Power tools are an incredibly useful (and fun) addition to your home maintenance supplies. However in our throwaway society, many people only see the convenience aspects of a power tool, not realizing that these pieces of equipment must be maintained regularly if they are to last for very long. It is a good start to read the manual carefully before you ever turn on the tool. Take note of the maintenance schedule and what tasks should be done carefully. This will vary widely depending on the tool of course but common tasks might include tightening bolts or fasteners, sharpening cutting surfaces, or oiling. Air driven tools like impact wrenches will need lubrication of moving parts, and checking of connector hoses. Electrical tools like drills or jigsaws need to be cleaned, and power cables inspected for wear. Take care as well to keep air inlets clean and clear, to avoid overheating.

Storing your tools carefully can also add years to their useful lives – not to mention how easy it is to lose small parts like allen keys or even drill bits. If you buy a tool that comes with a hard case, get in the habit of storing the tool in it – you will be glad you did if you ever want something in a hurry and don’t have to rummage through a messy desk.

Any tool that has a moving cutting surface needs to have blades checked regularly. Some tools can have their blades sharpened while others are disposable and should be replaced after a set amount of time.

A proper program of tool maintenance will not only extend the life of your tools, it will help you get to know their character and how they work. The satisfaction of looking after your equipment is second only to the satisfaction of a job well done.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 9:00 am and is filed under Automotive, Tools.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.