Do you clean your power tools? I do, or at least I usually try to.
I used this Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage reciprocating saw to cut up a giant wood mass that was close to the surface of where I was putting another raised garden bed. I had some trees removed two years ago, and I guess this stump-like mass was covered up instead of being pulled out.
I used the saw for a couple more tasks until finally getting up with how dirty it was.
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I was going to clean it “another time,” and kept putting it off, until I realized there was dried compacted dirt underneath the pivoting shoe plate.
So, I took the plate off, and dug out the caked-in dirt. There’s not much I can do about the dust around the blade clamp, so I left it alone. This is what it looked like after I cleaned all the dirt out.
While not perfectly clean, the saw is in much better shape and is more comfortable to grip without work gloves.
Did I need to clean the saw? I don’t think so.
The vents weren’t blocked, and there wasn’t anything affecting its safe and normal use. I did need to clean under the pivoting shoe plate though, as the dried compacted dirt – how did it even get in there?! – was bending the rubber lip back a little.
I used a blunt wooden tool (disposable electronics probe/spudger) to clean out the rubber grip zones the best I could without obsessing about being perfect.
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All this got me thinking – do most users clean their tools? Whenever I see professionals or tradesmen working in public places, I peek at their tools, but there doesn’t seem to be any pattern.
Dry materials – sawdust, drywall, or metal chips – tend to brush off easily. It’s wet, oily, greasy, or outdoor environments that tend to dirty up tools.
A lot of my cushion-grip hand tools tend to pick up residue from when I work with black oxide-finished fasteners.
All that said, I prefer to keep my tools clean.
Part of the reason is that I sometimes work with my own tools, and other times I use review samples that I plan to eventually give away. Even if I give away a tool that has been used, I’d rather it not be very visibly used. I also prefer to keep my own tools clean because I never know where they’re going to be used next.
I rarely know what a tool’s next task will be.
If I use a saw to cut chemically-treated wood, I don’t want to transfer sawdust into living spaces if I can help it. If a screwdriver handle is greasy, where can I put it down when assembling furniture? If pliers have metal shavings on the handles, will it be a good idea to use them when working with electronics?
You clean kitchen knives between uses, right? It’s not a good to go from cutting raw meat to cutting vegetables.
With the Dewalt saw shown above, I only really needed to clean the front grip area, under the shoe plate, but I spent a few minutes wiping down the rest of it, and picking the grip area mostly clean. So aside from what needed to be done, I cleaned the rest of the tool out of habit.
Do you clean your tools? Why or why not?
Jason
I left a cutoff saw in the back of my pickup on accident before a snow storm, it looks much cleaner now
Len
Always clean dewalt saws blow off with airhose
Tbird
Yes I actually do lightly clean my cordless and corded with a little water and soap, and low air spray nozzle on my small trim compressor very delicatly thought
Scott
Best answer ever. And well done Jason. Cheers!!
William Fisher
I was tought use a tool then clean it and put it away that way your tools will always be clean when you need them.
MoogleMan3
Absolutely. The less grit and grim that get into the inner workings of my tools, the longer they’ll last. Plus, any mess on the tool often transfers to anywhere you place the tool. You don’t want your grit and grime spreading like the rona…
Mike McFalls
Agreed. I wipe all tools down after a full days use. It takes minutes at most and extends their life.
skfarmer
while not particularily anal about my tools i try to clean them up.
throw a muddy tool back in its storage space and you end up with a pile of dried dirt. or it falls off during the next project. if that happens to be in the middle of the wife’s kitchen…… well you get the idea.
who wants to use that greasy impact driver under the dash of your car or assembling shelves in the basement?
in other words. do i clean them every time? no but if they are filthy they at least get a quick wipe down so they are not a complete pain in the asss to use the next time.
Mr. Creek
I think for me it comes down to the price point per tool.
Julian
Painters are the worst. How much time does it take to throw a small sheet of plastic over a $1k+ paint sprayer? Another case of folks what didn’t pay for them don’t care about em.
Robert W ZIEMBA
You know who is really bad? The guys that pour self leveling cement for high rise apartments. Not so much about their tools, just about everyone else’s. You’re supposed to caulk or expanding-foam any floor holes larger than 1/4″ or tape anything smaller. If you don’t that thinset pours through holes like water. I was on a job where they were entirely indifferent about site prep, and filled a toolbox with a Milwaukee set in it on the floor below. On that same job, they filled 4x bathtubs and ruined $9K worth of countertops.
Julian
Hacks!
