Why write about tool maintenance? Because keeping your tools in good working condition is important for safety and quality of the project when creating fine woodworking. Maintenance of tools is as important as the woodworking project you are working on. Keeping tools in like new condition, by proper tool maintenance, will save time otherwise spent on tool repair and money spent on ruined projects and replacement of parts or tools.

Paying a little more to purchase better quality tools is probably the best first step in a successful tool maintenance program. Look to manufacturers with a reputation for high quality materials and design when searching for a new tool. They will most likely save money in the long run because they will last longer and stand up under rougher work load.

You will know that your tools are due for maintenance when they aren’t performing as well as when they were new and the quality of your completed projects are not up to par. Things to consider in setting up your woodworking tool maintenance program are keeping cutting edges sharp, moving parts lubricated, alignment mechanisms true and tools and work surfaces clean and free of corrosion.

Equipment and supplies needed for tool maintenance:

• Tool sharpening system

• Sharpening guide book

• Table saw calibration system

• Pitch and resin remover

• Blade and bit maintenance kit

• Lubricant

• Maintenance guide

Keeping cutting edges sharp:

• Have a professional sharpening service to put a new edge on a circular saw blade

• It is best to replace dull band saw blades and router bits

• A sharpening system that works for most popular drill bit types would be sound tool maintenance.

• An advanced sharpening system and sharpening guide book are recommended for hand tools.

Lubricating moving parts:

• Regularly lubricate bearings and moving parts

• Use a blade lubricating stick on your band saw, coping saw, and scroll saw blades.

Keeping tools clean and smooth:

• Have an adequate dust collection system

• Clean saw blades with a pitch and resin remover and polish the blade when changing it

• Clean router bits with same cleaner used on saw blades and lubricate

• Replace worn drive belts and band saw tires

• Put an add-on wheel brush on your band saw if it doesn’t have one

• Kits for cleaning and lubricating all work surfaces are available which include everything necessary for this task.

Alignment:

• A maintenance guide and table saw calibration system will help with this part of your maintenance program.

• Upgrades to your table saws fence and miter gauge will improve its performance

• Upgrade your band saw’s blade guiding system to improve its performance

The kits and supplies mentioned in this article may be found in most hardware and woodworking stores and on line.

To get the best results in creating fine woodworking projects, tool maintenance is a must. Tools should be kept free of dust and cleaned properly after each use to maintain them in top working order. Help in setting up a successful maintenance program is available in guide books, special kits for different phases of maintenance and different tools, and the instruction book that comes with each tool. If you haven’t kept up with the maintenance of your tools before, now is the time to start regularly scheduled tool maintenance to prolong the life of your valuable woodworking tools and have a safe work environment while saving time and money. What’s not to like about that?