Tool Maintenance (and grubby fingers)

I cannot honestly say that I take excellent care of my tools. At best I take good enough care of them. One can always strive for more, but the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take stock, and spring is the time to act.

Certain tools begin to get taken for granted. My Flex Shaft, for example, is such an extension of my hands that I forget that it exists. My laser welder is so useful that I cannot conceive of it not working. There just isn’t available brain space for that kind of nonsense. My steel blocks, mandrels, cutters, and vises look so regal and charming on their shelf that I forget about rust that occurs just because the days keep on coming (and they exist in North Carolina’s wet air). All that to say, my Flex Shaft needs to be entirely take apart , cleaned, oiled and put back together. My laser welder is on the fritz and needs to be taken apart, whispered to, and put back together, and everything else needs a good cleaning and oiling. My drill bits need sharpening (yes, you can sharpen drill bits!), and my scrap needs refining… the list goes on and on like a CVS receipt.

Behind all of the glittering gold and sparkly gems are grubby fingers, greasy wheels, and lovingly (if not begrudgingly) maintained machines full of personality and sentimental value.