July 2, 2013

The 5 Essential DIY Power Tools

Well, I did it. I have officially hit 20,000 blog views.

Yeah, I know some sites get that many views in a day, but listen up Suzie Buzzkill...I'm not TMZ or the Huffington Post. It's just an infinitely small blip on the blogosphere radar, but to me it's a pretty big deal - mostly because I never planned for people to actually read it. But to me, to have that many web hits in what I consider a relatively short time, to read something I just casually (and irregularly) write on the side for fun...it feels pretty good.

What started out as an attempt to catalogue some of my projects and my climb from clueless novice to slightly-more-knowledgeable novice has turned into people actually reading, and (gasp) sometimes responding, to my updates.

That's the thing about a blog...you put it out there, you tell people about it, you post it on Facebook, Pin it - whatever - and you never really know the faces behind the generic stats in Google Analytics. Are they friends and family? Are they random people who accidentally clicked on the wrong link when looking for actual helpful information?

Who knows? What I do know is that I have received more than a few encouraging comments from people I like and/or respect who admitted to having visited my digital DIY diary. One of the most common questions I get is from other married guys whose wives are encouraging them to become a little more proficient with tools and DIY projects, and it goes something like this:

Guy: "Dude, my wife reads your blog."
Me: "Nice. So she's the one."
Guy: "Yeah, she's coming up with a list of projects. You're killing me."
Me: Oh, sorry about that."
Guy: "You don't have to apologize. Just stop it."

But, since that is more of a request (and a valid one at that) than a question, I'll give you the second most frequently-asked question: "What tool(s) do I absolutely, positively, HAVE to get?"

So, with that in mind, take it or leave it, agree or disagree, here are 5 power tools the average Do-It-Yourself guy (or gal) absolutely needs to have on their tool bench.

Necessary Disclaimer: I'm not a brand whore with tools (not that there's anything wrong with that). I'm just telling you what I have because it's what I know and it's (mostly) worked for me thus far. 

Cordless Drill/Driver


Of all the tools I own and use, this is the one I use the most by far. In fact, I have two - one impact driver and one drill.

The impact driver delivers bone-crushing torque for stubborn screws and drilling surfaces, and is chuck-less, meaning it uses quick-change (hex shank) drill bits. Huh? A little visual help:


The standard drill is slightly less powerful and uses a chuck to tighten around standard (round shank) drill bits. Why go chuck-less? Changing bits is easier and faster.

Why two? Let's say I am pre-drilling pilot holes for screws (to protect wood from splitting)...I put my drill bit on the standard drill and my drive bit (phillips head) in the impact driver. Now I can drill with one, set it down, pick up the impact driver and quickly drive the screw in - all without the time-consuming process of changing bits.

Why it's cool: It's pretty obvious, isn't it? It's extremely portable, easy to use and your only other options are a) a hammer and nails, or b) a traditional screwdriver. And ain't nobody got time fo dat.

Well, that's good to know: Most new drills/drivers these days come with the new-and-improved lithium-ion battery option, but if you have to choose between that and the older NiCad (stands for Nickel Cadmium) option, go with the lithium ion. It's lighter, it lasts longer between charges and it takes less time to charge.

What I use: Ryobi 18v impact drill/driver - the Home Depot house brand (pictured above)

It's very affordable, accessories are easy to find, and probably the number one reason...they have a whole series of cordless tools that run off of the same battery, so I don't have to keep up with multiple brands' chargers and batteries for different tools.


Palm Sander


Some might argue this tool isn't an absolute necessity, but after the cordless drill and the compound mitre saw, I use the power sander the most. You wouldn't use this a ton in basic around-the-house projects, but if you like to buy/find old furniture to fix up or even make your own projects from scratch, you gotta get yourself one of these.

Why it's cool: If you get the "random orbit sander" type, the surface spins both circular (around) and oscillates (back and forth) so you get a random sanding pattern. Translation: It reduces gouges in the wood and makes for a smoother finish.

The one drawback is that it uses sanding discs which can wear out fairly quickly, so there is an ongoing materials cost associated with this little guy.

Well, that's good to know: Whichever model you choose, make sure you look into what type of sanding discs it takes. I definitely would not buy anything that isn't compatible with the standard 5" replacement discs they sell at big box stores like Lowe's or Home Depot. Specialty replacement discs can be more expensive and harder to find.

