Make an effort to put your tools away after use and try not to leave them outside. This will also help to protect your valuable tools from theft.
Even if we are lucky enough in the UK to have a sunny forecast, tools left outside are still exposed to moisture from wet grass and humidity.
Store your maul in an upright position to prevent the head from deforming.
Hanging your tools on a rack is one option or try using a pegboard system, which uses a panel with holes and hooks to mount tools.
However you decide to organise your tools, do not forget to treat and preserve wooden handles and heads on a regular basis.
Preservation
Considering the cost of high quality tools, regular maintenance to keep your wooden tools in top condition is important especially as wood tends to crack and splinter. Treat your wooden tools as soon as they start appearing dull and rough to the touch.
Sanding the wood
First sand the wood to remove any rough or loose fibres. Use a fine to medium grade sandpaper and sand along with the grain of the wood.
Stop sanding after a few strokes with the paper, dust off the wood and check it has a smooth and even finish. If it still feels rough, sand again.
Selecting the finish
Wood finishing products range from varnishes and waxes to lacquers and drying oils as well as various blends. Each have varying levels of quality, performance and protection.
Drying oils such as linseed oil and tung oil are inexpensive and easy to apply. The oil penetrates the fibres of the wood and hardens, preventing the wood from drying out and cracking.
Use the appropriate finish for the type of timber used. Refer to manufactures instructions.
Finishing the wood
Pour a few drops of oil into a small plastic container, then dip a dry cloth or a brush in the oil and apply all over the wood.
Leave this to absorb for 15 minutes before wiping off any excess. Make sure you do this as any residue will not fully cure (or ‘dry’) and will feel sticky. Then wait 24 hours before applying a second or third coat.
These are just guidelines. You should check with the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
Further information on drying oils
Both tung oil and linseed oil are available as raw or heat-treated. In its raw (pure) form, the oil can take weeks to cure to a finish but is non-toxic.
The heat-treated (or polymerised) oil accelerates this curing time and strengthens the finish.
However, please be aware of how these oils have been processed.
Many boiled linseed oil products, for example, have not been ‘boiled’ or heat-treated. Instead, they have had toxic chemical drying agents added to speed up the curing process.
Also, polymerised tung oil products will have had additional toxic solvents and metal driers added. For a ‘green’ alternative, check with the manufacturer.
Heat-treating is complex and expensive, which is why manufacturers tend to modify the process with the addition of chemicals.
Please read the manufacturer’s guidelines for precautions after use.