Most Commonly Used Household Power Tools

It’s often said that a true craftsperson needs no tools. While this may have been true in the past, every modern DIY job requires tools. Specifically, power tools. Without them, there is little that anyone can accomplish.

A modern DIY toolkit can include a variety of specialized equipment, such as a power drill, palm sander, router, miter saw, circular saw, wet/dry vacuum, rotary tool, and impact driver. While many of these tools look similar, they are made to perform specific tasks. We breakdown some of these tasks and the power tools needed.

How to Choose Which Most Common Power Tools Are Best for You

You may have guessed that there are a lot of different power tools available to buy. Therefore, you should select a tool based on your specific work requirement.

For instance, if you just need to drill on a soft surface, then a power drill should suffice for most tasks. However, a hammer drill is a better choice for drilling through hard surfaces. Similarly, buy an impact driver for driving screws and loosen larger screws that are corrosively frozen.

What Are the Benefits of Having the Most Common Power Tools?

As the name suggests, power tools are designed to offer raw power and an automated mechanism. They’re easy to use, and get the work done in a fraction of the time. Power tools are indispensable because:

• They deliver better performance and perform tasks that are impossible for hand tools to accomplish.
• They save time by offering speed and efficiency.
• They deliver precise and accurate results.
• Portable power tools offer maximum flexibility and convenience.

How Do the Most Common Power Tools Differ From Others?

Power tools are made to save time and energy. Without them, it could take hours to drill a hole, unscrew a frozen bolt, or make a straight cut in a length of wood. Besides speed, power tools are designed to offer accuracy and reduce human error. Today, it takes a few hours to complete a job that once took days with standard tools and manual labor.

The 5 Top Most Common Power Tools

There is almost an endless variety of power tools that you can use. However, some of these are essential to carry out routine tasks. With that in mind, here is a look at our top five power tools for DIY work:

Craftsman CMCD700C1 V20 Max Li-ion Cordless 1/2″ Drill Driver

Google’s Rating 4.5

Craftsman CMCD700C1 V20 MAX Li-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit Description and Specifications

A power drill is probably the most common tool in a handyman’s arsenal. It’s mainly used to drill a hole in plastic, metal, or wood. These days, most drills are cordless, which are powered by a battery pack. However, if you require more power, then buy a corded drill.

Power drills are reviewed based on their size, speed, and efficiency. The size of the drill refers to the size of the drill chuck – the part that holds the bit. Typical size ranges from 1/4″ to 1/2″.

When buying a power drill, speed is an important factor to consider. High speed and low torque are best suited to drill soft materials. In contrast, low speed and high torque are better for hard surfaces.

Efficiency is another factor to consider. For instance, the weight of the power drill, type of chuck, and adjustable power are as important as the size and speed of the power drill.

For optimal results, check out Craftsman CMCD700C1 V20 MAX Li-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit. It may not be the most powerful drill, but this Craftsman tool is extremely user-friendly and effortlessly drills holes in most soft surfaces including steel sheets. The following are its specifications:

Why the Craftsman CMCD700C1 V20 MAX Li-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit Is Great

From hanging a mirror to building a wooden bench, we regularly need to drill a hole when undertaking the DIY task. Therefore, power drills are your best bet to get things done quickly and easily. Modern power drills also help tighten and loosen screws that would otherwise require a lot of time and energy.

Just like any other tool, power drills should not be used when handling delicate materials. They’re not suited to fixing glass and tiny screws.

Black + Decker BEHD201 6.5-Amp Corded Electric 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Black+Decker BEHD201 6.5-Amp Corded Electric 1/2″ Hammer Drill Description and Specifications

At first, most hammer drills look similar to a power drill. While their functions are somewhat identical to the power drill, they’re designed to perform a very specific job: bore holes through concrete, brick, stone, and other masonry materials with precision and ease.

When buying a hammer drill, look for three important features: hammer drill size, motor speed, and motor power. The hammer drill size usually reflects the underlying power of a hammer drill. Therefore, the one-inch diameter of the drill bit will generate more power compared to a half-inch diameter.

Motor speed is another important metric to consider. For instance, a hammer drill that can generate 2200 RPM is more powerful than a similar size drill that generates 1800 RPM. If you think that you will work with harder surfaces, select a drill with a higher RPM.

The power of the motor complements its speed. It can produce a pounding force powerful enough to blast through the masonry. For most jobs, a motor between 5 amp and 8 amp is sufficient.

If you’re looking for a reliable product, consider Black+Decker BEHD201 6.5-Amp Corded Electric 1/2″ Hammer Drill. This machine can bore through most surfaces with ease. It feels balanced and easy to hold during intense hammer action. You can get 48,000 bpm with a flip of a switch. For added convenience, the single-sleeve chuck can accommodate larger bits easily.

Why the Black+Decker BEHD201 6.5-Amp Corded Electric 1/2″ Hammer Drill Is Great

For most people, hammer drills are extremely versatile because they can drill a hole in wood as well as bore through concrete. When needed, you can switch off the hammer action and use the hammer drill as a standard drill.

Whereas hammer drills are more versatile, they can be a little more expansive than a power drill. Their design also adds to their weight, and you should also expect a lot of noise from the motor when grinding masonry.

