Can you store your power tool out in the cold?

How to properly store an electric screwdriver

The screwdriver is an easy-to-use, powerful, and functional power tool for screw and thread assembly. Many modern models can be used not only for screwing and unscrewing fasteners, but also for drilling. A screwdriver is an undemanding device. To prevent premature failure, however, a few simple recommendations from the manufacturers should be followed.

The preservation of the technical and operational characteristics of the device depends on the following factors:

• Type of device. Screwdrivers are available as cordless or corded models. To extend battery life it is recommended to store the unit without the battery.
• Humidity. Must be kept in a dry place. Moisture can cause oxidation and damage electronic components.
• Temperature. Should not be left at minus temperatures.
• Packaging. Should protect from ultraviolet light, moisture, dust and mechanical damage.

How to store

It is advisable to store the power tool in a separate storage room. This might be in a garage, workshop or pantry. The storage location should be dry, ventilated and protected from direct sunlight. If the garage is unheated, it should not be used in winter. Exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead to the failure of electronic and mechanical components.

Do not expose the room to high humidity. Therefore, the use of a bathroom is not recommended. Moisture causes corrosion and oxidation of the contacts. Excessive moisture can cause the battery to short circuit, particularly with battery-operated models.

The screwdriver should preferably be stored on a shelf or just on a shelf in the pantry. Suitable packaging is recommended. This can be a plastic, metal, or at least cardboard box. You can also use a factory box. If the screwdriver was delivered in a plastic carrying case, this should preferably be used.

The packaging must protect against moisture and dust, as well as mechanical damage that can occur, for example, if it falls off the shelf. The screwdriver can be packed in a plastic bag for additional dust protection. If the device is stored in a cardboard box, it is advisable to use additional sealing material, for example, foam plastic foil.

Do not leave the unit near corrosive media such as fuels, alcohol, solvents, acids, etc. п. Even if the container is closed, minor evaporation of the active ingredient may occur. Even if the container is closed, slight evaporation of the active ingredient can occur.

The tool must be protected from direct sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet light causes the plastic to become brittle and fragile.

Screwdriver can be stored almost anywhere in the apartment. If there is no separate room, a mezzanine, closet or niches provided in the furniture are ideal. Can be left on a glazed balcony. However, if the temperature on a balcony or loggia drops below 0°C in winter, you should not use this room. A stable temperature regime is important. Electric motors do not tolerate extreme temperature fluctuations, especially if the temperature drops below 0°C.

The cord of the screwdriver should be coiled during storage. Usually just wind it around the handle. The cable can be wound into a small bundle. This minimizes the risk of damage when moving equipment.

Storing a battery

Because of their mobility and operating convenience, cordless screwdrivers are more popular than cordless screwdrivers. If the device is not used for a long time, manufacturers recommend storing it separately from the battery. Batteries should be kept disconnected for longer life. Preferably store the battery in a cool place, but do not expose it to sub-zero temperatures. All types of batteries lose capacity faster when exposed to sub-zero and high temperatures. Also it is impossible to expose battery to moisture, it is fraught not only with the premature degradation, but also with short circuit with fire.

The method of preservation may vary depending on the type of battery. if using a nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride battery, it is recommended that the battery be fully discharged before it is disconnected. After removing the battery, it should be fully recharged. These batteries have a fairly high self-discharge, so if you store them for a long time they need to be periodically recharged. It is extremely important to recharge only fully discharged Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh batteries to prevent loss of capacity due to memory effects.

Li-Ion batteries should not be stored fully discharged and recharged, as this will reduce the battery’s capacity. Manufacturers recommend leaving such batteries in a cool place with a 60-80% charge. These batteries also need to be recharged, but much less frequently, due to the low self-discharge.

General rules for preserving equipment

All tools, regardless of type and purpose, should be washed, dried, and inspected for wear and tear before being put into storage. There’s nothing worse than moisture on moving or vulnerable parts and mechanisms. The engine should be stored in an unheated area to prevent freezing, turning to ice and damaging the system components. For fire safety reasons it is also better to drain the gasoline from the gas tank. But the oil is other recommendations. equipment can not be left “dry”, so the oil is not removed for the winter, and change.

