Do you know that power tools are critical for home maintenance and DIYers? They reduce manual efforts in accomplishing tasks like drilling and wrenching. Having the right set of must-have power tools at home can help you fix many things on your own.
The correct toolkit set will save you from the time and expenses of calling a professional. Many beginners or DIYers can get overwhelmed with the wide range of tools in the market. The costly tools don’t need to be effective consistently.
You might collect thousands of dollars’ worth of power tools without knowing their use. Are you not able to decide the best power tools for you? Do not worry! The article is a complete guide on 17 must-have power tools for your home and DIY projects. Here is the list.
Must-Have Power Tools for Home
Cordless Drill
A cordless drill uses a rechargeable battery. Primarily, a drill is used to drill circular holes in wooden furniture, insert screws, and threaded fasteners into the material. Lithium-ion batteries power the best cordless drills making even the small drills more powerful.
Drills are available in high-torque tools used in tightening nuts, driving screws, and impact driver configuration for small construction works at home. You can use cordless drills for multiple purposes like hanging curtains, attaching shelves, DIY picture frames, and hanging pictures.
You can also cut perfect rounds for furniture fittings like doorknobs, driving bolts and nuts into concrete, and putting plastered wall panels. The handy tool uses a battery located below the handle to provide the basic power for chuck rotation. The trigger controls the speed, which can be adjusted by the amount of pressure on the trigger.
The motor converts electric power into energy from the battery for tip rotation. A cordless drill is highly flexible and delivers hassle-free performance. You do not have a cord to unravel, drag around, or plugin that restricts your reach.
Chop Saw
A chop saw is a powerful tool that makes straight cuts in wood. A chop saw having features that allow it to cut angles makes them a miter saw. Chop saw is used explicitly for accurate crosscutting of lumber at various angles. The tool is designed for making accurate and precise complete angled and square cuts in wood used in construction work.
Some chop saws types make bevel or angled cuts. Some cabinet makers rely solely on chop saws than purchasing an additional circular saw. The blade’s size allows carpenters to cut wood of different thicknesses. Standard chop saws slice only straight down, so they cut it only one plane.
The blade does not tilt away from a vertical direction. Compound chop saws allow angular cuts in one or two planes. Its blade can incline on one side from the vertical. The blade is dual compound chop saws that can turn in both directions. It helps to make bevel cuts in either direction.
Circular Saws
A Circular saw is one of the basic tools for DIY projects. It has a circular or round blade full of sharp teeth that tear through a piece of wood. All circular saws are electric with different power settings. Most of them are corded power tools that run on household current, but advancements are found in cordless circular saws.
Circular saw blades are ripping that cut material lengthwise along or with the wood. The crosscut blades are for cutting across the workpiece, while combination blades perform ripping and crosscutting for construction projects at home. It uses an abrasive or toothed disc or blade that cuts different materials.
It follows a rotary motion that spins around an arbor. Usually, electricity powers the circular saw or sometimes hydraulic motor or gasoline. These enable the saw to fasten to a piece of heavy equipment. The direct-drive design of circular saws has the blade mounted 90 degrees to the motor and on the arbor directly.
Worn drive saws are used for heavy construction works where the blade is driven by gear ahead of the motor. Circular saws can be left or right-handed based on the blade’s side where the motor exists.
Table Saw
The table saw is designed similar to upside-down circular saws. Here, the blade is exposed from below the work surface or saw table. Blade angles and depth are adjustable for accuracy. Cabinet table saws have motors attached in the lower cabinet wherein pulley and belt drive the blade.
They are heavy that are fixed in one place, and suitable for all-purpose works. A benchtop table saw is light-duty, so you can move it from one place to another and store conveniently at home. They are compact but a bit noisy. Mostly, DIYers and homeowners prefer benchtop saws.
They mostly have a direct-drive universal motor suitable for multiple woodworking and small home construction home projects. These have parts made up of steel, plastic, or aluminum.
Contractor table saws are heavier that is attached to a base or stand. They often have wheels that make them portable from one workplace to another. Building contractors involved in construction prefer contractor table saws for easy and quick cutting on the job sites. They are economical so are a good choice for beginners.
