The craft of wood flooring necessitates the right tools to achieve superior results. The performance of your tools is central to the quality of your work.
Those tools require routine maintenance to perform their best. You spend a significant amount of money on the tools you use every day. They are also the backbone of any successful installation, refinishing, or repair job. Proper maintenance of those tools ensures they will last as long as possible, reducing the need for frequent repairs or even replacements, which ultimately leads to downtime. Yet, many flooring professionals overlook a crucial aspect of tool management: maintaining a regular maintenance schedule.
A disciplined tool maintenance schedule is the key to making those tools last. Most tool maintenance practices are very simple habits that you can employ at the jobsite or in your shop. Following are some common, and simple tool maintenance practices you can employ to ensure your tools are reliably performing as they are expected to perform.
Safety: Safety is a critical concern when working with power tools. A poorly maintained tool is not only inefficient, but also can be dangerous. Dull saw blades can bind and kick back, loose nailer parts can cause jams or misfires, and a malfunctioning power cord can cause fire or electrocution. The vibrations that many tools produce inherently can cause bolts and screws to come loose.
Regularly inspect your tools to ensure they are in good working condition. A tool maintenance schedule helps prevent accidents by ensuring that your equipment is always in optimal working condition reducing the risk of injury to both the operator and those around them. It is not just about keeping tools functioning, but also about protecting yourself and your crews from injury.
Cleaning: First impressions can make or break your relationship with a customer. Clean tools represent a clean persona and a well-run business. A clean set of tools gives the impression to your customer that you care about your tools as much as you will care for their home. All of your tools should be cleaned after each use and before they are stored. You can simply wipe dust, grease, and debris from the outside housing with a clean cloth. Compressed air is the best way to clean the dust from the tool’s vents, cracks, and crevices. This not only keeps your tools looking newer, but also helps in prolonging the tools’ life. Do not clean, repair, or store tools that are still connected to a power source.
Wear and Tear: After cleaning your tools, take a few minutes to see if there are any defects or damaged areas. You’ll look specifically for any cracks or damage to the outside housing, frayed or exposed wires, loose bolts or screws, gouges in sanding drums or pads, corrosion and rust, and any other splinters or breaks. This is also an ideal time to turn the tool on and listen for anything that sounds abnormal.
Overheating: Overworking a tool puts a lot of stress on its motor and can cause it to overheat. Overheating can occur when dust has accumulated on some components of the motor, or if you just run a tool too long without giving it a break. If your tool seems like it is getting hot, stop what you are doing and give it a break until it can cool down. This will help save you from wearing out the motor or burning out parts.
Storage: When a tool gets stored after a long day of use, the way it is stored can affect its performance. Allow tools to cool down after use and before storing them. Storing tools before they’ve had a chance to cool down can cause components of the tool to warp if improperly stored. Most tools should be stored in a dry, clean location. Keeping power tools in a humid or wet environment can cause corrosion, often leading to problems with the electrical components.
Battery Care: With battery-powered tools becoming so prominent at today’s jobsites, battery maintenance has become a critical part of tool maintenance. Most power tools use lithium-ion batteries, which have become known to overheat. Don’t let the battery run down completely before recharging. Replace batteries that won’t hold a charge and always keep spare batteries on hand. Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Also, remember to never store a tool with the battery installed in it.
Cord Care: Keep cords in good condition. Any cuts or nicks in a cord will pose a risk to the user and must be addressed promptly. If you are having issues with the tool not starting or stopping properly, check attachments or cords. Bad or loose connections or exposed wires can cause the tool to short out, or not start/stop properly. Cords should always be coiled up rather than twisted.
Lubrication: For pneumatic tools, using an oil lubricant regularly is necessary to keep the moving parts working properly. Check the tool maintenance section of the manufacturer’s instructions on how to correctly lubricate your tools, as well as how much, how frequently, and which lubricant to use. Any tool with adjustable or movable parts needs periodic lubrication, which helps prevent corrosion and rust.
Sharp Bits and Blades: A dull bit or blade can lead to rough cuts and can increase strain on your power tools. Keep your blades and bits sharp to ensure optimal efficiency and clean cuts. Using old and dull bits or blades means your power tool needs to work even harder to get the job done. This causes extra stress on the tool’s motor, which can damage parts or cause the tool to overheat with unnecessary stress. More importantly, from a personal safety perspective, dull bits and blades can be more dangerous than sharp ones.
Calibration: Calibrate tools that need regular calibration, to ensure they are accurate, reliable, and consistent. Moisture meters and thermohygrometers are some examples of tools that require calibration. These tools are precision instruments. For some, the maintenance schedule in the user’s manual should outline when they should be recalibrated, usually after a specified amount of use hours. Most tool companies offer calibration services, and even certificates of calibration for their products.
Scheduling: Establish maintenance schedules that include regular inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and repairs. It is a good opportunity to drop the tools off at your repair shop for a tune-up when you are going on vacation, or know that a set of equipment is not being used for a short period of time. These scheduled maintenance items can be addressed through the manufacturer, your distributor, or a specialty tool repair shop. Just be sure your repair shop is qualified (or certified) by the manufacturer of the tool.
Maintaining a regular service schedule for your wood flooring tools may seem like an added expense, but it actually saves you money in the long run. The frequency of maintaining equipment depends on various factors, including manufacturer’s recommendations, usage of the tool, and age of the tool. Keep tool manuals in a location that everyone in your company can access easily.
Replacing parts: As a tool ages with use, some parts will need to be replaced. Replace worn parts like carbon brushes, drive belts, pulleys, O-rings, and springs to extend the tool’s life and ensure it is working efficiently and properly.
For wood flooring professionals, reputation and repeat business are everything. Tools that fail in the middle of a job, produce subpar results, or cause safety issues can damage your reputation and can lead to lost revenue. By implementing and adhering to a tool maintenance schedule, you can ensure your tools are job-ready. Whether you’re newly building your business and reputation, or an established profitable flooring business, investing in routine tool maintenance will pay dividends in allowing you to focus on what truly matters, crafting beautiful floors.
For additional information about tool maintenance, check out the NWFA’s Installation Guidelines at nwfa.org/technical-guidelines/.
Brett Miller is the VP, technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. He can be reached at brett.miller@nwfa.org.
