Tool Covers (Tool Companies please read)

[james bell]

I prefer to purchase small power tools with cases and whenever I purchase a large tool I also buy a cover. Like most hobbyists, my shop is not humidity controlled, nor heated/cooled, so my tools need protection.

I typically buy HTC covers, but for my drill press I got an outdoor single golf bag cover and my Minimax 16 required the outdoor double golf bag cover. The rectangular ones just did not fit correctly.

QUESTION: Most vendors know that the best time to sell accessories is when the customer is making an initial purchase. Why then don't they offer custom covers for the machines they sell? I know Grizzly reads some of the postings and it seems Taiwan can easily make covers for your machines. Should be an easy way to increase sales/profits while providing satisfaction to your customers.

[Myk Rian]

That would be nice if they were offered. Like BBQ covers.
Too bad HTC moved production from Royal Oak, Mi. to China.
I bought a few when they had a closeout sale.

[Philip Johnson]

Does covering them actually help? I feel it may trap moisture and even if I don't use a tool I can walk around the shop and check to make sure no rust is forming. I just put a heavy coat of wax on in the fall and keep an eye on em.

Phil

[Terry Sparks]

That would be nice if they were offered. Like BBQ covers.
Too bad HTC moved production from Royal Oak, Mi. to China.
I bought a few when they had a closeout sale.

I have my Planer, Jointer, Drill Press and CMS draped by a recycled free tent from Craigslist. Being the tent was made from a dark green rip stop nylon, the covers actually look pretty decent.

[Neil Brooks]

Does covering them actually help? I feel it may trap moisture

That's long been the "conventional wisdom" with motorcycles, unless you use a cover that's specifically meant to "breathe."

I would imagine that ... if the bottom is fairly open, allowing for sufficient air movement ... then you could keep the grime off the machine, while keeping the condensation issue to a minimum.

No real data, though. Just a gut feeling.

[Myk Rian]

The HTC covers are breathable. I always have one on the TS. The 8" jointer is too long for the size I have, so I have a piece of heavy canvas tarp on it.
Should have ordered a jumbo cover when they had the clearance.

[Bruce Page]

I wonder how many people actually use covers? I never have.

[Kevin Groenke]

It's easy to make custom covers with some Tyvek and a sewing machine (some duct tape if you're too MANLY to use a sewing machine): makes a great, cheap, breathable cover.

-kg

[Stephen Edwards]

I wonder how many people actually use covers? I never have.

I've never used a cover for any of my machines.

[Bill Huber]

I am sure that there are more people that don't use covers then use them. I am in the don't use them group.

My shop is so small that I have a hard time finding a place to lay my tape let alone a cover. I just keep everything waxed really good and I can check it each time I walk into the shop.

I guess the way I look at it if the cover will breath then as the humidity goes up so will the humidity under the cover. So the only thing I see that they do is keep the dust off.

[Neil Brooks]

I wonder how many people actually use covers? I never have.

I have a cover for each of my stationary machines.

It's made entirely out of dirt, dust, and grease.

I use it religiously.

[Kent E. Matthew]

I use old bed comforters. Works well for me.

[Terry Hatfield]

Tools have covers?

[Jim Rimmer]

I have a cover for each of my stationary machines.

It's made entirely out of dirt, dust, and grease.

I use it religiously.

LOL - the same covers I have.

[Craig McCormick]

I throw away the plastic cases and would never think of covering my tools. Different strokes.....

AZCRAIG