6 Tips & Tricks to Maintain Your Power Tools This Summer
When summer is here, your weekends are spent on outdoor projects with plenty of power tools. In fact, this is the only time that your power tools are ever used – who wants to work in winter?
Your power tools, which are great to have in any home, have cost you plenty over the years. Power tools can be a great investment because they could pay dividends down the line for your do-it-yourself (DIY) projects and construction endeavours.That said, when your power tools are used as much as they are in the summertime, you need to properly maintain these devices. Maintenance is crucial because otherwise they won’t work as well as they should the next time that you use them, whether it’s in the fall or next summer.
Cleaning and storage are just some of the maintenance tasks to embrace. Here are five tips to properly maintain your power tools this summer:
1. Inspect Your Power Tools Regularly
Before you start using the power tools for your project, you should take the time to inspect your power tools. You need to ensure that the parts are properly intact, the wires are in great condition and the exterior isn’t breaking apart. Like anything else in the home, inspection is key.
2. Replace Parts if They’re Falling Apart
Should you notice that certain parts of your power tools are wearing down, breaking apart and perhaps not working at all, it is time to replace these parts with new ones. If you refrain from doing this then it will have a greater impact on your overall power tool and your project.
3. Lubricate Moving Parts if You Must
Nothing is more frustrating then when you begin to work on a project but a moving part of your power tool isn’t functioning. Here is a rudimentary solution: lubricate those moving parts.
By performing this task, you can make sure the power tool works smoothly and prevent the buildup of rust – that is the worst thing that could ever happen to your power tool.
Moreover, it is important to remember to read the owner’s manual pertaining to what machine oil you should use.
4. Swap Old Batteries for New Ones
Whenever your power tool begins to shut off randomly then it may be a sign that it’s time to replace your old batteries for new ones. It is true that they are expensive, but one of the benefits of power tools is that many of them are wireless and make or DIY projects easier to perform.
5. Storage is Key to Longevity
Let’s be honest: we could do a better job of storing our power tools. It’s true, it’s true.
Properly storing your power tools is the key to longevity. By placing them in a dry, clean and even in silica gel packs, you can help expand the lifespan of all of your saws, drills and other power tools that took a significant chunk of your wallet.
6. Clean Your Tools After You Use Them
It may be a tedious chore, but cleaning your power tools after you use them is necessary.
It should be noted that it isn’t hard to do. All you need is a damp rag and maybe some lubricant (see above) and you begin to wipe down the power tools.
In addition to the tools, it would also be prudent to clean your tool boxes, leather straps, bags and other factors the complement your tools. You can either use a wet cloth or heavy duty sprays.
Today, we are all Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. We pull up our bootstraps, grab our power tools and find something (anything) to repair or build upon. Whether it is a backyard endeavour or a front yard installation, homeowners enjoy doing these projects themselves. When you have the right tools then it makes everything a lot easier, more professional and durable.