CAIG Laboratories: The Home of What You Need to Maintain Powered Equipment and Other Tools

Anyone with a great collection of tools likely spent some significant time and money building the same.  When you invest these kinds of resources into something, it makes sense to properly care for and maintain the same.  Keeping your tools in the garage, shed or tool room is great, but that may not be enough to ensure your tools and equipment will be ready to work well when you need them most.  

Whether you are a technician who relies on your tools every day or a weekend warrior that dives into projects semiannually, chances are your tools could use some basic maintenance.  Even without actual water damage, simple environmental factors and even limited use of tools will lead to deterioration.  There is good news though: with a few simple steps and some routine maintenance, you extend the life of your tools and ensure they are ready to work called upon.

There are way too many tools and powered equipment to go over each type individually.  The following is intended to provide some basic tips and guidelines for tool storage and maintenance.  

  • The First step YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT! Use extreme caution at all times.  
  • If the following tips are in any way contrary to the instructions of the manufacturer of the equipment, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Observe all applicable safety protocols listed by the manufacturer of the device/tool, if any.
  • In the case of powered equipment, make sure the equipment is turned off, unplugged and/or the battery is removed before starting maintenance.
  • If you are working with any bladed equipment (saws, routers, planes, mowers, shears, cutters, etc.).  Always take care when handling the blade and remove if possible prior to maintenance.

General Storage

When not in use, you can extend the life of your tools and limit the amount of maintenance needed if you:

  • When able, hang tools including landscaping and gardening tools.
  • If your power tools have a case, store the tool inside the same.
  • Store all of your tools in a dry place, out of direct sunlight.
  • Protect electrical contacts, including batteries and battery connectors, and moving parts such as mechanical pivot points, axis, hinges, etc. with oil or grease.

Getting Started

**Prior to beginning your maintenance, we recommend that you apply Hand E Glove protective lotion to your hands. (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.3483/.f)  This lotion will protect you from harsh chemicals and will dampen static while you work on maintaining your tools and powered equipment.  In addition, if you put the Hand E Glove on before you work, you will notice that cleanup is very easy, even greases and adhesives will come off with simple soap and water.

Tool Maintenance

  • Non-Powered Tools

Whenever you use a tool, you should perform routine maintenance after use.  If you have never maintained the tools, you should do the maintenance immediately so that your tool is ready to work when called upon.  

After use of tools:

  • Wipe off all dust and debris

We recommend using DustALL air duster for this phase of the cleaning (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.189/.f )

  1. Check that all moving parts work smoothly.
  2. Tighten any loose screws or bolts.
  3. Look for cracks or metal wear on the tool; don’t use a tool with cracks larger than a hairline.
  4. Lubricate parts where metal rubs on metal.

We recommend that you apply either grease or a lubricating oil to the tool right on the metal where it makes contact with other metal.  For finer lubrication, small points, gears, and hinges, you can use CAIG Laboratories X-10S Oiler Needle Top Pen (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.728/.f)  

Alternatively, where you are able to easily get at the pivot point/hinge, you can also use our DeoxIT Infused L260 Lithium Grease (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.6263/.f)  This grease will not only protect and lubricate but will also get rid of any oxidation on your metal.

  • As always, follow the instructions in each tool’s manual for specific maintenance procedures.

Powered Tools

Again, whenever you use a tool, you should perform routine maintenance after use.  Likewise, if you have not performed such maintenance in the past, you should do the maintenance immediately so that the powered equipment is ready to work when you need it.  

After use of powered tools/equipment:

  • Remove/wipe off dust and debris from the tool.

We recommend using DustALL air duster for this phase of the cleaning (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.189/.f )

  1. Check that all moving parts work smoothly.
  2. Tighten any loose screws or bolts.
  3. Look for cracks or metal wear on the tool; don’t use a tool with cracks larger than a hairline.
  • Clean Contacts for Motors

Most small power tools have two brush contacts (these are most often, pieces, pads or blocks of carbon graphite that conduct electricity to the motor’s spinning part).  These pads gradually wear away because of friction and the connectivity will be lost, which will reduce power to your device.  Good news, DeoxIT D Series will help you maintain these electrical contacts.  Plus, the D Series will lubricate the contacts and preserve your equipment life.  There are many DeoxIT D Series applicators – choose the one that works best for your application (see http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f)

(* At some point, you will need to replace worn-out brushes.  This is a fairly straightforward and manageable process to do on your own, but is not covered in this article – you can tell when you need new brushes when you see lots of arcing/sparks inside your equipment’s housing.) 

Lubricate Bearings and Chains

Some power tools have ball bearings or cups/seats to facilitate movement and/or chain drives to move the equipment.  While these are more mechanical in nature, they are subject to continuous movement and friction wear just like the brush contacts.  Where able, you should make sure that these moving parts are greased to lubricate and preserve the equipment. Again, for this type of application, we recommend using CAIG Laboratories’ DeoxIT Infused L260 Lithium Grease (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.6263/.f)  This grease will protect, lubricate, and deoxidize the metal.

Lubricate Switches and Triggers

Most power tools have either an On/Off switch, button or trigger type switch.  These are subject to both friction wear and contamination.  Where able, you should make sure that these moving parts are greased to lubricate and preserve the equipment. Again, for this type of application, we recommend using CAIG Laboratories’ DeoxIT Infused L260 Lithium Grease (See http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.6263/.f)  This grease will protect, lubricate, and deoxidize.

Battery/Power Supply Maintenance

With your powered equipment, you will have either a battery or a cord and plug. 

For the cord and plug, there is not much maintenance you can perform, but it is good to make sure of two things:

  1. That the plug is relatively clean and free from oxidation. Use DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you, but a wipe may do just the trick here (see http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f) ;
  2. Make sure that the is well connected to your equipment and that there are no breaks, cuts, frays or other damages to the chord.

For battery powered equipment:

  1. Clean all battery terminal connectors with DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you (see http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f);
  2. Clean all interior battery connections on your equipment with DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you (see http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f)
  3. Clean all charging terminals or posts (in your charging bar or cradle) with DeoxIT D Series for this – choose the applicator that works best for you (see http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.188/.f)

In conclusion, Always reassemble any tools you have taken apart and store the tools as directed above.  This little bit of maintenance will make your next job much easier as your equipment will be ready to work when called upon!