For safety reasons it is also advisable to drain the petrol tank

The cutting parts (such as lawnmower blades) should be sharpened and the hinge joints should be cleaned of dust and dirt and lubricated. Check the condition of the fasteners and power cord of the power tool, replace them if necessary, without leaving them until spring. Let’s take a closer look at each type of equipment and its preservation requirements.

How to store a chainsaw in winter

This is, perhaps, one of the few tools for which there is work even in the cold season. It’s true that a chainsaw’s operating temperature range is usually low because it contains non-freeze-resistant parts, gasoline, and oil. If the manufacturer guarantees temperature of.10°C, it is a good indicator that the saw can be used almost all year round. If you are going away for a long time, you should make sure you preserve it properly.

“The heart of any chainsaw is the carbureted, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine. The chain is another important element. It is the care of these two that is the focus of most of the preservation recommendations:

• First drain off the fuel, carburetor and chain oil. You can idle your chainsaw and wait until it runs out of gas to get a full load of fuel. Wipe the tank dry so it doesn’t rust. It is a variant for long preservation, at least for 3 months. But there is a second option for those who fells forest or does other work in winter. In this case it is recommended to fill the tank up to the brim with quality gasoline and leave it in this state for storage. If you have to cut down a tree in a hurry. great, you have the right tool at your fingertips. But remember, gasoline, which after 2-3 frosty winter weeks in consistency will begin to resemble sour milk, can disable even a first-class engine;
• Pull out the tip-filter from the fuel and oil tanks with a wire dipstick or a home-made nozzle. Rinse and reinsert them after drying them out, or replace them with new ones if necessary. Do the same with the air filter;
• Remove saw chain and guide bar and clean them of sawdust, wood dust and debris;
• remove the clutch cover, rinse it thoroughly under running warm water and let it dry. Lubricate the worm gear and side chain tensioning screw;
• take out the spark plug and clean it of soot and fuel residue. Pour 5-7 ml of engine oil into the spark plug hole and turn the crankshaft 3 to 4 revolutions to distribute the oil over the connecting rod and cylinder-piston group. Leave the piston at the top point (raised). Then replace the spark plug, but do not connect it to the spark plug;
• Coat the guide bar and chain with petroleum jelly and wrap it in a piece of paper or cloth that has been soaked in oil;
• Pack the tool and store the removed parts in a dry, dark and dust-free place.

About once a month, rotate the crankshaft to refresh the grease in the connecting rods and cylinders and pistons.

If you have an electric saw, then all you need for preservation is to lubricate the saw bar and chain with a protective lubricant.

Doesn’t storage harm the materials?

You’d be surprised, of course, but there are building materials that would even benefit from surviving the winter in the owner’s garage. And these are the cases:

• cement-bonded aerated concrete blocks (or foam blocks): after they are made, they often have excess moisture. up to 50%. In a few months of proper storage, the blocks will dry out. And that means the house you’ve laid out can be put under the finish immediately, rather than waiting for it to settle and dry out;
• Wood: dry boards and timber, of course, can be bought, but it costs a pretty penny. Most of the wood that the average homeowner can afford is naturally moist. And this means that it needs to finish drying: either already assembled in a log cabin (and then also wait for shrinkage and shrinkage), or properly laid out in a garage or in storage (winter is ideal).

How to store building materials in the open air

Of course, the most tempting option is to bring pre-purchased building materials to the construction site and somewhere there they would lie until spring. Of course it would be ideal if you have access to a ventilated warehouse with a stable (plus) temperature. But if not, you can think of something. For example, it often happens that the construction is preserved at a stage when at least some thermal circuit is ready. if not the house itself, at least a closed garage or a shed in which the rain or snow does not penetrate. But some materials. like bricks, blocks, and even wood and sheet metal. can also be stored outdoors. The main thing. to comply with certain rules.

