Big Bear's Rules For Tools

I love tools.  They help us to create, make, build, fix...  At the same time, they make it safer and easier to do those things.  They allow us to do more than we might just using our own physical strengths. 

Like everything else in life,  we find there are some common sense "rules" or practices and mindsets we want to apply and stick to when it comes to using our fantastic tools.

Rule #1: Use the right tool 

Tools are usually invented and made with specific uses and purposes in mind.  When a tool starts to become less than useful or more of a hindrance than a help in a certain application,  a more specialized version is usually the result or sometimes even a whole new and different tool is created to do that particular task, or set of tasks, better.

It's almost ALWAYS worth looking for and getting the tool made to do a particular task than to use a tool that isn't.   Yes, you might get by in a pinch, maybe, or maybe not.  You run the risk of damaging the work piece, the tool,  or yourself.  Maybe all of the above.

Using the right tool for the job is more likely to make sure that things go as intended instead of exploding in your face.

Rule #2: Learn The Tool

Once you've gotten the right tool for the job, make sure you're using it right. Yes, some tools seem self evident in their application, even obvious.  But, all tools aren't made the same.  Read the user manual to make sure the manufacturer didn't sneak in some inferior quality or less than marketed capabilities.   They do that sometimes. 

Make sure you know the tool's limits.  The range of it's capabilities.   Don't set yourself up for failure, or worse, to void the warranty by doing something they hid the necessary information in the manual somewhere.  They are counting on people to just grab and go then doing something that seems should make sense only to find out, it breaks the tool or damages it in a way that you can't get it fixed or replaced.

It helps you to do a better job also.   By know the features, functions, adjustments,  capacities,  etc...  you're less likely to cause harm or damage to the work piece, yourself, or someone else in the area who never saw it coming because you couldn't be bothered to learn that it could shatter or chip or send debris, sparks, etc... that way, that far.

Rule #3: Let The Tool Do The Work

The number one way we break things, mess up our work, and hurt ourselves (or others) is by using the tool wrong.  Tools are designed, if designed right, to take the brunt of the load off of the user.  When we use tools wrong and force them or don't use them the way they were designed, we are actually putting ourself at higher risk to get hurt.

Pulled muscles, muscle strain, fatigue, hernia, heck, you can even cause yourself hemorrhoids by too much intensity in tool use.  These are almost always symptoms of not letting a tool do the work as designed or by not using the right tool to begin with.

By not letting the tool do the work, we also risk making errors, causing damage and undue wear to work pieces and to the tool itself. 

Rule #4: Take Care Of The Tool 

Here's another area we get ourselves in a heap of trouble.   We don't take care of the tool properly.  What am I talking about?  Keeping things oiled.  Keeping blades sharpened.  Cleaning dust, grime, liquids, debris and other crap out of and off of the tools we use.

Don't drop tools, set them down.  Don't carry corded tools by the cords.   Have a place to put them when not being used and put them there.

The better and more "religiously" you do these things, the longer your tools will last.  The better they will continue to operate.  They will be ready when you need them instead of needing to be repaired, charged, replaced, etc..  before you can do anything with them. 

That results in you being better prepared,  more productive,  and gives you bragging rights over the losers who treat their tools like crap and it shows.