Bryan
It’s in the contracts that the builders are responsible for cleaning and ensuring the floors are sealed. Trades that make floor penetrations are responsible for fire caulking or sealing them. Not underlayment installers fault. Do your job correctly so they can do theirs. Serves you right, especially if you created those leaks.
garrett
I always clean my tools well, especially if the tool is expensive, intricate or goes into a case. I don’t go crazy, though – no cleaning products are used. Just a damp cloth and the occasional oil drop. I’ll blow out the vents to get as much dirt or sawdust as possible out of them, beforehand.
fred
My partners and I would often give a pep talk, at our offices or workout centers, reminding the crews about safety, work habits and cleanliness. Cleaning up after a job was not only focused on the jobsite (customer premises) but also included tools, equipment and trucks. There is nothing like arriving at a jobsite with a dirty truck, beat-up grungy tools, or a skid steer covered in mud to instill customer confidence (ha ha!) On our periodic site visits (management by walking around) we’d provide reminders and/or take corrective action. In our fixed businesses (cabinet shop and pipe/metal fabrication) – we also strived to keep tools, machinery and plant as clean as possible – good for the environment, for the workers and for business. When we acquired the fabrication business there was oil/grease, swarf, welding debris etc. all over the place. We immediately started a cleanup campaign, replaced what was needed and worked on ISO certification.
Jim Felt
fred. Every single legit contractor/workman we’ve engaged over the decades has been as respectful of their tools, safety and work environments as you’ve indicated.
Or they only worked one (sometimes even partial) job. No exceptions. And I’ve/we’ve no regrets. And we’ve engaged many of these folks/firms for decades.
Stuart’s example is an outlier both for himself and common sense. Not to mention actual net profit.
Jared
I clean all my tools, power or hand, if they get grease or oil on them. I don’t like having dirty hands and I’m not always wearing gloves (actually, I have an allergy to some oils, which has led to developing a habit of either working clean or in gloves).
On the other hand, I’m not fastidious about dust. I’ll blow or wipe them off if they’re so dusty I can’t bring them in the house or work without gloves, but not much else.
Jared
BTW, I really don’t like having to wash my hands just because I picked up a tool.
MattW.
I stress cleaning of tools on the jobsite often! That’s a shift on the weekend for one of the apprentice or me if none are working. I do find that transfer if dirt grease ect happens and it saves me money in the long run. One thing that .ay be odd to people is caulk guns must be clean ish after each use even though it’s a small amount of man hours. Just like having a decent apprentice with vehicles, cleaning up after your work a simple caulk gun not looking like a fly by night paint/drywall crew came in inspires confidence and cleanliness. Thoes few man hours gets us into people’s home when they tell there friends they left it cleaner from when they started. I do alot of these tasks as a Forman myself to show as well I don’t care who you can take care of company property including the vehicles. I also carry a veto bag onto job sites of purely personally owned and bought hand tools so its my money on the line there. Many of thoes are 50 to 90 years old and great and are rust free so a title wipe down is worth the effort. 3 in 1, wd40 and rags are in each tool bag in rhe shop/van for a reason. In rhe past if I had an employee that didn’t take care of things I made them buy and bring there own hand tools and impact its amazing how much it matters when it cost them money.
fred
We’d always lay down tarps to protect interior floors, furniture etc. We’d do the same for shrubbery and lawns. At the end of the day – helpers and apprentices were on broom, rake, blower and vacuum detail. If we knew that we’d be making lots of sawdust on a lawn – we’d send a truck out with one of our Billy Goat vacuums. We had at least one customer tell us that their exterior property never looked so clean after we finished a deck job and blew/vacuumed up everything that was not planted in the ground.
We also often used a demolition and debris removal company ant other subcontractors that were selected because of their quality/professional performance and being exceptionally clean and neat.
BTW – I see that Lowes sells Billy Goat vacuums
https://www.billygoat.com/na/en_us/products/leaf-litter-vacuums.html
Louie Orama
When it comes to tools, I have been mocked (in a friendly manner) for how clean they all look. What I have gotten the most is “Tools are SUPPOSED to get dirty. I definitely go overboard as I have a DeWalt shelf at home that holds about 35 tools (the FlexVolt Miter and FlexVolt Table take up a lot of that space) and they all look like they’ve never been used. I take a lot of time to keep them that way-a little too much.
For tools that have any rust, I have found that Evaporust (Harbor Freight/Ace/Wal*Mart… even Tractor Supply) works incredibly well as I can get every bit of the rust off.