Firstly, it is necessary to take care of the elementary protection against thieves. Imagine? You have an unfinished house, the whole neighborhood knows you have hundreds of thousands worth of material stored on the property, and it’s all tempting for thieves. So first think whether you can organize adequate protection of your property. If yes, then let’s move on.

If you are going to store foam blocks (or gas blocks, or arbolite blocks). then it all depends on what stage your construction is mothballed. Good if the foundation has already been poured: in this case you can put pallets of blocks on it. If the site is a virgin void, the blocks should be left on pallets on a flat place. On the bare ground is better not to put anything at all. Do not put anything on a thick snow (if you suddenly decide to buy blocks in winter). the snow will melt unevenly, and aerated concrete. a fragile thing, unable to bear deformation. Be sure to protect the blocks from rain and snow: no, you can not build a shelter. just do not take them out of the package. If there is no packing, cover the stacks of blocks with film on top.

Ceramic bricks and porous ceramic also do not like rain, because they absorb moisture. So, like blocks, they should be stored on level ground, placed on pallets (to prevent moisture from being absorbed from the ground) and covered from the top from the rain.

Natural moisture timber is placed on stands in a stack, and between these stands must leave a distance so that between the layers of boards was blowing. If there is no possibility to put a roof over the planks or timber, the timber should be covered with a film or other moistening material (a tarpaulin will do), but be sure to think about ventilation. Before you leave your wood for the winter, check the quality of wood treatment: if you find a piece of bark somewhere, be sure to remove it, so that the wood will not rot under it.

In general, bulk materials (sand, gravel, crushed stone) are not afraid of either frost, rain or snow. But then you will have a hard time separating them from the ground, so they should be stored on some kind of a substrate. And it’s highly recommended to cover the grinder from above, too. so it won’t get debris.

Metal products (supporting poles, rebar). If you must store it outdoors, be sure to put it on a wooden deck. Better if the top will be more and awning (metal does not like the sun or precipitation), but the awning, and a tarpaulin, or some kind of banner is also suitable. To make it convenient to store the material and then unmaintain it, the rebar bars should be sorted by section and length, and these “bunches” should be fixed with wire.

As for metal roofing or corrugated board. on the street they are better not to store. You’ll lose more than save. So if you have found a good discount. try to negotiate with the seller to keep the goods in stock until spring. Or find a garage of some kind.

For the washing machine

Washer, left in winter in unheated room at the cottage requires no less care than a refrigerator. You also need to drain all the water from it, dry it out, and then leave the door and the powder tray ajar. These procedures will save the appliances until the next season.

Voltage fluctuations are another reason why appliances can go bad. But this factor is easy to eliminate. Unplug appliances that you leave behind for the winter to avoid shorting out during power fluctuations! Remember. it can cause a fire. And then no trick will save your equipment from thieves or frost.

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Theft of appliances

Unfortunately, thefts from vacation homes are not uncommon. Long absences of owners during the winter becomes the perfect cover for dacha thieves. When there is practically no one around, intruders will do anything to break into the house and steal more or less valuable items. They can take anything, from appliances and power tools to dishes, clothing, and electrical wiring. And solving such crimes is difficult, because the owners often find out about the disappearance only after a few months.

To prevent your belongings from becoming bait for burglars, you should take care of it well in advance.

So, to save from long hands of their property, take care of easy access to your house. Bars and shutters on the windows and metal plates on the doors make it hard for a thief to break in. Use at least two locks with different unlocking mechanisms to lock the door.

Disc locks, English locks and padlocks are considered the easiest to pick. The latter also prompt the intruders that the owners are not at home.

If you have a lot of valuables in your house you could install a burglar alarm, but it would not be cheap.

Another option is to install a special siren with a built-in motion sensor. This device may not deter thieves like an alarm system, but it will scare them away for sure.

Another preventive maneuver. a dummy surveillance camera. If there is no way to install cameras in reality, think about a fake one. Externally, it looks like a real video camera, only it does not record video. But criminals do not know about it.

In order for the appliances and other property not to get to intruders, put them in places where the thief would not see them through the window. You can leave the doors of empty cabinets open, so that burglars think they have already taken everything of value.