Angle Grinder
An angle grinder is a primary power tool used for abrasive cutting or grinding and polishing required for small construction works at home. An interchangeable power source has encouraged more use of angle grinders with multiple cutters and attachments. You can power the angle grinder with an electric motor or compressed air. It has a thinner cut-off disc or abrasive disc that you replace when worn.
Angle grinders feature a guard that is adjustable and a side handle for a two-handed operation. You can use certain angle grinders as sanders based on their speed range. It employs a sanding disc with a backing disc or pad. The backing system is made up of phenolic resin, rigid plastic, or medium-hard rubber based on desired flexibility.
Angle grinders are standard equipment for construction. They remove excess material from a piece. You can utilize different discs types for various materials and tasks like a diamond blade or cut-off discs, grinding stones, and polishing pads.
Angle grinders have large bearings to counter side forces that generate during cutting. There are multiple angle grinders to choose from when you have to find the right one for a specific job.
Impact Driver
An impact driver is a powerful handheld tool that delivers a sudden or a strong rotational force and forward thrust when you strike it on the back with a hammer. You can use it to loosen larger screws (bolts) and nuts that are corrosively over-torqued or frozen.
Manual impact drivers have a heavy outer sleeve that surrounds an inner core. The tool translates the sleeve’s heavy rotational inertia to the lighter core for generating more significant amounts of torque. The hammer’s striking blow forces the impact driver forward to screw reducing.
The impact driver has quick-release shanks and drives the enormous wood screws in a few seconds. Impact drivers are more compact and lighter than most of the other drills. But impact drivers usually deliver more power for a tool of any size while keeping the driver engaged with the screw head.
You will require an impact driver if you need to build a deck, install a plywood subfloor, or do a job that involves lots of wood screws for minor construction works. It will cut down your time and efforts while allowing you to drive large screws into wood.
Orbital Sander
An orbital sander is an electric wood-finishing tool that takes the strain out of hand sanding. It is a handheld fast-action machine that performs tasks quicker. Orbital sander uses sandpaper pads that revolve in a circular or orbital pattern.
The random-orbit action that it delivers has a variable head and disk angle of rotation. Regular orbital sanders spin a circular sandpaper disk in a circle. They often leave swirl marks when they remove the material. A random orbital sander does not circulate.
It oscillates randomly, leaving the wood surface mark-free and smooth. You can utilize it for multiple applications, including painting jobs, restoring headlight transparency and small construction works at home. It comes in three types known as electric, air-powered, and orbital floor sanders.
Nail Gun
A nail gun or nailer is a powerful tool that drives nails into wood or other material types. It is among the must-have power tools for DIY. Nail guns use compressed air or pneumatic, powder-actuated tools, highly flammable gases like propane or butane to create pressure on the nail. It will drive the hammer into the surface.
Nail guns use fasteners that are mounted in long chips based on their design. Full head nail guns use wire collated or long plastic coils for pallet making and roofing. Some strip nail guns use a clipped head to make the nails closer, allowing less frequent reloading.
Combustion nail guns use small containers of flammable gas that is ignited by a battery or spark plug. It creates little explosions that drive the hammer down. Battery-powered nail guns are suitable for smaller or lighter jobs.
Such nailers use a battery or an electric motor to provide the driving force behind the piston. As a result, it drives the hammer to hit the nail. Nail guns are made for a job that requires a 15 or 16-gauge nail, baseboards, crown molding, trim work, and door casings. You can use a nail gun for heavy construction jobs, decks, wood framing, and fences.
Jigsaw
A jigsaw uses a reciprocating blade for cutting irregular curves like stenciled designs in metal, wood, or other materials. It is an easy-to-use and versatile tool that makes intricate curved or straight cuts for woodworking tasks or craft projects.
Jigsaws with sole plates having a beveling function can cut angles up to 45 degrees. It will cut relative to the standard vertical stroke for making miter joints. The jigsaw’s blade up and down motion is stimulated by pulling a trigger on the saw’s handle.
Jigsaws are best for cutting curves and shapes in wood with a narrow blade attached to the tool’s body by a spring-loaded clamp at the front. There are T- and U-shank blades available in the accessory market for construction works. Tooth design is critical for a blade’s performance.
