It is always the desire of every passionate woodcarver to transform hundreds of wood pieces into beautiful artistic treasures.
Every day a carpenter uses his skills and toolbox to make sure that he has produced a fantastic array of carvings. But just like many other crafts, it is important to take good care of your wood carving tools. In most cases, taking care of your tools starts with how you store them. Beginners may ask why should I store my tools? Well, shown below is why you should store your wood carving tools.
Reasons for storing Wood Carving tools
1. Safety
When it comes to using woodcarving tools, the first thing every woodcarver should think about is safety. It would be of no use if you had to injure yourself every time you wanted to carve. That is why properly storing your carving tools is one way to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Sharp carving tools such as chisels, knives, and gouges should also be kept out of the reach of children who may not be aware of the dangers of carelessly handling them.
2. Increased durability
Who doesn’t want their blade tools to last longer? Nobody, of course. Storing your carving tools properly is one way to ensure that they last longer.
Though complex and fancy storage systems may be out of your price range, and some people may prefer ready-made solutions, you can choose to build your own handmade store that suits your personal preferences and helps keep your blade tools safe. The handmade store also extends the life of your blade tools by preventing them from becoming blunt, dull, or chipped by other materials.
3. Accessibility
It is always irritating when you start working on a new project and when you partially complete it, you realize that you cannot find the tools you need. Keeping your tools in one place ensures that you can easily access them when needed.
4. Organisation
Storage spaces always give your tools an organized look. Apart from that, it also helps you to easily reach out to any given tool in your storage space without wasting time.
5. Gorgeousness
Storing your tools properly always improves your workbench’s overall look. A clean workspace is more attractive and motivates you to continue with your unfinished projects.
Ways To Store Your Wood Carving Tools
Where can I store my tools? It is a question that many would ask. If you are wondering how to store your wood carving tools, this article will provide some insight.
Storing your tools depends on the type of tools you are using and the number of tools you have. Below is the list of ways you can use to store your wood carving tools.
1. Use of a Rolling Bag
A rolling bag is one of the most popular ways of storing carving tools. The best thing about the bag is that it is compatible, keeps the blades in contact with the handles, and cannot damage the tools. The rolling bags are available at many stores and can also be made at home.
2. Use of Protective caps
The use of protective caps is one of the greatest methods of protecting your blade tools when they are not in use. In most cases, chisels, gouges, and knives come with caps that fit them correctly and help prevent unnecessary accidents.
3. Storage Case
Storage cases may be wooden or plastic-style cases specially designed to keep the tools safe and sound. It also helps you find the tools you need more quickly and prevent them from hitting each other. Storage cases can either be bought in stores or be made at workplaces.
4. Designing a Wall Storage
Though some may prefer to use tool storage solutions that are easily available in the market, it is always good to prepare a custom storage space for your wood carving tools. The advantage of making a custom space is that you can customize it to fit the type and number of wood carving tools you have.
5. Use of a Tool Roll
A tool roll is a flexible material with pockets that you can use to store your tools. It is convenient for storing hand-carving tools, especially for people who do not have much storage space in their homes and work areas. It is also used to keep an extensive collection of carving tools, making them easy to transport and a better option for the woodworkers. Other options may include drawers, toolboxes, and tool bags.
6. Making Wood Tool Holders
The idea might seem stupid, but it is the most beautiful if implemented. Wood tool holders are made using a long piece of wood that can accommodate the number of tools you have. The piece of wood is cut into slots, painted, and varnished to match the interior.
Can I leave my Work Tools on My workBench?
Though it is important to store your wood carving tools, it is not necessary. The goal of storing your wood carving tools is to secure them. Sometimes tidying up your workbench may be tiresome, depending on the number of tools you have. If you have such a challenge, you should keep your tools clean all the time.
Tool cleaning should always be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also use the steps below to clean your tools.
Steps To Cleaning Your Wood Carving Tools
- Put enough linseed oil on a piece of cloth to make it dump.
- Wipe the dump piece of cloth over the tool.
- Leave the tool for almost 20 minutes.
- Using a scrub brush, scrape off all the rust and dust from the tool.
- Take another clean piece of cloth and put a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to remove linseed oil and the remaining dirt from the tool.
- Rinse with a lot of clean water and dry it with another piece of clean cloth.
Apart from cleaning your tools to increase their lifespan, it would be best to keep your blades sharp, helping you produce clean cuts on your wood projects and prevent bodily injury.
Final Thoughts
Storing your wood carving tools in a safe place is advantageous as it helps you prevent unnecessary accidents, extends the lifespan of the tools, and makes it easy to access the tools when you need them. It would help if you also remembered to handle your tools with care as per the manufacturer’s instructions.