Quality tools for DIY and construction aren’t cheap and without them, you won’t be able to do your job properly. That’s why it’s so important to take good care of your tools. By looking after them properly, you can maintain the value of your tools, increase their lifespan and ensure the quality of your work remains high.
Storage
Having a designated area to store your tools is an absolute must. Don’t be tempted to leave them in a car or van overnight, where they’ll be at risk of theft. You should also avoid storing them anywhere they’ll be exposed to the elements or in damp areas, like cellars or sheds that aren’t watertight.
A proper toolbox ensures that your tools stay organised, making it easier to find what you need straight away. It also reduces your chances of injury from rummaging around in an overstuffed tool chest that doesn’t have separate compartments.
This applies when travelling with your tools, too. A tool chest on wheels makes transporting your tools easier and ensures they stay safe and secure when you’re moving from job to job or place to place.
Spare Parts
You should always have a ready supply of spare parts for your tools, especially those that you use most frequently, as wear and tear will take its toll and inevitably things tend to stop working just as you need to use them! As well as being more convenient, spare parts often come at a fraction of the cost of a replacement tool so can help you save money.
Use the Correct Tool For the Job
This should go without saying but always use the correct tool for the job at hand. Not only can improper usage damage tools but it also leads to poor results. If you don’t have the specific tool you need for a job, don’t be tempted to cut corners and use something similar. It may save you money in the immediate term but if the job goes wrong or your tool breaks, you’ll be out of pocket replacing it and fixing the botched work!
Clean After Use
It can be tempting to skip this step after a busy day hard at work but clean tools are safe tools. Not only that but you’ll be saving yourself time and money in the long run as if your tools are properly cleaned after use, then they’re less likely to need repairing or replacing further down the line. In most cases, hand tools can be cleaned quickly and easily to remove dust, debris, grease and rust. Power tools require a bit more care as the electrical components shouldn’t come into contact with water.
Battery Health
Looking after the battery health of your power tools can help increase their lifespan and ensure they work properly when you need them. Here are some top tips for taking care of batteries.
- Power tools with batteries should be stored in fairly consistent temperatures, so don’t leave them in the back of your van on hot or freezing days.
- If you won’t be using your power tools for a while, give them a full charge, take them off charge and store them until use. Don’t be tempted to leave them on charge constantly or to leave the battery dead for long periods either.
- Don’t be afraid to ‘top up’ charge. It’s a myth that battery life should be completely run-down every single time so if you notice your tool is losing power and you need to use it, charge it!
- Ideally, when you put your power tool on charge you should leave it there until it reaches 100%.
Don’t let the battery get overheated or wet.
