Captain Jim’s DIY Corner – It’s In The Bag

Birds of a feather flock together, and so should your tools and accessories.

Use thrift store duffel bags and knapsacks to store hand-held power tools alongside all the odds and ends that go with them, then label them with paint for easy identification.  They're cheap (usually around $3) and they're tough.

For instance, store your electric jigsaw in a bag with the owner's manual, an assortment of replacement blades, jigs, and the tools you need for maintaining that saw.  When you break a blade, you'll have everything right at your fingertips.  You'll be able to make a quick change and move on with your project.

My plunge router goes in a knapsack alongside all router bits, the router fence, extra motor brushes, and the correct size wrenches for removing the router bits.

Now that you're getting the idea, consider all the other scattered tools and materials that can be stored together in bags.  When it's time to tackle a project, you just grab the bag -- no searching for the supporting elements.  I have bags designated for just about everything:

-Paint: Brushes, masking tape, a wire brush for cleaning brushes, rags, Dawn dishwashing liquid, dropcloths, roller handle and refills

-Drywall: Joint compound (spackling), putty knives, sanding pad, joint tape, drywall patches

-Plumbing: Pipe wrenches, adjustable wrench, teflon tape, PVC cutters, screwdrivers, plumber's putty, washers, drain snake

Until next time, happy DIYing!