrap these blades and other sharp pieces in protective packaging materials, such as bubble wrap, to protect them and yourself from harm during the move.
After you’ve removed the sharp parts of your tools, you can detach any other removable parts. Pretty much every power tool has at least one removable part, and trying to pack tools with these parts attached can easily become a very frustrating game of Tetris.
So, take a few moments to remove these detachable parts and store them in protective packaging. Place any small detachable pieces in a separate container, like a zip lock bag, to ensure you don’t lose any as you move your tools.
Drain Liquids
Many power tools use liquids — such as gasoline or other fuels — to operate. However, this can be dangerous to travel with, especially if left inside the power tool. Additionally, liquids left in tools could leak when being moved, damaging your other possessions or causing a mess.
So, be sure to remove all liquids from your tools and dispose of them properly. Check your state regulations for how to best dispose of or travel with these liquids.
Clean Everything
You should always clean your tools before packing them. First off, cleaning your tools now makes your life easier when you get to your new home, as you can simply put your tools in their new space without having to clean them.
But more importantly, if you leave dirt, grime, or other substances on your power tools as you move them, they could get rusty or damaged before you get to your new home.
To prevent this risk of damage to your (likely expensive) power tools, take the time to clean them thoroughly now.
Pack Tools & Parts Securely
The best packaging for your power tools would be the boxes they came in, as these are specifically designed for maximum protection of that particular tool. However, if you no longer have your tools’ original packaging, you’ll need some sturdy cardboard boxes in various sizes.
The goal is to get each tool into a box that is only just larger than it. This allows you to ensure that when you pack your tools and fill in any empty spaces with packing material, the tools will not be able to shake or wiggle as you move your boxes.
One Final Note
You need to be careful when packing and moving power tools. It takes only one moment of not paying attention or losing focus for a serious accident to happen.
So, always ensure that your tools are unplugged before handling them, and keep kids and pets away from the area while you are packing your tools. In addition, some power tools — such as table saws or drill presses — are very large and awkwardly shaped, making them dangerous to move alone.
Be sure to ask for help with these items or hire a professional moving company to take care of them.
If you feel uncomfortable packing and moving your larger power tools (or any of them, for that matter), let Smooth Move handle it for you! Visit the Smooth Move website to review our moving services and request a free quote for your move today!