Tooth shape, spacing, and cutting angle are essential factors in providing variable speed, cuts’ cleanliness, and optimal performance. The teeth’ sharpness is measured in TPI or teeth per inch. A higher TPI makes a smoother cut that needs minor sanding. A side set and ground tooth are attached for clean and fast cuts in plastics and wood.
Oscillating Cutter
An oscillating cutter can handle multiple tasks like cutting, grinding, sanding, sawing, and scraping. It is a portable and compact power tool that accepts multiple interchangeable blades for carrying a wide range of tasks. An oscillating multi-tool is popular among carpenters, cabinet installers, serious hobbyists, and DIYers. You can use it for construction works at home.
The tool vibrates the blade over a narrow arc so as not to spray dust as a jigsaw or a high-speed rotary tool. An oscillating cutter’s variety of blades are wood-cutting, bi-metal, circular HSS blades, grinder blades, and scarper knives. The blade oscillates or vibrates back and forth at high speed, making the tool safer and easier to use.
A noticeable feature is a tool-free blade changing that saves your time on the job site. Ergonomic grips and trigger locks are among the common features. An oscillating cutter slices through any building material like wood, cement, mortar, drywall, and plastic.
The tool works where other tools do not go, like tight corners, narrow spaces, and awkward angles. The oscillating cutter has a vibration-dampening design with an easy-grip and tapered body.
Power Drill + Driver
A power drill allows you to perform numerous jobs at home, from making furniture to installing larger picture frames during construction. It is a handy tool that has an electrical motor that rotates a replaceable drill for making a hole in wood, metal, and plastic.
A drill driver is typically run by a battery having two modes that include screw driving and drilling. It has either a plastic chuck or metal body. A combo kit containing a power drill + driver will save time and work more efficiently. It is about two cordless tools together to work simultaneously. You only have to set the drill bit you will be using in the drill and the driver bit for the screws in the driver.
You do not have to change bits but can set one tool down and grab another. Ensure to install belt clips if you are working above the ground. You have to clip one tool to your belt and use the other when you are at height.
There is no requirement of drilling a pilot hole before driving a bit. Instead, you only have to do it when the wood has a danger of splitting. It will save you time if you do not have to swap out bits while using a single tool.
Miter Saw
A miter saw makes accurate crosscuts in a workpiece by positioning a blade onto a board. It is one of the basic woodworking tools that beginners find easy to make precise cuts for bevels, miters, and compound angles. Compound miter saws make crosscut, miter cuts, and rip cuts easily.
A miter saw in which the axis is tilted in a single direction or both directions is a single, double bevel compound miter saw. Their powerheads tilt to both sides that allow miter and bevel cuts. Some miter saws have a sliding rail system for cutting wider workpieces lying flat on the table. It is a sliding compound saw.
The power miter saw cuts by pulling a circular saw blade spinning down on a workpiece in a controlled motion. The material stands against a fence that provides a precise cutting angle. It is a standard tool for home improvement projects. A miter saw’s blade is usually 8-12 inches.
The blades are of carbon steel, while some blades have a coating around them. The coating makes the cutting trouble-free for you. A blade can have 24-100 teeth, and a higher number of teeth signifies more delicate cutting. Miter saw is one of the must-have power tools for DIY.
Air Compressor
An air compressor is a pneumatic tool that forces more air into a storage tank and increases pressure. It converts existing power into potential energy stored in compressed or pressurized air. The tool uses an electric motor, gasoline engine, or diesel.
The air compressor draws in air and creates a vacuum to reduce the volume. The vacuum pushes the air from the chamber into the storage tank. The air compressor shuts off when the tank’s pressure reaches the upper limit. The energy in compressed air is used for multiple applications.
The best air compressors supply air for filling up tires or inflatable pool toys. They supply air for filling up tires or inflatable pool toys. They can provide power for operating tools. Air compressors work well with drills, nail guns, grinders, and spray guns while construction at home.
Air compressors have various sizes and shapes, and you will find them in auto workshops, nearby garages, and large shop floors. The compressors are lightweight and more compact than other centralized sources of power. They have a long life with less maintenance required and are easier to move. Compressors get air by using reciprocating piston technology.
