Power tools can help make fast work out of most building jobs, but there’s a lot to know before you pick up your first cordless drill or use a band saw. Once you understand the basics of how to use them, working with power tools can be second nature and will, in many ways, be easier than using hand tools.
A power tool is a type of tool used in the building trades which derives power from an external source, such as electricity or gasoline. When compared to hand tools, power tools are able to complete specific tasks at a faster rate (for example, using a nail gun is much faster than using a hammer) or with increased force or torque (such as using a drill to fasten bolts tighter than you might be able to by hand). There are many different categories and types of power tools, and often the same type of power tool will come in different versions, such as cordless, automatic, or pneumatic. Read on to learn about the most common power tools for builders and DIYers.
Drills are rotary, gun-shaped tools with electric motors. They’re used to make holes in materials like wood, metal, and cement, and drive screws, nails, and bolts through surfaces.
Perhaps the most common type of drill, cordless drills come in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch sizes (these refer to the drill chuck, or end area holding the drill bit). Cordless drills are battery-powered; corded options are also available but less common, as they’re hard to maneuver. Cordless drills are essential for all kinds of construction projects like furniture assembly and building a deck.
While they look similar to a cordless drill, impact drivers don’t drill holes, they drive fasteners into materials. Slightly smaller and more powerful than cordless drills, impact drivers drill a variety of large screws or bolts and quickly drive many fasteners into materials, as in roof framing.
Hammer drills are ideal for working with concrete because they can withstand a lot of pressure and create a lot of torque, which is helpful for boring holes into sturdy objects. These multi-purpose tools drill holes, insert fasteners, or chip tile. Hammer drills are larger and heavier than standard cordless drills or impact drivers, and often used for plumbing or masonry.
Saws cut materials, especially thick ones. Their sharp blades move in rotating, circular, or reciprocating motions, but unlike hand saws, powered saws work faster and ensure clean cuts.
Handheld or stationary band saws are attached to a stand. Their blades move in a circular motion, looping around wheels quickly to slice through materials. Stationary band saws are ideal for cutting or thinning pieces of wood, while portable saws are great for cutting pipes or small, odd-shaped materials. Most stationary band saws are found in woodworking shops; portable band saws are commonly used for plumbing.
Handheld reciprocating saws, or sawzalls, use a push-pull motion with their blade, moving it back and forth to cut materials. They feature a long nose attached to a blade and are often used to cut around small areas for drains or electrical boxes.
Skill, or circular, saws move their blades in a circular motion. These handheld tools come in corded or cordless versions and make deep, straight cuts in thick lumber.
Radial arm saws rest on a stand and have a circular saw mounted over a tabletop, providing ample space for cutting and moving objects. Radial arm saws are especially useful for cutting long pieces of wood slid through the blade from one end to the other.
Grinders have horizontal circular blades in all sizes to cut, polish, sand, and wear down materials like metal, tile, and stone. Depending on the grinder, they can work on small items like pipes or large surfaces like floors.
The most common type of grinder, angle grinders come in corded and cordless versions. These handheld grinders wedge into tight or small angles to cut through metal, brick, concrete, and cast iron. Angle grinders are frequently used to cut and polish tile and sharpen blades.
Power tools can help make fast work out of most building jobs, but there’s a lot to know before you pick up your first cordless drill or use a band saw. Once you understand the basics of how to use them, working with power tools can be second nature and will, in many ways, be easier than using hand tools.
A power tool is a type of tool used in the building trades which derives power from an external source, such as electricity or gasoline. When compared to hand tools, power tools are able to complete specific tasks at a faster rate (for example, using a nail gun is much faster than using a hammer) or with increased force or torque (such as using a drill to fasten bolts tighter than you might be able to by hand). There are many different categories and types of power tools, and often the same type of power tool will come in different versions, such as cordless, automatic, or pneumatic. Read on to learn about the most common power tools for builders and DIYers.
Drills are rotary, gun-shaped tools with electric motors. They’re used to make holes in materials like wood, metal, and cement, and drive screws, nails, and bolts through surfaces.
Perhaps the most common type of drill, cordless drills come in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch sizes (these refer to the drill chuck, or end area holding the drill bit). Cordless drills are battery-powered; corded options are also available but less common, as they’re hard to maneuver. Cordless drills are essential for all kinds of construction projects like furniture assembly and building a deck.
While they look similar to a cordless drill, impact drivers don’t drill holes, they drive fasteners into materials. Slightly smaller and more powerful than cordless drills, impact drivers drill a variety of large screws or bolts and quickly drive many fasteners into materials, as in roof framing.
