Archive for January, 2009

Power Tools Vs. Hand Tools

Saturday, January 31st, 2009
Chris Nicholas asked:


Stop wasting your time with using hand tools when you could be using power tools that are faster and more efficient. Hand tools have been around for centuries and are simple but slow. Today we still have hand tools but they are old technology and out dated. Hand tools were all that we had until power tools were introduced to the public. Power tools are what built the United States and all of the cities in it were all constructed with the help of some kind power tool.

Power tools revolutionized how we did our everyday tasks. Power tools enabled us to get more work done with less user fatigue than compared to using hand tools. Power Tools allowed a person to get the job done 2 to 3 times faster than compared to using hand tools which allows more time to do what you want and not chores or work. Why pound nails with a hammer when you can use a nail gun. Why turn wrenches and ratchets when you can use air tools and finish in half the time and half the effort. I even know people that only take their cars to mechanics that use power tools because power tools will get the job done in half the time saving you money.

Then Power Tools went to the next level by going cordless. Cordless power tools allowed a person to go anywhere and everywhere with no cords attached. No more dragging around extension cords or being limited to working next to an outlet. Today’s technologies have made power tool batteries with 2 times more capacity and only 1 hour charge times. With 2 batteries and a charger, a person could work all day without running out of battery power. Cordless power tools work great for working on roofs because extension cords tend to want to slide off the roof or they are not long enough and won’t reach your work area. Little things like this take up a lot of time and will slow your productivity down.

So when are you going to put down the screw driver and pick a power drill. If you’re looking to use power tools on the job I recommend Name Brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, or Skil. If you want a power tool to use around the house I recommend Non-Name Brands because their a third of the price of name brands and still are just as good. Our whole community depends on power tools anywhere from cordless drills to impact wrenches we all depend on them and most of us use them everyday.



Bryan
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Power Tool Battery Care

Friday, January 30th, 2009
Bobby George asked:


Chances are, most of you have at least one or two power tools around your home. They are great for both small and large projects and make many tasks much easier due to their power and portability. However, a power tool without power is really no tool at all and will be of little use to anyone. Yet many power tool batteries lose their power due to improper care and the somewhat costliness of replacement power tool batteries causes a lot of power tools to lie dormant. That being said, here are some useful tips for keeping your power tool batteries in the best possible condition to ensure that you’re not left scratching your head next time you need to use your power tool.

First off, most power tool batteries are made up of several smaller cells packed inside the battery casing. These cells are predominantly NiCD, meaning that the same rules for all NiCD batteries apply here as well. These batteries have a tendency to develop a memory effect. In order to ensure that your power tool battery doesn’t lose a significant amount of its runtime, it is important to practice smart charging behavior. Power tool batteries should be power cycled (fully discharged and fully charged) at least once every few weeks to guard against the memory effect.

Have you ever stored a car or lawnmower for the winter and tried to start it a few months later only to find that the battery is dead? The same will happen to a power tool battery if not properly maintained. This is probably the number one killer of power tool batteries today, especially for those that only use their tools for odd and end jobs every now and then. If the battery is not taken from storage and charged/discharged occasionally, it will certainly fail to function when you need it. When you do store power tool batteries, make sure to store them in a dry, cool, clean place away from metal and heat. Never store power tool batteries on the charger, as this will overcharge the battery and also diminish its runtime.

Many people use power tools in some pretty rough places, such as construction sites, mechanic shops, and landscaping areas. This means that power tool batteries often become dirty and should be cleaned to keep them working correctly. To ensure that dirt doesn’t interfere with the battery connections and cause the tool not to function normally, clean the battery contacts with some alcohol and cotton swabs.

If you do have a power tool battery that no longer takes a full charge or simply will not function at all, it may be time to consider having the battery rebuilt. The rebuilding process involves opening the battery casing and replacing the smaller individual cells inside with new rechargeable cells. This process often costs much less than the price of a new battery and most batteries can even be improved by using higher capacity cells which allow the battery to last longer in between charges.



Allan
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Safety Tips for Common Power Tools

Monday, January 26th, 2009
Debbie Johnston asked:


When using power tools, safety is the most important thing to consider. Using power tools correctly and safely will ensure the safety of you and anyone else around you. Different power tools gave different procedures to make sure that they are operating safely.

The router is a great tool for shaping wood quickly and cleanly. However, there are several things to keep in mind when using a router. Test out the router on a piece of scrap metal to make sure that it is of the proper depth. If the router is too deep or not deep enough, you will ruin the wood, and potentially harm yourself. Be sure to keep the bit away from the wood when you first start the router. When the router comes up to speed, firmly grip the handle and move the bit slowly and carefully into the object you are working on.

