There are a few things that no home should be without: warm 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 own.
1. Electric drill
Every household on the block should have a corded or (preferably) cordless power drill handy. Having a good drill will simplify common household tasks like tightening screws on your cabinets, hardware, light sockets, etc. And any repair, renovation, hobby, or DIY project becomes that much more professional with a good power drill at your disposal. Corded drills are generally a bit more powerful, but have the problem of being tethered 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 better 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 (eg, tree limbs) outdoors, a reciprocating saw completes homeowners’ outdoor tasks with surprising ease and efficiency. Home removal or demolition applications are also made simple with a reciprocating saw; its powerful oscillating blade is ideal for dismantling old furniture and outdoor equipment (swings or fences) or for consolidating yard waste. The great thing about reciprocating saws is that they really do cut anything. The saw and blades are designed to slide through almost any material, so no (reasonable) home or garden task 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 home and garden maintenance. Both corded and cordless 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 the electric saws, and offers a wide range of applications, from ripping and crosscutting to cutting fence and deck battens. Most circular saws are designed specifically for cutting 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. Possibly the most positive note, however, is that circular saws are incredibly lightweight, versatile, portable, and comfortable to use. Although even electric models are surprisingly portable, having a cordless model eliminates any reliance on power outlets or power cords. Ultimately, these saws can go anywhere and, in one package, can do more than most saws on the market. Certainly, there are specialty saws that can do a little 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, 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 wide variety of benefits to a 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 the cut in one degree increments. The saw also features built-in capabilities at common cutting angles for the most precise angled cuts. Because they are large and built with a fence and saw table for precision, miter saws are a bit more difficult to move than a standard circular saw; its mobility, however, rarely presents an obstacle too great to be significant, and the ease and precision of its performance makes its relative bulk worth any potential limitations. Ideal for any renovation project or woodworking application for shelving, tabletops, door frames, and fence and deck cleats, 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. Finish sander
For home or hobby projects such as refinishing, painting, and caulking, a finishing sander is an indispensable tool. Most finish 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, paint stripping, or preparing a surface for painting or staining. Designed to quickly produce the smoothest surfaces, finishing sanders are ideal for all woodworking applications from finishing furniture, birdhouses, hardwood floors, and other woodworking projects. Finish 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. Finish sanders provide the smoothest results, and with superior comfort and ease of use, every homeowner should have a good finish 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 fully focused and dedicated to the task at hand. These five power tools will improve your home (garage and shop) and his ability to take care of it efficiently. In short, love your power tools, use them with care and let them fill your home with the warm glow of professional craftsmanship.