DeWalt DCF885C1 20V Max Li-ion Cordless 1/4″ Drill Driver

DeWalt DCF885C1 20V Max Li-Ion Cordless 1/4″ Impact Driver Description and Specifications

The term impact driver is sometimes used simultaneously to describe power drills and drill drivers. Therefore, it’s often difficult to distinguish between these gadgets. In reality, an impact driver is a standard drill, which is specifically designed to drive screws. A typical impact driver is battery powered and has two modes: drilling and screw driving.

It’s important to understand that the main job of the impact driver is to act as a powerful screwdriver. When buying a suitable impact driver, look for a high voltage tool and a hex shank.

The high voltage affects torque, which ultimately produces a higher output in terms of raw power. Most brands offer either 12V or 18V models. The higher the voltage, the greater the torque. Also, keep in mind that hex shanks are better than straight shanks because hex shanks can resist damage when put under pressure.

For your next DIY project, buy a DeWalt DCF885C1 20V Max Li-Ion Cordless 1/4″ Impact Driver. It’s ideal for first-time users due to its compact build and lightweight design. Despite the small size, it packs a punch by delivering 1,400 lbs. of torque. This model can easily fit in compact spaces while the three LED lights help light up the area you’re working in.

Why the DeWalt DCF885C1 20V Max Li-Ion Cordless 1/4″ Impact Driver Is Great

Impact drivers, often known as drill drivers, are ideal for driving screws. If you regularly need to drive screws into hard material, then it’s a good idea to buy an impact driver even if you already have a power drill.

An impact driver is a powerful tool that can balance power and torque to drive screws much faster than any other equipment. It’s also ideal for situations when you’re unable to drive a screw all the way into a particular material. In such cases, the higher torque of an impact driver can easily do the job.

Makita XRJ04Z 18V LXT Li-ion Cordless Recipro Saw

Makita XRJ04Z 18V LXT Li-Ion Cordless Recipro Saw Description and Specifications

Reciprocating saws are machine-powered saws that use push-and-pull motion to cut through an object. These saws are mainly used for demolition and remodeling. Instead of using crowbars and hacksaws, you can use a reciprocating saw to cut things free.

A good reciprocating saw offers flexibility, orbital action, and smart controls. For most plumbing jobs, a one-handed saw should be enough. However, cutting a wood beyond 1x or cast iron will require a heavy-duty saw.

When cutting wood, look for a saw that offers multiple orbital settings. The orbital setting provides aggressive elliptical motion, which makes it easier to cut through hard surfaces. Similarly, it’s practical to buy a saw that has variable smart controls and variable speeds.

The Makita XRJ04Z 18V LXT Li-Ion Cordless Recipro Saw is our top pick in this category. The longer stroke length offers added traction to cut a diverse range of materials. The well-sealed motor integrates Makita’s Extreme Protection Technology, which saves the machine from dust and corrosion. A rubberized soft grip and two-finger trigger add to the comfort of this Makita saw.

Why the Makita XRJ04Z 18V LXT Li-Ion Cordless Recipro Saw Is Great

A reciprocating saw is an essential tool if your job involves tasks such as cutting through plasterboard, ripping out window frames, and replacing doors. Instead of using crowbars and hacksaws, you can rely on the reciprocating saw to get things done much faster.

The larger corded reciprocating saws have beefier motors and accept longer blades for bigger cuts. In contrast, the small one-handed powered saws are ideal for compact spaces. Overall, it’s a great tool to cut and rip apart unwanted objects effortlessly without creating a mess.

Skil 5280-01 15-Amp Corded 7-1/4″ Circular Saw

Google’s Rating 4.6

Skil 5280-01 15-Amp Corded 7-1/4″ Circular Saw Description and Specifications

It’s a handy tool for cutting large pieces of wood, plastic, and other metals. The saw is also practical for cutting bricks and tiles. The high sawing capacity, portability, and precision make the circular saw a stand-out item in any DIY kit.

A good circular saw has three important features: cutting depth, bevels, and free-load speed. Always look for maximum cutting depth because it tells you how deep you will be able to cut. The depth specification may be different for straight and angular cuts.

The bevel capacity will also play its part. For instance, a modern power saw can make simple bevel cuts at varying angles up to 55 degrees. The higher the bevel capacity, the greater the flexibility. Another important factor to keep in mind is the free-load speed. A higher RPM is better because it gives you better control when operating the saw.

For greater speed and faster cuts, try the SKIL 15 5280-01 Amp Corded 7-1/4″ Circular Saw. This highly-rated tool can deliver 5,300 RPM and comes with a safety lock guarded trigger to prevent injuries. Fitted with a single beam laser, it will guide you to straight cuts while keeping the line of cut free of sawdust.

Here are the main features of this SKIL model:

Why the Skil 5280-01 15-Amp Corded 7-1/4″ Circular Saw Is Great

Circular saws are powerful tools designed for precision cuts. You can use it to make plunge cuts that don’t sever the wood into two pieces. In most cases, a circular saw can cut almost anything, including construction lumber, solid hardwood stock, and plywood.

With the right adjustment and blade, it can also cut solid surfaces such as brick, tile, cement, masonry, and stone. The only drawback is the slight learning curve involved in using the circular saw. If you’re just beginning to tackle DIY projects, it may take a couple of tries before you’re able to maneuver the saw perfectly.

FAQs