Hi everyone,
My question is regarding tool maintenance. I have recently been adding a lot of power tools to my stable . I am not a professional user of these tools, just a regular guy who likes to cut wood. I am just wondering what you guys who push these tools to the limit do/reccomend, to ensure proper tool function for safety and long life (of tools and user of tools : ) )
I have recently (past year) bought:
DW 12″ cms (non-slider)
DW 14.4v cordless drill
Milwakee SuperSawzall w/ orbital
Bosch Combo Fixed/ Plunge Router
PC Mag 7 1/4″ Circ.
PC ROS w variable speed
????????? <Insert next tool in binge here>
Take the Drill, for example. I have worked this tool the hardest by far. It has been used more than any of the others, and it has yet to let me down. It is starting to get real grimy, and I was wondering if/how to clean it. I am not looking for a beuty queen for a drill, but wanted to make sure that dirt, and dust were not getting inside the tool and impeding the function.
So what kind of regular maintenance rituals do you guys practice?
“Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though.”
Replies
I don't know about the rest of the guys but I try to blow my saws and routers off w/ compressed air before shelving them and drills I try not to get greasy, if they get to dirty I might wipe with a moist cloth with the water wrung totally out of it. About the only tool I dont keep really clean is the sawzall, it seems to stay dirty.
Webby
Yeah, I figured for regular sawzall maintenance, you could take it out of the case once in a while and throw it at a wall or out a window or something, then neatly fold up the cord and put it away. ; ) But seriously...."Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though."
Edited 3/8/2006 12:02 pm ET by xosder11
Here's how much I know. What are brushes? (in regards to tools). I always hear talk of them but I have no Idea what they are."Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though."
Here is a link that shows some motor brushes. They aren't for tools, but they are the similar.http://www.nextag.com/motor-brush/search-htmlUniversal motors have them (That is just about any tool with a motor built into as compared with a stationary equipment that has a separate motor). Also cordless tools.If you see two caps, one on each side, they are for replacing the brushes. Typically black and about 1/4-3/8" DIA and have a coin (screwdriver) slot.But on many tools the tool has to be disassembled to get to the brushes.
Let me say I'm a framing contractor...as I told Diesel earlier, I now spend more money fixing what I have than what I originally spent to acquire them. Having sdaid that, there's this:
1) Guns-- once a month I'll spray with Paslode cleaner and scrub with a toothbrush, then spray moving parts with silicone
2) Circ Saws--When the guards bind I'll remove/replace blade and blow them off with comp air; maybe a tad of silicone spray on bevel/depth levers
3) Electric tools in general--Once a month inspect/tape/replace cords as needed
4) Compressors--Change oil and drain at required intervals
If housings, batteries, bases, etc. are too worn or damged to repair (field expedient) tool gets replaced--most often it's more expensive to repair than to replace.
Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
tool maintenance... is what you do when something stops working when you need it and don't have another one...
I love my tools... but it has to be messing up before it gets any attention... if it ain't broke don't try fix'n it... my paslode impulse guns do get cleaned and lubed... anything i have with grease fitting gets greased... if it has oil everything get's it oil changed the same day... I love Mobil 1 and it goes in everything... if you have a gas powered generator you can tell how much cooler it runs on mobil 1 within 5 min of change'n it... air tools get a few drops before each use.... airless paint pumps guns & lines get cleaned very well after each use i don't care how late it is or tired i am...
My guess is you will never wear your stuff out... keep it clean... a little oil where it could rust.... and you'll be good to go for the next 30 years...
p
I usually blow drills and saws out with compressed air. If outer case is dirty I use Simple Green sprayed on and wiped off. If really greasy will use WD-40 and wipe off. You will probably not have to worry about brushes if you are not using things any more than you mentioned. I was all set to change the brushes on my 8 or 9 year old DW 705 and they were almost as long as the new ones so I didn't.
I do not work mine every day though.
if you use your stuff occasionaly and are concerned with rust and corrosion..this stuff is pretty good for exposed metal...and there is a blade cleaner too
http://www.boeshield.com/
if you use them frequently...
typically you should not be able to hold onto the tool body after using it .......they should get that warm.
if you can do that when you use the tools the brushes should last as long as you own the tool,
your mileage may vary....especially if you loan your tools to some maniac who breaks them:)
.