What I use: DeWalt 5" random orbit palm sander (pictured above)

The good news is...there isn't a TON of difference in quality (that I've found) between any of the options in the top tier above. DeWalt is a great brand and I have been really happy with mine. Your upper tier will cost you anywhere from $50-$100, but lower-cost options from Ryobi, Black and Decker or Skil might be a good option for your first one. Durability could be an issue down the road though.

Air Compressor and Brad Nailer


Technically, that's two tools, but if you keep reading, you'll see why I counted them as one. I originally got mine for a very specific project, but I have used it for many more since then. You can use it for renovation projects or for attaching trim to furniture projects. It's not exactly the most portable tool - it requires an electrical outlet to replenish its air supply from time to time, and the compressor itself probably weighs about 50 pounds when full.

Why it's cool: It's a HUGE time saver. It only takes one hand to hold the nailer and pull the trigger, which frees up your other hand to position or hold whatever you're nailing. Prior to getting these tools, it was a very manual process of pre-drilling pilot holes for screws, then using my drill to drive the screws into each hole.

Well, that's good to know: Two words: combo kit. It came with everything I needed for beginner level projects. Also, down the road I can buy other types of nailers that I can use with the compressor

What I use: Bostitch 6.0 gallon oil-free air compressor and 18 gauge brad nailer (pictured above)
Contractors will probably laugh at the model I have, but I'm not using it everyday, and I'm not using it for a monster framing nailer, so what I have works just fine for how I use it.

Compound Miter Saw


It's almost a toss-up between this and the cordless drill for "tool I couldn't do without." This thing does straight run-of-the-mill (Editor's note: get it?!) chop cuts, miter cuts and bevel cuts, all in one.


All you have to do is position the piece of wood, line up your cut mark with the blade, press the button and pull the handle down. Because it's the sliding model, I can slide the blade forward, allowing me to cut wider pieces of wood. The 10" blade cuts pieces that are more than 4" thick and 14" wide, meaning the only thing you can't do with it is long rip cuts (plywood), and Home Depot and Lowe's can do those for you when you buy the plywood.

Why it's cool: The fixed fence (metal wall that your wood rests against) gives you the straighest cut possible. When you cut by hand with a circular saw, you bring human error into the mix.

Well, that's good to know: You could always go with just a regular chop saw, which would still be light years ahead of measuring and cutting with a circular saw. But the bevel and miter features are icing on the cake. If you're going to invest in one decent piece of equipment, you might as well get the one that offers the most versatility.

What I use: Ryobi 13-Amp 10" slidingcompound miter saw (pictured above)
It's definitely an economy option, but I've had mine for almost 10 years and haven't had ANY problems with it. I'm even still using the original blade that came with it. Gimme that for under $200 versus the slightly larger option from DeWalt for $600 all day long.

Circular Saw


If I actually had a table saw, that would be the 5th item on this list. It's my next purchase though.Yeah, I realize I just told you that you needed to get the compound saw because the circular saw sucks. But just because there is a better option for some uses doesn't mean the circular saw is useless.

Why it's cool: If you don't have a table saw, the circular saw is the next best thing when doing longer cuts than your chop saw can handle. Even if you do have a table saw, a circular saw is still a good option for cuts that aren't stationary (taking a little bit off the end of one table leg, for example) or if you're working on a project where it's not convenient to run back to your workbench.

Well, that's good to know: It's not a bad idea to have both a powered saw with an electrical cord (more power) and a cordless battery saw (when it's not easy or convenient to plug it in).

What I use: I have both a Ridgid 15-amp 7 1/4" blade power saw and a Ryobi 18v 5 1/2" cordless saw (both pictured above)
Technically you can cut angles and bevels with both, but I wouldn't recommend it. I rarely use my corded saw anymore, but I bought it first so now it's a backup that is nice to have when I do need it. If you're only buying one, I would say get the cordless option.


