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| © Eugene Brennan |
Power Tools for Beginners
Thinking of buying a power tool as a gift? Or maybe you want to make light work of DIY? This article is an absolute beginner’s guide, covering practically every type of tool used for home maintenance, construction, woodwork, metal fabrication or crafts.
It gives a basic explanation of what each tool is for, its capabilities, and tips on what to buy. If you find it useful, please take the time to share it on Facebook or Pinterest.- Corded Power Drill
- Cordless Drill
- Jigsaw
- Circular Saw
- Reciprocating Saw
- Mitre Saw
- Sander
- Angle/Hand Grinder
- Metal Cutoff Saw
- SDS Percussion Drill
- Rotary Tool (Dremel)
- Oscillating Multi-Tool
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| Bosch corded power drill © Eugene Brennan |
1. Corded Power Drill
What it's for: A corded power drill is used for drilling holes in metal, plastics, wood, brick, stone, concrete, glass, and tiles. Various types and lengths of drill bits are available depending on the material being drilled; HSS (High Speed Steel) bits for metal, flat bits for wood, and masonry bits for concrete.
How it works: The bit is held in a clamping device on the end of the drill shaft called a chuck. Some drills come with chucks which are keyless and can be hand tightened, others are fitted with chucks which need to be tightened with a chuck key. This allows the drill bit to be tightened more securely and large bits are less likely to slip, but keyless hand-tightening chucks are more convenient.
Most DIY model drills will have a 1/2 inch (13mm) chuck which can accommodate drills up to this diameter, but 5/8 inch (16mm) chucks are also available. These drills range in power from about 500 to 800 watt. 650 to 700 watt provides adequate power for most jobs.
Variable speed drills are most convenient because they allow a drill hole to be started without the bit moving, giving the user more control over the process
Accessories: If you need to drill holes in awkward spots, you can get a right-angled chuck adapter that fits into the chuck of the drill. Alternatively, flexible drives are available. You can also use wire brushes and mounted points for grinding.
Things to consider: Drills may have a fixed speed setting, 2 speed settings, or variable speed depending on how hard you squeeze the trigger. Variable speed is most convenient as it allows a drill hole to be started easier without the bit moving all over the place. Also lower speeds should be used with larger diameter bits to avoid overheating the bit due to friction.
For more detailed information on drill bits and drilling, see my other guide on Choosing the Right Drill Bit for Metal, Wood, Tiles, Glass, or Masonry.
Bosch Hammer Drill
I’ve used the 650 model of this drill (650 watt) for over 15 years for heavy DIY use, and it’s still going strong. The blue Bosch range is even better and designed for professional use in tough environments, but can also of course be used for DIY. The Bosch 1191VSRK hammer drill is a 120 volt, 7 amp model (about 700 watt), with a 1/2 inch chuck and variable speed on the trigger.
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Clockwise from top: chuck key, keyed chuck, SDS chuck, and keyless chuck (hand-tightened) |
What’s a Chuck?
It’s basically a clamp that holds a drill bit in place and is connected to the drill’s rotating spindle. The chuck consists of three parts: the body, jaws, and tightening mechanism. Keyed chucks require a key to adjust the grip, while keyless chucks can be tightened or loosened by hand.
Drill chucks allow you to use varying-sized drill bits. The image above shows you what keyed and keyless chucks typically look like, so you won’t be intimidated when visiting your local hardware store.
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18 volt Bosch professional series cordless combi drill, used here for driving TEK screws to attach metal roof cladding. |
2. Cordless Drill
What it’s good for: This tool can be used for drilling holes in metal, plastics, wood, masonry and also used as an electric screwdriver for driving screws. A combined drill and driver is often referred to as a “combi”. A cordless drill, like any other cordless power tool, has the convenience of freedom from a power cord. This means no cables to trip over or moving extension leads around to provide slack in the cord.
A cordless drill can also be used in awkward places, up ladders and on roofs without the inconvenience of the power flex catching in everything. Another advantage is that a cordless drill is better balanced and easier to use with one hand, especially for driving screws. Corded drills tend to be top-heavy and difficult to use with one hand.