Some dacha owners recommend removing and hiding the doors from the refrigerator or washing machine. They won’t appeal to burglars that way. The TV can be put in a closet or in a place that is not visible from the window, wrapped in a blanket or quilt beforehand.

Low temperatures

Many owners of electric devices think that nothing will happen with the equipment in the cold. And boldly leave the cottage for the winter. But it is not so. Low temperatures can render your appliances unusable. If you want your TV or fridge to work well and be happy next season, give them a little thought before you go.

What to take home at the end of the season and what you can leave behind? This is the question many dacha owners ask themselves. Use our tips.

At.30°C outside the window, your home will be no colder than.10-15°C with good insulation. But is your holiday home so well insulated?

To be sure of the safety of equipment, you need to pay attention to the storage temperature specified by the manufacturer of electrical appliances.

Subzero temperatures can interfere with the continued operation of some appliances. For example, storing a television with an LCD screen in subzero temperatures can be fatal. Most LCDs are not designed to stay at sub-zero temperatures, especially in severely cold weather.

Some models of such TV sets can be left at the temperature of.15-20°C, but no more. But even at this temperature your TV set can’t be stored all winter. The matrix can break.

Plasma displays, unlike LCDs, are much more tolerant of temperature conditions. However, it is better to make sure and study the storage conditions of the TV specifically your model.

Older box televisions with CRT displays are considered the hardest to store at low temperatures of.20 to 60°C.

It is not often the minus temperatures that cause malfunctions, but the humidity and possible formation of condensation. In addition to low temperatures, keep in mind the humidity in the room. If it is above 90% this too can affect the performance of your TV.

The ideal way to store your TV at home is in the box in which it was sold. It will shelter your appliances from dust and moisture, and the foam inside will keep out low temperatures.

Remove batteries from the remote control (they can leak) and disconnect all cables from the device.

If you don’t have a box, wrap the TV set up with a thick blanket or an unnecessary blanket. This will also protect the device from dust and small insects. But you don’t need to cover it with a film, moisture can start to condense under it, which is so dangerous for the equipment.

If you suddenly decide to go to the cottage in winter, do not rush to turn on the TV. First have the room well heated, and only after the TV set has been in a warm house for 4-5 hours can you turn it on. Make sure that the equipment not only warms up to room temperature, but also dries out any condensation that may have formed on or in it. Remember, appliances are very sensitive to sudden temperature changes.

The refrigerator needs just as much attention during the winter in the cold country house.

This appliance will always be under additional strain in a non-heated room.

What are the dangers of low temperatures for your refrigerator??

The rubber. sealant doesn’t stand the minus degrees. in the cold it cracks and loses its elasticity. And needs to be replaced in the future.

Not designed for sub-zero temperatures and the exterior of the appliance. Cold and high humidity will cause the paint to crack and rust.

Under the influence of condensation at high humidity in unheated room can fail some electrical components.

And finally, when the temperature drops, the coolant will start to boil spontaneously. Turned off the appliance does not threaten anything. But fridge operation in such a mode can cause a serious damage because of the freon concentration in the compressor.

How to store the refrigerator in the country house in winter? Read the owner’s manual carefully. As with televisions, the manufacturer usually specifies the operating and storage temperatures.

If the manufacturer did not specify a lower temperature limit, it is advisable to turn off the device as soon as the temperature in the room drops below 5 ° C. Operating at lower temperatures causes premature wear and tear.

If you are taking the unit away for a long time, defrost the refrigerator and get rid of all moisture (it should drain out of the drain hole). To be on the safe side, tilt your refrigerator gently to drain the remaining water, and then return it to its original position. Leave the doors ajar to prevent mildew in the refrigerator compartment.

Cover the unit with a cloth (not a film), this will prevent unnecessary condensation from collecting.

Do not switch the appliance on until it has warmed up sufficiently and has reached room temperature.

A washing machine left in the winter in a non-heated room in the countryside needs no less care than a fridge. It should also be drained of all water, dried, and then leave the door and powder tray ajar. These procedures will keep your appliances in storage until the next season.

