Whether you’re an expert craftsman or an occasional DIYer, one thing remains true: your tools are only as good as the care you give them. Your workshop is a place of pride and joy, where creativity can bloom and imagination is sparked. So, it’s no wonder that only the best tools will do for your projects. They are a large investment because you want your work to be of a high standard, which only quality tools can give. Due to their expense, you should keep them properly maintained, so that they can remain intact and reliable for years to come. If this maintenance slips at any point, or you become lazy with your tool storage system, your best tools can quickly deteriorate. This can cause them to break, lose their precision, become unsafe, and even become unusable. If this occurs, your hobby or work can be jeopardised, preventing you from producing quality work in your projects or stopping you from completing any design ideas you have. This can have a huge impact on your creativity and imagination and could even make you feel like you don’t want to get back in the workshop ever again.
To prevent the worst-case scenario from occurring, you need to ensure that your tools are kept safely and in pristine condition. This requires you to maintain your workshop tools regularly, store them correctly and put a whole lot of love and care into them- just like you do for your craftsmanship! This guide will help you with strategies to maintain your workshop tools to keep them for long-term use, keeping them durable, efficient and ready for action whenever you need them.
Clean After Every Use
A very simple way to maintain your tools for your projects is more of a daily habit you need to create. You should clean your tools after every use to ensure they’re in proper working order and prevent damage from a build-up of debris and dirt. This may seem like a boring and time-consuming task, and it can be difficult to get into the habit, but you can receive monumental benefits. So, instead of just putting tools down at the end of a long project and putting your feet up straight away, spend a little time cleaning your tools before finishing for the day.
Dust, debris and moisture can all gather fast on tools, which leads to rust or build-up that can dull the tools and reduce their performance. All you need to do is a quick wipe-down with a dry cloth or brush can go a long way. If you come across stubborn dirt or greasy residue, this may take something stronger and harsher. You can use mild soap and water, or a specialised tool cleaner can do the job. However you clean your tools, the most important part is to make sure that every tool you’ve cleaned is dried thoroughly so there’s no moisture left to affect them.
Cleaning helps to prevent corrosion and makes it easier to spot wear and tear before it becomes a problem. If you work with wood, sawdust in particular can cling to metal surfaces and trap moisture, leading to rust in even the most well-ventilated workshops.
Store Tools Properly
Proper storage is essential to look after your tools and prolong their lives. When you leave them exposed to the elements on workbenches or piled in toolboxes with no organisation or thought, you increase the risk of damage and create a cluttered workshop. You need the right storage systems for the right tools. Invest in solutions like chests, pegboards or drawer organisers to create a home for every tool. For your power tools, use their original cases or padded shelving for maximum protection against dust and knocks. Once you have a home for every tool, you need to remember where they go and stick to the layout. It can help to have a visual reminder, such as labels, to remind you where everything is. This not only protects your tools, but it also makes it easy to find them, so you can find what you need instantly and get to work.
Humidity is another factor you need to consider. If your workshop is prone to damp conditions, consider installing a dehumidifier or using silica gel packs in your storage areas. Preventing moisture build-up will drastically reduce the likelihood of rust on metal tools, particularly those with fine cutting edges.
Regular Sharpening and Calibration
Many hand and power tools lose efficiency over time simply because their blades dull or parts shift. Getting into the habit of regular sharpening keeps cutting tools precise and efficient to make your projects much smoother and safer. Tools like chisels, knives and planers need to be honed for every couple of uses, while saw blades could need to be replaced or sharpened. This depends on what materials you’re looking to cut and how much you need to use each type of tool.
Sometimes, it’s more practical to replace a part of a tool entirely, especially for those that use blades. If a blade is too far gone or it’s set up for a certain task, it might be time to buy saw blades that are better suited to your needs. This not only saves time but also improves the overall quality of your work.
Beyond sharpening, tools like levels, laser measurers and drills may require calibration. Misaligned instruments can cause errors in your projects, so it’s important to check them regularly.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Any tool with moving parts, like hinges, gears, or motors, needs occasional lubrication. Lubricating helps to reduce friction, which prevents seizing and makes their lifespan longer. This is because it aids the internal components to work better. Pick a lubricant that is appropriate for the tool you need to care for and its design. A light machine oil is best for hand tools, while heavier grease could be required for power equipment. It’s best to check the manufacturer’s guidelines on the tool and maintenance notes before you apply any product, because you don’t want to accidentally damage it.
Make sure you don’t over-lubricate your tools because this can be just as harmful as neglecting them. Too much oil can trap dust and dirt. This can create a gunky layer over the tool, which affects its performance and can even lead to damage. Try to apply it sparingly and wipe off any extra residue.
Inspect for Damage
Before and after use, take a moment to inspect your tools for visible signs of wear. Look for cracked handles, frayed cords, chipped blades, or loose fasteners. These can all be signs of underlying problems and a warning that your tools are in danger of breaking. Catching these issues early can prevent accidents and prolong the life of a tool.
You should also pay close attention when using tools as well, especially with power tools. If you notice a tool is struggling to create precise, clean cuts and lines, or something isn’t right, you need to stop using it. For power tools, if you hear any unusual sounds or feel vibrations, you need to switch them off. These can be a warning that there’s internal damage or misalignment. It’s best to address these problems as early as possible to provide you with a quick fix. If you wait too long, you could break a tool and need to find a costly replacement.
Tool maintenance is an essential part of any craftsman’s or hobbyist’s routine. With a bit of time and attention, your tools can remain in excellent condition, delivering reliable performance year after year and making your work precise and of a high-quality.
