About Power Tools

Thomas Pretty asked:


From Chicago and Cincinnati to Leeds and London, all who undertake home improvements, understand that power tools can make the job considerably easier. Having the rights tools is an essential part of any job; these tools can be power saws, pneumatic drills, grinders and sanders. The utilisation of power tools an mean the timescale of a job is considerably reduced and the effort involved can be decimated. But for those heading out to buy power tools the choice can be overwhelming, knowing exactly which tool to use can in fact be half the battle. Hopefully this article will help ‘DIYers’ make the right choice.

When looking at power tools it is important to understand your needs for the job, additionally it is worth weighing up how often you will use the tool as the expense can be considerable. Buying the cheapest model may suit the one time user, but if buying a tool for regular use, it is normally worth making the investment and forking out. Any handyman worth his weight has a collection of tools that will help get the job done, making sure that these tools are of high quality and are robust is an essential element in the decision making process.

Most important is to consider how the tool feels when in the hand. Tools should always be comfortable to hold; after all, most tasks require use over hours rather than minutes, being uncomfortable after an hour is simply not acceptable. Part of this comfort includes an assessment of controls; where they are located on the tool and how accessible they are. Ultimately the controls should be easily reached; this could be the speed settings or the off switch.

Fundamentally power tools fall into two distinct categories; stationary and portable. Portable tools can be anything from a pneumatic drill to a belt sander. Stationary tools are items such as large circular saws and lathes. Stationary tools are heavy duty and in most cases will be situated in a garage or workshop. Ultimately they are best used when the power from a portable device will not be sufficient, usually they run off mains electricity and hence have more wattage and more power. For both types of tools it is always important to consider quality, there are many poor items on the market, but by sticking to well known and trade used devices it should be possible to always have the right tools for the job.

As well as this classification, power tools can be chosen along the lines of the power source they utilise. Normally they will either be electronic or pneumatic and depending upon the uses both have suitable applications. Pneumatic tools such as air saws and nail guns are favoured by those in the construction industry as normally they will have greater level of power. For instance a pneumatic nail gun will be able to penetrate far sturdier materials than an electronic version. Pneumatic tools however will need a ready air supply, for big jobs a compressor can be used but for smaller models it is normally possible to buy pressurised cylinders that fit directly into the device.

Electric devices are usually more suited to home improvement tasks as the power required is normally less. They are also a cheaper alternative and suitable for most household tasks. Ranging from cordless drills to handheld circular saws and planers the varieties are diverse. Thankfully with the wealth of information available on the internet it is always possible to find the right tool for the job. As previously stated all over the world power tools are used for both home improvement and construction, in Berlin, Chicago, London and Tokyo the power tool industry is booming. For the discerning ‘DIYer’, nothing else will do.



Sarah

Chris Nicholas asked:


Why does name brand power tools, such as DeWALT or Makita, cost so much more than the non-name brand power tools from foreign countries? What are you really paying all the extra money for when buying name brands? Whether you buy name brand or not, both power tools can do the same job but which one will work best for you? It is you who needs to decide what fits your lifestyle and your budget. Are Name Brand Power Tools Worth the Extra Money?

If you are looking for a power tool to use on the job site then name brand and only name brand is what you should buy. In this case, that power tool is helping you make an income. When it fails your production stops along with your income. That is why it is a good idea to buy name brands because they are less likely to fail. Name brand power tools are better built with higher quality materials. They can take more abuse in harder working conditions than non-name brands. Name Brand cordless power tools have batteries with a longer life span and more capacity. Their batteries can run longer with fewer charges. Name brand power tools also have better ergonomics which increases user productivity and decreases user fatigue. On top of that name brand power tools come with awesome warranties that are good sometimes for years. Non name brand warranties expire the day you use them.

On the other hand if you are looking for a power tool to use every once in a while then non-name brand power tools would be best for you. Non-name brand power tools are usually imported from foreign countries such as China or Japan. Their not as high quality as name brands but they are a third of the price. Non-name brands are great for home owners who only need a power tool for “around the house” projects where they are only used 20 or 30 times a year. If they are accidentally dropped or lost then it isn’t that big of a deal because they are so cheap you can just buy a new one and finish the task later. A home owner could buy three non-name brand power tools for the price of one name brand power tool. Foreign power tools still get the job done and if taken care of they will last for years.

Name Brand power tools are worth the extra money if you are using them to make some money but if you’re just looking build a bird house then non-name brand would be best. Personally I choose non-name brands because I only use them once in a while around the house and since they are so cheap I can buy more of a variety of power tools to make my garage that much more versatile. Whether you decide to buy name brand or non-name brand, in the end you always get what you pay for and it is you who determines whether it is worth the extra money.



Ruth

z3po asked:


Many times I have thought many stores sell reconditioned tools like new ones.

Harold

dt asked:


Is it any good, really bad, really good? For example not useful, breaks easy, over priced, not needed, ect…

Is the knock off copycat of it any good?

