Looking after your tools

Learn the basic habits that keep hand and power tools safe, sharp and rust-free.

TC-01Wipe every tool down straight after useUse a dry rag or old cloth to remove dust, plaster, sawdust or damp before you put a tool away. Do this while the mess is still loose, not once it has dried on. The mistake beginners make is tossing a dirty tool straight into a bag - grime hardens, sticks to moving parts, and damp trapped underneath starts rust within days.

1 each · Old cloth or rag

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TC-02Check for damage while you cleanAs you wipe a tool, look properly at it. Check cutting edges (the sharpened part of a blade, chisel or drill bit) for chips or bends, and check handles for cracks. The common mistake is cleaning on autopilot without really looking - a chipped blade or loose head gets missed and later slips or breaks in use.

TC-03Oil bare metal to stop rust formingPut one small drop of light machine oil (often sold as '3-in-1 oil') on bare metal parts - saw blades, drill bits, pliers hinges - and rub it in with a cloth, then wipe off any excess. This stops moisture in the air turning to rust spots. Beginners often soak the tool instead of using a thin film, leaving it greasy and hard to grip safely.

1 each · Light machine oil (small bottle)

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TC-04Store sharp or pointed tools protectedKeep blades and points covered or pointing downward in a tool roll, pouch, or box with dividers, rather than loose in a bag where metal tools knock together. Store the box somewhere dry - a cold, damp shed will rust even a clean tool. The mistake beginners make is throwing everything into one bag, so edges chip against each other and go blunt.

TC-05Check cables and batteries before every useBefore you plug in a power tool, run your fingers gently along the full length of the cable feeling for cuts, kinks, or exposed wire, and look at the plug for cracks. On battery tools, check the metal contacts are clean and dry, not corroded or crusty. A damaged cable is a shock risk, so if you find any damage, do not use the tool until it is repaired or replaced.

TC-06Know when a tool needs repair, not just cleaningSome faults cleaning won't fix: a wobbly drill chuck, a handle with a split in it, rust that won't wipe off and leaves the edge pitted and rough, or a cable that's been nicked. The mistake beginners make is carrying on using a tool 'because it still sort of works' - worn tools are what cause slips and injuries, not brand new ones.

TC-07Check you've actually done it rightA well-cared-for tool looks clean and dry, feels smooth when you move any hinges or sliding parts (no grinding or sticking), and has a thin, even film of oil on bare metal rather than a wet, dripping layer. The cutting edge should look even and unchipped, and any cable should be unmarked along its whole length. If all of that checks out, you've got it right.

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