Above it all, a few people mentioned the decency of their work truck. I am religious with both that and taking exceptional care of people’s homes. All you need to do is go into work about an hour early (or on a day off) and really categorize your truck, putting tools/supplies/machinery in the forefront so they are there for the taking. It may take time, but it saves more time not having to look for things that are buried. And a person’s home? Well…
I do restoration (water/fire/sewage/mold) and it’s a dirty job. First thing? Go to Dollar Tree or Ollie’s and spend whatever it takes ($20-$50) on a heap of entry rugs as they are $1 apiece. Simply dropping those rugs in various points of the house (front door and any door to a room you are working in) and putting 6 mil plastic down for your walkways not only saves you time for cleanup, but stops your customers from looking over your shoulder while you are working. That saves a ridiculous amount of time and only takes about 10 minutes to accomplish. That and having a homeowner see how clean your truck is will put them at ease, giving them the perception that you are going to take care of the home as if it were yours. I actually back into their driveways so I can show off how neat my truck is.
I actually do many other things, like creating a staging area for all supplies, reducing any trip hazards, remembering their pet’s names to bringing them coffee every day (restoration is a 3-5 day job on average) and many other things to build rapport. But by simply showing your cleanliness goes a long way and saves you time, looking over your shoulder and the incessant amount of questions that a customer will ask if they are uncomfortable.
I have seen the worst of the worst. Workers that leave their Monster cans all over the house, air movers falling out of the truck when they open the door, walking with an air mover in each hand while the plugs are dragging behind them… you name it.
There is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”
FACT.
MichaelT
I used my M18 sawzall to cut something in a very damp location. I wiped it down and that was all. The next week, when I tried to change the blade, the blade retainer was rusted enough to be inoperable and I had to tear the saw down to get things right. Lesson learned and chucks and retainers get a shot of WD-40 any time the work is wet. Otherwise, really just a wipe down if they are excessively dirty. I do keep my woodworking tools separate from my “traveling” work tools (e.g., I have a light weight drill that never leaves the shop, etc.)
rmkilc
I like to take my tools completely apart so yes, I generally clean them.
Wayne R.
I keep my stuff pretty clean, too, or all the reasons others do. Besides, it shows off all the hard-earned “patina”, which is usually pretty good.
On the other hand, nothing’s like a squeaky-clean, brand-new hardhat. Yipes.
Jungle Ed
I clean all my power tools after use, even if it is just to brush them off. When I use chain saw, hedger or weed eaters I take the time to clean them very well as they do get much more dirty than drills or saws do.
BigD
I always clean tool when I am done and sharpen or replace anything that needs it or broken. I always know it is ready to go next time. Rule my father a cabinet maker had and stuck with me. I wish more had!
Dave the tool
Always keep my tools clean whether powered or hand tools. Something passed down from my Dad I suppose. When using a powered sander or saw I pull out my air hose and blow the tool off especially anything near the vents. If I am working in an area where thorough cleaning the tool is not available then once I get back to the shop, tools are cleaned before storage. When working with other contractors I judge them (perhaps wrongly) at what their tools look like ie clean or filthy. I am older in my mid 50’s and perhaps it’s a generational thing or perhaps it’s because they’re my own tools and purchased by me? I think all would agree it’s human nature to not clean and take care of something that is not yours or that you didn’t purchase. That’s kind of the feeling I get when I see work teams with beat up and dirty tools.
Chris
Use one of these for all the dirt in the creases. Light soapy water and rag to wipe down. If not the dirt just falls everywhere you don’t want.
https://www.amazon.com/Grip-Clean-Heavy-Fingernail-Mechanics/dp/B07RDMQJQ9/
Obviously I don’t care what brand, this is just the first one I pulled up.
ca
I usually blow them off with an air compressor.
josh
My hand tools get cleaned after most uses. The power tools on the other hand not so much. I blow them out from time to time and maybe give them a quick wipe. If there slippery or grit is sticking to them then the will get wiped. If i buy a used tool i clean it up
Gordon
I heavily judge a contractor on how they maintain their truck and tools. If they aren’t willing to put effort into maintaining the tools needed to make money then what hope do I have that they’ll treat my needs with more respect? Stuff doesn’t need to be new, or pristine. It just needs to be cared for.
(Another great thing to observe is how they treat an apprentice or new guy. But that’s harder to plan and unrelated to cleaning tools.)
Personally I try to follow the same standards I set for others. I try to blow off sawdust before I put the compressor away which helps prevent big buildups. Same with wiping down greasy tools. Nothing worse than picking up a socket to assemble some Ikea furniture and getting grease all over everything.
When my daughters were teething, they really liked chewing on 1/4in ratchet handles. Its cool, chrome plated and easy for them to hold.