How it works: Cordless drills usually have either a 3/8 inch (10mm) or 1/2 inch (13mm) hand-tightening chuck. Some drills also have a hammer action function which facilitates drilling of holes in masonry. Cordless drills are available with battery voltages from 10.8 to 36 volts. Higher voltage means more power and torque for drilling larger diameter holes. However, the downside of higher voltages is a heavier drill. 14.4 V or 18 V is a good compromise.
Cordless drills have various torque settings. This ensures that the chuck will slip when a preset twisting force or torque has been applied to a screw, preventing the screw from being over-driven into timber. For more information on this, see my guide, “What are the Settings for on a Cordless Drill?”
Things to consider: Just
like some corded drills, cordless drills may have a low and high speed
setting. A gearbox sets the speed and choosing the lower speed setting
results in more torque being available for drilling larger diameter
holes. The high-speed setting n the gear box is for fast drilling with small-diameter drill bits. If you need to use the drill for driving TEK screws
(self-drilling screws for fastening metal cladding to metal or timber),
aim for a model with a max torque of at least 55 NM to cope with tough
timber.
For more information on cordless drill/driver settings, see my guide “What Are the Settings for on a Cordless Drill?”
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Bosch Professional cordless impact driver |
Impact Drivers
These are a specific type of cordless drill, primarily used for driving long or heavy gauge screws in tougher timber, faster than a standard cordless drill would be capable of doing. They can also be used for drilling. Impact drivers have a hex socket bit holder, rather than a standard chuck and this accepts impact-rated screwdriver bits/bit extenders or drill bits with a hex shank (suitably rated to withstand the impact torque).
Internally, a hammer acts on an anvil, attached to the bit holder and this imparts a twisting force to the inserted drill or screwdriver bit. While a cordless drill typically has a torque rating of 60 Nm to 90 Nm (44 to 66 pound-feet), an impact driver will have up to three times this torque. Since the torque is applied in large, short-duration pulses, the average torque is less, so there’s less restraining force required by your wrist when using, compared to a standard cordless driver/combi.
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Detail of the hexagonal bit holder on an impact driver |
Bosch GSB 18V-55 Cordless Drill
I invested in a Bosch combi drill as a replacement for my ageing NiCd DIY drill. I built a garden shed and needed a quality drill which would be capable of driving over 400 TEK screws to attach metal cladding to the timber structure. The Bosch 18v GSB 18V-55 Brushless Combi Hammer Drill available from Amazon UK is the latest version of my drill.
With a 4AH battery, it’s capable of driving 90 TEK screws per charge. This brushless model is supplied with 2, 4AH batteries. Batteries are interchangeable between other Bosch tools. Max torque is 55NM which is plenty for driving heavy gauge screws. Higher torque versions are also available. (Note that this is the U.K. model with a 230 volt charger).
Advantages of Cordless Tools
All of the tools described above are available in cordless versions. Cordless tools have obvious advantages:
- No cord to trip over or get tangled in
- Can be used remotely from a mains supply without the need for extension leads
- No danger of electrocution
Cordless tools are available in 12, 18, 24 and 36 and 48 volt versions. If you buy a cordless tool, get one with two batteries so that you can have one battery on charge while using the other. Batteries are quite expensive when bought separately at a later stage.
If you decide to buy a range of tools from the same manufacturer, a cheaper option is to buy the tool as body only, i.e. a bare tool without batteries. Then you can just buy one or more batteries and share them between tools as needed. Note that batteries aren’t standard, even if they’re the same voltage and therefore not interchangeable between different brands of tools.
Lithium batteries have a higher energy storage density than NiCd or NiMh, are lighter, and hold their charge for much longer.
Lithium Ion Rechargeable Batteries
The capacity of a cordless drill battery is measured in amp-hours or Ah. Higher amp-hour capacity batteries will give longer use between charges. Most cordless tools now use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and this technology doesn’t suffer from the memory effect associated with older technology NiCd batteries.
Also lithium batteries have a higher energy storage density than NiCd or NiMh. This results in a lighter battery for a given capacity. Another advantage of lithium batteries is that they hold their charge much longer, so a tool is always ready for use.