Voltage fluctuations. another reason why the appliances can be inoperable. But this factor is easy to eliminate. Disconnect the appliances that you leave for the winter from the power grid, to avoid a short circuit in case of voltage fluctuations! Remember. it can cause a fire. And then no tricks neither from thieves, nor from frosts will save your equipment.

If you leave appliances for the winter in the country, take care about the conditions of their storage. And then it will surely serve you for many years to come!

How to store tools in the apartment

The most appropriate place at home. a dark room, a special closet, nightstand or dedicated shelves in a general cabinet. The shelves can be placed plastic organizers, individual cases with power tools and special boxes for screwdrivers, pliers and other small things. Modern models of plastic boxes are equipped with a handle for carrying.

Today you can buy a universal box together with a case and complete it with additional tabs as needed. There is a huge selection of crates in construction stores. You can measure the space beforehand and choose the best size for your toolbox to make sure it fits in.

In these boxes with a handle convenient not only to store, but also transport tools. Simply carry it in your car and go to your repair job.

And the tool can be stowed away under a bed or placed in the farthest corner of the closet until spring. The main thing is to keep dry and warm, and from dust and dirt perfectly protects the case.

How to store tools in the garage

If there is a table or workbench in the garage, it is very convenient to organize a storage area in the form of a shield with slots to accommodate locksmith and carpenter tools, compartments with s of fabric, additional shelves with containers or boxes for small parts (screws, screws, bolts, drills and bits). Large construction tools (saws, hammers, metal scissors) can be hung on the shield, using as hooks clusters or special devices for wall fastening.

Power tools are stored on shelves in individual cases. It stands up well to winters in garages. The main thing before winter is to remember to take the batteries out and bring them home. Batteries don’t respond well to cold, and once they freeze, they quickly lose their charge. By the way, it is very important to use your power tool correctly in winter. After bringing it into a warm room from a cold one, it is necessary to wait a couple of hours before switching it on otherwise the condensate will provoke a short circuit. If you take your power tool out in the cold from the heat it can be used straight away, there is no condensation in it.

Petrol-powered tools are stored in garages. Hang them on the walls for convenience. Before the cold weather it needs routine maintenance according to the instruction manual. By the way, do not disassemble the power tool during storage, otherwise dust and dirt will get inside the case.

How to store the tool in an apartment

The most suitable place at home is a dark room, a special closet, nightstand or dedicated shelves in a general closet. On the shelves you can put plastic organizers, individual cases with power tools and special boxes for screwdrivers, pliers and other small things. Modern models of plastic boxes are equipped with a carrying handle.

Today you can buy a universal box together with a case and complete it with additional tabs as needed. In construction stores a huge selection of drawers. You can measure the space in advance and choose the optimum size of the box, so it is guaranteed to fit.

These drawers with a handle not only make it easy to store, but also to transport tools. Just carry it in the car and go to the repair work.

Or the tool can be stored under the bed or placed in the farthest corner of the closet until spring. The main thing that it was dry and warm, and from a dust and dirt perfectly protects a case.

How to store tools in the garage

If there is a table or workbench in the garage, it is very convenient to organize a storage area in the form of a shield with slots to accommodate locksmith and carpenter tools, compartments with s of fabric, additional shelves with containers or boxes for small parts (screws, screws, bolts, drills and bits). Large construction tools (saws, hammers, metal scissors) can be hung on the shield, using as hooks clusters or special devices for wall fastening.

Store power tools on shelves in individual cases. It stands up well to winters in garages. The main thing before winter is to remember to take the batteries out and bring them home. Batteries react very badly to the cold and quickly lose their charge after freezing. By the way, it is very important to properly operate power tools in the winter. After bringing it into a warm room from a cold one, it is necessary to wait a couple of hours before switching it on, otherwise the condensate will provoke a short circuit. If the power tool is taken out into the cold from the heat, it can be used immediately, there is no condensation in it.

