How often should I service my power tools?

Power tools don’t need to be maintained too often and the power tools stocked by Tech-Tool 2000 are great quality – we stock a wide range of good quality power tools. But they do need to be serviced on regular occasions because most unsalvageable breakdowns are a result of non-service. Here are some simple things you can do yourself and a list to help you know when you need to get someone to service them.

Every time you use a tool you should:

• Clean it up thoroughly and wipe down any battery chargers
• Check all the power cables for all your tools and stop using them if you can see the wires inside the cable. You’ll need to replace the cable before you can use that tool again
• Check that the tool is working smoothly
• If you see any screws or bolts that are loose, tighten them up so they don’t fall out and get lost
• Put them away properly – hang them up or put them back in their boxes and store them in a dry place so that they don’t get rusty

Electric hand drill

You probably use this most out of all your tools, so here are some tips for looking after it:

• Let your hand drill cool down if it gets hot, otherwise you can break the engine
• Use a toothbrush to keep it clean, then coat the metal with oil to stop it getting dirty
• If you have a cordless drill, charge up your battery so it’s ready for next time

Electric sander

• These get dirty very quickly because of all the sawdust. They can overheat and stop working if you don’t keep them clean with compressed air.
• Always put the sandpaper in properly, or it can rip and pull off the sander

Electric jigsaw

This is a handy tool for cutting circles and other shapes. Here’s how to stop it burning out too soon:

• Let the blade run as fast as possible before you cut. Make it fast for soft materials and slow for hard ones.
• Keep the blades sharp or get new ones
• Clean with compressed air and a toothbrush
• Get this tool serviced every year

Chainsaw

This is the best tool to chop up logs. Get your chainsaw serviced every year. What you can do:

• Keep it clean with a wire brush
• Clean out the filter
• Make sure the chain is sharp

When do you need to service power tools?

• It’s time to get your power tools serviced if you get an electric shock or feel a tingle in your hands when you use them
• If your power tool starts to get too hot when you use it and stops working, the engine is overheating and it’s time to get it serviced professionally

If you have to get rid of a power tool, you must make sure it is tagged with the words “not in use”. If not, someone else may use it. We hope you enjoyed these ideas and use them to keep your power tools in good shape until they are serviced.