The latest trend in cordless tools is the use of brushless motors. The absence of brushes reduces friction, prolonging usage time when the battery is charged. Power output is also supposedly increased. Brushless tools are more expensive, so you may get a better deal on a cordless drill with brushes, which have somewhat dropped in price.
U.S. vs U.K. Batteries
Voltages of lithium ion batteries are specified differently depending on country and the point in the charge cycle at which the nominal battery voltage is specified. So an 18 V UK battery/tool is the same as a 20 V US battery/tool.
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Makita SDS Drill |
3. SDS Percussion Drill
What it’s for: The acronym SDS originates from the German steck, dreh, sitz, meaning “insert, twist, fit” and the system was developed by Bosch in the mid ’70s.
How it works: An SDS drill and drill bit has several advantages. Firstly, removing and inserting the bit is easy. The shank of the bit is simply pushed into the chuck and a spring loaded mechanism latches into slots in the shank, holding it in place. To remove the bit, a sleeve on the chuck is pulled back retracting the spring mechanism, and this allows the bit to be pulled out of the chuck.
The second advantage is that the wedges which slide into the grooves in the shank prevent the bit from slipping and rotating in the chuck, which can happen with a conventional chuck if it isn’t adequately tightened. Thirdly, since there isn’t a heavy chuck to accelerate during impact drilling, this ensures that holes are drilled more effectively since the drill reaches a higher speed and has more energy.
The percussion mechanism is also pneumatically based and this gives extra energy for hammer drilling in masonry compared to a normal drill which just uses a plate with ridges on it to generate the hammering effect.
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Things to consider: SDS drills can be set to rotation mode only, for drilling materials other than masonry, or rotation and hammer mode for drilling masonry. On some models, the drill can also be set to hammer mode only without rotation, for light chiselling.
These drills range in power from about 500 to 1500 watt but are usually geared to have relatively low speed and high torque. A mechanical clutch or electronic torque limiting system which allows the chuck to slip when the bit gets stuck is often (but not always) incorporated. A typical scenario is that the bit gets caught on a piece of rebar in a wall, and the power drill tries to keep going.
This can wrench your arm (been there, done that!) or force the drill out of your hands if it is not held securely. The torque limiting system is similar to that on a cordless drill and allows the motor of the drill to turn while the bit stays stuck. Even so, this is why it can be dangerous to use a drill when on a ladder as it is possible to be knocked off balance.
Makita HR2630
The Makita HR2630 230 volt SDS drill available from Amazon U.K. is the latest version of the drill I have been using for the last 10 years. This is an 800 watt model and has 3 functions: rotary only, rotary plus hammer and hammer only for light chipping. It easily bores holes in masonry up to 26 mm diameter and has a 2.4 joule impact rating.
The power flex is made from rubber which is much more flexible than PVC. The tool comes with a large storage case roomy enough to store accessories. A 110 volt model of this tool is also available for use on construction sites.
Can I Use Non-SDS Drill Bits With an SDS Drill?
Not directly, but you can fit a key tightened chuck or hand tightened keyless chuck. These come as two parts with an adapter enabling the chuck to be fitted into an SDS chuck. You can then use round shank SDS bits or hex shank flat timber bits. Note that you normally can't use these chucks with hammer action for drilling masonry.
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Keyed chuck and adapter for an SDS drill |
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Hitachi jigsaw |
4. Jigsaw
What it’s for: Jigsaws can be used to cut wood, metal, plastic, and other materials. Different types of blades are available to suit the material being cut. Since the blades used in a jigsaw are slim and narrow, this allows curved profiles such as circles to be cut in sheet material. Jigsaws are normally used for cutting timber up to about 40 mm thick (approx. 1 1/2 inch). Long blades can be used in a jigsaw and manufacturers quote maximum cutting capacity up to 4 inches (this seems a bit overly optimistic!).
How it works: A jigsaw works by moving its blade up and down rapidly (known as reciprocation), when the trigger is squeezed on the saw’s handle. Most jigsaw models are variable speed, so the speed of the reciprocating blade is affected by the pressure you place on the trigger.