It seems like a good all in one tool that out performs the old technology and I need something to help me work on my house with simplicity and cost effectiveness.

Andre

kmandvr asked:


I want to know if there is some kind of power tool available to remove roof shingles so I can do it myself…..I can’t afford to hire a contractor

Arthur

AeCuTiE8504 asked:


I’m looking for a power tool I saw on t.v. today in a lowes commerical…the name of it is Skil Lithium Ion Power Cutter. It said on the commercial its at Lowes but I can’t find it online. I really just need to know the price. Does anyone know where I can find it??

Victor

Chuck Lunsford asked:


Arguably one of the most important inventions in modern times, the portable drill has proven to be one of, if not the, most important and useful tool today. In this article I’ll offer a few tips on how to choose the right power or cordless drill for your needs.

Choosing A Drill:

Because of its versatility, the electric or battery powered drill is a wise choice for the homeowners first portable power tool. It can drill metal, wood, plastic, concrete, and perform many other operations as well.

The size of the drill is determined by the largest drill shank (the shank is the part of a drill bit grasped by the chuck of a drill) its chuck will accept, which may be ¼, 3/8, ½, or ¾ inch. The ¼ inch size is probably the handiest for the average job around the home or workshop. A drills power varies with size and make but typically ranges from 1/5 hp for the ¼ inch models to as much as 1 ½ hp for the ¾ inch models. There are some heavy-duty hand held models with higher HP ratings, but for everyday use they would be overkill. Speed usually decreases with size (though turning power increases), ranging from about 2000 r.p.m. for the ¼ inch size to around 1200 r.p.m. for 3/8 inch and 600 r.p.m. for ½ inch drills. The larger ¾ inch drills (more commonly used for professional and industrial work) are commonly in the 250-475 r.p.m. range. The slower speeds of the larger drills provide greater turning power (torque) necessary for driving large diameter bits and hole saws. Today there are models that perform in all r.p.m. ranges.

The high speed of the ¼ inch drills equips them no only to drill holes up to ¼ inch in diameter in metal and ½ inch in wood, but also for sanding. Variable speed control is available on most models these days as well as the feature to reverse the drills direction. The speed control lets you select the best drilling speed. Reverse is useful in backing out wood bits from deep holes.

Heavy duty drills of any given size vary more widely in price than do the light-duty models because of differences in bearings, wiring, and other features. For normal home use, heavy-duty features are not usually needed.

Most power drills are equipped with 3-wire grounding cords to protect the user from shock in case of internal electrical damage. Although becoming rare, if you buy a drill with a 2-prong plug, be sure the tool is a type in which the outer shell and chuck are completely insulated from the wiring. Such drill are commonly termed double-insulated drills.

Cordless drills come equipped as kit complete with one or two rechargeable batteries, battery charger, as well as a polyethylene plastic carrying case. The rechargeable batteries manufactured today are a far cry from the earlier attempts in power, longevity, and durability. 12 volt, 14.4 volt, 18 volt, and 24 volt batteries are now the ordinary instead of the exception.

Whatever drill you buy, check the guarantee as well as the availability of parts. Your best bet is to opt for the quality of a reputable manufacturer. Keep in mind that this is a substantial purchase of a toll you can reasonably expect to be in action years from now. Do your homework; pick the right tools for your needs, take proper care of it, and it will take care of you for years to come.



Erin

Smit Mathur asked:


In earlier days, man used tools which were made of bones or wood. Then came the metallic tools, made of copper and iron. The modern era is of power tools. They are nothing but normal tools, which are being powered by a motor that can be an electric one, or a gasoline based or one based on compressed air. They may be stationary or portable.

 

The portable power tools are easier to handle, as they can be taken to any small corner or anywhere you want to work. These tools are used in industries, houses as well as at big and small construction sites. Power tools cover every aspect of the utility that one may think of. They can do painting, shaping, brushing, sanding, drilling, cutting, grinding, and so on. In big factories, stationary power tools are used to increase productivity. The need is of bulk work at such sites and during bulk production, hand held tools would not be of much use.

 

Electric power tools have gained a lot of popularity and importance in the last couple of decades. The electric power tools are powered by electric motors, which either run on the electric supply from a switch board or from a battery. Again electric power tools are of two types, stationary and portable. The stationary electric power tools are those which use cords and are also meant mostly for heavy works. Examples of this kind are electric drills, electric saws, electric grinders, etc.

 

The stationary type electric power tools have gained much importance in the recent past. They are not as powerful as the stationary type, but they give us the flexibility of reach and they are generally lighter than the stationary ones. These are powered by either rechargeable batteries or normal throw away batteries. Modern high capacity batteries made of Li-ion are also being used to make the tool run for a longer time, without recharging. The examples of this type are hand held drills, hand held saws, and so on.

 

Though we may still see mechanical tools in use, but the future indeed lies with the power tools thatgiive us power, speed and ease of work.



Marjorie