Power Tool Buying Guide

You don’t have to own a construction business to need or want a power tool or two. They make life much easier, that’s for sure. Time is money, right? Whether you’re an avid DIYer or just do the occasional job around the house, power tools, at least one, should be in your life. And if you’re a DIY enthusiast, they are a must.

For most people, the drill is the first power tool that makes its way in their heart. Some graduate to circular saws or jigsaws. So, what makes a good power tool and is cheaper better or worse in the long run?

First, we need to clarify the language a bit. Often you’ll hear that “cheaper” isn’t better. Like most people, you probably think this has to do with price, but it doesn’t. Inexpensive is just fine. What you don’t want is cheap quality. Most of the time this means staying away from anything that isn’t brand name. Sure, these low-quality tools that are often extremely inexpensive will work today, but most give out quickly. You’ll soon realize that it’s costing you more money to buy lower-quality, less inexpensive power tools. It just isn’t worth the immediate little savings.

When someone is heading to the hardware or online store to buy their first power tool, they can be ahead of the game by remembering one thing: never, ever skimp when buying power tools.

How much is your safety worth? Lower-quality power tools might be less expensive, but they are also less safe. Yes, all power tools aren’t created equal in the safety department. I don’t know about you, but my safety is worth much more than a few dollars savings. Again, this is another reason why the small discount isn’t worth it.

When buying a power tool try to think of the job at hand and what you’re likely to do with it. For instance, if you plan on doing just light jobs, you wouldn’t need to buy the industrial-strength drill. However, if you’re on the worksite, quality, durability, safety and power count.

In the market for some saws? Before you leap, look at portable jigsaws. They are multi-taskers—get more for your power tool dollar. A jigsaw is able to do the job of many other saws, such as scroll saws, bandsaws and circular saws. It’s also more versatile. Take a look at any basic workshop or worksite with a knowledgeable person at the helm and you’ll find at least one jigsaw.

From drills and saws to sanders and routers, power tools make projects easier to complete. They also help us do things that look more professionally. As with any job, make sure you always wear the proper safety equipment and operate the power tools according to their manuals. Good-quality power tools are affordable and they can be found at prices that will make you very happy.

I hope you enjoy your power tools as much as I enjoy mine. Remember, buy quality tools for durability, safety and long-term savings. Never, ever skimp when buying power tools and you’ll be just fine.