The base of the jigsaw is called “the shoe,” and it rests on top of whatever is being cut. For a regular straight cut, the shoe and the blade are at 90 degrees, and the angle of the shoe can be adjusted to make bevel (sloped) cuts through material. Because of their narrow blades, jigsaws are ideal for cutting shapes and curves in thin wood or sheet metal. These blades are held in the jigsaw’s spindle by a quick-release, spring-loaded clamp or alternatively by a grub screw that needs to be tightened, requiring a hex key (Allen key)
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A jigsaw enables curved cuts to be made in timber |
Accessories: A guide fence attachment can help with the accuracy of straight cuts by guiding the blade along a straight edge. Splinter guards or anti-splinter inserts can be attached to the base of the jigsaw to reduce splintering on the surface of the cut material. And finally, dust extraction attachments can collect sawdust and debris during operation.
Things to consider: As mentioned above, variable speed on the trigger is a useful feature when commencing or finishing a cut. Some saws have a separate speed control, which is a real pain! While a jigsaw gives reasonably good results with thinner timber, the outcome can be variable if thicker stuff needs to be cut. Because the blade can flex if the side pressure is put on the saw, this can produce a cut which is not perfectly square. A circular gives a much better cut and is a faster, more accurate solution for making long, straight cuts in thick timber.
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Hitachi C7SB2 Circular Saw |
5. Circular Saw
What it’s for: A circular saw is a high powered saw (1000 watt to 1800 watt) with a 7 1/4 inch (184 mm) diameter blade or greater, able to rapidly cut through timber up to 3 1/2 inches (90mm) in thickness, and is an essential power tool for cutting sheets of timber. A circular saw will give a more “square” cut than a jigsaw because the blade is more rigid. The large teeth on the blade also make the cutting of boards much quicker than with a jigsaw which is more suitable for short cuts or curved cuts in thinner material.
An adjustable rip fence can be attached to the saw, and this acts as a guide to allow boards to be trimmed to size. Blades which have a relatively small number of teeth give a fast but rougher cut. Blades which have a greater number of smaller teeth cut slower, but result in a finer cut.
How it works: A
circular saw uses a rotating circular blade powered by an electric
motor which spins it rapidly to cut through material like wood, metal,
and plastic. They’re commonly used for making short, straight cuts,
which is why you typically see them in carpentry and construction. The
user simply guides the saw smoothly over the material along pre-drawn
measurement lines, but it’s essential to set the blade to an appropriate
depth and angle for each cut. A circular saw will give a more “square”
cut than a jigsaw because the blade is more rigid.
Accessories: Gloves
and safety glasses are essential when operating a circular saw. An
adjustable rip fence can be attached to the saw, and this acts as a
guide to allow boards to be trimmed to size. Saws are normally provided
with a general purpose, medium to coarse toothed blade. These cut fast
and are suitable for cutting construction timber. Blades with a greater
number of smaller teeth are available which cut slower, but result in a
finer cut for timber that is visible.
Things to consider: If you intend to use a circular saw a lot, it’s worth buying a pro tool. The Hitachi C7SB2 is an award-winning tool and I bought one of these as a replacement for a DIY model. This is a powerful 1700 watt (15 amp) machine and capable of rapidly ripping and cross-cutting over 2 inch thick (60mm) timber. It’s sturdy with easy to alter mitre and depth settings. A retractable guard allows plunge cutting.
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Hitachi CR13V2 reciprocating saw and blades |
6. Reciprocating Saw
What it’s for: A reciprocating saw (or rip saw) is a useful tool for cutting timber, plastic, and metal. The tool is similar to a jigsaw, but usually higher powered and the blades are longer, up to 8 inches (200mm). The tool is also long and slim and can be held with two hands to give better control. It is useful therefore for cutting lengths of timber in situ and flush to surfaces, floorboards, plastic piping, metal bar, and for demolition work.
How it works: The blade of a reciprocating saw uses a back and forth motion like a manual wood saw to cut in a straight line. The blade is attached to a motor and it can be adjusted to control the speed of the cut. So, where a jigsaw’s blade is vertical and designed to make intricate cuts, a rip saw is horizontal and designed to “rip” through tough material.