31 comments:

  1. Hey, this is a great article, I really enjoy reading anything related to hand tools, toolboxes or working with tools =) There is a great retailer of toolboxes for practically anyone called Wilson & Miller. You can check them out on www.wilsonandmiller.com. I bought some stuff and it has really stood my test! If anyone is interested to chat or talk about hand tools and toolboxes I`m always willing to throw in my experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow! excellent post. Informative and interesting which we share with you so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts. I am tiring the same best work from me in the future as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What started out as an attempt to catalogue some of my projects and my climb from clueless novice to slightly-more-knowledgeable novice has turned into people actually reading, and (gasp) sometimes responding, to my updates.More details

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing this precious information. I like your concern in the post which is very useful for me.
    Fredrickson

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have read your article post. Thank's for tips sharing. Informative and interesting which we share with you so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts. I am tiring the same best work from me in the future as well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Caring for the band saw and its blade is the key to having a continuous efficient performance. Even when the blades are made to last, they should still require exceptional care and precaution, especially in cutting very tight curves to prevent twisting. go now

    ReplyDelete
  7. The task of screw driving is a tedious and discouraging one; customary drills struggle to muster the force for even puny driving applications and appear to strip a lot of screws than they secure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. With a woodworker, it can say that all are the necessary worktools. Perhaps,one of the above tools, i am only short of cordless saw. This article is useful for a new woodworker as me. Thanks the author!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cool stuff man, thanks for sharing! For newbies, do you recommend to use the same things as you do or cheaper brands will do? Especially the belt sander, which is the best beginner brand and model?

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are the list of power tools items you could utilize to have a brilliant power tool kit. However, the power tool includes more tools, like Multi-tools, Stream wallpaper strippers, etc. Click here

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Post seems to be good i really gather lot of information from the post thanks for sharing this awesome post...main tools

    ReplyDelete
  12. Stationary power tools or machine tools are mainly used for metal working. Though the term is used only for metal working, the use of these power tools is also common in wood working. Some jobs which are common to both wood working and metal working are drill presses and bench grinders.
    http://sawspecialists.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. This tool can help you to make holes within a short span of time for drains, doorknobs, and bolts and also to polish your vehicle by using it with a polishing attachment.skil 3320-01 3.2 amp 10-inch drill press

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eloquently composed and well thoroughly considered.
    https://www.thetopfinds.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Finally, make sure that there's no music on that could distract you, or cell phones or anything else that pulls your attention away from where it needs to be.work sharp 3000

    ReplyDelete
  16. ndividuals not using the power tool should keep a safe distance from the work area to avoid getting hit by flying particles.
    my website

    ReplyDelete
  17. I’ll grade this blog as an A and it shows how much effort has been put into this.
    hidden camera pen

    ReplyDelete
  18. This total does not even include injury from tools such as backhoes, mowers and weed trimmers. Statistics such as these show the grim side of power equipment usage and make the need for power equipment safety even more evident.Powertoolbuzz

    ReplyDelete
  19. Electricity is the necessity of everyone now, in case of break down get the best generators for home use Generators Ideas

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've been contemplating composing an extremely tantamount post in the course of the last couple of weeks, I'll most likely keep it straightforward and connection to this rather if thats cool. Much obliged ToolsClubs

    ReplyDelete
  21. Why do only so much written on this subject? Here you see more.
    top-5-best-power-strips

    ReplyDelete
  22. So as to restrict the opportunity of power tool wounds, these OSHA rules ought to be trailed by any individual utilizing power hardware, and not only those in the work put.Best portable tire inflator

    ReplyDelete
  23. This post is one of my great finds this week! Thank you,You’ve done an amazing job for me and the people who count on our favorite Faucetsreviewed. Can you please create another more comprehensive resource on Essential DIY Power Tools? I would be very delighted.

    ReplyDelete

  24. thanks for posting this blog. its really very helpful for us.
    visit our website

    ReplyDelete

  25. read this above post its very greatful for me thanks sharing this post ,great post.

    visit our website


    ReplyDelete
  26. Dear, your post has one thing that caught my attention! Its information is more useful than many other articles on this topic.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great article on 5 Essential DIY Power Tools! I like the most the circular saw

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for the useful article! I have a Palm Sander and I love it. A Circular Saw is in my wish list

    ReplyDelete
  29. If you simply use your pole saw to cut down dangling branches that pose a threat to your home or car, then this pole saw will do the job. earthwise cs33016 review Here we discuss the benefits of the gas pole saw.

    ReplyDelete