Woodworker's Journal summer-2009, страница 24
A Near-freezing temps aren't good for nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery packs and can actually damage nickel metal hydride (NiMH) recharge-ables. However, it's exposure to higher temperatures — above 80 - 85 degrees — that can wreak havoc with cordless tool batteries. It tends to degrade the chemical gels and insulation materials inside the cells and significantly reduce their performance over time. Heat-damaged batteries appear to recharge as normal, but actually retain less of a charge. So cordless tool batteries should be kept in a cool spot during hot summer months. To prevent cold weather damage in the winter, move battery packs inside the house. And, if you're not running your cordless tools for extended periods of time, there's something else you should do. Cordless tool expert Mike Sheriff of Ryobi America recommends recharging batteries every four to six weeks, since they'll lose a small amount of charge every day, and eventually drain completely. Leaving packs uncharged for long stretches reduces the amount of charge the battery will accept, thus reducing tool performance. Fortunately, you can rejuvenate NiCad battery packs that have been sitting idle for a long time by putting them back into active use. Their capacity will be restored after a few discharge and recharge cycles. Sandor Nagyszalanczy QI recently purchased a new 14" band saw. After removing the blade, I realized that coiling up a band the saw blade without turning it into a pretzel was more difficult than I thought. Is there an easy technique for coiling and storing unused blades? Mark Dunne Lake Zurich, Illinois A Band saw blades made today will last a fair amount of time if they are not abused. Blades are often damaged by kinking (bending or twisting the blade) during unfolding and folding. Poor folding and unfolding technique can put enough pressure on the weld to damage or even break the blade. large blades are best unfolded by gripping the back of the blade in a vise. Wear gloves and glasses or face shield. After securing blade, gently unfold it. If it seems to be getting away from you, simply let go of it as you back away quickly. To fold the blade in three coils, use one foot as a third hand. Put a scrap block of wood on the floor as cushion. Place the blade on the block and step on it. Using both hands, rotate the blade 180 degrees, forming a figure 8. Reposition your hands and repeat, rotating the blade 180 degrees again as you press the blade down into the triple coils. Practice this technique with a dull blade so you don't kink a new one. Mark Duginske There's more than one way to coil a band saw blade for storage: here WJ contributor Linda Haus demonstrates one of Mark Duginske's favorite techniques. 1 Use your foot to hold one end of the blade (note that Linda is wearing gloves and eye protection). 2. Twist the blade, forming a "figure eight." 3. Hold the blade with your free hand (left) and rotate your other hand (right) so that your palm is open toward the blade in preparation for another rotation. 4. Rotate your wrist one more time in the same direction as the last rotation and move your hand towards the floor, forming the third loop. Capture all three loops with your other (left) hand. 28 reader questions, answered |
