Tools Maintenance

This page summarizes common maintenance procedures that span multiple tools.  If a given tool’s wiki page does not have a section on maintenance then whatever applies below should be performed.  If there is a maintenance section for a given tool, then what applies below is in addition to whatever else is listed (unless specifically excluded in that tool’s maintenance section.)

This page is a work in process and all its lists are subject to change or extension.  Always check this page for the latest recommended maintenance procedures.

Annual maintenance is in addition to periodic maintenance, but typically once per year.   A tool like the tablesaw that experiences extensive use might need annual maintenance more often.

Makers and editors of tool wiki pages should provide links to this page instead of repeating any information covered here.  If what is here isn’t correct for that tool it might be best to update this page

All Tools

All tools should be clean, be in good working order, and be ready for use at the end of periodic maintenance.  If it isn’t ready for use, it should be marked down.

Periodic Maintenance

Verification:

• Verify that the asset tag can be read and the QR code leads to the corresponding wiki page
• Check if there are important stickers or tags on the tool that cannot be read

Cleaning:

• Cleaning: Vacuum out all sawdust that can be reached
  • Remove throat plate
  • Open all access doors
  • Remove dust collection tube if possible
  • Use smaller tip for harder to reach areas
  • Blow dust out of the motor and any parts that cannot be reached by a vacuum by using the small compressor.  You can reduce the billowing of dust by doing this with the cyclone on and its feed tube arranged to catch some of the dust that blows out.
• After all other maintenance operations below are complete: verify operation of the tool by using it in a typical way

Annual Maintenance

• Annual maintenance is generally tool-specific.

All Tools With Cords

Periodic Maintenance

• Examine the entire cord from plug all the way to the tool.  Look for wear, cracks, cuts or breaks that expose the insulated wires within.  If you can see any of the wires inside, mark the tool down.
• If the plug has been replaced on the cord, check that all the wires are inside the enclosure of the new plug.  If you can see any of the wires when looking from the side, mark the tool down.
• If the leaves of the plug look burned, the plug will have to be replaced, or the tool may have a problem with its motor and is drawing too much power.  Mark the tool down if the plug is physically burned.  The tool should be diagnosed to find out if it is using too much power.

Annual Maintenance

• Examine the rubber flange where the cord enters the tool.  Make sure it isn’t missing or damaged.  That flange prevents damage to the cord where it enters the tools.  If necessary use RTV glue to protect the cord where it enters the tool, or replace the rubber flange if practical.

All Tools With Steel Tabletops

Periodic Maintenance

• After cleaning, remove any glue by scratching it off with a plastic blade or a razor/utility knife blade held at a narrow angle to the table, like shaving.
• Remove any pitch using low-odor mineral spirits (preferably) or acetone (sparingly) for very stubborn problems.
• Check the miter gauge slots (if any) for glue and pitch and address as above if needed.
• Examine the table for any defects that include a raised edge that could interfere with sliding wood along it.  If there is a serious problem with the table, such as a gash that catches wood fibers, mark the tool down.
• Wax the table with Johnson Paste Wax.  A thin coat is all that is needed.  An amount about the volume of a quarter would be enough for the tablesaw, the jointer needs about a nickel-sized volume.  You are essentially trying to evenly wet the surface with wax and then wipe off any excess.  You should not see any streaks when you are done.
• If there is a miter gauge, make sure it is in good working order, if it is serviceable but not in good condition, mark the tool as up and note what the problems are with the miter gauge.

Annual Maintenance

• Examine the table for any raised dents and sand with 600 grit carborundum paper on a flat sanding block.  Carefully clean off all metal filings from the sanding process using multiple cleaning passes with paper towels and low-odor mineral spirits, until a fresh paper towel is clean after wiping the sanding area.
• Clean the entire table and all slots with low-odor mineral spirits and rewax the entire tabletop and the slots

All Tools With Removable Blades With Carbide Teeth

Tools with carbide teeth include the tablesaw, jointer, panel saw, circular saw, track saw, chop saw and all router bits.

