When I say "do not go in chests" I mean "live full-time in my inventory, just like tools" - I always have a healthy square of mud, enough sand/gravel for dropping, ladders, signs, buckets, coal, torches, etc - stuff that I carry around for when I need it, so I don't have to traipse back to a chest.
EDITED: 11 Jun 2011 23:34 by BOUGHTONP