Petrol power tools are stored in garages. It is best hung on the walls for convenience. Before the winter months start, the battery requires service in accordance with the instruction manual. By the way, do not disassemble the power tool during storage, otherwise dust and dirt will penetrate the inside of the housing.

What you should not do during storage

If storage is carried out in the workshop, it is necessary to protect the batteries from possible physical impact. If a tool is accidentally dropped on the battery, lithium batteries can catch fire if depressurized, and cadmium batteries can be source of serious contamination.

Do not connect any power consumers to the batteries while they are in storage or immediately after they have been discontinued. Even if the battery is not fully discharged during this time, it is still recommended to fully charge it before using it.

If the battery has been exposed to low temperatures in violation of the requirements, you can properly bring it out of prolonged disuse by connecting a charger not earlier than 12 hours “thawing”.

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General rules

There are a number of rules that extend the life of any battery when it is forced into long-term storage:

• If a power source is used with a long period of disuse, a full discharge/recharge cycle of the cell should be performed several times;
• The ambient air temperature in the storage room should not fall below 10 degrees Celsius;
• Extending the life of a resting battery is aided by periodic charging and full discharging of the power source. at least once every six months;
• If you do not intend to use the power tool soon, the battery should be disconnected and cleaned of all visible debris.

Important: If traces of oxide appear on the housing or contacts, wipe off the dirty areas with a special cleaner or a liquid with methylated spirits.

Nickel-Cadmium Battery Storage

If you do not use your power tool regularly, it is wise to store NiCd batteries in a discharged condition. These cells have the peculiar property of having a high rate of self-discharge. Therefore, if stored, a fully charged battery will self-discharge over time: each month the remaining charge level will decrease by 8-10%.

Read also: Metallographic examination of metals and alloys

Following simple recommendations for long-term storage without doing nickel-cadmium cells will allow to get a fully functional current source after a full charge. The basic rules are as follows:

Important: The plastic battery case is exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, when sending a battery for long-term storage, avoid exposing them to the sun on the vulnerable part of the cell.

Storing lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) power sources are sensitive to temperature and residual charge when sent for extended storage. This directly affects the available charge level when you start using it.

For lithium batteries in an electric screwdriver, the following rules are followed:

• Avoid the possibility of freezing. when using a refrigerator as a storage location, place it in the main compartment rather than the freezer compartment;
• The optimum temperature range is between 1 and 25 degrees Celsius;
• Charge the discharged cell to 40% before putting it into storage to allow it to be fully recharged if the electric screwdriver has to be used.

The mobility of a battery-powered electric screwdriver has one disadvantage. they run out. Following the recommendations on battery storage increases battery life with no loss of function. It is absolutely necessary to take into account the type of battery used in the electric screwdriver. The nickel cadmium elements need to be fully discharged, but for lithium-ion batteries such a procedure would only harm them.

Hi all! On the web, people often ask how to store electric screwdriver batteries properly, so that they do not fail prematurely. In this article I will try to give an answer to this question.

At one time I also wondered about this question and I had a great idea: “Why not look in the manual of any electric screwdriver?”. With this “genius” thought in mind, I picked up the Makita manual and found only general words in it. Well it’s about storing in such a way that the battery terminals could not be accidentally closed by a paper clip, coin or other metal object, that storage should be in an environment where the air temperature does not exceed 50 degrees, and the like, which is also of course important, but it’s kind of clear.

And everyone is interested in questions like this:

• what level of charge is necessary to store the batteries?
• they must both be removed from the electric screwdriver or one can be left inserted?
• how long they can be stored without being recharged?

Read also: The Name of Zinc in the Mendeleev Table

In the end, after looking through the manuals of different manufacturers, I managed to find some useful information. And even if you look in the manuals of different screwdrivers of the same manufacturer, but different battery type, it will be the same. In this case, if the manufacturer believes that it is necessary to specify a particular information for certain types of batteries, then it is specified, but in general the conditions for all types of batteries are basically the same.

Or Makita gives universal advice for all types of batteries to recharge them every six months if they have been sitting idle for so long.

In general, what can be said on the basis of the information given by the manufacturers? First things first.