Louie Orama
How they treat the apprentice or new guy… very, VERY well said. Goes right in line with a girl judging a guy by how he treats his mom. All of these little things aren’t little-they’re GIGANTIC. Again, VERY good-err, GREAT point.
Joellikestools
I keep my personal tools moderately clean. I blow off the sawdust between uses and wipe of oil and grease. If I use them for messy plumbing jobs I might spray, wipe and then oil. I had job where we worked on greasy and grimy Machines constantly the cleanliness level of our tools was lower and harder to maintain. I left my personal tools with my coworkers there. There was no way to deep clean them well enough to bring home.
JoeM
I abso-friggin-lutely clean my power tools after using them. Considering how low my income is, versus how much they cost, they’re worth more than Gold Boulion to me!
I cannot, under any circumstances, leave it to chance that one of them may not turn on due to dried up dirt, oil, dust, or general shrapnel from the last thing they did. Bare minimum, I start with cans of compressed air (which I need to buy a new supply of, finding enough for my needs is increasingly difficult.) which I plan on replacing with a small air compressor of some sort. Anything that refuses to come off gets a gentle polishing by hand with a cloth or paper towel. Anything more stubborn than that, I will make a decision whether to pull out the cleaning supplies on my Rotary Tools to make a final in-the-crevices style powered attempt, or to use some sort of extremely small amount of fluid, water, vinegar, or some sort of straight up detergent, to get the last of it out. I always let it dry, and I fire it up once or twice in the middle to see if anything needs lubricant, or if there’s anything lodged in the mechanisms. In which case I’ll use Q-Tips, or a small dropper full of Olive Oil to test that theory.
Olive Oil? I hear you. Bad choice. Not good for permanent lubricant… and that’s the point. It’s only a lubricant long enough to prove lubricant is needed. The high speeds, and friction, power tools generate are enough to burn it off, leaving the smell of olive oil in the air. It’s a really, really bad idea, but I’m still looking for a more machine-safe equivalent of mineral oil to do the same. I’ve thought of WD-40, but it doesn’t work, it doesn’t so much “burn off” so much as “turn to fire in the process.” Relatively harmless for the tiny amounts I use, but at the same time… Really don’t want my tools, or my work area… or myself for that matter!… to suddenly catch fire.
My reciprocating saw needs some extra TLC right now, as does my Jigsaw, as I ran out of compressed air a couple years ago now. I’ve been looking into considering a variant of the FlexVOLT/20V Max/XR 2 Gallon Pancake Compressor with a hose and air gun to solve it… Though I’m torn between that and the Tire Inflator for the job… At the prices I’m seeing right now, I’m hoping to get some solution that I can get maximum usage out of them, not just air-cleaning my tools.
All of that said… Our tools are our lives, for the most part. Maintenance is part of the job, no matter how much, or how little, you use them. They have to be clean to ensure they maintain their optimum air flow through the motor compartment, as well as have all of their moving parts free of anything that may slow down, or interfere with, normal operations. I know my Dremel tools need a lot more babying than my DeWALT tools, and that’s probably why I get so obsessive about clean tools. My first power tool usage started with Dremel Rotary tools, and I learned from there. Just transferred to a larger format that needed a different set of tactics.
And frankly… I can’t afford to just… “Buy a New One” if something goes wrong. I don’t have that kind of liquid capital in my life, and my tools don’t make me money. So a tool bought, is a responsibility added. I can’t afford to be caught with unmaintained tools when the need arises. It’s a fine line between getting a job done, and seriously bad consequences for failure.
Jim Felt
Costco always seems to have the best value and supply of canned air. Even now.
JoeM
Sadly, not in the volumes I use it, Jim. They dislike it when you go to the shelf they’re selling it in 6 packs at, and clean them out. And asking for the 24 packs up here in the North is like asking for access to the Mexican Drug Cartel to see if they sell Peanut Brittle. Patently ridiculous, and borderline criminal, according to the store employees.
So, even though there’s one right around the corner from me, in my younger days… hell even just 4 years ago… I could walk there. Sadly, Compressed Air addiction, especially the Falcon XL TFT based Air Cans… Doesn’t justify the Costco membership fee. Other than that product alone, there’s really nothing there we buy.
But, otherwise, that used to be my one best place to get it. Hence why I’m considering the DeWALT Air Compressor, or Tire Inflator. Either one would pay for itself in replacing Air Dusters in a matter of weeks. Plus I think Atlas Tools up here has it for around $179 bare tool for the tire inflator… And I’m not sure the price of the two compressors… I think they hover in a reasonable $299-$499 range, depending on 20 or 60 Volt, Bare Tool or Kit form.
