For many people, tools allow them to perform repairs, maintenance and even succeed in their jobs. If these essential tools aren’t cared for properly, they can break or cause serious injury due to damage. Here’s a snippet of improving the longevity of tools.
It’s important to properly inspect, clean, and inspect tools to ensure they last for years to come. Even some spots of rust or delays in oiling can cause irreparable damage in the long run. Proper tool maintenance and cleaning saves time and money in the long run.
Longevity of Hand Tools
Simple hand tools like drivers, fixed and adjustable spanners, wrenches, hammers, mallets, and accessory equipment like jack stands. These tools tend to last a long period of time without issue, but in time they can have issues.
After use, clean off hand tools with a rag and proper cleaners. Dirt and debris can collect and cause rust. Oil can make these tools dangerous to use again, and oil can degrade rubber grips. Inspect for rust, cracks, or any broken areas of the tools as these can cause a break when in use and possible injury.
Some mechanical hand tools should be checked for proper function. For example, check how the teeth are engaging in a ratchet as a chipped tooth is a break on the inside. Safety equipment like jack stands should be inspected for rust and wear around the ratcheting teeth because any failure in these can result in major injury while under a car.
Power Tools
We’ll split power tools into electric, pneumatic, and battery-operated as many people use both equally nowadays. Pneumatic tools include air compressors, impact wrenches, and grinders. Battery-operated tools include drills, cordless impact wrenches, and anything run from a battery.
Like hand tools, be sure to clean power tools after each use. They are far more sensitive to dirt and debris. For example, many tools have venting to cool down motors, but these can become clogged with debris–clean these out with compressed air.
For electric tools run from the wall outlet, ensure that the cord and plug are in proper shape. Exposed wire and bent prongs can electrocution or the tool to not operate. Additionally, inspect them regularly for normal operation as sparking or smoking can be a sign of a dangerous problem.
For pneumatic tools, it’s important to keep up on the oil schedule. This is important as oil and grease act as a lubricant and a sealant to ensure proper operation and longevity. People should routinely check their air compressor to ensure it’s working properly and there’s enough oil in the compressor chamber. Be sure to also drain the tank of water regularly.
For battery-operated tools, understand their working limitations and keep an eye on the battery usage. These tools can overheat and cause damage to both the motor and battery, and in the battery’s case can cause a fire or explosion from a short circuit. When using batteries, try to run them dry and then allow them to fully charge to ensure proper battery cycling to retain charge life.