Make them last
Tool maintenance
A checklist for every tool type, with the step-by-step guide and the manual one tap away.
By tool type
Maintenance checklists
Drill, driver, impact driver
- Blow out vents after dusty work
- Wipe the chuck; check it grips tight
- Replace worn and impact-cracked bits
- Clean battery contacts if the tool cuts out
Circular, miter and recip saws
- Clean pitch off blades; replace dull blades
- Check the lower guard snaps back freely
- Inspect cords and plugs
- Check the base or fence is square
Angle grinder
- Check guard and side handle every use
- Never exceed the disc RPM rating
- Blow out vents; grinders pull in metal dust
- Replace brushes on brushed models
Rotary hammer
- Grease SDS bit shanks
- Clean the chuck
- Gearbox service at the manual's interval
- Respect duty cycle on heavy demo
Chainsaw (gas or battery)- Sharpen the chain each tank or charge
- Check chain tension cold
- Fill bar oil every fuel-up
- Clean air filter and bar groove
String trimmer and blower- Clean air filter
- Replace fuel filter yearly (gas)
- Check spark arrestor screen
- Use fresh 50:1 or the listed ratio
Lawn mower
- Yearly tune-up: plug, oil, filter
- Sharpen and balance blade
- Scrape the deck
- Fresh fuel or stabilizer
Batteries and chargers- Store partly charged, out of heat
- Don't charge below freezing
- Retire swollen or cracked packs
- Recycle dead packs; tape terminals