Power Tools for the Home is intended for those of you that are novices, but are planning to do some projects around your house and are wondering which would be the best power tools to use. There are different kinds of tools that can be used for different jobs. However, there are certain tools, like stand alone tools, that are dedicated to be used for specific jobs. These type tools are best rented for the intended job.
Corded or Rechargeable Tools?
There’s a lot to be said for both, good and bad. For Corded Tools the good is you will always have power as long as the tool is plugged in. The tool will always operate at full power. The bad is, Cords! The odds are you will need an extension cord (or more if more then one tool is being used) because the cord(s) on the tool(s) will not be long enough. If your not careful, cords can be a tripping hazard for anybody that may be working with you or comes onto your work site. Also if you have more than one tool plugged in and are using them at the same time, you could trip the breaker.
Then there’s the Rechargeable Tools. These tools are lot more convenient. There are no cords to trip over or have to pull when you need more cord. In the past few years, rechargeable tools have come a long way then they used be. For instance, the batteries hold their charge longer, the tools are more powerful and comparable to corded tools then they were a few years ago. The disadvantage is, unless you use these tools frequently, they will lose their charge gradually while in storage and when you have an unexpected job such as a repair where this tool would make short work of it, you may find that you can’t use it until it is recharged.
What tools should I get?
Power Drill
Power Drill
This is a tricky question because everyone’s needs are different. I would say the most popular first Power Tool would be the Power Drill. Depending on the drill you buy, you can drill holes in wood, metal, and masonry. The drill can be used as a Screw Gun if you are doing heavy work. If you are doing lighter work, be careful, if the Drill does not have variable speed on it, you could cause damage.
Electric Sander
Orbital Sander
If you have a lot of sanding to do, I would recommend an Electric Sander. An Orbital Sander to be exact.It can make short work of the project than if you used a sanding block. Just keep that sander moving or you could end up with grooves or disk marks and that would not be good.
Reciprocating Saw
Reciprocating Saw
Another tool which may come in handy is an Reciprocating Saw. These are good for cutting out dry wall, and cutting metal and wood and PVC piping, also they can fit into spaces that a hand saw can’t.
Electric Screwdriver
Electric Screwdriver
Another tool is the Electric Screwdriver It’s not a necessary tool but can come in handy if you have a lot of screws to remove and install. As an example, I replaced all my toggle switches in my house. That’s a lot of cover plates and switches. That’s also a lot of screws to take out and reinstall. So it came in handy.
Circular Saw
Circular Saw
Finally, a tool that I hesitantly recommend is the Circular Saw. This tool can be dangerous if used wrong and carelessly. But it can be a real time saver if you need to cut plywood or a number of boards. It sure beats a hand saw. But Be careful! I don’t mean to sound like an alarmist, but I’ve known a number of people that have been injured unnecessarily because of a lack of knowledge and carelessness. Let the saw do the cutting, don’t force it. If you push faster than it can cut, it could kick back on you and could cause severe damage to you!
How much do they cost?
The cost of the tools I’ve listed vary in price. It depends on the quality of the tools you want. That should depend on how often you are going to use them. If you are going to use them a lot, get the best tools that you can afford. If the tools are going to spend most of the time on a shelf between projects, I would recommend you scale the price down. Do your research on the tools. Price them from the lowest cost to a high cost for a high end tool. Unless you are constantly using the tool (I’d go for a high end tool then), settle for a medium priced tool. In that way you won’t have a cheap undependable tool or an unnecessary expensive one, but a good quality tool which will last you, with care, a long time.
Good Luck!
Brian
Hi Brian!
Even though you have obviously just started with your website, I will save it for future references. Very descriptive and helpful article. I will need it cause I intend to start renovating my old country house, and I do not have much experience in using power tools. I like those practical advises you give like planning what you will need to use in particular parts of the projects. I guess your long experience comes to play here.
Tanks!
Great information Brian,
You pointed out a few things I have not considered when buying tools to do a new project. I never thought of getting a power screwdriver for those toggle switches. This would have been great advice when I purchased my first home. Would there be a type of power screwdriver or features to look for that you recommend or are they all pretty standard?
I like your website and background story.
Keep up the great work.
Cheers
Paul
Hello Paul,
Thank you for your kind comments. There’s an old saying, “you get what you pay for”. You can get a basic screwdriver that works on batteries, I’m not sure how strong the torque is on it, or you can pay more and get more features and they are rechargeable. Just do your homework and get one that suits your needs.
Brian
The “wireless” rechargeable tools sure are nice. It seems that battery technology could really use a boost. Battery technology is good, and certainly better than it was years ago. However, with so much mobility these days, batteries just don’t seem to last as long as current needs demand. Wireless power may provide an interesting alternative. I suppose there are lots of safety concerns with wireless power. By the way, I appreciate your brief section on caution. We all need to be careful. Reading the instructions is never a bad idea.
Great post about power tools. It’s amazing how much easier and faster something can be built with the aid of power tools. I look forward to seeing how this industry develops over the next few years. Thanks for posting this. I enjoyed reading it.
These are great ideas for necessary tools that are needed around the house, such as the electric screwdriver. I remember when I was a kid, I got my father a electric screwdriver for Christmas one year and he used it for years. It also reminded him of being a Dad whenever he used it, so it had sentimental value as well. These are awesome tools to have to do DIY projects with.
Hey Brian.
I can see that your website is brand new, but it coming along very well!
This is an excellent and very helpful list of the different tools diy-ers would need. You’ve done a great job of explaining and describing the tools, as even I can understand it (I don’t know much about tools at all!).
Keep up the good work. You’ll get there!
Hannah.
Hiya Brian, I love the idea on explaining to the fellow DIY on the type of tools out in the marketplace on what really works for you, You obviously a keen DIYer and have experience in hand, I be honest with you, I,m not a handy man but there are 1000s if not millions of fellow DIYers would find this interesting! I wish you success!
Thanks for all that information power tools, I’ve always been a bit of a Black & Decker man, but I do wonder if I shouldn’t be moving towards cordless. I hate training accord around and have a I do plug. Especially if I’m working up high, where the cord pulled back down against you and makes your job clumsier and harder. Other any cordless sand as you would really recommend?
Hello Donald, I cannot recommend any brand over another because I’m not familiar enough with them all. I recommend that you do research on the type tool you want and make comparisons with all the type tools that you are interested in. In your case, sanders. I would pick the type you want and what features your interested in, then pick a number of them to see the likes and dislikes as far as features, prices differences and what you believe your needs are and then make a decision. Good luck!
Brian
hey thank you for this article guide for picking power tools for the home. This is important things to consider if someone wants to build something on their own and to get rid the labor. I have some questions. What are the basic power tools to buy that is commmon to use at home?