How to maintain your power tools

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When you buy an expensive power tool, you want it to last a long time. So spending some time doing regular maintenance will save you money in the long run.

Here are some regular checks and maintenance you should perform to keep your power tool in top condition.

Cleaning

After each use of your power tool, you should clean it thoroughly.

Wait for it to cool down and clean the exterior with a damp cloth.

You can clean the interior with compressed air to remove dirt and grit. This is much more effective than a brush, which often just disperses dirt.

store carefully

Be sure to store your tools carefully after each use.

It’s a good idea to store them in a hard case and make sure they don’t get excessively humid, hot or cold. A humid environment will cause all sorts of problems with electrical components and can also cause corrosion.

sharpen the blades

If you sharpen the blades regularly following the manufacturer’s recommendations, the tool will remain efficient and other parts will be less stressed. The more you use the tool, the more regularly you will need to sharpen it.

Replacement of worn parts – carbon brushes

There are some small parts in your power tools that wear out over time, no matter how well you take care of them.

But do not worry. Even when they wear out, you don’t always have to invest in a new tool.

The most common wearing part is the carbon brushes that conduct electricity through the motor.

A classic sign of a worn carbon brush is sparking on your machine’s motor housing.

You can buy replacement carbon brushes for power tools here.

Proper Battery Handling

Batteries are quite fragile, so proper care of them can make a big difference in the longevity of your tools.

You need to make sure that your batteries are fully charged and depleted. Avoid leaving batteries uncharged or unused for a long time. If your tool has a lithium-ion battery, you should store it in an air-conditioned room, as it doesn’t react well to extreme temperatures.

Lubricate moving parts

Lubricating the moving parts of your tool with the oil recommended by the manufacturer will reduce friction (and therefore wear on motors and parts) and will also help prevent rust.

7 important tips for caring for power tools

We all know and love the advantages of power tools like at Strumenti to save time. They help us with all our projects, big or small, and sometimes they get pretty worn out along the way. When was the last time you paid attention to your power tools? After all, they need to be maintained to deliver the precision and performance we expect every time we use them. With a little care, you can greatly extend the life and functionality of your tools.

Tip 1: Be gentle with your tools

Be good to your tools and they will be good to you. First of all, try to take care of your tools. Although most power tools have rugged housings and are impact resistant, there is no reason to put these qualities to the test beyond normal use. Make an effort not to drop your tools, not to throw them at your companions, or not to use them for purposes other than those for which they are intended. (The owner’s manual is an excellent source for the purpose and care of a tool.) Nothing makes us happier than tools that outlast their expected performance.

Tip 2: Keep it clean

Another important step to make your power tools last is to keep them clean and free of debris. After each use, clean the casing of your power tools with a cloth and toothbrush to remove dust, dirt, and grime. This will expose any cracks in the casing (see tip 3). Some tool owners use a compressor to blow air through the vents. However, many experts advise skipping this step, as it can cause particles to enter the most sensitive areas of the tool, doing more harm than good. Instead, carefully shake out the debris before vacuuming up the rest. Pliers or a flexible pipe cleaner can be used to remove larger chips that cannot be shaken out of vents and other sensitive areas. So your power tools will run cooler and last longer.

Tip 3: Look for loose fasteners or cracks

Be sure to take a visual inventory of your tools. If you find loose bolts or nuts, tighten them. If you apply Loctite to the threads as you tighten them, they will stay in place longer. Look for cracks in the casing and repair them before they get bigger. If the crack is larger than a hairline, you should not use the tool until it is repaired.

Tip 4: Keep an eye on the cable

Check your power tools for malfunctions and immediately fix any problems you find – either yourself or by sending the tools to a shop – before small problems become big ones. A common problem with corded tools is exposed, frayed, or nicked wires, which can be dangerous to the user and others nearby, not to mention the tool itself. Immediately repair or replace damaged cables.

Tip 5: Keep an eye on the pieces

Look for any parts on the power tool that are prone to failure, such as carbon brushes, switches, assemblies, and so on. Replace brushes when you notice arcing on the motor housing of a running tool: these small, harmless sparks are a good indicator that the brushes are worn. (Regardless of which brush sparked first, you should never replace one brush and not the other.) Frequently check moving parts to make sure they move correctly. Also look for pieces that move when they shouldn’t. By taking care of them right away, you can avoid bigger problems later. Notches in the shoe plates of jigs and circular saws should be filed down annually or before storing the tool, and bent shoes can be flattened with Vise-Grips. Check that the footing is perpendicular to the blade.

Tip 6: Lubricate

Lubricate the moving parts of your power tools to keep them working properly. Pay special attention to the parts where metal meets metal. Follow the instructions in the manual for using the proper lubricant, the correct application method, and the proper lubrication frequency.

Tip 7: Store power tools well

When power tools will not be used for a while, it is best to store them in their original cases or wrap them in a protective cloth or similar cover. This protects them from weather, scratches, nicks, drops and many other types of damage. Avoid storing even protected tools in cold, hot, or humid environments, as these conditions shorten the life of the tools. Desiccant packets in a toolbox or drawer can also help reduce the appearance of surface rust. If the time between uses is relatively short, make sure the tools are well stored to prevent damage.

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