If you’re one who likes to take on the various DIY jobs around the home, to stay on top of repair and maintenance yourself, then you have likely invested in some quality tools to help you along the way. These tools, aside from being helpful, can be expensive, and leaving them to get lost or be exposed to the elements can quickly see them lose any practicality that they once had. Here, we’re going to look at how you can ensure their longevity, keeping them working for longer, and ensuring they stay safe to use.
Check them before using them
Even small chips and dents in tools, especially metal tools and most of all power tools, can lead to big problems down the line. Take the time to give your tools a quick visual inspection. Check any blades and pointed parts for damage. If there’s any sign of rust, try removing it before you use the tool. For power tools, make sure that you check any cords or plugs for signs of damage as well. If you try using them in that condition, it could become a fire hazard, so it’s better to replace damaged cords first.
Clean them after you use them
After you’re done with a tough DIY project, you might feel like cleaning your tools is a little overkill, but it’s important to do it before you settle down for the rest of the day. It doesn’t take too long to clean most tools, you simply need to wipe them down with a rag, usually with some soap and water. If it’s metal, a little WD-40 should be just fine, while linseed oil should be wiped into wood handles.
Keep them in a secure and dry place
When you’re done with using them and cleaning them off, you should ensure that your tools have a place to belong. Simply leaving them to lie wherever is going to make them a lot more susceptible to the elements, with moisture being a particular danger. With the help of Secure Storage Sheds, make sure that you have a dry and sealed place to keep them. You might want to consider a locked toolbox for additional security, as well.
Be mindful of rust, most of all
Removing rust from your tools usually isn’t as difficult as it might sound. If there’s just a little bit of rust, then you might be able to simply rub it off with a cloth. For more extensive corrosion, you might want to look into more chemical solutions like Rust Free. If you get the rust off, it’s important to seal the tool, with products like Boeshield T-9, which can leave a film on the surface of the tool that doesn’t get in the way of its use but does keep rust at bay.
With the tips above, you can make sure that your tools aren’t going to be rusty, broken, or even stolen. The more you use them, the more wear and tear they’re going to accumulate, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not still worth looking after.
