Shopping checklist
Clean and maintain your power tools
1 hour · Easy · 9 steps
Materials
| Done | Item | Quantity | SKU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaner & degreaser, 1 galFor pitch on saw blades | 1 | 618818400396 | $21.99 | |
| 7-1/4 in framing blade, 24TIf your blade is dull or chipped | 1 | 008925087342 | $19.79 | |
| Drill and driver bit set, 42 pcReplaces worn bits | 1 | 045242345434 | $46.99 | |
| 20V lithium batteryOptional spare; it has to match your tool's brand | 1 | Ask | ||
| Clear safety glasses | 1 pair | 641817001011 | $12.99 | |
| Replacement carbon brushesMatch your tool's model number | 1 set | Ask |
Tools
- Compressed air or a blower
- Soft brush and nylon scrub brush
- Clean rags
- Screwdriver set
- Light machine oil
Before you start
- Unplug the tool or remove the battery before every cleaning or adjustment.
- Wear safety glasses when using compressed air, and never point it at skin.
- Saw blades are sharp even when dull. Handle them with gloves and by the edges of the plate.
- Use degreaser with gloves and good ventilation.
- Damaged lithium-ion batteries can catch fire. Don't throw them in the trash; take them to a battery recycling drop-off.
Prices are current as of printing and may change. Bring this list to the counter, or call (928) 669-9254. If we don't have it, we can order it.
Clean and maintain your power tools
An hour of cleaning and inspection keeps drills, saws, and batteries running for years. Desert dust and heat are hard on tools; this is how to fight back.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Category
- Tools
- Steps
- 9
Before you start
- Unplug the tool or remove the battery before every cleaning or adjustment.
- Wear safety glasses when using compressed air, and never point it at skin.
- Saw blades are sharp even when dull. Handle them with gloves and by the edges of the plate.
- Use degreaser with gloves and good ventilation.
- Damaged lithium-ion batteries can catch fire. Don't throw them in the trash; take them to a battery recycling drop-off.
Step by step
- 1
Disconnect the power first
Unplug corded tools and remove the battery from cordless ones before you clean, adjust, or change anything. A trigger bumped by accident can still start the motor.
- 2
Blow out the vents
Wear safety glasses and blow compressed air through the motor vents to clear dust. Fine desert dust packs into vents and makes motors run hot, so do this after every dusty job, not just once a season.
- 3
Wipe down the housing
Clean the body with a cloth dampened with mild soapy water. Skip solvents like acetone or brake cleaner; they can soften plastic housings. Never soak a tool in water.
- 4
Inspect cords, plugs, and switches
Run each cord through your hand looking for cuts, flattened spots, or exposed wire. On three-prong tools, check that the ground pin is present and straight; never cut it off or defeat it with an adapter. Double-insulated two-prong tools have no ground pin, so check that the plug and cord are undamaged. Make sure the trigger moves freely. Tag damaged tools and take them out of use until they're repaired.
- 5
Clean and check blades and bits
Remove saw blades and soak them briefly in blade and pitch cleaner (follow the label) to dissolve pitch, then scrub with a nylon brush. Look for chipped or missing teeth. Swap out dull bits and blades: a dull edge makes the motor work harder and makes kickback more likely.
- 6
Check guards and moving parts
On a circular saw, make sure the lower blade guard swings freely and snaps back on its own. Tighten loose housing screws, check that the drill chuck grips straight, and lubricate only the points your manual calls out.
- 7
Look at the motor brushes
If a brushed tool sparks heavily or has lost power, check the carbon brushes. Many tools have caps for easy access. Replace them in pairs once they're worn to the length your manual lists, usually around 1/4 inch.
- 8
Care for lithium-ion batteries
Don't store batteries in a truck or shed in summer; cab temperatures in Parker can top 140°F, which permanently shortens battery life. Let a hot battery cool before charging. For long storage, keep them indoors at about half charge. Retire any battery that is swollen, cracked, or gets hot while sitting.
- 9
Store them clean and dry
Put tools back in their cases or on a shelf away from moisture and direct sun. Coil cords loosely; tight wraps break the wires inside.
Pro tip
Keep a cheap paintbrush in your toolbox and dust off each tool before it goes back in the case. Thirty seconds after every job beats an afternoon of deep cleaning, and it's when you'll spot the frayed cord before it becomes a problem.