How to maintain your power tools

What’s more, a faulty tool can be a safety hazard. Keep tools in good condition and you’ll keep yourself safe, while also complying with Health and Safety standards.

Sometimes repairs are unavoidable, but the better you treat your equipment, the longer it will stay out of the repair shop. Here’s a list of common maintenance tips designed to help prolong the life of your power tools:

1. Keep tools clean

Construction areas aren’t the cleanest of places, so keeping your power tools clean requires regular effort. Before and after using any power tool, give it a check over to make sure there’s no crud stuck to it. Have a rag handy to wipe off any sawdust, grease, etc., and use a can of compressed air to blast debris out of hard-to-reach parts.

2. Look after cords, hoses and batteries

Plugs, cords, air lines and batteries are the weak links in most power tools. Check plugs and cords are intact before attaching to mains power, and don’t be tempted to use anything that seems damaged, or bodge a repair. When not in use, roll up cords and hoses to avoid kinks that can lead to faults. Keep batteries away from extreme temperatures, and don’t let them run all the way down before recharging.

3. Check safety features

Inspect safeguards before use to ensure they’re in place and intact; not only can a faulty guard damage the tool, it can also injure the user. Never tamper with or remove a tool’s safety guard, and unless you know what you’re doing be sure to have repairs carried out by a professional.

4. Don’t use old or broken attachments

The friction and stress that attachments like drill bits, saw blades and sanding discs experience make wear and tear inevitable, but continuing to use worn or damaged parts can break the tool or, worse, cause injury. Check the business end of the tool before use for excessive wear, cracks or missing parts, and be sure to replace anything damaged. Not only will you help prevent further damage and possible injury but you’ll also get better results from the tool.

Don’t forget to protect yourself with safety equipment when dealing with power tools.

Follow these simple tips and you should find that your tools last longer. However, if they do suffer a breakdown, or if you decide it’s time they had a tune-up, then don’t forget our site includes a repair and servicing shop. Our highly-trained team of experts are on hand to diagnose, repair and service a wide range of makes and models of power tool. To book an appointment, or to find out more, get in touch here.