How To Care For Tools For Beginners

There’s something about tools that makes them appealing, not only because they help us perform tasks that our bare hand can not, but they also help to increase our confidence a great deal. Being able to handle a tool with skill and dexterity is a remarkable accomplishment, it feels good too, especially when you teach it to other people.

So… if tools benefit us so much, why not take time to keep them in shape? Below are some tips I can come up with on some basic maintenance for tools that most people own.

First things first, we need to clean the tool. This step is basically the same for all tools, the only difference is that some tools are vulnerable to water, such as power tools and unprotected bare metal. Take care as to not get them wet and dry them well afterwards if they’re damp.

Items you need:

1. A tool to clean (obviously)
2. A towel, preferably microfiber towel which works well to clean off surface dust
3. An air compressor, or a hand pump with a needle works great for blowing dirt out of vents
4. PH neutral soap for grimes from automotive oils
5. A brush for dusting tight spots

After you get your tool clean, you may consider steps to further protect it.

Let’s categorize the common materials used in tools, we have:

• Wood
• Fiberglass
• Plastic
• Aluminum
• Bare Steel/Iron
• Powder Coated/Painted Metal

Understanding the specific needs for each material is sufficient when caring for many tools. When I say care I mean staying in top shape, both functionally and aesthetically.

Wood

Wood Handle Hammer with a crack

Often used as handles for hammers, shovels, tampers, as well as the body for woodworking tools such as planners, wood is vulnerable to moisture and dirt. Methods of protection include:

• Store dry and clean to prevent rot, e.g. spray your garden shovel clean and dry well after use.
• Apply sealant, paint or oil to prevent cracking. For delicate tools, natural tung oil is great because of its beauty. Being the cheapest option, PU works to an extent, although it does not last long, esp. for handles, store-bought tools often apply it, which flakes after minimal use, requiring sanding to get rid of it.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass Ladders are lightweight and strong

Fiberglass is quite durable, they don’t crack, break easily or possess annoying problems other materials do. Often seen on step ladders, their light-weight property makes them indispensable for those needing to reach heights. But they’re not foolproof. If you like the color of the bright red ladder you just bought, be sure to store it away from sunlight, an effect known as “fiber bloom” occurs with prolonged exposure to sunlight. For those who store them in the darkness of the basement, you need not worry about it.

• For contractors who work outdoors, apply wax or other forms of protection to preserve fiberglass’s color.

Plastic

Plastic cases are prone to cracking

As the most commonly used material for the body of tools and pretty much everything in the world now, it is usually disregarded by most people. To state the truth, most plastics either don’t need or cannot be taken care of. While some types are more resilient than others (HDPE, ABS), it’s hard to tell which is which just by looking at them (look for the recycling number if you ca). Good quality tools use high-quality plastics, e.g. cordless drills employ Glass fiber reinforced plastic.

Preventatives measures include:

• Keep out of UV rays (UV fades color & compromises the integrity, such as the case with PVC losing their impact strength)
• Store in a warm environment, plastics get brittle when cold, making them prone to damage.
• Apply a protectant product for use on plastic, such as those used on car interior trims, can help maintain the color for longer periods of time.

Aluminum

Aluminum surface does get dull after prolonged use

Used for the shoe of circular saws, jigsaws, as well as step ladders, aluminum (often anodized) is well known for its advantage of being lightweight & corrosion resistant compared to steel.

Long story short, aluminum is pretty much maintenance-free, they don’t rust the same way steel does, as in the rust won’t create a hole if you don’t attend to it. They do develop a tarnish layer over time, affecting looks, but it’s not that bad, some lemon juice or other forms of acid can remove it, scrub gently though, aluminum is soft and can scratch easily.

Steel/Iron

Rust inevitably develops on unprotected surfaces when subject to moisture

One of the versatile yet vulnerable materials, steel/iron requires careful attention to prevent corrosion. It doesn’t take much, just a drop of water will ruin the bright finish.

If it didn’t come with a zinc coating or, it should have an enamel/clear coat that appears glossy. Preventative measures should always be taken since a small scratch on the outer layer of protection will allow moisture to corrode the exposed metal, the same way your car develops rust spots.

If you’re lazy to paint the surface, a wax product such as Fluid Film is excellent for preventing rust formation, it also helps stop existing rust from getting worse.

Powder Coated/Painted Metal

Painted surfaces can last long if cared for properly

The protection procedure for this type of surface is the exact same as your car, use any car wax or sealant to preserve the color of the surface. If desired, a layer of clear coat would add gloss and prevent oxidation on the base paint, though you’d still need wax for the clear coat, as many car enthusiasts know clear coat failure is not pretty.

That’s all for now, I’ll post tutorials on maintaining specific tools in the future. For those who are super smart, you probably can make great use of the tips above already.

Thanks for reading! Subscribe or comment if you wish