Power tools are wonderful! This latest generation of children will probably never know what it is to laboriously saw through a board by hand or pound roofing nails onto a house in the hot sun.
With the powerful motors of today’s tools, our labour is easier and faster and recent innovations have even allowed our tools to reach tight places that were formerly impossible.
Power tools have allowed hundreds of small businesses to spring up and contribute to our communities. They save time and labour and also allow us to fix many things ourselves where we would otherwise have had to spend money on a professional. Do it yourself home repairs and renovations are no longer dreaded chores but satisfying weekend projects.
Whether it’s a battery operated screwdriver or a powerful table saw, there are many things you should look for when choosing a power tool. After all, a job is only as good as the tools you work with! Power tools are one of the products where you should always choose quality over low prices. If you can get both, well and good! But if you sacrifice quality for price you will ultimately pay more than you had planned.
There are several manufacturers with a reputation for quality and they should be considered but many up and coming companies are making some very fine quality power tools. One of the first things you should look for is the integrity of the casing. Is it made of thin plastic or solid, shock resistant material? Make sure it has a comfortable, non-slip grip, this is for your safety as well as convenience.
You may also want to compare power consumption. One of the reasons we like to do jobs ourselves is that we save money and adding considerably to our electric bill doesn’t accomplish that goal very well.
You will also want to make sure you are getting the proper tool for the job at hand. For instance, an electric screwdriver is handy for small jobs but totally inappropriate for constructing a shed or other large building. For that, you need a power drill with interchangeable tips that will let you get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Some of the most common power tools used around the house are a band saw, belt sander, chain saw, circular saw, drill, heat gun, jigsaw, table saw and a planer. Professional construction workers use these plus concrete saws, crushers, jointers, thickness planers and wood routers. Unless you build furniture for a living you will probably not use most woodworking tools such as planers and routers; these are quite expensive and you can subcontract out small jobs for a fraction of what the tools cost.
Once you decide the kind of tool you need and find a quality tool with good construction you should look at the safety options. Cutting tools should come equipped with guards and automatic shut-offs. There has even been a saw invented that stops automatically before the blade can come in contact with human skin! If you balk at the price of tools with more safety features, think of the medical you might incur if you skimp on safety not to mention the pain and lost work time.
Find out if your tool will need regular maintenance such as blade sharpening, oiling or motor work. These services might be offered by the store you buy them from or you may have to learn to do it yourself. Remember that your tools are only as good as the care you give them.
It’s a good idea to make a list of the tools you are considering so that you can look up consumer comments on the internet. Talk to your friends and even to sales reps at the store you’re shopping in and see what public reaction has been. No matter what the box says or the manufacturer’s website claims, feedback from real people who have used the tools are one of your most valuable resources when choosing the best tools for your needs.
Take safety seriously! For instance, a nail gun should always, always be empty unless you are ready to use it. Cords for chargers should always be tied up and kept short enough so that there is very little of it between the charger and the outlet—battery charger cords have been known to cause serious accidents when people trip over them. When you are not using your tools, remove the battery if there are children that could get hold of them.
Always wear eye protection when using your tools and ear protection, too. Although you may not think that gloves are necessary, they can save you a great deal of pain should your hand slip.
