Buckle up:
When it’s lime to store a ladder, don’t just lean it against the wall — it can easily fall over. A better way is to attach an old leather belt to the wall and wrap it around the ladder’s top step. Or mount a stetepladder vetically on a pair of pegs securely fastened to the wall. Hang an extension ladder horizontally on pegs spaced no more than 6′ (1800 mm) apart.

Keep it closed:
A simple hook-and-eye fastener will keep a wooden stepladder closed while you’re carrying or storing it. Screw the hook into one leg and the eye in the other leg, directly across from the hook. If you have a metal stepladder, hold the legs together with a belt or strap.

Car carrier:
How do you get a hired extension ladder home if you don’t have a roof rack? Place the ladder on dense foam pads laid on the car’s roof, and then tie the ladder through the windows, and the ends to the front and rear bumpers with stout rope. Tie on a couple of red caution flags and be sure the ladder is secure before you drive away.

Theft protection:
Never store a ladder outside or in an unlocked garage. A burglar may use it to reach a window that would otherwise be out of reach. If you have to leave a ladder out, chain it securely to a tree.

Compact ladder:
If you don’t have room to store an extension ladder, consider buying a multipupose articulated ladder, which unfolds to make a 10′ extension ladder. An articulated ladder is fairly expensive, but it can double as a stepladder and as a support for scaffolding planks.

Better boxes

Tool box organiser:
Use magnets to hold your favorite flat tools, such as wrenches and pliers, against the inside lid of your tool box. Purchase magnets of various sizes and of sufficient strength to hold the tools, and glue the magnets firmly onto the inside lid of the box.

Handy storage:
A bread box or old lunch box will comfortably hold all the tools you need for small jobs around the house. Such containers are also good for keeping a duplicate set of your favorite and most used hand tools in a place other than your workshop. Having the right tools close at hand may keep you from putting off needed repairs.

Multipurpose box:
A simple plywood tool box doubles as a step for reaching high places or as a portable mini workbench/sawhorse. Make the box 11″ (375 mm) high, 24″ to 30″ (600 to 750 mm) wide, and just deep enough to accommodate a sturdy plastic cutlery tray. (Use the tray for storing small tools, bits and assorted fasteners.) Using a jig saw, make cut outs for carrying the unit.

Keyless lockup:
To keep curious small children out of your tool box, secure its lock hasp with a spring-steel key ring rather than with a lock. This way, you can childproof the tool box (little hands are not strong enough to remove the key ring) without having to carry around another key.

Tool cushion:
Line the bottom of your tool box with felt or scrap carpeting. The padding will protect the tools and help reduce noise when you handle them.

Tool carrying tips

Pick some pockets:
A jacket or vest with lots of pockets, like those worn by professional photographers and sport fishermen, can help you organise and hold small tools, fasteners, and other items you regularly need on a job.

Pockets for tools:
Use empty tin cans of various sizes, or short lengths of 2″ (50 mm) plastic pipe to transform the deep, wide pockets of a nail pouch into a convenient carrier for wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers. If you use cans, remove their tops and bottoms. Glue or tape the cylinders together to keep them from shifting around, and slip them into the pouches to create dividers.

Tool roll-up:
A handy way to store drill bits, chisels and files is to roll them up in one of those segmented silverware pouches. If you don’t have one, make your own by sewing parallel seams in a nail pouch.

Bucket belts:
Turn an empty 20 litre plastic bucket into a handy too] carrier by fitting it with a sturdy tool ‘belt’. Make the belt from a couple of lengths of stout canvas or nylon and sew in as many pockets as you need. Work out which tools are to go where, and plan accordingly. Even when filled, the belt will still leave plenty of room in the bucket for storing larger tools, such as saws, levels, extension cords and small power tools.