Accessories: Gloves and safety glasses.
Things to consider: When buying a saw, don’t go for anything less than 800 watt as the machine will struggle when cutting thicker sections of timber. Variable speed is also a useful feature.
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| Belt sander Luigi Zanasi, CC BY-SA 2.0 CA, via Wikimedia Commons |
7. Sander
What it’s for: Sanders are used for smoothing timber, removing paint, and sanding metal. There are two major types: belt sanders and orbital sanders.
How they work: The two sanders work quite differently from each other.
- Belt sander: This has a continuous looped belt of sandpaper which is driven by the motor. The belts are replaceable and available in various grit sizes, coarse for initial sanding and fine for finishing. Belt sanders remove material quickly as the revolving belt tends to throw off sawdust and doesn’t become clogged unlike an orbital sander, however it is difficult to sand into a corner because of the curved rollers. The belt is normally 2, 3 or 4 inches wide (50, 75 or 100mm).
- Orbital sander: This uses sheets of sandpaper and the sheets are driven in a sort of circular motion when the sander is applied to the surface. The sheets tend to clog more than on an orbital sander. An orbital sander can sand right into corners because of the rectangular shape of the sole plate. Various versions of these are available including palm sanders which can be used with one hand in tight spots because of the small size and shape of the sandpaper used.
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| An orbital sander Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
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Lidl Parkside brand palm sander |
Accessories: In addition to gloves, safety glasses and dust masks, a rubber backing pad and circular sanding disks are good for angle grinders. They can sand profiled surfaces and get into spots inaccessible to belt or orbital sanders.
Things to consider: When buying a sander, the main thing is considering the different applications. You can use a sander for smoothing surfaces, removing and shaping material, preparing surfaces for painting or finishing, and simply to achieve a desired finish. Depending on the project, make sure you not only have the correct abrasives, but the correctly-sized sanding pads, be they belt or orbital.
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Basic Mitre Saw |
8. Mitre Saw
What it’s for: A mitre saw (US English "miter saw") is used in cabinetmaking and carpentry for making precise cuts at multiple angles. This why it’s primarily used for cutting rough construction timber, wood trim and molding. The saw is also versatile enough that it can make cross cuts, mitre cuts, bevel cuts, and compound cuts.
How they work: It’s basically like a circular saw, but the blade has a larger diameter, 8, 10, or 12 inches (200 or 250mm), and the cutting head/arm carrying the saw blade and motor is hinged at the back allowing the saw to be brought down on to a length of wood to cut it. This produces an accurate square 90 degree cut, essential for construction.
A basic type mitre saw is adjustable so that mitre (angled and less than 90) cuts can be made. Compound mitre saws enable mitre cuts, beveled cuts or a combination of both to be made. Sliding mitre saws additionally have the cutting head mounted on a rail, so that they can cut wider timber. A 10 inch sliding compound mitre saw is a wise investment for the serious DIYer. The slide action allows lumber to be cut (up to 9 x 2). For square cuts on light timber such as dado rail, picture frame, an 8 inch non-sliding mitre saw is sufficient.
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Cutting with a Mitre Saw |
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Sliding Compound Mitre Saw |
Accessories: In addition to gloves and safety glasses, a mitre saw stands give the use a stable platform, which is good for both safety and accuracy. Like other saws, you can get a dust collection system that can keep your work area clean, and crown stops provide support and stability for cutting of crown molding—which often features odd, angled cuts.
Things to consider: Never use a blunt blade in a circular saw or mitre saw. Blunt blades can catch or snag in timber which can potentially cause an accident.
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Hitachi 4 1/2 Inch angle grinder |
9. Angle Grinder
What it’s for: An angle or hand grinder is an invaluable tool for cutting metal, plastic, roof sheeting, masonry (stone, bricks, concrete), and tiles. You can also use it to grind these materials. Both sheet material and lengths can be cut.
How it works: The tool uses a disk spun at high RPM to perform the cutting action. For cutting metal, consumable disks made from abrasive material are used. These are available in sizes from 4 to 9 inches in diameter to suit the specific grinder.
