Power Tools 101

 Every well-stocked workshop needs a number of power tools to get projects completed accurately and professionally; however, just which tools you need depends on what jobs you are planning to do. Over the next few pages, we take a look at some of the tools you may have, want or need in your workshop – and some that may be completely irrelevant but are still very cool.
 

The basics

 Circular saw
 Every workshop needs one of these. Depending on what type of job you have in mind, or whether you want a useful all-purpose circular saw, you can choose something high-powered with a large blade, or go for something more middle-of-the-road (and budget friendly) with a slightly smaller blade.
 
Cordless drill/driver
 There is a huge range available and they have come a long way from their market release in the 1980’s. In some cases, it may even pay to have two – one set up to drill and one to drive screws. Grab a spare battery, so you can charge one while using the other.
 

Electric drill
 A good electric drill will be able to handle more demanding work for longer periods of time than a battery drill. There’s no need to wait for the battery to charge as well; just plug it in and away you go.
Increased power and torque mean corded drills to handle bigger bits and tackle tasks like drilling concrete.
 

Jigsaw
 Such a handy little tool, a jigsaw is ideal for getting into those places inaccessible with a circular saw. They feature changeable blades for working on different materials: perfect for cutting out holes in panels for power points, plumbing fixtures and cutting curves for some of those more exotic projects.
 
Planer
 This may seem like a luxury item but you’ll only have to use it once, in a situation where you need to remove quite a bit of material from a project, to realise just how useful an electric planer is.
 


Sander
 Suggesting a sander is one thing, deciding which sort you need is something else entirely. There are a number of electric planers – orbital sanders, belt sanders, detail sanders and random orbital sanders.
 Belt sanders are designed to remove a considerable amount of material and can quickly do a lot of damage to the surface of a project if used by someone unaware.
 In most cases, sanders are a way of finishing a project, so be seen as a finishing tool.
 With that in mind, an orbital or random orbital sander will do the job. It can be paired with a detail sander to get into all the corners, nooks and crannies.
 
Lights
 Not technically classed as a power tool, but an electrical item that is a must in any good workshop (or anywhere you’re working where it’s a little dark). Without good lighting, working with power tools isn’t going to be safe. You need to see clearly to the job done right with minimal danger to yourself or others.
 

More advanced tools

 
Table saw
 One of the real problems with a tool like a table saw is that it takes up so much room. These can be a wonderfully versatile tool, especially if you are in your shed on a regular basis, for a range of different projects.
 
Table saws can be used for everything from accurately cutting panels to size through to ripping timber, as well as cutting grooves in timber for decorative or functional purposes.
 
Drop saw/draw saw
 A drop saw or draw saw is a useful addition to your power tool arsenal but because of its limitations, it certainly wouldn’t the first power tool you would choose to buy. They can be unbeatable for jobs like cutting finishing trim like architraves, skirting and scotia.
 Most drop saws can be adjusted to cut on a mitre up to 45 degrees. Some have the option of tilting the blade as well, allowing a cut to be made in two angles at the same time (compound mitre).
 Drop saws work only in an up and down motion; while draw saws work with a back-and-forth motion, drawing the blade through the material being cut. It is possible to obtain a combination draw and drop saw.
 
Reciprocating saw
 Now here’s a tool that has a huge range of uses. It’s one of those “use-one, want-one” type of tools that can quickly have you searching through the power tools section at Mitre 10.
 The first time I used one was during a major renovation project when I had to cut some bolts holding a section of wall framing to the floor. A tedious, frustrating job normally with a hacksaw, was achieved quickly and easily using a reciprocating saw.
 
The secret to the saw’s performance is the long thin blade that moves back and forth and can be squeezed into the most awkward of spots.
 With a range of interchangeable blades available, a reciprocating saw can be used to cut through a wide variety of materials.
 
Router
 Often used for decorative work on the edges of timber or panels. A router can also be used for basic tasks like creating a uniform finish along the edge of a piece of timber which makes it much easier to sand a smooth rounded edge.
 With a change of bit a router can also be used to machine a groove or slot in pieces of timber — ideal for creating strong joints between two separate sections of stock.
 
Angle grinder
 Here’s a tool that’s likely to only come out on odd occasions but, when it’s needed, you’ll find it almost invaluable.
Angle grinders can be used to carefully grind down metal to a smooth surface or, with a change of disc, to cut through masonry or metal. They can even be used to get into awkward areas to cut off bolts or nails that can’t be reached with the correct blade on a circular saw.
 

Bench grinder
 Again, a tool that probably isn’t used too much, but can prove to be quite the addition to your power tool arsenal once you have realised how handy it can be.
If you work with pieces of metal, a bench grinder is the perfect tool to remove those annoying burrs or sharp edges.
It can also be used to sharpen your hand tools, such as chisels, axes or even lawnmower blades, but this does take some practice and skill to get right – especially when honing blades, like chisels, that require an accurate blade angle.
 
Biscuit jointer
This is a really specialised tool designed to cut semi-circular grooves into the edge of a piece of timber into which specially made elliptical ‘biscuits’ of timber are glued.
A second groove can then be machined into a second section of timber, which is then glued onto the corresponding face of the biscuit, creating a strong joint. It’s a method of joining a number of sections together for projects such as tabletops.
 
Nail gun
 Although they’re not an item that most DIYers would have in their workshops and also not technically a power tool, nail guns are becoming more popular. They’re an essential item for any serious tradesman because they increase efficiency by a remarkable rate.

With nail guns available for everything from heavy-duty framing nails down to light-duty finishing tacks, they can be used on almost any section of any project. They really come into their own during house framing or laying decking.
 Nail guns use a combination of rechargeable battery and replaceable gas cartridge to provide motive power.
 

Powering your tools

 No matter whether you have gone for the most basic of tools, or the best that money can buy; you’ll still need a number of power cords to supply them.
 Heavy-duty cords are the best bet because they stand up better to the rigors of a workshop.
 It’s a good idea to get cords longer than you think you need, as you may need to run them around other items in your shed. It’s much easier (and safer) to have one cord than multiple linked together reach your objective.
 To store, coil cords loosely but tidily rather than having them tightly wound (which can cause wear to some of the wires inside the cable).
 If a cord does become damaged it can be a safety hazard, so get it checked or replaced.
 When using power tools, it’s also good practice to run them through a residual current device (RCD) to reduce the possibility of electric shock. Modern power tools are quite safe due to their construction however there is still some risk.
 An RCD provides just another safety barrier to electric shock because you can never be too careful.
 

Safety equipment

 Remember you always need at least some basic safety equipment when operating power tools.
Most power tools require a minimum of safety glasses or goggles as well as some form of hearing protection. Others will also require a dust mask or some form of breathing protection as well.