Wrenches
A wrench tightens or loosens nuts and bolts to fasten a joint. The wrench’s head fits over the nut that provides appropriate torque to tighten or loosen it. A crescent wrench is a one-sided wrench with a curved head. It has an opening to slide around the nut.
A longer handle creates greater leverage or torque and provides you a better grip. Adjustable crescent wrenches are versatile as you can adjust their width. You can use one crescent wrench for bolts of multiple sizes. It implies you do not have to carry full wrenches set in your tool bag.
Open-ended wrenches are a standard tool in the home toolbox and come in fixed sizes to be used in multiple construction purposes. They have a slim body making it easier to work in tight spaces. A box-end wrench is also a fixed wrench with a box or closed circle shape in place of a crescent with an opening. A box-end wrench fits entirely over the nut.
However, they are tougher to use in tight spaces without enough clearance to slide the wrench over the nut. A combination wrench is a versatile tool that has a combo of an open-end and box-end wrench.
Wire Cutters
Wire cutters are used for cutting copper, iron, brass, aluminum, and steel wire. Some wire cutters feature insulated handles that protect you from shock from the wires you are working with. Each wire cutter is designed such that you can use it within a specific wire gauge range.
Diagonal cutters have intersecting jaws that can cut the wire at a specific angle, leaving a flat tip. These are commonly known as flush cutters to discriminate them from symmetrical cutters. Pliers are a type of wire cutter and are built similarly to scissors such that they have two levers.
The levers are joined at a fulcrum. Longnose pliers squeeze in tight spaces and move or loop wires. Cutting pliers have sharp edges that can trim through thick electrical wire and screws. Electronic pliers have a small or narrow jaw to cut delicate electrical components.
Bent nose pliers have bent jaws at an angle near the tip. It helps you reach tight spaces easily. Wire crimpers are similar to pliers but join two pieces of metal or ductile materials together. A crimper deforms one or both pieces that holds them together.
Wire cutters are play a specific role in construction works at home that you can do it yourself.
Screw Drivers Cut
A screwdriver is a tool that fits almost every screw. It is essential in metalwork, woodwork, and electrical work. A screwdriver set has various types of screwdrivers that will help you in multiple jobs. It is commonly used for electrical equipment, mechanical and industrial works, and fastening wood to metal.
A screwdriver is among the vital tools in a tool kit. A power screwdriver is the most versatile one that makes a job easier and faster. It has a torque that is stronger than an ordinary electric screwdriver that is battery-powered. It comes with bits that you can change quickly and use for multiple jobs.
A flat-head screwdriver is a common tool found in the market. It has a flat -head and straight blade that fits into slotted screw heads. It differs in thickness with a variety of sizes and shapes. A Philips screwdriver has pointed edges with a head in a cross shape. These fit neatly into the cross slots.
Star or Torx screwdriver has a star-shaped imposition that produces more torque, especially for mechanical production. Insulated screwdrivers are made from rubber and are ideal for electricians. A torque screwdriver is an ideal tool for tightening screws without breaking the material that they fasten. It has a unique torque-limiting clutch that limits how the amount of force to be applied during construction works.
Hammer Drill
Hammer drills are power tools that drill hard materials like concrete blocks, bricks, and mortar used during construction at home. It works with an impact mechanism that generates a hammering motion. It has a percussion or cam-action mechanism in which two toothed gear sets interact with each other mechanically to hammer.
Hammer drill has two discs having ridges that resemble the poker chip ridges. One disc slides past the other. It rises and falls that clamp to slam forward and back. If a force does not exist on the chuck, the discs get separated by a clutch. It results in a stoppage of a pounding action. It saves wear and tear. You do not have to spend a considerable amount of money on hammer drill bits.
However, expensive bits come with superior carbide tips that are securely attached to the bit’s shank. If you turn off the hammer drill’s impact mechanism, you can use the tool like a conventional drill to perform tasks similar to screwdriving. The Black Decker hammer drill machine is an electronic drill that comes with realistic sounds and lights.
Conclusion
The above 17 power tools will give you a clear picture of what tools you need for your home maintenance and DIY projects. I hope the article will you know a detailed insight into the must-have power tools.
You can refer to the list without a doubt as it is prepared after thorough research on the devices. You can search and buy the tools online from the best brands that promise to deliver effective performance.
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