| When a new home appliance or power tool is | | | | extra circuits, or in having a larger meter and fuse |
| delivered, always make certain you read all instruction | | | | box installed. |
| booklets and other accompanying literature carefully | | | | Prevent Kinking |
| before putting the gadget to work for the first time. | | | | To prevent electric power cords on portable |
| Fill out and mail whatever guarantee cards | | | | appliances from twisting and kinking, home handymen |
| accompany the item, and, most important of all, be | | | | can cover them with a spiral plastic cord wrapper of |
| sure you file this literature in a safe place where it | | | | the type that is sold in many hardware and |
| can be referred to later on whenever repairs are | | | | home-furnishing stores for use on telephone cords. |
| needed. | | | | These are installed by simply twisting in place around |
| The booklet may tell you how to make some of the | | | | the outside of the cord. |
| simpler repairs and adjustments yourself, and will give | | | | Electric Plugs |
| you serial numbers, model numbers and other | | | | To keep plastic electric plugs on appliances from |
| pertinent data which you may need in the future | | | | cracking when they are accidentally banged or |
| when trouble occurs. | | | | crushed, wrap them with one or two layers of plastic |
| Lubrication | | | | or rubber tape, particularly if the appliance is to be |
| When oiling small motors and other delicate moving | | | | used around the garage or workshop. This method |
| parts of appliances, most manufacturers recommend | | | | can also be used to make an emergency repair on |
| that only a few drops of light oil be applied. To | | | | one of these plugs after the damage has been done. |
| simplify the task of measuring out the required | | | | However, replace it with a new plug as soon as |
| amount, and to avoid dangerous over-oiling, apply the | | | | possible. |
| oil with an eyedropper so that the exact amount can | | | | Parts Tray |
| be accurately measured. | | | | When making repairs on small appliances, screws, |
| Clean Motors | | | | gears and other miniature parts are often easily |
| Electric motors in appliances and workshop machines | | | | misplaced. Eliminate this problem by folding up a small |
| can have their efficiency cut considerably if heavy | | | | tray of white cardboard or aluminum foil. The |
| accumulations of dust or grit are allowed to | | | | light-colored material will make parts easier to spot, |
| accumulate on the inside around the windings, | | | | and the lip that is folded around the edge will prevent |
| bearings or commutator. To prevent trouble before it | | | | the parts from accidentally rolling away. |
| happens, the homeowner should get in the habit of | | | | Appliance Touch-Up |
| cleaning all motors thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner | | | | When the finish on a kitchen appliance becomes |
| at least twice a year. Use the narrow crevice | | | | scratched or nicked so that the bare metal |
| attachment to suck out dust and dirt where possible. | | | | underneath is exposed, it should be touched up as |
| Then use the blowing end to puff out the remainder. | | | | quickly as possible to prevent rusting. Special |
| Needless to say, make certain the motor being | | | | touch-up materials are sold in most paint, hardware |
| cleaned is turned off before starting this job. | | | | and appliance stores, or you can use any good grade |
| Preventing Motor Burn-Out | | | | of enamel in a matching color. |
| If a homeowner has trouble with motors on power | | | | In an emergency even a little clear fingernail polish |
| tools or appliances burning out for no apparent | | | | could be used to protect the metal till a permanent |
| reason - especially if several are plugged in on the | | | | repair can be made. Apply the touch-up with a small |
| same circuit - he should call a competent electrical | | | | cotton swab wrapped around a toothpick, and build |
| contractor to check his wiring and to check the loads | | | | up in layers if necessary to fill in a deep scratch. |
| on each circuit. When circuits are overloaded, | | | | Take care of your appliances in the ways mentioned |
| voltages delivered at the outlets will drop. Though | | | | above, and they should give you years of good |
| this may not be severe enough to blow a fuse, if | | | | service. It's worth taking the time and making the |
| continued long enough it may eventually cause | | | | effort. |
| motors to burn out. The only sure cure lies in adding | | | | |