Between Saws, and Rotary Tools, plus actually… y’know… Dusting the house/cleaning ceiling fans… That would pay for itself in the same value of Air Dusters in… 2 months to a year? I’m admittedly bad at Math, but good at pattern prediction… The way things are going, ideally, I could definitely use both the tire inflator and a small pancake compressor from the new lines. Only question is…. Which compressor, in this case? I don’t need it for much, compressed air and the odd air brushing usage, at most?
Rambling. Sorry Jim. I do, totally, understand the Costco route! I used to use it! Sadly, doesn’t suit my needs anymore. But high fives for the backup man!
Eric R
You can refill aerosol cans
I use a tubeless tire valve and a m12 inflator
I have used a air compressor but wasn’t sure how much psi I was putting in
Take the nozzle off the can
Jamb the valve over the top
Inflate
I use it on lubrication cans that lose pressure in the cold/truck
Google is your friend
JoeM
Yeah, that doesn’t work on Air Duster cans. They use TFT (Tetrafluorothene) as the compressor agent. 99% reduction in Ozone damage compared to CFCs.
Downside? No way to replenish TFT compared to CFCs. Jam air into an empty/freezing TFT can (if you can even get the top off at all) all you’re doing is creating a compressed air bomb. Air goes in, valve stops working. TFT also happens to be safer around Computers, since it evaporates at a much lower temp than CFC propellants, and the byproduct is effectively water ice with a bit of Fluoride added. That, too, evaporates at air temperature, which means no moisture on the circuit boards. Can that blow a metal shard off a reciprocating saw, and embed it a football field away? No… But it can blow it out enough to clean it out. It’s safer, hence why it took over after the CFC bans.
TFT is still used in some paint and lubricant cans as well, but it’s not an Aerosol. TFT + Air is sadly not something you can refill. I looked! I googled! If there’s nothing else in the can to propel, putting more air in won’t work. You need more TFT, and they don’t sell that to the public.
You can freeze flies and hornets in mid-air if you turn it upside-down when you spray it though! Learned that one from my boss one day, when he freaked out at a flying insect that buzzed by our faces… He panicked, grabbed a can turned it upside down and held down the trigger… Standard summer housefly dropped to the bench and bounced across the surface, covered in ice crystals. Stuff gets fun if you’re bored and immature as we were at the time.
fred
I learn something new every day. Thanks for the tutorial.
MM
I’m a stickler about keeping my tools and my machines clean. But that said, I find that I don’t have to clean most of my power tools very often. Normally it’s real simple: blow or vac off the sawdust or other debris, maybe give the tool a quick wipe down with a rag. It’s rare that they get any kind of crud on them that requires a lot of effort to get clean. Of course if I do drop my recip saw in the mud or spill drywall compound on the OMT then yeah, I clean that up, but that kind of thing is rare. Normally I just shop vac or air-hose off the dust and that’s about all I find is necessary.
Now my OPE gets a lot dirtier than my power tools and I’m a stickler about cleaning every tool before it gets put away. I’m also a stickler about maintenance schedules like greasing the gearbox in my brushcutter and hedge trimmer, the clutch bearings in my chainsaws, etc. Oil, filter, spark plug changes, etc.
Hon Cho
I’m bipolar with regard to tool cleaning. I advocate cleaning as I go and putting away tools clean and ready for the next job. However, there are some tools that become sacrificial in unpredictable ways and they get used, abused, neglected until they no longer fulfill a useful role. At that point, they are sold, given away or just thrown away. I have a couple of very abused tools that just won’t give up–most notably a DeWalt corded angle grinder and a B&D Professional 1/2″ drill that gets used to mix mud. They have more than earned their cost many times over and can honorably display their wear and grime.
Al
in this order:
shake it
brush
compressed air
damp rag
dry rag
WD-40
wax for the saw tables
It’s not hard to keep 2 rags around while you’re working.
garrett
Forgot to add…my shop is a large metal uninsulated building in Central Texas. Every time I clean the tablesaw, drill press, etc…the Slipit is applied generously to all the tables. Necessary part of the cleaning process, for me.
Koko The Talking Ape
I clean all my tools before I put them away, and depending on the tool, wipe them with an oily rag. The exception is my ROS, which seems to attract dust electrostatically. It’s almost impossible to blow or brush or wipe off all the dust, so I let it stay a little dusty.
Kingsley
No, they’re all filthy. My brother’s tools look sparkling, like new. Not because he cleans them, because he never uses them!!!
HushHouse254
It is good practice to keep all tools in a serviceable condition. Clean, inspect and lubricate as required to maintain protection from corrosion. Broken parts should be repaired or replace to include batteries. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way. Nothing is worse than reaching for something in the middle of a job and the tool is filthy or broken and doesn’t work.
