9 Power Tools Every Beginner Should Master

Power tools are essential for any kind of DIY project. Check out this article to know more about what power tools you should master as a beginner.

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The market for power tools is huge. You can basically find a power tool variant of all your favorite hand tools. These tools come with unique features to help beginners learn and build at a faster rate. But many people have a hard time figuring out what tools they first need to learn since there are so many available options.

Power Tools for Every Beginner

We are not going to focus on any particular brand, rather we are only going to talk about the types of tools you should learn first. To know more about two dominating power tools brands you should check out an article by professional woodworker Tom Bradly. Now, whether you are doing woodwork, home improvement projects, or simple arts and crafts, here are the top nine power tools every beginner must learn how to use.

1. Table Saw

Everyone knows about table saws because it is the standard tool for cutting wood or similar objects such as cardboard and plywood. Although they are more expensive than the other tools listed here, they provide a lot of benefits.

With table saws, you do not need any prior measurements. You do not need to mark your wood in order to have a precise cut. The table saw can cut along the length smoothly and leaves no rough edges. You might not need a table saw for small DIY projects, but if you are going to make large furniture, then learn how to use a table saw right away.

2. Miter Saw

A miter saw has a swing arm and mounted blade that you can pivot left and right to make precise angle cuts. Miter saws go well with table saws. By combining these two, you can basically make any furniture for your house. All you will need more is a drill and some wood glue.

3. Power Drill

Every house already has or should have a drill. No matter what type of project you are doing, you will probably need to drill holes in it. There are different types of drills and you need to know when and how to use them. Hammer drills are basic drills that you can also use as a power hammer. Rotary hammers are heavy-duty drills for construction works. They are used to drill holes into sturdier materials like marble stone. If you want to drill large holes in the ground, then use ground augers. They are the perfect replacement for shovels when digging holes. You’ll also have to choose between cordless and corded drills. As a beginner, we suggest you use cordless drills. They don’t have that much power but are perfect for smaller projects. Plus, you wouldn’t have to worry about managing the cable when working in small places. Of course, the only downside is that you’ll have to keep charging it when it goes flat.

4. Impact Driver

Impact drivers are similar to drills in appearance but serve a different purpose. While drills are used to create holes, impact drivers are used to drilling smaller objects such as screws. They are lighter than most drills but have higher rotational power. This increased power allows them to tightly drive large screws very fast. Their mechanism allows them to drill screws more efficiently than driver drills or power screwdrivers.

5. Jigsaw

One of the cheapest and most versatile power tools to have at your disposal is the jigsaw. The other saws mentioned before are good at cutting along the length, giving a smooth and precise cut. But for cutting curves, you will need a jigsaw. With a little more experience, you can use one to make straight cuts as well.

6. Band Saw

Band saws are an improved version of jigsaws. Jigsaws make a mess by leaving a lot of sawdust but band saws do not create such a mess. They also have larger blades. This allows them to cut bigger pieces of wood, or multiple pieces at once to save time. However, band saws are more expensive and take up more space compared to jigsaws.

7. Circular Saws

Circular saws are used in almost all construction sites for cutting wood and other objects. But you can use them for your DIY project as well. Most people think that since they are hand-held tools, you can use them to cut curves. In reality, they are better at cutting thicker pieces of wood in a straight line. They may damage the surface of the wood if you try to cut curves with them.

8. Random Orbit Sanders

For woodworking, you will need to sand and polish your final product. Whether you are using wood, stone, or metal as your material, sanding it gives a nice, glossy, and visually appealing finish. But sanding can be a frustrating and time-consuming task – even with a power tool. Your best option here would be to use a random orbit sander. Random orbit sanders have a random rotating motion and do not leave any scratch or swirl marks on your product. You can also use it for restoring the transparency of your headlights or for paint jobs.

9. Oscillating Multi-Tool

An oscillating multi-tool is the jack of all trades. It is a small, affordable tool that can be mounted with several attachments. Thanks to these, you can use a multi-tool for sawing, cutting, sanding, scraping, and even grout removal.

Here are some of the best attachments for your oscillating multi-tool and ways to use them:

• A straight edge on your multi-tool for trimming excess wood from shelves, cabinets, or other pieces.
• A round oscillating blade for linear cuts and for straight cuts, attach a straight blade.
• A flash-cutting blade for easily slicing through door jambs.
• A bi-metal cutting blade for slicing off rusty faucet nuts and other metals.
• A carbide blade or diamond blade for removing grout from underneath the tiles.

These are only a few ways to use this amazing tool. Modern multi-tools have even more attachments.

Should You Buy Branded or Refurbished?

For your first power tool, it is best to go for a branded one. It might be expensive, but it will be more reliable than a refurbished one. Second-hand power tools need a thorough inspection because you do not know how they have been treated beforehand. So, it’s best to go for a safe popular brand.

Final Thought

You do not need to have a huge workshop full of expensive power tools. Buy some of these basic tools to upgrade your skills and once you get the hang of them, you can step up to more advanced tools. Power tools are fun to use but can be dangerous if you are not careful so always follow the safety standards.