In order to cut stone, concrete and tiles, either abrasive or diamond disks can be used. Diamond disks have a longer lifespan, but are more expensive. Angle grinders can come in handy for cutting up stuff for disposal in your trash (like metal chairs and tables). Make sure you grind off the sharp edges.
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Cutting angle iron with an angle grinder |
Accessories: In addition to gloves and safety glasses, wire brushes for rust and paint removal, various types of sanding disks and buffing mops for polishing.
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Wire brushes can be used for removing paint and rust |
Things to consider: Several accessories are available for angle grinders including sanding pads and wire brushes which can be used for removing rust and paint.
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Sanding disks for use with an angle grinder |
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| A Dremel rotary tool Horst74, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons |
10. Rotary Tool (Dremel)
What it’s for: Generically called “rotary tools” but more commonly known as “Dremels” (even though other companies make them too!) these tools are the lower powered, DIY equivalent of die grinders.
Die grinders are employed by toolmakers in industry for shaping the dies and moulds used in factories for metal processes such as casting and pressing. With a rotary tool you can grind, sand, carve, cut, slot, router, hollow, engrave, sharpen and debur (remove ragged edges from material).
How it works: Rotary tools are like power drills but more slender, designed for one hand use. They have an electric motor which runs at very high speed, up to 35,000 RPM, and this spins a chuck type clamp which holds various sized collets or sleeves. These sleeves can hold a variety of types of accessories.
Accessories: In addition to gloves and safety glasses, there are a number of accessories to pair with the Dremel.
- Grinding stones are available in all shapes and sizes and can be used for general grinding, material removal, hole enlarging, sharpening, de-burring, and removing sharp edges from metal.
- Sanding drums, discs, and flapwheels can be used for sanding and smoothing wood, metal, and plastic.
- Toothed metal cutting disks like miniature circular saw disks can be used for cutting wood or plastic.
- Diamond points can be used for fine detail work, cutting, carving, engraving, and finishing of glass, ceramic, and other hard materials.
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Rotary tool accessories |
Things to consider: The accessories for rotary tools are usually not much larger than 1 inch so unlike an angle grinder, the tool is geared towards small scale work such as model and jewelry making. However the tool can come in very useful in the home workshop where a larger tool would be too cumbersome.
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Oscillating multi-tool |
11. Oscillating Multi-Tool
What it’s for: A multi-tool or oscillating tool is a relatively recent power tool and is useful when a jigsaw, handsaw or reciprocating saw can’t be used. A typical application of a multi-tool is to trim the underside of a door jamb so that tiles or flooring can be slid underneath. The tool can also be used for plunge cutting, e.g. to cut out holes in plasterboard (drywall) for fitting socket outlets.
How it works: The motor drives a head which oscillates or twists backwards and forwards through an angle of a couple of degrees (similar to the head on hair clippers, but rotating). Unlike a reciprocating saw, which has blades that move relatively slowly over a large distance, a multi-tool has a head that moves very rapidly over a small angle—typically 10,000 oscillations per second.
Accessories: In addition to gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask, several accessories can be attached to the multi-tool, including the following:
- Toothed blade for cutting wood, plastics and non-ferrous metal
- Bi-metal toothed blade for cutting ferrous metal (iron/steel), and timber with embedded nails
- Scraper blade for removing tile cement and mortar on walls and bricks/blocks
- Diamond coated blade for cutting tiles and grinding stone
- Sanding pads for sanding wood, plastic, removing paint, etc.
Things to consider: Consider the oscillation rate per minute (OPM) and angle of the tool. Higher rates provide more power and faster work, but different angles offer additional precision.