MikeIt
I didn’t think much about cleaning my tools until I had an angle grinder that would smoke and spark and be hard to start. I finally decided to replace it but before I tossed it in the garbage I took apart just to see what happened to it. I found loads of iron filings, bits and debris from over the years. I cleaned it up, sanded the rotor clean and lubed up some parts and now it works just fine. Now I at least brush or shoot compressed air on my tools before putting them away.
Jason. W
Back when i used tools as part of my daily job i would give them a quick clean every day. The reason for this was that I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. One day I may be demoing out a whole house and they become really dirty. But the next day may only require two tools to make a quick fix inside someone’s clean house. I wouldn’t want the debris from yesterdays work making a mess on todays job. If I knew that I would be on one job site for multiple days I would wait till the end of that job before cleaning them.
The daily cleaning consisted of a quick wipe down and hit with the shop vac. probably once a month I would deep clean them with a non abrasive cleaner for anything plastic/rubber and use a rust remover/preventive on all the metal tools.
I took pride in my work and always relate my tools as a reflection of my self. I would not show up to someone’s house looking filthy and a mess, my tools shouldn’t look that way either.
bob
always clean my tools.
my tools, make me money
main reason i dont buy dewalt yellow.
it gets dirty, it stays dirty. cant seem to clean up, as red does
taras
One thing that was overlooked about cleaning tools is that it gives you a chance to visually inspect them. You’re not just cleaning off sort and grime that might contaminate something else, you’re removing a layer that might be hiding a break, crack, or defect. It’s a safety issue as well.
MFC
If anything prevents the tool from functioning properly or efficiently, then yes.
Munklepunk
If they get dirty they get cleaned, but I’m not washing them unless they get actually dirty like when i had to cut a tree branch in a muddy hole with my recip, that sucker was caked. Usually a leaf blower is sufficient.
I got a Makita brushless drywall screwgun for twenty bucks because “piece of crap just stopped working “. The thing made a sound like a dying elephant and looked like it had been dragged behind a truck. I pulled it apart and I think it was submerged in drywall mud and then wiped off and put away. Lots of cleaning and it works great, but I don’t make installing drywall a regular part of my job so it might actually be bad. A great $20 spent.
Brian M
They make me money, why not take care of them?
I don’t get people who buy tools and just abuse them to hell, then they complain when their whatever “barely lasted a year”…when it’s been 5 years and they’ve thrown it off a roof eight times.
Nathan
a clean tool is a happy tool – words to live by.
and I try to keep other machinery clean too.
but I’m not fastidious about it. Depends on the item and purpose right.
Example I used a 1/2 inch auger bit in the dirt last spring, for something (I forget what) – so once done cleaned it off and blasted it with a touch of WD 40.
When I oil change I wipe off the ratchet etc if any gets on it. When I use my impact driver on the car I wipe it off with some citrus degreaser. but only after the entire task is done.
I’m not cleaning mid operation unless I have to. But my impact driver for example still has some “color” to it in places – I don’t scrub it hard for example.
I would say an worker that doesn’t respect their tools that help them earn money doesn’t seem to respect much else either. At least in my history.
to the question yes I’d have cleaned up that saw too Stuart. and I’d probably run some citrus degreaser over that as I find it does help get stuff out of the molded over rubbers.
Brian
The best tool I ever purchased was the small Dewalt blower. Every tool gets a quick blowout before going back in its box or into the pro master. Keeps things clean and working every time I pick it up. Which equals time which equals money. Having to stop to fix a tool or go buy a new one is not billable time.
Coach James
I wipe off hand tools if they get dirty or greasy. Power tools get brushed off, with more time spent on saws. Chain saws get brushed and wiped off plus taken apart twice a year and cleaned.
Coach
Josh
I do decks and fences so im in the mud a lot and I mitigate having to clean my tools by simply not placing them where they’ll get dirty, im cutting wood I hook the saw on either the saw horses or on the framing, if im pruning greenery I place my sawzall or chainsaw on a pile of wood not in the mud. My impact driver and drills always get clipped to my or holstered in my bags. Etc. Ive never had to “clean” my tools cause I dont get them dirty (aside from sawdust) in the first place. I always have my little 20v blower handy to shoot air in all the tools AND tool boxes at the end of the day. Nothing worst than transitioning to inside work and have a mountain of sawdust and dirt pour out of your toolboxes lol
Brian
I work in an industrial/commercial plumbing setting. Solder, flux, cutting oil, rusty water, raw sewage, boiler condensate, it all gets on the tools. A wipe down and some WD-40 on the dirtiest tools is usually sufficient. Add in some sanitizer when cleaning up sewage splashes. Cleaning almost always happens during an unexpected day off. The pace of work is too extreme to allow me to pause and actually detail clean my tools regularly. But my tools are stored in a bag or bucket and than are kept where they won’t be covered in whatever we are working on. Generally my tools stay relatively clean.
