Proper care for your power tools

For many people, a tool is just a tool. Something to make your construction chores easier, something that has always been there, but never thoughtfully considered. This careless neglect often leads the tools to break down or malfunction. It is then common to see drills that are not functioning as well as it should, or hammers that do not perform as well as before.

"Our overwhelming observation is that tools are constantly being abused and misused, thus resulting in damage," says Neal Tieng, Division Manager of Bosch Power Tools, one of the leading construction tools in the Philippines today.

Neal cites that more often than not, they see small tools used for larger and harder application. This makes the tools perform beyond their limitations, which can easily cause damage.

One example of a commonly abused tool is the drill. Power drills have separate lines for concrete and wood use, it is thus expected that a drill be used according to its proper specifications. But more often than not, relates Neal, owners of power tools try using drills for wood on concrete and vice versa. This would naturally damage not only the tool but the quality of the work itself. Add to this the strain on the budget of contractors and homemakers who have to have their tools fixed.

"Honestly, sometimes we see these people pay so much for servicing when they could have saved so much just by proper use," Neal relates. And for contractors and those in the construction business, even ordinary homemakers, these savings could have meant so much.

To make sure that your Power Tools last you a long time (even up to ten years — with proper care and maintenance, says Neal), Bosch Power Tools gives you five easy reminders that you should follow:

• Use the right tool, for the right job — more often than not, this is the common mistake of some users. They try to make do, without knowing that they are also compromising the quality of their work and the quality of the tools they use.

• It if heats up, do not turn it off immediately. Allow your tools to cool down.

• Have your tools checked every six months.

• Use only safe tools

• Proper maintenance — this includes proper storage, also clean your tools after use. This will ensure that it will perform safely and effectively the next time you use it.

Bosch Power Tools, a division of Bosch Philippines, has been in the country for 30 years, starting with the presence of its hammers in the 1970s. It offers a wide range of construction tools and equipment, such as grinders, hammers, drills, jigsaws among others. Bosch Power Tools has also its own line of lawn and garden blowers, as well as accessories and spare parts for all its products.