When you invest in high-quality equipment, you want it to last. However, your devices will fall into disrepair if you don’t handle issues as they arise. Here are a few quick tips and tricks for power tool maintenance.
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning power tools is a hassle, plain and simple. Yet, there is no way around regular cleaning. Power tools manipulate all sorts of materials that quickly dirty the surrounding area.
Take wood, for example—when using a bandsaw, wood debris starts flying as chunks come out of the workpiece. Inevitably, the teeth of the saw will catch wood chips and sap. If you fail to clean this debris, the sap will harden around the wood refuse, increasing risks for future operation.
Always Lubricate Moving Parts
Wherever a part of a power tool moves, there is an opportunity for lubrication to make smooth movements. The joints and edges are prime culprits for frictional problems. Power tools don’t have built-in cartilage like the human body, so lubrication is necessary. Oiling up these areas will reduce the likelihood of jamming, sparks, and damage.
Sharpen Dull Blades
Cutting mechanisms are one of the most common in a workshop or warehouse. You need to sharpen dull blades consistently. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the blade and letting small knicks grow larger. Sharpening will also optimize machine performance, reducing the wear on its engine.
Store Properly
Imagine putting a dirty, metal saw blade against a corner of a wall. Now, water leaks in, and the garage floods a tiny bit, dampening your metal saw in its hidden corner. You may not think to clean the tool, and next season when you need it, the saw is rusty with old sawdust caked-on thickly.
Power tools are the same as all others—they need proper storage. When you have a cordless drill at home, you should keep it in the case with all the bits and batteries. Otherwise, you could have a problem with preservation and organization.
Replace Parts When Needed
You must regularly inspect your power tools. The last thing you want is to let a cracked electrical housing, burnt-out motor, or torn sawblade lie around your workstation. Be aware of all the signs your equipment needs servicing so that you can replace broken or worn parts as needed.
Care for the Batteries
Even the handiest people have tools on their shelves that they rarely touch. While these power tools serve vital functions, they are not always at the top of your mind. If these devices use batteries, you must check them frequently, keeping them charged and safely stored. Extreme temperatures can drain batteries, and prolonged habits of draining and charging will damage them over time. Avoid this cycle and care for your batteries well.
Keep these quick tips and tricks for power tool maintenance in mind as you navigate your garage. With a bit of organization and cleaning, you can have a permanently pristine array of tools at your disposal.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