The only exception to the above are my concrete tools which are always cleaned right away after use.
I have a special set of tools for the very rare times when I have to enter and work in an occupied space.
John B.
I was taught to clean everything before putting it away. Big tools unplugged or powered down when I leave the shop. So yes, I would clean that saw. The only thing I don’t do is sharpen tools, since I always do that when I first use them.
Carol
I ran Tool Rental and learned alot from Techs, vendors. You should clean your tools after use. Especially dusty environments. The dirt eventually will get in the Mothers, and interferes with workings. We used shop vacs, brushes, etc to get initial surface and vent, opening in tools.
We always tested tools as well. Periodically they had to be opened and inspected. With deep cleaning, lubes according to manufacturers instructions added since they were heavily used.
You can call up manufacturers and find service centers that can take them apart to check them. If a pro and use it daily, recommend every other year. If occasional use less often. Exception. Are wood sanders, concrete tools. They need more maintenance.
Mark
I use those hand cleaning wipes in a drum to clean up dirty power tools and hand tools. Can’t stand grabbing a wrench or screwdriver that’s got oil or grease left from the last job it did. If you take care of the tools, they take care of the work. My Milwaukee combo set still looks new after 10 years of use.
Mike M.
I had many power tools go thru a flood about 20 years ago. I took the tools apart, rinsed them with clean tap water, dried them thoroughly with compressed air, and used various lubricants on the metal and electrical parts. All but 1 Dremel still run to this day.
Amish Mike
Saw dust or dry things I use an air hose or rag. Hand tools with grease or oil gets isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits and then go over with wd-40. Power tools with grime or gunk get a lightly damp Mr. Clean magic eraser, that’s the secret sauce to cleaning most things off
Rich
No I never clean my tools because it will only allow more dirt in.. They are tested to be treated dirty as in the construction field.. Contractors do not allocate down time to do heavy cleaning.. Wipe them down yes, oil them yes and use the proper tool for the job. Most often as the person is using the wrong tool because of bad habits.
Chris
Clean tools last longer, period. Also not abusing them or leaving them exposed to harsh conditions, will go a long way. Try not to drop them either. I’m a bit neurotic, especially if I buy the tool new. I want them to look new forever. After I use them, I’ll blow out all the vents, and wipe off any grease or grime with a rag sprayed with some WD-40 on it.
Greg
Always clean my tools and lubricate them when finished at a job. Blow any dust out of them.
Tools are expensive and if you look after them they will last a long time.
I have tools that are 40 to 50 years old and still in good condition after a lifetime on the job.
Sam
No lol. If it’s soaked in oil then I’ll wipe it a little off. Lmao
Wesley
The last 20 min. Of my work day is cleaning time for tools, work area, which is also a prep time for the next day. Clean tools seems to work better and last longer.
Justin
I work in the structural steal business and fix expensive tools all the time and electronics degreaser is my primary for just cleaning the inside of the electricial tool, what’s also great us you can spray it while the tool is energized. This product will also clean the rubberized material on tools as well as clean cable jackets to make them look new. Pretty much any electronics degreaser will work though.
CRC 19 oz. Lectra Clean Heavy-Duty Degreaser
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-19-oz-Lectra-Clean-Heavy-Duty-Degreaser-02018-6/100111937
SKU# 100111937
Al
Clean orderly tools = faster more efficient work. If a tool needs repaired it’s easy to pull out of service and have repaired, plus properly working tools and a clean orderly site means OSHA will know we care and the rep is more flexible and not as critical during their inspection.
I vacuum and wipe off power tools when needed. I never use compressed air since it may blow and lodge dirt, etc. in motors and other sensitive parts thus damaging a perfectly good tool.
Joachim Osmundsen
Some years ago at our worksite we forgot a Bosch drill driver in a gutter for around a year. Both tool and I also think battery worked fine
blocky
This is the content I came for. Thank you!
