If you're a homeowner, you know how important it is to do certain repair or remodel projects around your home yourself. Not only does that save you money, but assures that these jobs get done right. Having the right tools is part of that. Doing a personal power tools review of the important tools will make sure you have the right tool and that tool has the right features and accessories.
There are three essential power tools every homeowner must have. Of course, there are hundreds of power tools, and hundreds of iterations to those tools, but the three you must have are 1) a power drill, 2) a saber saw (commonly called a jigsaw) and 3) a circular saw. The drill allows you to drill holes and drive screws and the two saws will allow you to cut nearly any material in both curved and straight cuts, assuming you have the right bits and blades.
There are many features to every power tool, and these three are no exception. A well equipped power drill today comes out of the box with a keyless 3/8" chuck, infinite variable speeds, forward/reverse, one or more bubble levels, a clutch ring (for adjusting the torque), ergonomic grip, NiCad battery and powerful motors (choose 3.5 amp or higher). These features are for safety, accuracy and power. Remember; More power is always better than not enough power.
The sabersaw, called a scroll saw or jigsaw, is a power tool you'll use more than you know. If you don't have one now, start looking. With the right blade, you can cut through everything from plastic to thin metals to wood. These come with several very useful features and attachments, as well. Look for a sabersaw with a stable, cast base-plate that doesn't move when twisted using medium pressure. If its unstable, the blade may not stay vertically aligned and can wander off course! You'll want one with variable speeds, a lock-on trigger (eliminates finger fatigue), blade adjustment, a dust blower (keeps your pencil line clean), a 3+ amp motor and a tool-free blade replacement. A blade pop-out is nice, too.
The circular saw is the power eater of the bunch, with motors starting at around 12 amps and going way up from there. A cast or extruded base-plate is best here, too and feature rich models come with trigger guards (to prevent accidental starts) laser guides, variable speeds, depth and angle adjustments, spring loaded blade guards and dust chutes (for dust-free work). Even though these are indeed power eaters, they come in both corded and cordless models.
Again, get the most power you can afford. Constantly pushing your power tools to their maximum power range is a good way to wear them out! You should search online to get acquainted with what's available now—search "power tool", cordless drill", "sabersaw" or for information on specifics "cordless circular saw review", power tools review" or "name of manufacturer sabersaw review (i.e.. dewalt sabersaw review). The word "review" will bring back results with specs, descriptions and pros, cons and customer/user comments.
A power tool you may also consider, depending on your level of skill and specific use, is a power sander. Random orbital sanders leave no sanding marks, belt sanders are powerhouses and disk sanders come in both stationary units and attachments to your power drill. Table saws are fairly expensive, but if you're doing serious remodeling, could be almost a necessity. If you're cutting frames or molding in miter cuts you might look into a compound miter saw. These come in stationary and fold-up portable models, and could save you hundreds of hours if you're redoing your home's floor or crown molding.
The best thing you could do for yourself though, is to visit a big box and head to the tool area. Twenty minutes there will give you ideas you can't get anywhere else! And, speaking of the big boxes, they report a customer base today that's 40% women! Naturally, many power tools are now made with that in mind. Smaller, ergonomically different, powerful models sporting new colors and aesthetics. Used power tools are being sold everywhere and being refurbished and reconditioned to give the user years of service for much less than the original price. For more information on power tools go to RemodelQuickTips.com and click on DIY POWER TOOLS in the navigation column.
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