Caring for your tools properly is important. After all, building a good set often takes a lot of time and effort, not to mention financial investment. Making sure you keep your tools in the right place also makes individual jobs a lot easier – how many times have you spent an age looking for something that you know is ‘around here somewhere’?

Wood is a breathable material, so it’s not the ideal choice when it comes to tool storage – moisture can get through to affect the metals in your boxes. And it only gets worse in the context of the frequently damp conditions of residential garages and sheds. The best thing you can do is to give your chisels and similar metal tools some TLC. They’ll benefit from an occasional oiling, and are best wrapped in cloth to reduce the likelihood of rusting (and protect sharp edges).

There’s been a lot of development in recent years dedicated to creating waterproof bases for fabric-based bags and totes, in order to protect from moisture and dirt. Great strides have been made, but when it comes to tools such as chisels, a hard plastic storage box is still your best bet, as it doesn’t react to moisture in the same way as wood. For complete peace of mind, opt for a dedicated waterproof option that has an all-round water seal.

Another option, and the way I do it, is to get hold of a product called Toolguard VCI, which is available from Axminster Tools among other companies.
All you do is take the lid off and place the product in your tool box. Hey presto, the protective vapour it releases prevents your tools from rusting!
You can buy a pack of three for just over £10, and I find each one lasts at least a year.