Repairing your own tools can be a great way to save money. There's no additional markup on parts, and you don't have to pay for someone else's time. But before you start in on a repair, we'd like to give you a few suggestions for thing to consider before you begin, ways to prepare, and things to do during the repair.

Sometimes, fixing the tool yourself will also invalidate a warranty. Often, opening up your tools and fiddling with them yourself can invalidate the manufacturer's warranty. If you tried to fix it yourself this time, you might be out of luck the next time your tool breaks. If the damage is covered under a warranty, you should just take it back to the manufacturer. Taking it in to be repaired will make use of that warranty, and you're sure to have someone work on your tool who knows what they're doing. If the damage is serious enough, you might even end up with a new tool. A new or expertly fixed tool that is still covered by a warranty will always be a better option than a potentially broken or working but worn down tool.

If the tool still works, you're not confident in your own ability to fix it, and you can't afford to be without it if you really screw it up, you should take it in to be repaired by a professional or wait until you can buy a new one. Only attempt a repair if you know what you are doing, or if you've exhausted all your other options and aren't worried about potentially breaking the tool permanently.

Remember that you will be responsible for any injury or damage that occurs when you are trying to repair your own tool.

But there is still hope. Sometimes generic brands also produce parts that might work in your product. The hard part is knowing which part you need. I'd recommend taking your tool to a service center or tool store that uses or sells generic parts, especially if the replacement part will be expensive. It's better to let someone who knows what they're doing repair the tool and find the right part than it is to go online, buy the wrong part, and still end up with a broken tool.

4. Properly Prepare Your Work Area

Alright, so you have all the parts and tools, and you're ready to start fixing. You could just put everything on your workbench or kitchen table and go for it...or not. You should take a few minutes and prepare your work area, just to be sure that you don't end up creating any additional or future problems.

First, make sure your work surface is clean. You don't need any glue or other substances gumming up the works. Also make sure you have a large enough area to work in and space to lay all the parts out neatly. You'll need to make sure that you've removed any liquids that might spill and any objects that might fall onto or into the device. Don't forget to create a safe spot to put all the screws and small components you remove. Few things are more frustrating than crawling around the floor looking for a lost screw, or not being able to put the tool back together correctly because you lost a tiny washer.

Documenting the steps you take as well might seem like a pain. After all, the process seems pretty straightforward, doesn't it? Until you start putting the tool back together again. Taking pictures and notes as you go will definitely help when you go to put it all back together. Maybe it won't be necessary for every tool repair your do, but remember, it's better to be safe than to be sorry.

  If something goes wrong and you end up not being able to fix the tool yourself, having a documented summary of what you did might help a professional repairman get your tool back in working order more quickly.

When done carefully and correctly, fix-it-yourself tool repair can definitely be the way to go to save money, and sometimes time as well. Some basic repairs are easy enough for beginners to do, and maybe you have the know-how you need to fix your own tool. Just remember to be careful, and please consider the above suggestions. We love it when you come to us for parts or repairs, and want you to have a successful experience no matter which option you choose.

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