A nail gun and other industrial staplers can be used for a wide variety of applications. From at-home DIY projects to professional contracting work, a nail gun has many practical uses. But no matter where the nail gun is used, it will require proper nail gun maintenance if it is to stay in any kind of useful condition.
Check the Feed System
Cleaning the feed system of your nail gun on a regular basis is the first thing you should do to keep it up and running. Nails are constantly moving through it, and its open design leaves it vulnerable to many outside materials. If not taken care of properly, it can easily get jammed, either from nails or other small objects.
Cleaning it is simple enough. A can of compressed air will clear it of any harmful materials almost every time. You can also use a cloth to wipe down the feeding system, but be sure that it doesn’t leave behind any fabric when you’re done.
Tighten It Up
Due to the vibration generated from constant use, the screws and bolts of a nail gun can come loose. These will require tightening on a regular basis, and it is recommended that you do these types of inspections about once every month.
Tightening your nail gun on a more regular basis won’t hurt it but putting it off any longer than a month will run the risk of damaging your equipment. Failing to tighten any loose screws can also result in the nail gun being harder to control, increasing the likelihood of accidents while in use.
Inspect the Power Supply
Whether your nail gun has an independent power supply, such as a battery, or it is attached to a power outlet with a cord, you should inspect the power supply’s integrity. Check the battery to see if it is still firm when attached and that there are no other irregularities with it. Make sure the battery is not past its expiration date, as well, to ensure it is still safe to use and can power your nail gun adequately.
If the nail gun has a cord, check to see if there are any rips, tears, or punctures in the cord itself. Exposed wiring can be a safety hazard to nail gun users. Wires can come loose even if the outer cord is not obviously torn, and this may be the case if your nail gun stops working for no obvious reason.
Nail gun maintenance can be quick and easy. An inspection and cleaning routine can be as fast as five minutes, and those five minutes can keep your nail gun going for months or years.