Maintenance and care of hand drills and staples

	Hand drills and staples are simple, low-maintenance tools. However, with some care and simple maintenance, they can extend their lifespan, meaning they will last for many years.
	Many antique and early hand drills and staples that have been properly cared for still work great today. Along with their appearance and increased rarity, this has led to them becoming collectibles and in some cases being traded for hundreds of pounds.
Cleaning
	Like all tools, hand drills and staples should be cleaned before being put away after use. Use a soft brush to remove wood or metal chips from the tool. Particular attention should be paid to any exposed gears on hand drills and exposed ratchets on shackles.
	Hand drill gears and open ratchets can become clogged with chips, preventing them from turning properly or increasing wear between them.
	After removing the chips, take a soft cloth and wipe the body of the drill or staple. This will help ensure that the frame stays dry and removes dirt or chips that could scratch the finish or painted surface.
	Apply an all-purpose oil designed for both lubrication and rust prevention to the drive wheel and gear of hand drills. You should also apply this to the lubrication holes of any ratchet or exposed parts of the ratchet.
	After applying the multi-purpose oil, turn the ratchet and drive wheel a few turns. This ensures that the oil coats the surface of all gears, preventing rust or wear between them.
Other service
	Caring for wooden handles The wooden handles of hand drills and staples require special attention to keep them from splitting and cracking. If you notice any chips on the handle or head, they should be sanded again with fine sandpaper.
	So that the handle and head do not dry out, do not split or crack, rub them with boiled linseed oil.
	You can fill small cracks in a wood handle with wood putty and then sand it again with fine sandpaper.
	Some people like to varnish the wooden handle and head, although this can cause their surface to become sticky. Also be careful not to get varnish on any other parts of the hand drill or spreader as varnish getting between the frame and the sweeping handle may prevent the handle from turning smoothly.
	Caring for rubber grips The rubber handles of braces and hand drills should be lubricated with silicone grease to prevent them from becoming hard and brittle, which can lead to cracking.
	plastic handles Plastic handles require no maintenance other than cleaning them with a brush to remove dirt and chips and storing the staple or hand drill in a place protected from direct sunlight.
	Repairing scratched or chipped paint If the paint on the drive wheel or hand drill frame is scratched or chipped, it may be possible to repair it.
	Protective enamel paint is best for this as it is easy to apply with a thin brush, it provides enough rust protection to the metal frame underneath and is available in many colors so you should be able to find a match that is close to your existing one. color.
	Clean the frame as above and make sure the surface is dry, then follow the painting instructions on the can.
	What can be done with chrome and nickel frames? With chrome and nickel-plated frames, preventive maintenance really is the best course of action. While chrome and nickel plating provide better corrosion protection than Japanese black or enamel/lacquer plating, replating a hand drill or spacer frame is not easy.
	Replacing them will require the tool to be completely disassembled, and to achieve an acceptable finish, the tool will likely need to be taken to a plating specialist. The cost of this often far exceeds the cost of a hand drill or brace.
	Instead, cleaning and wiping the frame after each use will help protect the finish and keep the instrument in good working condition for many years.
Storing hand drills and staples
	Unlike most power drills that come with a storage case when purchased, handheld drills and staples do not. This isn't a problem when a drill or brace needs to be stored in a workshop or garage, as they can often be hung on the wall with simple clips.
	Some people prefer to make special cabinets to store their hand drills and staples, which can then be attached to the wall of a workshop or garage.
	If you need a case to store a hand drill or brace that you'll be taking from the workshop, then the best solution is to purchase a universal tool box with a compartment large enough to hold a hand drill or brace. It also often means you have extra storage space for drill bits, adapters, and other accessories you use with a hand drill or shackle.
	A popular choice is to install a foam insert in the storage compartment of a toolbox where a drill or brace is stored. It can be cut to size around a drill or staple so it doesn't rattle in the toolbox and hurt itself.
	Some people like to make their own cases for their vintage hand drills and staples, as this can help complement the vintage look of the original tool.
Should the bits stay in the chuck?
	It's usually best to take the bit out of your hand drill or chuck and store it with other bits you may have. This means that when you go to get some, you will have a full selection to choose from and you can be sure that among them is the one you need. However, some people will only use one bit in their hand drill or staple, in which case it makes sense to leave it in the chuck as it saves time removing and replacing it. And also a guarantee that you will always have it with a hand drill or a bracket.