Daniel Johnson
I always clean my tools because without them working as designed there useless to me. I mostly work by myself because in over 40 years of being in the trades I have found only a small amount of apprentices, laborers and even friends that want to help me while I’m at their house will not care about the tools, truck and job sites. I have a craftsman shop vac that is like an extension of my right hand. I take it on 90% of my jobs. The original filter lasted 13 years. I reverse the hose to the discharge side and use it as a blower. (Filter is removed) I have a concentric adapter that fits perfectly into the hose so while blowing off the filter and canister works better than any of my 3 air compressors. I even use my electric power washer to wash the filter on sunny days and it dries the same day. I use it to blow out my very expensive furnace filter once a month as well as other filters in equipment I have. When I have the concentric adapter in the hose on the suction side I suck the dirt out of the vents on my power tools. I don’t want to blow dirt, metal shavings or anything else into the motor. All my tools are keep clean and in good working order. The jaws of my pipe wrenches, channelocks and other tools that have gripping teeth are wire brushed and I use plumber’s grease on the moving parts of them. After cleaning a lot of power tools I use either wd-40 with lithium or the plumber’s grease. I just love having old tools with steel or aluminum bodies that work as well as they did when they were new. I’m not cheap, I’m thrifty. I have devised a way to cut Sawzall blades that are either worn out or broken. I was given an old Milwaukee Sawzall in a metal case that was manufactured in the 70’s. I cleaned and lubricated it and it works great. The box had over 50 blades in it that were either broken or worn out. I salvaged 38 of them. I learned in my apprenticeship that if you use it to make money then keep it clean and in good working condition. I have so many hacks and shortcuts that when people see me doing one of them they always ask how and why then say they are going to do it. To long of a post but 1 more thing. I have several Purdy paint brushes. I never put them in a for longer than 3 hours and I use an old fashioned metal cat comb when I clean them and place them back in the original sleeve. A lot of my brushes are more than 10 years old and there a couple close to 20 years old. None of the things I listed here takes a lot of time because they are things I’ve been doing for so long I really don’t think twice about them.
Dave P
No, time is money and we are tired when we quit, or have another paying job to get to.
Maintenance–like lubing the blade locking mechanism on a sawzall–which is VERY IMPORTANT, cleaning the mud out of vents, blowing concrete dust out of the motors, etc.–yes, we always do that. We USE our tools hard and sometimes abuse them when there’s no alternative (getting the job done is always our top priority), however we don’t pet or stroke them.
But no, I don’t care in the least how my tools look/appear.
This thread reminds me of a cousin of mine–always washing and waxing his car but he’d go 10,000 miles between oil changes……..
MFC
I once took out my Dewalt radio and pressure washed it (without a battery in it) and then plugged a battery into it while it was still wet and it was fine. Looked brand new. Still running 3 years later.
Thomas Campbell
Absolutely. About every third or fourth day of using them. It also depends on how dirty they get each day. I have done it every day on certain jobs.
Richard
every time i hired a piece of plant equipment i jet wash it down, keeps the hire company happy keeps the debris on site for clean-up or off the drive along with it hiding the evidence of how deep ive had the digger past its tracks :D.
it also helps when greasing the nipples for a service .
as for power tools normally give them a blast with low power air duster and a wipe with some workshop wet wipes or damp shop towels .
the lathe is dusted down after every days use and oiled weekly and the porta band is brushed out after every use as the cuttings/swarf get absoutly everywhere
charles anderson
I don’t mind dust so much, but I will give them a wipe down with a rag and a multi surface cleaner. If it is greasy, some simple green. Once cleaned, I will wipe down the steel surfaces with a rag with some 3 in 1 oil to slow the rust a bit. I check the battery opening and contacts before I seat a battery, and I will give that area extra effort.
I don’t go full OCD on it, more to extend their useful life than to win a beauty contest.
Troy Smith
Clean your tools. There are parts and crevices there you may never see and they will allow dirt and grit to enter. Big dirt will not hurt, grit and grime will destroy any moving part. I knew a man who owned a very large earth moving company. Once a month every piece of equipment he owned from a hand held packer to a D8 Cat. got a steam cleaning. He said was best money he ever spends.
nothing
me and my dad do clean tools. one time we used a dewalt dcs438 3″ cutoff tool to cut drywall and even with the dust port on a vac it was still covered in dust but i cleaned it
Edward Sichler
I clean all of my tools. I got this habit was I was old enough as per my dad to mow the yard. I remember clearly the first time I did the yard when it was done I rolled the mower into the driveway and my dad came out with a tool I have never seen before. Jr, this a bellows and you pull the handles out to take in air and then push them together to blow the air out. He showed me how to clean the top area of the mower and then how to use a paint scraper to clean out the grass and other build up under the deck. From that point on he showed me how to clean anything we used that were tools, did not matter if is was a screwdriver or a chainsaw. I am now working to do this with my son in law, just another great adventure to embark on .