It seems like there are new tools coming out every day. How are we to know what is a good buy and what is going to sit on the shelf laughing at us as it collects dust and rusts away. Tasks & Tools is here to help.
The question is what tool is the next to invest in? Let's first list a few tools that are must haves for home maintenance and repair.
Hand Tools:
- Set of screwdrivers (Philips, Flat and Torx)
- Set of Allen Keys (Great for putting together furniture and toys)
- Framing Hammer
- Tack Hammer
- Socket Set (Metric and Standard)
- Wrenches (Metric and Standard)
- 12' Tape Measure
- 25' Tape Measure
- Torpedo Level, 2' and 4' Level
- Pliers, Needle Nose Pliers and Channel Locks
- Diagonal Cutters, Tin Snips, Wire Strippers and Scissors
- Hand Saw, Coping Saw, Drywall Saw (Key Hole Saw) and Hack Saw
Power Tools:
- Circular Saw
- Jig Saw
- Corded 1/2" Drill
- Cordless Drill (Min 12v)
- Palm Sander
- Disc Sander
- Belt Sander
What next? How about a cordless impact drill? I know what you are thinking, they are too expensive, and I already have a cordless drill. Why do I need an impact drill?
There are three factors that make it such a great additional to the home tool box, power, diversity and size.
The power, also known as torque, is double or even tripled in some impacts versus there drill counterparts. What does this mean to you? There is something called camming out. It simply refers to that annoying skip that our bits make when it falls out of the screw head and can strip the screw head. Camming out can happen when the bit is not in line with the fastener, not enough pressure is applied to the tool, or the screw has torqued out in the material it is being driven into. Impact drills use a cam system to create a hammer like action to assist in driving fasteners. This action reduces the amount of force needed by the operator to drive the fastener. This also reduces the speed of the driver, thus reducing the amount of cam out that can occur.
Diversity is also a great benefit. Impact drivers allow you to drive anything from a #8 drywall screw to a 1/2" lag bolt in a variety of materials. Most drills do not have the power to drive this range of fasteners.
Impacts are also much smaller than drills. This allows you to drive fasteners in areas that drills just cannot go. How often have you only been able to get one hand in a confined space, but just couldn't get the drill in the space to get the fastener driven all of the way in. Impacts are small and easy to use with one hand in most applications.
You can pick up a good impact from any home improvement warehouse starting at $150. An impact driver and drill combo kit can save you several hundred dollars. You also will have two tools that run off of the same batteries. Choose one of the top brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Rigid or Bosch. These companies make their products to last. Most design them to be used by contractors, so they are built job site tough.
Also look for the new all in one impact/drill combo tool. There is a selector switch that allows one to choose drill or impact. It's the best of both worlds. The only issues that I see with this design is if your impact driver breaks, the drill goes along with it.
If you have more questions concerning impact drivers, visit your local tool dealer or home improvement warehouse.
Impacts are also much smaller than drills. This allows you to drive fasteners in areas that drills just cannot go. How often have you only been able to get one hand in a confined space, but just couldn't get the drill in the space to get the fastener driven all of the way in. Impacts are small and easy to use with one hand in most applications.
You can pick up a good impact from any home improvement warehouse starting at $150. An impact driver and drill combo kit can save you several hundred dollars. You also will have two tools that run off of the same batteries. Choose one of the top brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Rigid or Bosch. These companies make their products to last. Most design them to be used by contractors, so they are built job site tough.Also look for the new all in one impact/drill combo tool. There is a selector switch that allows one to choose drill or impact. It's the best of both worlds. The only issues that I see with this design is if your impact driver breaks, the drill goes along with it.
If you have more questions concerning impact drivers, visit your local tool dealer or home improvement warehouse.
