Toolcare introduction

This manual is intended for use by groups of people involved in practical conservation work, and is based on the experience gained over many years by The Conservation Volunteers. Its purpose is to give guidance on the storage, maintenance and repair of tools and equipment used in conservation work, together with advice on the setting up of workshops and toolstores.

Chapters 1-4 deal with the planning, fitting out and organisation of a workshop and toolstore, and are of particular relevance to the larger conservation groups and other organisations. Chapters 5-7 describe in detail how to repair the full range of field tools. Advice is also given on the repair of workshop tools, where relevant.

As in all things, opinions will differ on the best way of solving a problem, and tool storage and repair is no exception. The methods recommended in this manual are those which The Conservation Volunteers has found by experience to be best, but other methods are not precluded.

Dimensions are given in metric, with imperial equivalents in brackets.