Hi, my name is Brooke, and I used to run the HR department in a factory. I filed a lot of injury reports and helped a tragic number of people make claims for workers' compensation or WorkCover. In many cases, the accidents involved convener belts. By seeing what not to do, I really learned what should be done in terms of conveyor safety. I love writing and wanted to convey some good will to the world through a blog – I also love puns. In this space, I plan to post on conveyor belt safety as well as other posts related to a range of industrial equipment. I hope these posts help to protect you and your workers.
If you've recently purchased your first set of power tools, you'll want to ensure you take good care of them. High-quality tools are meant to last for years, but of course the more care you take to maintain them, the longer they'll last and the better they'll perform. Note a few simple but very important tips for taking good care of your power tools.
Replace the brushes
Most power tools will have two brushes, which are actually more like springs, on either side of their motor. These brushes conduct electricity to keep the motor running, and they will eventually wear out. When they do, you may see sparks come out of the opening holding the brushes in place, as the electricity cannot make its full circuit to power the motor, or the tool will simply stop working altogether. The brushes are held in place by black clips that are meant to be removed so you can easily replace these brushes; note the manufacturer's recommended schedule for replacing them and simply ask for new ones at your local hardware store.
Cleaning
Cleaning your power tools is necessary every time you use them as dust and debris can easily settle in and around blades, drill bits, and power switches. The oil used to keep the tools lubricated can also help to collect this debris, which might clog the openings where you put in new drill bits or that hold blades. Be sure you take the tools apart, removing bits and blades and other interchangeable parts, and remove all dirt, oil, and debris each time you use your tools.
Changing parts
As soon as a blade or drill bit gets worn, you want to change these parts and stop using them. This is because your power tools will need to work harder to push a worn-down blade or drill bit into wood or other materials. In turn, you're putting more wear and tear on the motor. Don't assume you can or should just make up for worn-out bits and blades by pushing the tool along but dispose of these when needed.
Tighten bolts
Most power tools will have bolts that keep the housing or casing of the tool in place; it's good to ensure these bolts are tightened every year, as vibrations from the tools can loosen them and then allow the parts inside to move around get damaged. You can use products on the threads of those bolts to tighten them; a few drops of threading adhesive will ensure the tool housing stays closed and protected from excessive wear and tear.
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