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