Always be sure to use your manual swaging tool correctly – bear in mind the tool’s limitations with regards to metal types and thicknesses, and don’t force it beyond its capabilities.
Trying to swage metal which is too tough or thick for your tool could cause the blades to bend – and bent swaging blades can’t be repaired, so a new tool will be your only option!
If used correctly, a manual swaging tool should require very little maintenance, but there are some small maintenance tasks you can carry out to keep it in good working order:
Storing your manual swaging tool
While a manual swaging tool can be stored safely without any special measures, it should be kept, like all metal tools, in a dry place. Exposure to moisture over long periods will cause the metal parts of the tool to rust, reducing the effectiveness of the blades and stiffening movement around bolted joints.
The handle lock on a manual swaging tool should be used to lock the blade shut when the tool is not in use; this will keep the jaws closed, and prevent the edges of the blades from being knocked or otherwise damaged in storage.
Maintaining your manual swaging tool’s joints
The bolts which join the different parts of your manual swaging tool together, whether they are standard or sex bolts, should be kept clean of dust and other debris as much as possible to prevent any wear and abrasion that may hinder movement.
From time to time, lubricate the areas around the bolts, where metal touches metal, using a general-purpose lubricating oil. This will help to maintain smooth movement in pivoting joints.
Cleaning your manual swaging tool
If your manual swaging tool’s blades or jaws become dirty, clean them with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Rubbing alcohol is an effective alternative to water as it evaporates very quickly and will not leave any residual moisture behind.
Should you sharpen a manual swaging tool?
Although your instinct as a DIYer may be to sharpen a blade occasionally, you should never sharpen the blades of a manual swaging tool.
This is because they are not intended or manufactured to be sharp. Their purpose is not to cut through materials, but to compress them without damage.
A sharpened swaging tool blade could cut through or tear the section of pipe being swaged. If this happens, the pipe section will be unusable, costing you time and money.
