Choosing power tools is something truly personal to us. We all have our own personal preferences when it comes to what we are looking for in them and what we will use them for. Think about it – you probably won’t use the same ones for woodworking as you would for metalworking or doing a home renovation.
For some of us, they are a critical part of our jobs. In the construction field, hardly anything would get done without them. If you are a home contractor, they’re going to be a big part of this. Finding brands that we like with quality tools is key.
Types of Power Tools
Before we go anywhere, I think it’s important to discuss what they are and some of the types. I’ll highlight a few that are good things to have in anyone’s kit, including beginners. So, be sure to continue reading whether you’re experienced or new to this field!
As far as a definition, I’ll keep it simple. They are powered by some additional source and mechanism instead of just manual labor. Usually this is an electric motor but might be a compressed air system or combustion engine as well. If you prefer one over the other, just look at the listing for whatever you are thinking of purchasing.
They have a variety of uses and regulations that I will discuss briefly later on, but if you really can’t wait, you can read more here about it: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-110/pdfs/96-110.pdf.
What to Pack in Your Kit?
Let’s start with something basic: a powered saw. If you’ve ever tried a manual saw, you know how frustrating it can be. In my high school marching band, we ran Christmas Tree sales. My least favorite part was always sawing the bottom of the tree off for customers. Depending on the sap levels, it was incredibly difficult.
Of course, there are several different types. For thin wood you might want to select a jigsaw. While they won’t go through anything too thick, they are good for quick fixes or decorative changes.
Circular or reciprocating saws are what you will want to look at for more heavy-duty changes. You could build a fence or something else with them. The limit here is largely your own creativity above anything else. Just be safe while using this equipment.
To make the even boards you might use with one of these saws, you might consider a woodworking planer. One consideration is the Oliver planer, which will help you to create accurate and fast adjustments to any wood planks you plan to utilize. They are simple to use, as the most difficult thing you will need to do is adjust the machinery.
In the vein of woodworking, you may want to get a sanding device. Trying to use sandpaper by hand for a large project is both tiresome and a waste of time. One of these machines is useful if you enjoy do-it-yourself projects in particular. I enjoy refinishing furniture pieces, so I use mine fairly often.
A nail gun is something else you will probably want in your tool kit. Now, you might not want to cut the wood pieces of a project yourself, but you still need to do the rest of the assembly. That’s where this machine really comes in handy. They aren’t too bulky and can speed you up immensely.
Obviously, a power drill is another near must-have if you have a workshop. They are highly versatile. You could pick from corded or cordless varieties, each of which comes with its own pros and cons. If you’re not sure about which would be best for you, you can look at this page for more details: https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/An-Idiots-Guide-to-Power-Tools.
Because of all the different bits you can use, they can be applied to almost any project you are undertaking. I know I’ve even pulled mine out for building furniture. While they might be a bit loud, they certainly get the job done fast!
Finally, you may want to consider an angle grinder or impact driver. They might not be the ones we think of immediately, but they can be very helpful. Especially if you are interested in doing more DIY projects around your home.
Safety
This is one of the most important parts of power tools, so I would like to touch upon it today. Now, Oliver Machinery is built for stability and personal safety, but there are certain precautions we need to take as users. Without that, serious injury could occur.
There are regulations set in place by many governments regarding how loud power tools can be. Despite this, I would recommend getting headphones, earphones, or earplugs. Your ears are delicate, and we don’t want to damage our hearing when using this machinery because we are doing it recklessly.
Next, you will want to get some safety goggles. Yes – even if you already wear glasses. Sawdust, scraps, and even shrapnel if you are working with metal are all hazards to our faces but particularly our eyes. It is incredibly dangerous to operate this machinery without a pair.
Maintaining the workspace is another important facet of protecting ourselves. The area where you use these tools should be dry and clean. This is especially true around wires but should be the standard for all parts of a workshop. This helps to avoid any dangerous electrical accidents or malfunctions.
You should also dress for the job you are doing. Loose clothing can be hazardous, as it can get caught in tools. This can include jewelry – you’ll probably want to put it aside while you operate this machinery.
Finally, you should always be inspecting your tools. If there are any malfunctions or damages, you need to take note of them. It may be time to utilize a warranty or ship them off for repair from the manufacturer. Investigate your options.
We all want to find a power tool brand that we can trust if we are at all interested in purchasing them. Quality machinery is important. Hopefully, this spotlight has helped!
