Invest in Tools That Last – Then, Take Care of Them
Tomás is my favorite pair of loppers, with long wood handles and a sharp blade, and as durable as they come. My tools don’t get names until they stick around and prove their worth, and Tomás has done just that. Your tools can last decades too. Just stick to a few key rules.
Buy high quality tools. You don’t have to buy the very best tool on the market, but do get one made of durable metal with a strong fiberglass or wood handle. If the tool has moving parts like a hand pruner, make sure the tool can be taken apart, cleaned, and sharpened. Getting the best tools you can afford will save you money in the long run if you take care of them.
Don’t leave your tools outside. Most yard tools made of metal and wood will withstand a few nights outside, but keep them in the garage or a shed. This will add years to the life of your tools by keeping them from rusting or getting stolen.
Give your tools a quick cleaning after you use them. A quick brush or wipe will keep dirt and grime from building up. Spray them with WD-40, white lithium or rub them down with 3-1 oil to keep your tools in good working order.
Use the tool for what it’s designed to do. We’ve all been there – the tool in our hand is not quite the best tool for the job, but rather than fetching the right tool, we adapt the tool we have to what we are doing. This can break or bend tools. Always use the right tool for the right job.
Keep your tools sharp. Take apart hand pruners and loppers to clean, and sharpen them when they get dull. Digging tools, such as the pick-ax and the round-headed shovel, should also be periodically sharpened. Work to restore the blade’s original angle by gently filing in one direction along the surface of the blade. Sharpen hand pruners and loppers using a well-oiled sharpening stone. Generally, a pruner will have a beveled edge and a flat edge. Pass the flat edge over the stone with the entire surface of the blade touching the stone. Pass the beveled side over the stone at an angle of about 23 degrees, which should match the original bevel of the blade. Keep passing each side over the oiled stone until the blade is sharp. Sharpening should be done once the blade begins to lose its edge. Saws are difficult to sharpen, and their blades may be replaced when sufficiently worn. Clean chainsaws periodically and get their chains sharpened by a reputable dealer as they get dull after several uses. Keep more than one chain on hand and sharpen them alternately.
If you follow these simple rules when it comes to your tools, they will reward you with years of service.
