Tools are not cheap – or at least, good tools shouldn’t be cheap. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t find some great deals, but the point is that in most cases, you will have spent a fair amount of money on the tools you use, either as a DIY enthusiast or as a tradesperson who uses those tools to make a living. In either case, it’s a good idea to know how to take care of your tools so they will last longer, work better, and never let you down when you need them the most. With that in mind, here are some things you’ll need to do.
Proper Storage
After you’ve bought your good-quality tools from Tradefix Direct and you know how important they are to you, the last thing you’ll want is to have to leave them strewn all over the garage floor or rattling around the inside of the back of your work van. You need to keep them stored properly if they are going to be long-lasting and save you money because you don’t need to keep buying replacements.
There are some tips to remember when you want to store your tools in the right way. They are:
- Always store them in a dry environment – dirt and moisture will cause rust and any electrical components will be damaged
- Always use cases if they are provided
- Invest in a good tool chest
- Use shelving – not the floor
If you always put your tools away properly after use, they will be ready for you the next time you need them.
Clean Them
Although it might seem like a lot of work, it’s crucial that you clean each tool after you’ve used it and before you put it away to be stored safely. If the tools aren’t clean, then it won’t matter how good the storage is; they will still be damaged.
Don’t assume you know how to clean the tools just because it looks like something obvious. Simply wiping some over with a cloth is fine in some cases, but it won’t be enough for all tools, especially power tools , so make sure you read the instruction manual to find out exactly what you’re meant to do; otherwise, the work you put in will be for nothing.
Let Tools Cool Down
When you’re using power tools, you’ll know they can get very hot. You might assume you can just keep using them, no matter how hot they might be, but this would be a mistake. In fact, it could damage the tools so much that you have to invest in new ones.
It’s better to use the tools for a short while and then when you can feel them getting hot, stop using them and move on to a different job while they cool down, at which point you can use them again. Although having a number of jobs on the go at once may not be your ideal way of working, if it means you can protect your tools better and still finish projects you need to do, it’s a way of working that is certainly worth considering.
