How To Take Care Of Your Power Tools

Article Written By: King Michael P.

Taking good care of your tools means you will not have to shell out lots of money for equipment repair later. Rust is the biggest enemy to your tools. It thrives in warm and humid garages or basements, but can also impact your tools in a more subtle way. Correct storage is the key to keeping your tools in good shape for a longer period of time. That means keeping them in a sealed toolbox or drawer instead of sitting on your work bench. Wooden boxes may be the best option, as they will eat away at the moisture that causes rusty tools. Before you put your tools into a toolbox or drawer, make sure you wipe them off. Putting wet and dirty tools into a closed container will only attract mold and rust faster.

Prevention is one of the best ways to fight against rust. Look for targeted rust fighting products. You can even purchase a stick-on cartridge for your toolbox that claims to emit rust-fighting vapors. If you tools are already starting to rust, look for a penetrating lubricant. Wipe down the tool in this lubricant and make sure you remove any excess lubricant.

Do not forget about your power tools ? they need care and maintenance too. Cleaning and inspecting these tools will increase their lifetime. You will be amazed at the amount of sawdust, dirt and moisture that can seep into the items. Take special care to inspect the housing and brushes and clear dirt or sawdust from them. Of course, read and follow the manufacturer?s instructions before you begin to clean.

Once you have completed the manufacturer?s instructions, gather together working gloves, a can of compressed air, rags, a bucket, hot water, a commercial cleaner, old towels, steel wool and a toothbrush.

Disconnect all power sources before beginning your cleaning regimen. If you are cleaning a power tool that collects sawdust, use the compressed air to spray the sawdust and dirt out of any grooves or crevices. Next, fill a large bucket with hot water and a commercial cleaner. Mix the solution as indicated by instructions on the commercial cleaner bottle. Wet a rag and ring it out until the rag is damp but not dripping wet. Wipe down the surface of the tool without getting water into or around the power cable and motor casing, then dry the tool thoroughly. Use a toothbrush to clean around any switches or toggles. Make sure to remove any debris or dust that could interfere with the process.

Wipe down the power cord with a dry rag and carefully inspect it for nicks, cracks, frays or other damage. Remember, damaged cords should be replaced before plugging the tools into a power source.

Never submerge a tool in water and never attempt to clean a tool which is plugged into a power source. Avoid using oil on a tool unless recommended by a manufacturer. As always, cleaning dirt, debris and dust off of a tool after every use makes bigger annual cleans easier to handle.

Following these steps can help you avoid costly power tool repair and will extend the lifetime of your tools.

About the Author

Michael P. King is the author of this article on Equipment Repair. Find more information about Power Tool Repair here.

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This Article Has Been Published on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 and Read 149 Times

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