My thanks to Graham Cann for the folowing article that he has written for us. Please feel free to forward on to me anything that I can use on this website to help other volunteers or just to let everyone know what volunteering activities you have been involved with.
TOOLS
’A bad workman always blames his tools’
A well known quote which is as true today as it was fifty years ago.
Properly looked after there is no reason why the tools you use today should not be used by your children and their children in years to come.
Tools, generally fall into two categories hand and power (using compressed air, motor, electric, or battery and include strimmers, brush cutters etc). Most common are those used for measuring and marking, drilling holes, driving (not number 9 iron), holding, cutting, sharpening, etc.
The principals of fit for use, properly cleaned and maintained apply to all tools, though power tools probably require more maintenance in order to give good performance throughout its working life. Volunteers who wish to use power tools must be trained and hold appropriate certification.
The cost of buying tools is a big incentive to buy good quality tools that with proper care will last. Using the wrong size screwdriver on a screw or using a screwdriver as a lever is asking for trouble. In the case of an ordinary chisel. It may start out life with a blade about five inches long, but if you look after it there is no reason why it should not give good service when it is only an inch long. But all too often a chisel is discarded before its useful life is over . The usual reason being either the handle has split due to being repeatedly hit with a hammer or the blade has snapped off when the chisel was being used as a lever and nobody could be bothered to regrind or rehone it.
Cheap tools are dangerous – they may slip, bend, twist or break when under load,
Since the majority of hand tools are made from steel, rust is probably their biggest enemy. This is not a problem when tools are kept in a centrally heated house, but when they are kept in garage or shed they will soon rust unless preventative action is taken. All that is necessary is for each tool to be wiped over with a oily rag after use. Making sure sawdust is removed from between the teeth of saws. When wiping down chisels and similar tools always wipe from the handle end to the tip in order to avoid cutting yourself.
Cleaning: Mud and soil must be cleaned off spade and four candles (fork handles) before it has a chance to dry. Otherwise when next used the lumps of soil left on the handle will be uncomfortable to say the least. A clean tool will be easy to grip, it will be safer and more efficient. Paint brushes should be cleaned after use otherwise they will go hard and will need replacing.
Storage: Tools which are required to be kept sharp to function should be stored in such a manner that cutting edges are protected. This can be by dividing up drawers or by hanging up on a hook.
Maintenance is carried out to prevent failure or to restore equipment to required specification. Manufactures instructions are to be followed. – although the old saying ‘if it moves oil it, if it stands still paint it’ is a good starting point, A blunt chisel will
tear rather than slice through wood and a blunt plane will be difficult to use. Sharpening cutting blades, correct adjustment, and ensuring machine guards are correctly fitted and adjusted are all routine maintenance tasks which could be undertaken on a wet and windy day.
And finally good workshop practice –where is that wrench, I know it’s here somewhere ?. Is the workshop clean, is the workshop pride of place or a place for dumping.
Oh and don’t forget the cup of tea!!-to contemplate what to do next.
I thought you were going to fix the wheelbarrow!