General Article

4 Must-Have Power Tools for Every Homeowner

October 16, 2019

Everybody requires a power tool every now and then, be it a homeowner or a professional. Here, we’ll look at the top 10 power tools every homeowner should have.

  1. Cordless Drill

A cordless drill is a handy tool to have at home. Being a cordless device, it prevents you from tripping over any cords or having to move them all over. Additionally, it’s also easy to work on difficult areas like the roof of your house.

All cordless drills possess a chuck at the top that you can unscrew and place a drill bit or screwdriver. They also have a switch near the trigger for changing the spinning direction. Most cordless drills also come with a ring for adjusting the torque or the amount of drilling power.

The most common uses of a cordless drill are: drilling holes, assembling objects, carpentry work, mixing paint, and twisting/untwisting cables.

When operating a cordless drill, always hold it perpendicular to the surface you are working on, not at an angle. Also, only utilize bits that are made for your drill, avoid forcing bits that are too big.

  1. Cordless Impact Drivers

They are similar to cordless drills, but they have more hammering action inside. Also, cordless impact drivers have many different accessories that you can attach to them. Impacts are used instead of drills when you are handling more heavy-duty work.

A cordless impact driver work well at tightening/loosing bolts, screws, and nuts, as well as raising/lowering jacks.

Like with the cordless drill, always hold an impact driver perpendicular to the surface. Also, wear gloves and safety glasses.

  1. Palm Sander

A palm sander is suitable for a small to medium-sized project. Simply select the grit of sandpaper that’s appropriate for what you want to sand, and attach it to the sander. The power tool has slots for inserting the sandpaper and a mechanism for tightening it down. Once everything is secure, turn on the sander and get to work.

Palm sanders are commonly used for sanding rough surfaces, removing paint or stain from woodwork and preparing metal surfaces for painting.

Always ensure the motion of the sander matches the grain of the wood piece you’re working on. Also, don’t push too hard on the power tool and replace the sandpaper often. Don’t forget to wear safety glasses and use a dust mask too.

  1. Jigsaw

Another important tool is the jigsaw. It has a motor with a handle at the top and a blade at the bottom. You can easily remove the blade to insert the thickness you want. The motor causes the blade to move up and down to saw through objects. It can form curved or straight cuts with utmost precision.

The jigsaw is safe to use, because the blade goes in or under the item you are shaping, while your hands stay on top. However, supervision is necessary for children.

A jigsaw can cut through wood, drywall, tile, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, MDF, Plexiglas, PVC and cement board.

Always select the right blade size for every job and ensure the blade is sharp. Also, insert the blade correctly before you turn on the power. For tight curves, you should use a smaller blade and slower motion. Additionally, wear safety goggles for the job.

Visit Marshall Industrial Supplies today to source any of the above power tools and more.