Here are some ways to extend the life of metal trowels:
1. Correct use
- Control the use parameters
- Speed: According to the requirements of the trowel machine's instruction manual, reasonably control the speed of the trowel. If the speed is too high, the friction between the trowel and the ground material will increase sharply, resulting in increased wear. For example, for general concrete troweling operations, controlling the speed within a reasonable range (such as 100-150 rpm) can effectively reduce the wear of the trowel.
- Pressure: During operation, avoid applying too much pressure to the trowel. Excessive pressure will cause excessive friction between the trowel and the ground. The correct approach is to apply moderate pressure according to the flatness of the ground and the requirements for troweling. For example, when finely troweling a ground that has been preliminarily leveled, only light pressure is needed to allow the trowel to slide smoothly on the ground.
- Standardized operating procedures
- Avoid idling: After the trowel is started, the trowel should be placed on the ground material as soon as possible to avoid long-term idling of the trowel. Because when idling, the friction between the edge of the trowel and the air and the centrifugal force generated by its own high-speed rotation may cause slight deformation or damage to the trowel, thus affecting its service life.
- Uniform operation: When performing trowel operations, keep the movement trajectory of the trowel uniform. Try to avoid repeated excessive troweling in a local area, which will cause excessive wear of the trowel in that area. For example, when troweling a large area of concrete floor, use a zigzag or spiral movement trajectory to make the trowel uniformly stressed and worn on the entire floor.
2. Do a good job of daily maintenance
- Cleaning work
- Clean up debris in time: After each use of the trowel machine, clean up concrete residues, dust and other debris on the trowel in time. If these debris are attached to the trowel for a long time, the friction between the trowel and the ground will increase the next time it is used, accelerating wear. You can use a soft brush or a compressed air gun to clean the trowel.
- Prevent chemical corrosion: If the trowel comes into contact with liquids containing chemicals (such as concrete admixtures, acidic or alkaline detergents, etc.), rinse it with clean water in time. Because chemicals may corrode metal trowels, reducing their hardness and wear resistance.
- Inspection and lubrication
- Regular inspection: Check the wear of the trowel regularly (such as every week or every two weeks), including the degree of wear on the blade, whether there are cracks or deformation on the surface, etc. If problems are found, they should be repaired or replaced in time. At the same time, check whether the connection between the trowel and the trowel machine is firm. If there is any looseness, tighten the fixing screws in time.
- Proper lubrication: Apply an appropriate amount of lubricant, such as grease, to the connecting shaft of the trowel. Lubrication can reduce friction at the connection point and prevent damage to the connecting shaft and trowel due to heat generated by friction. It also helps the trowel to rotate flexibly, indirectly extending its service life.
3. Reasonable storage
- Storage in a dry environment: Store the trowel in a dry and well-ventilated environment to avoid humid environments that cause metal rust. If the trowel is rusty, the rust layer on its surface will increase the friction with the floor material and accelerate wear. You can place a desiccant in the storage area, or use anti-rust oil to simply protect the trowel.
- Store separately to avoid collision: Try to store the trowel separately to avoid collision with other tools or hard objects. Because collision may cause damage such as gaps and deformation on the trowel, affecting its normal use and service life. If you need to stack the trowels, place soft isolation materials in the middle, such as foam boards or rubber pads.