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Whether you are a DIY enthusiast looking to take on bigger and more challenging projects, or a homeowner with a long list of tasks, power tools will help get the job done faster.
Tool Inspector was created to provide people with the opportunity to read honest reviews about power tools before purchase. Created by Electrician John Lewsam, the site’s success is based on John’s real-life reviews of products. Tool Inspector reviews the products so you can make an informed decision on your purchase.
As you’d imagine Tool Inspector knows a thing or two about tools and we asked them some of the more common questions people tend to ask before purchasing power tools and they helped us out. For those who will be making this purchase for the first time, there are some important things you should know before you head into the power tool market.
1. CORD OR CORDLESS?
You will find options that feature a cord and those that hold their own battery power. Corded models can be electric or pneumatic, but the cordless options will only use battery power.
There are benefits to both types of power tools.
The corded variety typically carried more power as they are connected to the mains. The only major drawback is the presence of a cord.
Corded models are usually more powerful, and they have a constant source of power. The drawback is that movement is limited by the length of the cord.
You will find more versatility and freedom to move around with a cordless tool. They also allow any project to be approached from a variety of angles. Still, they will not approach any project with the same power you can expect from the corded variety. Furthermore, your work time will be limited by the supply of batteries and charging system you employ.
You will need to consider your most important task and what type of tool they would call for when making this decision. If you plan to work for a long time and with a wider range of projects, the corded model will probably be best. If you need to work in smaller confined areas, you may do well with the cordless variety.
2. WHAT FEATURES ARE NEEDED?
You will find some tools come equipped with a vast array of features, but just like examining the features of another project, you will need to ask yourself what are the ones that you actually need.
Make sure you investigate the features that come with any tool you are planning to buy, this way you will know if these features are actually something you will need. Others might be nice to have but will add costs to your investment.
For example, if you buy the best tile saw, you won’t get actual work done for the lack of selecting the right type and design. On the other hand, if you can select the perfect type and design, they might be nice and improve your work experience.
3. WHAT IS THE SAFETY RATING?
Safety is always an important consideration when purchasing power tools. Tools that are not properly and safely installed will cause serious injury. Furthermore, just because the brand you are buying from is a household name, doesn’t mean that their tools are good and effective.
The best way to begin your search is to look for reviews from people with the same or similar needs to your own. Find out which tools they used and what their experiences with these tools were like. Then, be sure to read all product descriptions so that you will know what safety features you can expect from the tool.
All tools are required to have these mandatory safety features. But, you will find that many of the most notable and reputable manufacturers make tools with extra safety features to ensure no accidents happen.
4. WHAT TYPE OF BATTERY DOES IT TAKE?
If you are in the market for cordless tools, consider saving yourself some bucks with a bare tool. As you may imagine a bare tool is just the tools itself and comes with no accompanying battery case. This means that only the tool is bought.
Why on earth would this be a good thing? Well, these bare tools are cheaper than your battery included options. Furthermore, if you will be buying a variety of tools, you may find that you will only need 2 or three batteries to power an entire toolset 24 strong.
5. WHAT’S THE TRUE COST OF BUYING THE TOOL?
There is the cost of the tools and the true cost of the tool. In other words, what you will see on the price tag and what will actually be spent on the tool once you have factored in the costs of anything else you will need to perform the job, this includes blades, belts and bits that will still have to be purchased before the project gets underway.
Be sure you look over your project carefully and plan out each step of your process. This way when you are ready to make the purchase you will know exactly what you need.
6. WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS WILL THE TOOLS BE USED FOR?
One other pointer will be to apply some foresight to your purchase. The tool you need may be designed for a specific project, but you will probably want to keep the tools after the project is completed. In this case, take the time to consider what other types of projects could be done with that tool. Maybe you will find you need a bit more power to open up more potential projects.
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