How To Care for Hand Tools

Hand tools are one of the most important things that people need in their toolbox at home. As a manufacturer supplier of hand tools in China, Probuilt provide you with the best quality hand tools. Getting quality hand tools will last you for many years to come, but not without a little maintenance. If you take care of your tools, they will reward you. Taking care of your hand tools and performing proper care and routine maintenance can make any home improvement or repair project easier, safer and more successful. Proper tool maintenance can also save you money, because the better they are cared for, the longer they will last.

Maintenance Tools Tips

Clean hand tools

Clean and wipe down each tool after each use, scraping off any excess dirt, wiping up grime, grease, etc. You can clean your hand tools with soapy water. After cleaning them, dry all tools with a dry rag. Make sure to get every crevice and every inch of the tool to ensure maximum cleanliness. Doing so may require a little extra effort, especially if there are layers stuck in there for a long time, but the end result is worth it. While cleaning you can watch each tool for signs of damage. If you find problems, be sure to repair or replace them so that the tools are safe to use.

Sharpening hand tools

Preventing corrosion and rust is necessary to maintain your tools. If your tools have rusted, you can use a steel wool or wire brush to remove the rust. For wooden handled tools, if they start to get rough, make sure you use emery cloth or something similar to smooth them out. Sharpening your blade tools is important and should be done at least once per season. There are several ways to sharpen blades, such as files and sharpening stones. There are different levels of sharpening depending on the type of stone and the type of blade. For example, digging tools should be filed at a 45-degree bevel to achieve the best digging ability.

Lubrication of hand tools

With hand tools, lubrication is important. It makes the tool easy to use and lasts longer. Tools with friction parts wear out quickly. You need to maintain them with a good quality oil. Make sure you get all the moving parts. Oiling your hand tools at least every six months will not only prevent rust, but will keep them in good overall condition.

Storing hand tools properly

It is vital to store all tools in a dry place, no matter what they are used for. You can keep your hand tools organized by separating them into similar categories and storing them in clean storage solutions, such as drawers, bins, cabinets, etc. You can also invest in a quality tool kit that comes packaged in a blow-molded case for easy protection, storage and portability. Also, be careful with tools with sharp blades and make sure you never leave them lying around.