Reciprocating saws are used for cutting all kinds of materials, renovating and dismantling structures, and opening up walls. Naturally, this heavy-duty tool should be used with precaution. Holding the reciprocating saw with both hands when using it is a must. It is very powerful and has the ability to pull very hard on the user. The blades for this type of saw range from 6 inches to 12 inches. The blades can break, so have extras, and be careful with the blades when you are finished with the saw because the blades heat up tremendously while being used.

The power miter saw is also called a chop saw. It is used to make crisp, quick, and accurate cuts. It is often used on carpentry or picture framing. While in use, this saw should be raised off of the ground (this can be done with two-by-fours). It should be raised because the chips of wood that fall out of the machine can pile up and clog it if it is not elevated. Check the blade guard of the saw, and be sure to be cutting on a sturdy surface.

Finally, there are some general safety tips that can be applied to all power tools. Always wear goggles. This tip cannot be stressed enough. Eye injuries are very common when working with power tools, so always protect your eyes. Read all instructions thoroughly. All power tools have their little quirks. Read the instructions and learn the proper way to use the power tool. Follow warning labels. This may seem like a simple safety tip, but many people ignore warnings (for example: they stand on the very top of the ladder, and fall over). Finally, be very careful and eliminate distractions whenever possible. Following these few tips should help you be safer when using any kind of power tool.



Jerry
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Beware Of Common Power Tool Accidents

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
Allan Wilson asked:


I still remember the pain as my friend drilled into my finger as I was helping out by holding the oven door he was trying to fix. But sadly I am just one of thousands who have experienced some sort of accident ranging from mild to quite serious while using power tools.

We all understand the reasons why safety is so important when it comes to operating power tools. The risk of an accident is very possible. Thousands of minor and major accidents are reported each year with power tools.

There are even some reports of death as a result. You can help reduce your chances of being involved in a power tool accident by using each one only for intended uses as outlined by the manufacturer. You should also heed their recommendations for the proper safety equipment to use while you are operating a particular power tool.

The most common power tool accidents involve injuries to the fingers. This can be anything from a minor cut to losing the entire finger. Approximately half off all finger amputations in the United States each year are the result of an injury involving a power tool. The index and the middle finger are the two generally involved in the accident. The most common power tool involved in these cases are the various types of saws. Of these finger injuries, 55% occurred while operating the power tool at home.

According to OSHA, a large portion of power tool injuries occur because the power source is not removed while changing parts on the power tool. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have with the power tool or how quickly you can change the part. Drill bits and saw blades are the most common culprits. It only takes a moment to unplug the power source. If you are using a cordless power tool, you may want to remove the battery before you change anything on it. The inconvenience is worth your safety.

Cords on power tools are another concern. Many power tool accidents have been eliminated by going to cordless power tools. If you operate any type of power tool that has a cord, make sure you have it properly secured. Don’t leave the cord out in the open where you or someone else can trip on it. There is the risk of electrocution so make sure the cords aren’t frayed. This includes an extension cords you may be using as well. Keep the cords out of wet, damp areas, and make sure there is nothing in the area that can accidentally be spilled on them.

Even if you use the power tool as it should be operated and have on the right safety equipment, accidents can still happen in the blink of an eye. Tripping, slipping, or falling while you have a power tool in your hand can result in an injury. One unfortunately young man was using a staple gun on a ladder with safety equipment on when he lost his footing. He fell from the ladder and ended up with several long nails in his skull. He didn’t die from it but could have.

To help prevent power tool accidents, make sure your work area is secure. Ladders should be securely in place. Never work on a surface that is slippery or unstable. It is a risk you don’t want to be taking with a power tool in your hand. I understand that not all work areas are under the best of circumstances. Be cautious and use common sense.

This information isn’t meant to scare you, only to help you remember that power tools are dangerous, and you have to use them responsibly. Hopefully all of your experiences with power tools with be safe. Do your part to use them under the best possible conditions to help reduce the amount of power tool accidents out there.

As you do your part, so with the manufacturers of power tools. They are very aware of the types of accidents and injuries that take place with power tools. They strive to make improvements on their power tools to help reduce the risk. Most manufacturers welcome your comments, so if you have any ideas on making them safer please contact the manufacturer of that particular power tool.



Russell
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what is the name of the power tool?

Monday, January 19th, 2009
toocleartosee asked:


i saw it on tv and i cant remember the name or where it was sold. it was an infomercial sellin a saw that uses sonic technology and cuts just about anything with different adapters
yeah thats it , the sonicrafter. i appreciate it. both answers were correct, i found the bosch one but the one i found was a weak 12v cordless, but cordless rulz. thnx for the answers. wish i could vote for both, but the second was more precise. thnx again guys

Lillie
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