Periodic Maintenance

• Examine every tooth.  If more than 5% are broken or missing that blade is probably not worth keeping.  A 40-tooth blade could be missing up to 2 teeth and still be usable.  If more than 5% of the teeth are damaged or missing the blade should be replaced with a spare.  If there is no spare in stock and no other suitable replacement (even with a different number of teeth) then mark the tool as down and note that it needs a new blade.
• Remove damaged router bits and put them… TBD.  Possibly they should be thrown away, but somehow it should be reported, TBD.
• Examine the blade plate to see that it isn’t bent.  Spin it if possible and observe that it doesn’t wobble.
• Look for buildup of glue, lignin, pitch and other substances adjacent to the cutting edge.  These can be scraped off with a razor blade or utility knife.  WEAR GLOVES!

Annual Maintenance

• Remove the blade and examine the arbor and nut or screw that secures the blade.  Look for signs of wear that could interfere with holding the blade.  Look for stripped or worn threads.  Mark the tool down if the blade cannot  be secured without spinning using a reasonable amount of force on the locking nut or screw.

All Tools With Removable Blades With Integrated Teeth

Tools with integrated teeth include the bandsaws, jigsaws, and the oscillating multitool.

Periodic Maintenance

• Examine the entire length of the blade.  Use chalk to mark the beginning of your examination on the bandsaw to be sure you observe the entire length of both sides.
• Look for obvious signs of damage and wear:
  • Bent, damaged or missing teeth
  • Cracks, especially at the weld of a bandsaw blade
  • If more than 5% of the teeth are damaged or if there are any cracks at all anywhere in the blade then the blade must be replaced.  if there is no replacement then mark the machine as down.
• Look for buildup and clean.  Remove the blade if needed.  Buildup can be a combination of sawdust, glue, resin/pitch and very fine metal shavings.  Use an exacto knife or utility blade to scrape off glue.  Use low-odor mineral spirits to remove pitch.

Annual Maintenance

• TBD

All Tools With Adjustable Tables or Blades

Almost all tools either have adjustable blades or adjustable tables or bases so that you can adjust the angle of one with respect to the other, allowing you to cut bevels.  The chop saw allows two independent adjustments of the blade with respect to its table, in addition to depth of cut.

Periodic Maintenance

• After cleaning, exercise entire range of motion and check for obstructions within and around the tool.
• Check whether the stop at 0º is accurate.  If not, manually set the blade to 90º using an aluminum speed square or other reference, and then adjust the 0º stop so it is accurate.
• If the table moves (like the bandsaws and drill press) check that the knobs or hardware that secure the table are present and working.
• If the blade moves (like the tablesaw and chop saw) check that the locking knobs  are in good working order

Annual Maintenance

• TBD

All Tools With Abrasives

Tools with abrasives include the oscillating spindle sander, hand sander, the thickness sander and the many handheld power sanders.

Periodic Maintenance

• After cleaning, remove abrasive.
• If the abrasive slides over a platen, examine it for signs of wear that would damage the underside of the abrasive.  Clean any accumulated debris.
• If the abrasive us attached to a platen, examine it for signs of wear that would damage the underside of the abrasive or interfere with it being secured.
• Use compressed air to clean inside the tool. Use the cyclone to reduce billowing of dust.
• Replace the abrasive for small sanding tools.  Replace the abrasive on the drum sander only if it is in excellent condition.

Annual Maintenance

• TBD

All Tools With Belts

Periodic Maintenance

• Check whether the belt is worn, frayed, cracked or deteriorating.  If the belt shows significant signs of wear, replace the belt if there is one in stock.  If not, mark the tool as up but needing belt replacement.  Replace the belt in the next maintenance cycle or when it arrives.

Annual Maintenance

• TBD

All Tools with Fences

Periodic Maintenance

• After cleaning, examine the fence for signs of damage, especially raised edges that could interfere with sliding wood.
• Check that the fence is parallel to the table slots if any.
• Then check that the fence is parallel to the blade (tablesaw, bandsaws, router table) or perpendicular to the blade (jointer).
• For tools with an adjustable fence angle (jointer) use an aluminum speed square or other reference to check and if necessary set the 90º stop.

Annual Maintenance

• TBD