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Halloween -- planning for next year -- tools and tool storage
Over the past several years, we have been building a bit of an annual
family tradition of pumpkin carving. The first year, I bought some of those kits with plastic cutters and scrapers and some patterns. Surprisingly, the "kids" (ages 20-40) and their kids really got into it. Each year it got a little more elaborate. Over the last two years, the competition really heated up when they started doing some of the more elaborate designs that require shaving the pumpkin skin to various depths in addition to cutting all the way through. This allows for much more complicated patterns and For this year (we did it yesterday), I bought a couple of sets of carving tools. This was a huge success. What a difference better tools make. Now I have a storage problem. In the past, I just tossed the plastic cutters and scrapers into a ZipLoc bag. I didn't care much if a few got lost. I didn't spend a fortune on the new tools, but they are nic tools and they are too sharp for a ZipLoc bag. So I am looking for suggestions for storage methods. Here are the tools I have so far: 1 set of X-Acto carving tools. 6 tools permanently mounted on wooden handles. 5 sets of Speedball linoleum tools. I have 5 rubber handles plus several sets of cutters (#1-#5 + knife). Several X-Acto saws. 2 "loop scrapers/shavers". These have a wooden handle and 2-edged blade in a loop. Great for scraping out the goop and thinning the inside wall. Then there is the bag of plastic parts (pokers, cutters, etc.). I scanned the archives of this and other NGs. Based on that, here are the choices I see. I would appreciate comments and suggestions. I am looking for ways to store and organize these tools. They will get used once a year. When they are, I would like them to be visible and organized so the "artists" can find what they want. I would also like all of the "parts" kept together. That is, for the Speedball line, I wold like the handles and the removable cutters stored together. My first thought is to get some small plastic storage boxes with lids such as for buttons or fishing gear. The ones with dividers would be good for the miscellaneous plastic parts. For the good tools, I was thinking about getting small plastic boxes without dividers -- maybe 4x6x1 to 8x10x2 ro so. I would glue a thin layer of foam rubber (1/16"? 1/8"?) to the bottom. I would then take a thicker piece -- thick enough to provide a cradle for the tools -- and cut out shapes for each tool. I would glue this to the thin piece making a custom tool box. I don't know if I need another thin piece on top or not. I would appreciate comments on this idea and any hints of ways to do it (or not to do it). This would work well for the tools that have fixed cutters. I am not sure how well it would work for the Speedball set with removeable cutters. I don't think the loose cutters would do well in a foam well. Maybe I can find a long, thin plastic bin (1x6x1) with dividers and fit it into the thicker foam like one of the handles. Any suggestions on the type of foam to get? I would think it should be fairly stiff. My second choice is some of those canvas roll-up tool storage things. I think I have seen them in hardware stores. They have elastic loops on the inside to secure the tools. Again, that would work well for the tixed-tip tools, but not as well for the Speedball set with loose cutters. My third choice is the various types of plastic storage boxes with dividers such as for sewing, small parts, and fishing tackle. These are great for loose parts, but not so good for the larger handles. Finally, I would appreciate suggestions for other tools that would be good for pumpkin carving. I like to have something new each year. Thanks -- For email, use |
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