There are a few things no home should be without: heated beds, a full refrigerator, and power tools, to name just a few. Having just a few basic power tools around the house (garage or shop) can simplify almost any household task. More specifically, there are five life-changing power tools that no homeowner, handyman, or hobbyist should have.
1. Electric drill
Every household on the block should have a corded or (preferably) cordless power drill on hand. Having a good drill will simplify common household tasks like tightening screws in your cabinets, hardware, light sockets, etc. And any repair, renovation, hobby or DIY project becomes a lot more professional with a good power drill at your disposal. Corded drills are generally a bit more powerful, but have the problem of being anchored to a wall with a power cord. This limitation doesn’t present too much of an obstacle unless, of course, you need to move from one place to another. The mobility of cordless drills, on the other hand, makes them much more practical for home repairs. However, due to their battery, cordless drills tend to carry a bit more weight, but with battery technology advancing almost every day, cordless drills are becoming just as light and powerful as their electric counterparts. There are many types of drills on the market today, from hammer-action hammer drills to right-angle drills for getting into tight spaces. Each of these tools has special designs and capabilities to best perform different applications, but a standard power drill is perfectly qualified (if not absolutely necessary) for most household tasks.
2. Reciprocating saw
Reciprocating saws are typically designed for demolition and construction work, but at home, the reciprocating saw is the master of outdoor landscaping projects and removal jobs. For pruning, shaping, and cutting (such as tree limbs) outdoors, a reciprocating saw completes homeowners’ outdoor tasks with surprising ease and efficiency. Home removal or demolition applications are also made easier with a reciprocating saw; Its powerful oscillating blade is ideal for dismantling old furniture and outdoor equipment (swing set or fence) or for consolidating garden debris. The best thing about reciprocating saws is that they really cut through anything. The saw and blades are designed to glide through almost any material, so no (reasonable) household or garden chore is too much for a reciprocating saw. However, it is worth noting that many reciprocating saws are relatively large and heavy. Of course, there are many smaller, more portable varieties that are perfect for garden and home maintenance. Both wired and wireless models are available to best suit specific needs.
3. circular saw
A handheld circular saw is a must-have tool for any homeowner. The circular saw is extremely versatile, probably the most versatile of power saws, offering a wide range of applications, from ripping and cross cutting to cutting fence and decking strips. Most circular saws are specifically designed to cut wood, but most can also be used with special blades to cut metal, plastic, and other similar materials. Because saws can certainly be intimidating, especially to first-time users, the saw has a blade guard that almost completely covers the blade to protect users from the notoriously thin and sharp teeth of a circular saw blade. Perhaps the most positive note, however, is that circular saws are incredibly lightweight, versatile, portable, and convenient to use. Although even electric models are surprisingly portable, having a cordless model eliminates any dependency on electrical outlets or power cords. Ultimately, these saws can go anywhere, and in one package, they can do more than most saws on the market. Certainly there are specialty saws that can do it a bit better than a standard circular saw, but none that do it all so conveniently. Its portability, versatility, and compact size make the circular saw a wonderful tool for DIYers.
4. Miter Saw
Ideal for the fastest and most accurate crosscuts, every home should have a miter saw for the inevitable remodeling and renovation projects (both indoors and outdoors). From home improvements like crown molding to hobby projects like picture framing, miter saws offer a myriad of benefits to the homeowner. They are easy to use and provide greater precision than most saws on the market. Miter saws have what is called a miter index that allows users to cut at any angle by changing the angle of cut in one degree increments. The saw also features built-in capabilities on common cutting angles for the most accurate angle cuts. Because they are large and built with a fence and saw table for accuracy, miter saws are a bit more difficult to move than a standard circular saw; its mobility, however, rarely presents too great an obstacle to be significant, and the ease and precision of its performance makes its relative bulk worth any potential limitation. Ideal for any renovation project or woodworking application of shelving, tables, door frames, and fence and decking battens, the miter saw is a dream tool for all homeowners, hobbyists, and DIYers. The saw cuts angles with superior precision and brings a professional appeal to all home projects.
5. Finishing sander
For home or hobby projects like refinishing, painting, and caulking, a finishing sander is an indispensable tool. Most finishing sanders are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use, so restoring an old table or sanding a rough area on hardwood floors, fences, or decks is something most homeowners can easily handle. These sanders are incredibly useful for restoration work, stripping paint, or preparing a surface for painting or staining. Engineered to quickly produce the smoothest surfaces, finishing sanders are ideal for all woodworking applications, from refinishing furniture, birdhouses, hardwood floors and other woodworking projects. Finishing sanders are the most delicate of the sanding family and do not remove as much material with each pass. This means that while they are still in some danger, users are in much less danger of removing too much material from a work piece. Finishing sanders give the smoothest results, and with superior comfort and ease of use, every homeowner should have a good finishing sander on hand.
As with all power tools and industrial equipment, it is of the utmost importance to always be cautious. Even the most experienced craftsman can lose a finger if he is not completely focused and dedicated to the task at hand. These five power tools will improve your home (garage and shop) and his ability to care for you efficiently. In short, love your power tools, use them with care, and let them fill your home with the warm glow of professional craftsmanship.
