Power tools are such an essential part of any genuine handyman’s arsenal. There’s a lot you can do with a good set of power tools, but if you’re just starting out, what should you get?
1) Cordless drill
This is the number 1 power tool to own, and the first one you should invest in if you’re looking to start a collection. For common jobs such as installing shelving, assembling furniture, or building an entire deck; a cordless drill is an invaluable piece of equipment. Hands down, this is the power tool most people use the most — both at home, and at work. If you’re thinking about purchasing one, make sure to pick up a set of drill bits and other assorted bits. There’s a lot you can do with the right bit!
2) Circular saw
The circular saw’s circular blade allows you to accurately cut through lengthy pieces of timber or cut large sheets of plywood. An adjustable blade height also allows you to score wood, alongside cutting straight through. You don’t need the very best to do the job either; the higher-end saws are best for everyday use, but even the most entry-level circular saw will do the job.
3) Mitre saw
Another highly used power tool in most people’s sheds is the mitre saw, or chop saw. Mitre saws use a large, circular blade on a folding mechanism to accurately slice wood or other similar materials, with a combination of speed and accuracy. They can be used to cut wood, but also PVC pipe. The mitre saw is commonly known as being an absolute necessity to make accurate angled cuts for all your DIY projects!
4) Angle grinder
The angle grinder spins small discs at a high RPM to cut and grind all kinds of different materials, and usually have different discs for different jobs. The discs themselves are fairly cheap, but won’t last too long with regular use. Replace regularly!
Thicker discs are designed for grinding are useful for jobs such as smoothing down concrete, eradicating rust and sharpening tools – the thinner discs, however, are designed for cutting and are super useful for trimming metal pipe, tile, or clipping off rusty nail heads.
5) Orbital sander
The orbital sander is one of those tools that we recommend everyone own, from the tradie to a home DIY hobbyist. Sanding manually is slow, tiring and often doesn’t look very good – while an orbital sander can do the work in a fraction of the time, with the end result often looking much better! Sandpaper discs are (usually) attached with Velcro, making it extremely quick and easy to replace them or to switch between different grits. Rarely is there a home improvement project nowadays that an electric sander doesn’t help with!
6) Jigsaw
The jigsaw is well-suited to trimming out small or large details in a project, or cutting an accurate, curved line. Its specialty is cutting through thin, lightweight materials such as wood or plastic with disposable, reciprocating blades that aren’t too expensive to replace. It’s a useful little tool that can be helpful for the finishing touches your project needs. Not everybody needs one, but in my opinion, it deserves a place on this list for the sheer number of times I’ve been glad I’ve had one.
7) Impact driver
An impact driver works similarly to a torque wrench – applying a series of short, powerful bursts to make the fastener turn without destroying or damaging it. While you CAN still often use a regular power drill for an engineered screw or bolt like this, you run the risk of burning out your drill’s motor or damaging the bits. With an impact driver, you can use fewer, stronger fasteners and install them quicker.
8) Nail gun (and air compressor)
A nail gun is the perfect substitute for the arduous task of hammering in nails. Nothing can beat the usefulness and speed of a nail gun with an air compressor, especially when used for larger projects such as framing and roofing. It’s a must-have power tool if you’re doing finishing, since the alternative is to bang nails in by hand, which can end up looking sloppy – everyone can make mistakes!
Nail guns come in several gauges, all of which should attach to the same compressor and air hose. The air compressor can also be used with a paint sprayer or a blow gun, further expanding your collection of power tools.
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