Few of us are at the workbench as often as we’d like to be, and all of us have to sleep sometime – but where do your tools go when they’re resting? Proper storage of your hand planes and other tools means they’ll be ready to go as soon as you are, close at hand and eliminating wasted time re-setting blades and removing rust.
Let’s talk about how to store hand planes properly — not in a museum sense, but in a working shop.
What Plane Storage Needs to Do
Before talking about racks, tills, or drawers, it’s worth being clear about the goals. Good plane storage should:
- Protect cutting edges from damage or knocking out of adjustment
- Prevent rust
- Make planes quick to grab and put away
- Suit the way you actually work
If a storage solution ticks those boxes, it’s doing its job — regardless of how traditional or modern it looks.
Option 1: Plane Tills (Wall Storage)
A wall-mounted plane till is one of the most popular solutions, especially in hand-tool-focused workshops. The tools are easily identified and removed for use as needed, and can be made to fit your particular collection. If your workshop tends to suffer from humidity, it may be wise to consider a design with doors that can close between use, and choose a naturally rust-inhibiting timber such as camphor laurel.
Of course, a plane till takes some time to make and may need modification to fit new tool additions, but it’s hard to beat for ease of use.
Option 2: Drawer Storage
Drawers are an excellent solution for less frequently used tools – they naturally provide some protection from damage and humidity, and are quick and versatile to make. All Melbourne Tool Company tools come in packaging designed for long-term use, so you might choose to remove the foam inserts from the cardboard boxes to make the tools that much easier to remove.
If you’re in a humid climate, some desiccant packs or camphor blocks can help keep rust at bay.
Option 3: Leather wraps and holsters
Leather is a beautiful material – soft enough to avoid damaging tools, but sturdy enough to hold them. There are some excellent options for keeping small tools close to hand whilst you’re working, like block plane holsters when you’re periodically chamfering edges, or spokeshave wraps when you’re doing a bit of carving on the go.
You do need to be careful storing tools in leather longer term – leather is mildly acidic which promotes rust. Be sure to follow our rust prevention tips (See Here: Keeping the Rust at Bay: Rust Prevention for Your Hand Planes), and avoid leather for long-term storage if you’re in a humid environment.
Final Thoughts
Hand planes are working tools, not ornaments. They don’t need velvet-lined cases or elaborate rituals — just somewhere safe where you’ll be able to find them next time.
If storing a plane makes it harder to use, it’s the wrong solution a sharp plane that’s easy to reach is the one that does the work.