Moving a heavy tool chest from one house to another, especially over hundreds of kilometres may seem like a daunting task. After all, not all roads are perfectly flat, nor is a full chest of expensive tools the most agreeable travel companion. On a long journey, an unsecured chest of tools could become a removalists nightmare. As well as that, there is the risk of damage that might occur when tools shift around in their drawers and become wedged in the nooks and crannies between drawers. The last thing you need is to get to your new house only to find that your drawers are jammed shut.
However, despite those risks, apart from the obvious weight, a well-packed chest of tools is nothing more than another piece of furniture on the moving truck. As long as it is packed and stowed away carefully, tools and all should be safe and secure upon arrival at your new home.
First, Secure the Tools
Bumps, ramps and changes in speed can cause tools to move around in the drawers. But this is easily prevented. There are two ways that you can do this:
- You can remove the drawers and wrap them separately.
- Place padding inside each drawer to stop the tools from shifting around.
Obviously, the first option is best if your removalists don't have a truck with a lift gate on the back, or the tool chest is exceptionally heavy. Remove the drawers, wrap them in bubble wrap and blankets, and then place them onto truck. Do the same with the chest and you're ready to go.
For the second option, place bubble wrap or soft foam sheets into each drawer to help keep the tools in place. You can also fill drawers with foam peanuts as an added layer of padding to prevent movement.
Securing the Chest Itself
If you choose to move the entire chest of tools, as in the second option above, packing it is fairly simple. You can either wrap the chest in bubble wrap and blankets, or use ratcheting tie downs to secure it so that the drawers don't spill open en route.
Notify your removalists if you are worried about getting your tool chest onto the moving truck just to ensure that they bring a truck that has a lift gate. That way, injuries can be avoided and you can be confident that your heavy tool chest won't slow your move down.
