Take care of your tools, and they will take care of you

If you’re a do-it-yourself-er, you probably know the value of the tools you use for your home improvement projects. And if you use lots of tools, you should know the value of taking care of these important pieces of equipment! They are a great investment and if you take care of them, you can keep them for years. In order to fix your own projects at home, you need tools which are functioning property at the highest quality if you want the job done right. From cleaning to storing and sharpening, follow our tips for keeping your tools in great condition.

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Storing tools

Storing your tools properly can extend their life and make it easy for you to find what you need quickly. You’ll have to work with the space that you have, but you can maximize this space to be very efficient. If you have some wall space in your garage, install a pegboard on which to hang your tools. You can also keep them in drawers or on shelves. It’s important not to just throw your tools in a toolbox because you’ll be less likely to maintain them. Pegboards tend to be the best way to store tools because this is a way you can see them all at a glance.

 

When storing your tools, the number one thing you want to do is avoid rust. You can avoid rust by keeping your tools in a dry place. Hang your garden tools up rather than keeping them on the floor, because moisture from the ground can cause rust. And always keep any power tools in their original cases, because these are made to protect them. If you leave your power tools lying around, there is a great chance of them being damaged. And when you purchase power tools, chances are that you’re intending to keep them for a long time. If properly cared for, these types of tools can last for years to come. So do yourself a favour and take the extra few minutes to put the power tools back in their case.

 

Cleaning tools

To extend the life of your tools as long as possible, it’s important to clean them after every use. You can clean different types of tools differently. For hand tools, you can often just simply wipe them down with a rag after use. If they have gotten dirty, go ahead and wash them using regular soap and water. Just make sure that you dry your tools well after washing so they don’t rust. Metal parts can be sprayed with WD-40 to keep them well oiled. You can clean your garden tools in much the same way as hand tools. Wash them if needed, and put a bit of oil on them. One method that some people prefer is to keep a bucket filled with sand and a bit of oil. You can put tools in the bucket to clean and oil them simultaneously.

 

Power tools are cleaned a bit differently. First, you need to make sure the tool is unplugged. Then it needs to be completely dusted, which you can do with an air compressor. Wipe it down and oil any moving parts of the tool. Check the tool manual to see if they recommend any specific type of oil for this. If you follow the directions that come with your tools for cleaning, then you will be able to extend the life of your power tools.

 

Sharpening tools

If you use tools with any sort of blades, you’ll want to keep them sharpened so they can perform at their highest level. Using dull tools can also reduce their life span. So it’s a great idea to invest in some high quality sharpeners for this job. Edge prep equipment and lawn mowers are two examples of tools which should have their blades sharpened regularly. Keeping your tools sharpened will not only extend their life, but it will improve the quality of your home improvement projects and get the job done more quickly.

 

Caring for your tools during use

It’s important to use your tools properly so they don’t become damaged or broken. If you use you tools very haphazardly and just throw them around, they won’t last very long. And good tools are expensive, so consider your care of them an investment. Always unplug your power tools when you aren’t using them. Not only does this extend their life, but it is safer and reduces the chance of electric shock. For hand tools, treat them carefully and don’t just drop them on the ground because this will damage them.

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DIY, Tips

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