Hammer drills are ideal for working with concrete because they can withstand a lot of pressure and create a lot of torque, which is helpful for boring holes into sturdy objects. These multi-purpose tools drill holes, insert fasteners, or chip tile. Hammer drills are larger and heavier than standard cordless drills or impact drivers, and often used for plumbing or masonry.
Saws cut materials, especially thick ones. Their sharp blades move in rotating, circular, or reciprocating motions, but unlike hand saws, powered saws work faster and ensure clean cuts.
Handheld or stationary band saws are attached to a stand. Their blades move in a circular motion, looping around wheels quickly to slice through materials. Stationary band saws are ideal for cutting or thinning pieces of wood, while portable saws are great for cutting pipes or small, odd-shaped materials. Most stationary band saws are found in woodworking shops; portable band saws are commonly used for plumbing.
Handheld reciprocating saws, or sawzalls, use a push-pull motion with their blade, moving it back and forth to cut materials. They feature a long nose attached to a blade and are often used to cut around small areas for drains or electrical boxes.
Skill, or circular, saws move their blades in a circular motion. These handheld tools come in corded or cordless versions and make deep, straight cuts in thick lumber.
Radial arm saws rest on a stand and have a circular saw mounted over a tabletop, providing ample space for cutting and moving objects. Radial arm saws are especially useful for cutting long pieces of wood slid through the blade from one end to the other.
Grinders have horizontal circular blades in all sizes to cut, polish, sand, and wear down materials like metal, tile, and stone. Depending on the grinder, they can work on small items like pipes or large surfaces like floors.
The most common type of grinder, angle grinders come in corded and cordless versions. These handheld grinders wedge into tight or small angles to cut through metal, brick, concrete, and cast iron. Angle grinders are frequently used to cut and polish tile and sharpen blades.
Like a lawn mower, floor grinders are pushed across floors. They’re ideal for polishing tile or resurfacing concrete, and their rotating discs smooth surfaces and remove paint or floor polish.
Pneumatic tools use compressed air. Once the trigger or release button is pressed, air moves rapidly through the tool, bringing it to life. A number of pneumatic tools are used in construction like nail guns, tire inflators, and paint sprayers.
Air compressors, which often look like large gas tanks, power pneumatic tools and come in various sizes, depending on which tool they’re powering. Pneumatic tools correspond with air compressors based on their cubic feet of air compressed per minute (CFM). The tool displays the CFM number, and CFMs of compressors and tools should always be close. For example, a standard impact wrench has 1 to 2 CFMs, so it’ll work with an air compressor that uses 4 or 5 CFM. An air compressor whose number is lower won’t be as effective.
Handheld impact wrenches feature a wide socket that fits around screws or bolts to tighten or remove fasteners. The pressurized air gives them high torque, so they’re frequently used for cars, especially tire changes.
Heat guns are versatile tools that direct hot air to melt and bend materials. They can be used to strip paint, thaw frozen pipes, remove wallpaper, soften tough adhesives like glue, and bend plastic.
Small handheld oscillating tools come with many attachments, with over 100 options. The tool rotates quickly back and forth, and depending on its attachment sands, cuts, grinds, or polishes. Though it doesn’t pack as much power as some of the other tools on this list, it’s ideal for tight spaces and tasks like removing grout.
Handheld wall chasers are used for cutting grooves into surfaces. They resemble angle grinders, but can’t cut through materials entirely. Handheld wall chasers are commonly used for plumbing and masonry work like cutting grooves into brick or concrete walls to install electric wiring.
Stationary or portable belt sanders are larger than most sanders so cover much ground. Their electric motor rotates a strip of sandpaper across surfaces, and they’re typically used for the first round of sanding wood, not delicate finishes.
MT Copeland offers video-based online classes that give you a foundation in construction fundamentals with real-world applications, like plumbing basics. Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads like quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to help you master the skills.
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How to Read Blueprints
Construction Math
Introduction to Cabinetry
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Mary-Anne Bowcott is a residential and commercial plumber, certified gas fitter, and owner of Westcom Plumbing and Gas Ltd. She received the 2016 and 2018 Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Trades and Skilled Labour Excellence Award and the British Columbia Construction Industry Leadership Award in 2018. She was named Canadian Construction Association’s Person of the Year in 2019. A champion of women in the building trades, Mary-Anne mentors tradeswomen to help promote positive change within the industry. When she’s not running her business or tackling plumbing and roofing projects, you can find her rock climbing, exploring the outdoors, surfing, or crushing a CrossFit workout.
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