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Sanding attachment |
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Segment blade for cutting at any angle, even right angles. |
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Saw blade capable of plunge cuts |
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Scraper blade for removing cement and plaster |
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Diamond coated blades for removing tile grout and cutting tiles |
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Plunge cuts in wood |
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Plunge cuts in plasterboard (hardwall) for fitting e.g.socket outlets |
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Removing tile cement |
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Detail sanding |
12. Metal Cutoff Saw
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Clarke metal cut-off saw |
What it’s for: A metal cutoff saw—also known as an abrasive saw or chop saw—is like a mitre saw, but used for cutting steel and aluminium. They’re normally used to make 90 degree and mitre cuts in rebar, and solid and hollow metal section (e.g. steel box and pipe)
How it works: Unlike a mitre saw that uses teeth for cutting, a metal cut-off saw utilizes a thin abrasive disc similar to an angle grinder, but with a diameter of 14 inches. Keep in mind that it can be extremely dangerous because the unguarded blade runs at very high speeds.
Accessories: In addition to gloves and safety glasses, diamond coated blades are available which allow sparkless cutting and are unlikely to shatter which is always a potential danger with abrasive disks if they become damaged.
Things to consider: Although probably the least likely power tool to be used by the average DIYer, a cutoff saw, like its timber counterpart, enables accurate angled cuts to be made, which is essential when constructing metal frames, gates, etc.
Using Power Tools Safely
Power tools can be dangerous, so you need to understand your tool and it’s potential to cause injury
- Read the manual supplied with your tool.
- Make sure power cords and extension leads are undamaged. DON’T tape up leads, replace them instead!
- Don’t use corded tools during rain because of the danger of electrocution. Cordless tools aren’t waterproof either and can be damaged by water ingress.
- For added safety, use a plugin GFCI (RCD) adapter between the power plug and socket outlet. (You can use this with the plug of an extension lead if powering several tools).
- Light your work area adequately so that you can see flexes and don’t cut through them. Position flexes to lessen the likelihood of this happening.
- Only change bits and blades or make adjustments with the tool disconnected from the socket outlet or the battery removed.
- Wear adequate PPE, including, but not limited to safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask. Consult the manual of a tool to determine what is recommended.
- Declutter your workspace to prevent falls.
For more detailed information on electrical safety, see my safety guide on Preventing Electric Shock in the Home and Garden.
REMEMBER: Make sure power cords and extension leads are undamaged. DON'T tape up leads, replace them instead!
Tips for Buying Power Tools
If you are going to be giving a tool a lot of use, it makes sense to buy a professional model. It will last longer since it will usually be built more sturdily and the internal components will be more heavy duty and durable. Motor windings are normally wound using heavier gage wire, and armatures are often covered to prevent particles getting sucked into the motor and abrading the winding insulation.
Internal component parts such as fans and gears are often made from metal for durability. Also parts will be easier to source. If a tool is only going to get occasional use, a DIY model should be fine.
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What to Look for in a Tool
Tool
| Recommended Basic Specs
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|---|---|
Cordless drill
| Combi with hammer action, 18 volt, 10 mm chuck
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Corded drill
| 650 watt, keyed 13 mm chuck
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Jigsaw
| 600 watt, variable speed on trigger
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Belt sander
| 600 watt, 75 mm wide belt
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Angle grinder
| 650 watt, variable speed if possible
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Mitre saw
| 254 mm blade, sliding compound
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Circular saw
| 1300 watt
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Reciprocating saw
| 800 watt, variable speed
|
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120/110 or 220 Volts Power Tools?
Voltage supply differs from country to country.
- UK: 230 V domestic, 110 V for site power tools
- US: 120/240 V domestic, 120V for site power tools
120/110 V tools have a lesser risk of causing injury/death because of the lower voltage. In general, these are mandatory on construction sites because of the increased risk of tools getting wet or power cords being damaged, but they can also be used in the home.
120/110 V tools can be powered by generators, or alternatively transformers are available to step down the voltage from 240/230 to 120/110 volts. These step down transformers also isolate the 120/110 volt supply from the mains and the centre tap of secondary windings of portable transformers is earthed (grounded).
This gives a 55 V – 0 – 55 V output from the supply connector, with both live and neutral (in a sense both outputs are live/hot) only at 55 V wrt earth/ground. This reduces the risk of shock if for instance contact is made with a damaged power cord.
