Monday, July 6, 2009

All In A Days Work...

From hand crafted custom furniture, to beautiful interior & exterior renovations...we "ohhh" & "awww" at the beauty of the craftsmanship...but really, we should be swooning over the talented individuals who put there creative efforts into a beautiful end result. It certainly takes time & a lot of practice to get there...but below are the top 5 power tools all inspiring craftsmen/women should have.







The Power Drill
With so many to choose from here's a key list of What to Look For:
1.Chuck Jaws (what the hell are those you ask?) Answer:The part that holds the bit. Maximum capacity of most drills is 3/8". Some 14.4v & 18 volt drills can handle a 1/2"
2.Clutch: Its basically a safety! The clutch disengages the drive shaft of the drill, making a clicking sound when a preset level of resistance is reached, essentially the motor is still running but the screwdriver bit isn't. This prevents you from stripping your screw or overdriving it once its snug. The number of clutch settings depend on the drill - better ones have up to 24 settings. The lowest number is for smaller screws and the highest number for largest screws. Most clutches also have a "Drill Setting" which allows the motor to drive the bit at full power
3.Speed Range Switch: High is for drilling & low is for driving screws - look for a drill with the widest range between them.
4.Foward/Reverse Switch: Should be in a location easily operated by your thumb & index finger.
5.Hand Grip: Texture & contour aid should aid your grip - Try Before You Buy
6.Voltage: More voltage means more power, but also added weight. A 9.6 volt drills weighs 3.5 lbs an 18 volt model weighs up to 10lbs
7.Battery: Look for a drill with the new Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries. They are smaller and run longer than the typical Nickel Cadmium battery. They also pose less of a hazard when it comes to disposal as they don't contain any Cadmium which is highly toxic
8.Trigger: Make sure your index finger fits around it comfortably. A trigger with variable speed offers the greatest control


Reciprocating Saw
What it is:
The saw that can cut through anything! From landscaping projects to interior construction & demolition. Major issue to be aware of: They offer both portable & cordless models which can be much lighter than the traditional contractors version.

Circular Saw:
"The most versatile of power saws" offering a range of applications from rip & cross cutting to cutting slats for fences & decks while being lightweight & portable. Most circular saws are meant for cutting wood but many offer adapters for cutting metal or plastic.


Miter Saw:
A must have for cutting angles on anything from crown moldings to picture frames. They come with a "miter index" which allows you to cut at any angle by changing the cut angle in one degree increments.



Finishing Sander:
For use on refinishing an old table top, or smoothing out a rough patch in your hardwood floors a finishing sander is lightweight & easy to use. The finishing sander is the most delicate in the sander family removing only a tiny bit of the surface with each pass. Many now come with an adapter that collects the dust as you go for dustless sanding - genius!

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