Pneumatic tools are designed to be used in harsh and repetitive ways. They work incredibly fast, and when combined with collated, combination fasteners like SCRAIL®, they can reduce your time to completion significantly. That’s why pneumatic tool manufacturers construct the tools from hardened metals, with enough resilience and toughness to last. But, like all good tools, they need proper care and maintenance to keep them operating. Here are five tips to keep your tools in tip top shape.
- Check for loose parts daily. Inspect your tool before you use it for the day. Look for loose screws and caps. Also, make sure the trigger and the safety function properly.
- Clean the feed system daily. The feed system should be smooth all the way forward. To clean, wipe off the magazine or blow it out with compressed air. Do not use an oil-based lubricant because that will attract dust and debris.
- Oil them daily. We cannot overstate the importance of keeping your pneumatic tools lubricated carefully, and with the proper oil. Don’t allow the oil to spill on the outside of the tool, which can lead to damage, and don’t let it get in the air line either.
- Clean them daily. At the end of the day of use, wipe off the tool, remove dust and debris, and be sure they are kept dry.
- Store them mindfully. Avoid leaving your tools laying on the ground at job site. They can get stepped on, driven over, or knocked around in a hundred ways – all of which could cause damage to the workings inside and outside. These are highly technical machines and need to be treated with care. Make sure that tools are stored in clean, dry containers, protected from moisture and dirt, especially when not in use.
Also, be sure to use the right tool for the task at hand. Don’t use a tool designed for a small job on a big job. If you put too much strain and pressure on the tool, it will break. This is especially true of tools that use torque to do their job.Pneumatic tools, like the full line offered by FASCO America® can save you time. Caring for your tools will keep them lasting, and that saves you money. And saving time and money is good business.