Tools in your home save time and help you to complete DIY projects. While the tools are beneficial, continued use can reduce their effectiveness and functionality. Proper maintenance of tools helps deliver precision and can increase the tool's lifespan.
Find out tips on how to take care of your home tools.
Although most tools can withstand extreme impact and resistance, you do not have to test these attributes. Instead, be gentle when handling your tools, and do not drop them too hard.
Similarly, only use your tools for their intended purposes. If you are in doubt, consult the user manual for proper tool usage.
Your tools will only be highly effective if they are sharp. Always sharpen your tools immediately after use instead of just before use. If you sharpen your tools too often, they will begin to wear down quickly.
Also, know the proper way to sharpen your tools. For example, sharpen single bevel tools on the beveled section to increase durability.
You do not want your new tools to become ineffective immediately after you buy them due to rust. Even if your tools are corrosion-resistant, continued exposure to moisture may eventually cause rust. The key is to store your tools in a dry place free of any moisture. That place can be your basement or garage.
After you have used tools all day long, you might barely have any energy to clean your tools. However, the time spent on tool cleaning is usually way less than on repairing tools.
Some of the common ways to clean tools include:
- Washing tools and oiling them whenever necessary
- Putting the tools in a bucket containing a mixture of sand and oil
- Using a brush to wipe the dust off the tools and lubricate any moving sections
Also, clean toolboxes now and then to prevent dust accumulation.
Tool inspection is essential, particularly for tools susceptible to damage. Once you use each tool, quickly inspect it to identify new damage.
Pay special attention to cutting edges and blades, and check if these parts have any dents or nicks. If the tools have bolts and nuts, check for looseness and immediately fix it.
If you notice any corrosion or rust on your tools, try to remove the rust. Similarly, power tools can experience cracks on the handles, while plugs and cords can become loose. Failure to quickly fix a damaged power cord can result in fire.
Finally, check the user manual for inspecting your tools.
Most home tools use batteries as a power source, but the batteries are often costly. If you want your tools to serve you for a long time, you must properly take care of the batteries. One maintenance strategy is to store the batteries in a controlled environment with a regulated temperature.
Environments with a lot of heat can reduce battery performance, so protect your batteries from direct sunlight.
Also, if the batteries are rechargeable, recharge them before they completely drain.
Tool performance depends on the proper movement of its various components. When you lubricate your tools, you prevent problems such as chaffing that can cause damage. Fortunately, most tools have a manual explaining the lubrication process and the steps to follow.
Do you have a project in your home you think you can complete on your own? You will need specific tools to do the job.
You can get many of these tools from Koontz Hardware at affordable rates. Contact us for more information.
