We often get asked which power tools you should buy first.
The answer can depend on a lot of factors – are you going to be doing home renovations? Are you an aspiring woodworker or DIYer? Buying a gift for a loved one? Tired of borrowing power tools from your neighbour? In any case, here are the top power tools we think most people will need.
The first power tool we recommend is a good drill. The most essential of power tools, a drill is often the one power tool your household cannot go without. Whether you’re hanging a shelf, assembling some furniture, or building a deck, you’re going to want to make sure you’ve got a good drill and a set of high-quality drill bits to get you started. In most cases, a good drill can act as a driver, whereas a driver is limited when used as a drill. What’s the difference? We’ll be discussing that in an upcoming post so make sure you check back.
Next up, we suggest a reciprocating saw. Invented by Milwaukee in 1951, the reciprocating saw (coined ‘Sawzall’) is an incredibly useful tool. Designed for use with wood, plastic, metal, and just about anything in between, the reciprocating saw will come in handy for most people doing basic renovations around the house. It’s designed to perform crosscuts and plunge cuts, such as a length of pipe, nails, and even plaster. Whatever your needs, make sure you always use the correct blade.
With that said, if you’re working with wood, you might prefer a circular saw for doing basic cross-cutting, bevel cuts, and even rip cuts. The uses for a circular saw are almost as myriad as a recip or power drill, but you’ll probably find it’s faster and more accurate than a reciprocating saw. As with any saw, always use the correct blade for the job.
Our next recommendation is a power sander. There are two major types of power sanders; a belt sander or an orbital sander. A belt sander has a continuous loop of sandpaper that makes it ideal for big projects such as tabletops or other larger pieces of lumber, while an orbital or palm sander can help you get into tight corners and other small spaces. Whatever your needs, having a power sander around will make quick work of any sanding job.
A rotary tool or oscillating multi-tool is next on our list. Rotary tools have as many applications as they do bit styles; grinding, cutting, carving, drilling, sanding, and even polishing or cleaning attachments are available. Oscillating multi-tools are similar in that they have myriad practical uses; grinding, trimming, flush cutting, plunge cutting, cleaning, scraping, sanding, and more. The only major difference between the two is how the blade or bit turns and what your application requires. A rotary tool completes a full rotation, while an oscillating tool vibrates the attachment over a narrow arc.
Whatever the tool, always wear proper safety equipment and follow best practices so you don’t injure yourself or others.
Got a question about a tool? Call us for answers! Our friendly staff is available to help you decide what tools are best for your next project.