Machine tools are valuable on multiple levels. For one thing, these tools certainly are not inexpensive, with some of them costing hundreds of dollars individually. For another, it can be difficult to execute the work that many people rely upon without properly functioning machine tools. These tools have a wide variety of different uses, including boring, facing, and turning.
But as strong as tools used for machining may seem, they’re not without their weaknesses and vulnerabilities. They can become corroded over time if they’re not stored carefully or cleaned as needed. Additionally, these tools can be damaged as they’re used. This is why it’s important that you have a Phoenix machine shop on hand for repairs and inspections. But many who use these tools don’t understand the basics of preventing damage. That’s why we’re offering some tips on caring for your machining tools. The more careful you are, the less you’ll need to pay in machine shop repair costs.
1. Lubricate Them
If you take your tools to Phoenix machine shops due to premature damage, it may very well be because you didn’t lubricate your tools properly. Specifically, you need to lubricate the moving parts of the tools. Tools that are used daily should also be checked daily to ensure that the joints, internal components, and moving parts are lubricated.
The reason why this is so important is that the friction caused when tools are used without lubrication can be quite damaging. This is one of the main issues that cause tools to break down. Different lubrication may be more effective for different types of tools, which is why you should ask a repair technician for recommendations when seeking regular machine shop services.
2. Clean Them Regularly
The reality is that your tools may not be as clean as you think they are. Nobody wants to keep dirty tools, of course. But it’s easy to put off cleaning them after a job simply because that takes time, and you’re probably tired. However, putting off cleaning your tools can have real consequences and may have you taking them to a Phoenix machine shop for repairs well before you’d initially planned to do so.</p.
Dirty tools can actually cause machines to become clogged with flammable or otherwise hazardous materials, creating risks for those working on them as well. Grime can also prevent your tools from working at optimal levels, sometimes even shortening their lifespans by years. You should have a specific schedule set in place for cleaning your tools in order to prevent these issues from happening.
3. Sharpen Your Tools
It can be difficult for these tools to work at their ideal functionality if they’re not sharpened as needed. Tools that are made for slicing, cutting, or sharpening should be regularly inspected for sharpness. You may expend unnecessary time and energy on attempting to make blunt tools work the way you would like them to, when in reality they simply need to be sharpened.
If your tools are overly blunt, visit a Phoenix machine shop for advice. The technicians there can not only sharpen your tools for you but advise you as to how you can keep your tools sharpened and avoid this situation becoming recurring.
4. Keep Them Dry
It’s important to invest time in preventative care. This way, you can avoid spending money on premature repairs and replacements. A key part of preventing damage to your tools is keeping them as dry as possible.
Store your tools somewhere clean, cool, and dry. Otherwise, they can be exposed to the elements and develop rust and other pollutants. This way, your equipment will last longer.
5. Invest in Good Accessories
You not only need to invest in good accessories but maintain them as well as possible. Your accessories are just as important as your tools themselves, and you should keep this in mind as you visit different machine shops.
Apply the same measures to your accessories as you do to your tools. Generally speaking, they’re often made of the same materials, with some alterations. But if you’re working with bad accessories, you’re also working with bad tools.
Remember: these tools are investments made in your job. Take their care and keeping seriously, and they’ll last for years.
