7 Tips To Maintain Your Tools

Tools are expensive and you need to maintain them if you want them to last. They can last for generations if you keep them well-maintained.

Also, well-maintained tools work better and are safer. You will enjoy using them a lot more.

Chisels, saws, and knives work better when they are sharp. Pliers and snippers work better when they are clean and the pivot is well lubricated.

In this article, we will discuss the most important things you need to follow if you want to care for your tools.

Let’s begin…

Tips To Maintain Your Tools

1. Clean Your Tools

Accumulation of dust, dirt, and grease in tools will decrease the performance of your tools. Therefore, the best way to store your tools is to clean them after each use.

Always ensure that your tools are free of grease and oil after every use. A good wipe-down using a clean cloth will keep particles from building up and getting into your tool’s internal mechanisms.

Apart from daily cleaning, you can go for monthly cleaning using soap and water. Clean all the hard-to-reach areas using a brush and mild soap and water. Do not use harsh chemicals.

Finally, rinse them with clean water and dry them off before storing them.

2. Store Tools Properly

Many times we tend to leave our tools lying here and there after use. Moist and dirty environments can cause the hand tools to rust and dull.

Storing power tools in damp areas will degrade electrical components and will cause parts to corrode over time.

Hence, it becomes important to store tools in a dry, climate-controlled environment. Keep your tools in a well-organized and maintained tool storage system.

Invest in quality storage containers and organizers and always keep them in accessible places. You can go for bags, drawers, toolboxes, and pegboards.

3. Inspect Your Tools Regularly

Many injuries while working with tools are a result of improper use. But there are also injuries that occur because a tool was broken or in need of repair.

No matter which tool you are using, you should never forget to inspect your tools after every use. It doesn’t take much time. You just need a minute or two to do a quick visual inspection after every use.

4. Sharpen Your Tools

Sharpened tools give a very good user experience and increase the life of your tools. Inspect your sharpened tips for any dullness and dents.

Using a dull bit or blade damages your tool and your workpiece as well. By regularly sharpening your bits and blades, you make it easier for your tools to work through materials thereby extending its life.

5. Keep Your Tools Lubricated

Keeping tools lubricated is a very important thing you should always follow but is often neglected which can drag down the performance of your tool.

Always keep your tools clean and apply an all-purpose oil to the metal parts of the tool. This will keep your tools away from rust and corrosion.

6. Keep Away From Moisture

Apart from proper storage and cleaning, the last thing you need to do is to keep your tools away from moisture and damp areas.

Contact with moisture can easily rust your tools if they are stored in the wrong place. This will degrade the quality and lifespan of your tools.

• Always store your tools in a low-humid space. If you live in a humid climate, invest in a dehumidifier.
• Place silica gel packs in your toolbox.
• Keep tools away from water lines.

But it is nearly impossible to keep moisture completely away from your tools. Sometimes tools do get some rust. But no worries you can easily remove rust with simple steps.

7. Cool down heated tools

When you are continuously working with your tools for a long period of time, it puts a lot of stress on the tool and this causes overheating.

This mostly happens when you are sawing or chiseling into a hardwood or drilling into hard concrete.

Overheating can cause permanent damage to your tool. So, stop your work if your tool seems like it’s getting hot. Give it a break until it can cool down.

Conclusion

Your tools are your most valuable asset. They are what make doing your job possible. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to take proper care of your tools.

Now that we have talked about the tips to maintain your tools, by following these tips you can definitely make your tools last longer and sometimes even up to generations.

This will totally depend on the quality of your tools and the way you maintain them.

FAQ: Tips To Maintain Your Tools

We have discussed many things about how to keep your tools properly maintained. Many of us do maintain our tools and many don’t.

There are a lot of questions people have regarding the maintenance of tools and are frequently asked. So, here I have tried to answer some of those questions to help you out.