Carpentry power toolsPower tool tips, tricks and adviceCarpentry power tools are such an integral part of the job I can't imagine trying to work without them. I'm not sure I'd have become a carpenter before power tools were invented, my arms aren't big enough! In the UK you can only use battery powered or 110 volt tools on site, far less likely to cause a fatal shock than 240v. Choose a decent drill for the type of work you are going to be doing most often. I use mine loads, it's probably the tool I use most. It's good for drilling in various materials, including masonry wood and metal. Screwing, inlcuding fixing plasterboard, and I use it a lot during finish carpentry for doors and ironmongery etc. is the best tool for cutting laminate flooring. It's also good for intricate lines and when scribing timber to irregular/uneven surfaces. You don't have to buy a really expensive one, just make sure you use the best Jigsaw blades you can afford and replace them as soon as they become dull. Blunt blades tend to try and find the easiest route to cut through the grain of timber, which isn't always the straightest. I've recently bought a Dewalt plunge saw. I always wanted a Festool one but could never really justify spending £5-600 on a plunge saw when I already had a normal circular saw. I started looking at videos on youtube of plunge saws being used and decided I had to have one! I looked on Ebay first and found a reconditioned one for about £300. I happened to be in my local tool store who are also a Dewalt service centre and asked if he had any in. Luckily, he had a reconditioned one for sale with a 1.4m rail for £240 so I snapped it up and bought another rail and joining bar.Related pages Carpentry hand tools Leave power tools and return to carpentry tips and tricks home page Visit WoodWorking Coach Experienced carpenter David writes about all the old and new hand and power tools he's used throughout his long distinguished career |
