YEARLY MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR NAILER

Before you store your tools for winter, follow these simple steps to prepare for next year

During the winter, construction and remodeling jobs slow down in cold climates. There’s no better time to perform annual maintenance of your pneumatic tools and compressors to make sure they’re ready to go as soon as you need them again.

At SENCO, we highly recommend a daily inspection routine for your tools. This includes things like checking for loose screws, making sure the trigger and safety are moving freely, cleaning the feed system, lubricating the air fitting and draining the accumulated moisture from your compressor. But we’re also big believers in a more thorough annual service.

Here’s a list of do-it-yourself maintenance tasks to perform before you store your pneumatic tools this off-season. These will require disassembly of your nailer, so be sure to read your tool’s manual. 

Prefer to take your tools to a service center? View SENCO’s dealer locator to find authorized service centers near you. 

CHECK DRIVER BLADES

Driver blades can chip or bend over time. After you take your tool apart, check that there are no visible chips or cracks on the blade and the tip is dressed properly. If the blade tip is broken or misshapen, it may not deliver the proper countersink.

REPLACE DAMAGED O-RINGS

Several o-rings are located inside pneumatic tools and can be compromised by exposure to moisture. Make sure the o-rings aren’t ripped, cracked or pitted. This can result in a faulty seal and compromise tool performance. If your tool requires oil, be sure to oil it and fire it a few times during the winter season to keep the o-rings from drying out. 

Learn more about oiled, oilless, and SENCO NeverLube nailers.

MAKE SURE THE PISTON STOP IS INTACT

The piston stop acts as a cushion when the piston retracts back into the cylinder after being fired. Because this part absorbs so much force, it has a tendency to fracture or degrade over time. If it’s cracked or torn, you will want to replace it. You’ll likely need a screwdriver set to complete this repair.

CLEAN THE CYLINDER SLEEVE AND DRIVE TRACK

While you have your tool apart, you’ll also want to look at the cylinder sleeve and ensure it’s cleaned and greased properly and free of debris and scratches. The drive track should also be free of dust and debris.

CHECK THE OIL IN YOUR COMPRESSORS

Checking the oil level in your compressors should be a regular habit. If it isn’t, make a resolution for the New Year to start doing it. Low oil level is a killer for compressor pumps.

If you have any questions or need additional advice or assistance on how to properly care for your tools, feel free to ask the experts. Search for authorized service centers at https://www.senco.com/dealer-locator/. 

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