Air Tools and Compressors
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| An air drill © Eugene Brennan |
An alternative to cordless/battery or corded/mains powered tools are air powered tools. There are three main advantages of air or pneumatic tools:
- They can stall without burning out
- No danger of electric shock
- Can be slimmer for use in tight spaces
Check out my guide here on How to Use Air Tools and an Air Compressor in Your Workshop.
Collins Complete DIY Manual
I learned a huge amount of information from the Collins Complete DIY Manual. It’s an excellent guide, comprehensively covering plumbing, electrical, woodwork, heating, garden construction, paving, plasterwork, glass cutting, painting, tiling, and all other aspects of home maintenance and improvement.
This older version from Amazon UK contains a lot more info than the newer editions. Electrical wiring information in this manual is geared towards U.K. users and may not satisfy more recent and stricter regulations or be valid for U.S. readers.
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| The
“Collins Complete DIY Manual” was originally published in 1986 and has
remained in print ever since. It’s the most comprehensive DIY guide on
the market. © Eugene Brennan |
Disclaimer
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Power and hand tools can be dangerous. Read and understand all manuals before use and take reasonable precautions including wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) to prevent against injury.
Questions From Readers
© 2012 Eugene Brennan
nicomp really from Ohio, USA on October 26, 2015:
So… let me see if I have this correct: a cordless drill is a drill that doesn’t need a cord? Right?
Eugene Brennan (author) from Ireland on October 27, 2015:
Correct! Looks as if I’ve got my explanation across!
nicomp really from Ohio, USA on October 27, 2015:
Now, what do would you call the thing that you use to drill holes?
Eugene Brennan (author) from Ireland on October 27, 2015:
I do believe that it called a power drill but I’m open to contradiction.
nicomp really from Ohio, USA on October 27, 2015:
I get the drill part but would you call one that doesn’t use a cord?
Eugene Brennan (author) from Ireland on October 27, 2015:
Mains powered drills are generally called power drills, corded drills or just simply drills.
Battery powered drills are called cordless drills, or combi drills if they have a hammer action feature for drilling through masonry.
nicomp really from Ohio, USA on October 27, 2015:
I have a drill with a battery and a cord so it can work without the battery. Is that called a cordless-sometimes drill?
Eugene Brennan (author) from Ireland on October 28, 2015:
Or it could be called a flexible or Flex-Able ® drill
Kelly A Burnett from United States on April 10, 2015:
Hi Eugbug,
I need an idiots guide to the types of chucks used for drills. I have both the old fashion and then the “new”. And I recently learned my old drill bits don’t fit the new drill without an adaptor! Oh, this made me mad! I had no idea!
Also, I go through the tiny drill bits like water. I guess I am not holding the drill straight enough? Any diagnosis to help on this item?
Thanks for the overview on this subject.
Eugene Brennan (author) from Ireland on April 10, 2015:
Hi Kelly,
Narrow diameter drill bits are easily broken, even by by pros or serious amateurs like myself!
Some tips:
It takes less torque to snap a narrow drill bit if it snags or catches in the workpiece. So if you have a cordless drill, use this instead of a power drill. If the bit snags, the chuck will slip, lessening the danger of snapping the bit. Set the torque setting low and increase the setting if the chuck tends to slip during drilling.
Try to hold the drill steady. If you move it to one side rather than keeping it perpendicular when drilling, this can break the bit.
Lastly when drilling metal, take it easy as you break through to the other side. The bit can snag as it breaks through and catches the material at the bottom of the hole. Ideally place a block of wood under the hole to stop the metal pushing outwards as it thins before breakthrough. With experience you get to know the change in sound and feel the resistance and reaction of the bit as this is about to occur, so ease off on pressure. If bits are sharp, a huge amount of pressure isn’t needed to drill a hole. Breakage often occurs when you try to lean heavily on a blunt bit to make it work, which doesn’t work, it only overheats it and burns it out!
Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on January 23, 2015:
Wow! I had no idea there were so many power tools, I guess I’m an idiot that needs some help…so thank you! I have and like to play with my lawn power tools, but don’t get too much need for drills and stuff. Excellent hub!!
Eugene Brennan (author) from Ireland on January 24, 2015:
Hi Linda! These are the most useful tools, but there are few more obscure types.
Thanks for the comments!
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