Power Tools: Definition, Types, Features, and Tips
Ever tried making a straight cut on wood using a handsaw and ended up messing it up? Or have you tried drilling a nail and felt it's taking ages to finish that? Then, it's time to convince yourself that your toolbox needs an upgrade with power tools. Power tools help you do work in a smarter way. The world of power tools is vast. Hence, it's apparent that you might feel like the world is spinning around you the moment you walk into a power tool store. Proper knowledge about the power tools and their uses may be of use in such situations. From simple nail guns to large drill presses, there are a lot of power tools that you must know about.
Further into this article, we'll explain what power tools are, why we need them, their types, and a lot more.
Table of contents
- What are Power Tools?
- Why Do We Need Them?
- What are the Major Types of Power Tools?
- Top 5 Power Tools that You Must Own
- Key Milestones in the History of Power Tools
- Use of Power Tools Across Various Industries
- Few Tips for Power Tool Maintenance
- FAQs
What are Power Tools?
Power tools are a set of tools that work with the help of an external power source. Most of these tools follow power mechanisms supported by electricity, compressed air, and internal combustion devices. The mechanical action of power tools such as rotary hammers, drills, and saws are powered by a motor.
Power tools don't rely on human effort; rather, they are known for making your work easier with their efficiency, precision, and safety elements.
Why Do We Need Them?
Whether it's a simple home DIY experiment or any substantial construction work, power tools help people efficiently finish challenging tasks. Let's take a look at some more reasons to own these tools.
● Efficiency and Speed:
Often, power tools can finish tasks in less time with less effort compared to hand-operated tools. For example, most of you may first search for a hammer when thinking about hanging a picture. It's obvious. But with a power drill, you can hit the nail in seconds without much effort. Their excellent efficiency and safety makes them more effective than manual tools. Besides, the additional settings and the option to attach extra accessories helps you customize the tool according to your needs.
● Precision:
Does drilling a hole in concrete sounds easy? Well it’s not, but a power tool can help you achieve it. Power tools can be considered as game changers because of the highly precise result that they offer. For example, table saws allow you to make a clean, straight cut at the right angle, even when working on difficult materials. This level of accuracy is hard to achieve with a manual tool.
● High Convenience:
Most power tools are easy to carry and store because of their compact size and portable feature. Because of this, they can be transported to various job locations and kept in your garage, always ready to use. All these attributes offer the best feature that we all need: convenience.
● Safety:
A lot of power tools are equipped with additional safety guards and shut off switches. Hence, they are much safer than the manual tools. For example, circular saws feature a blade guard that are intended to protect your hands. They also come with a shut-off switch to stop the blade from spinning after the work. These features keep you safe to a certain extent while working with these tools. Besides, power tools demand less manual work reducing the chance of accidents.
● Reduced physical strain:
Remodeling your garage, but tired of manual wood cutting? Then, the power of a reciprocating saw might be of help. Power tools reduce the strain that you might feel when using manual tools. When you work on heavy-duty tasks, this becomes really helpful. Power tools also simplify a variety of common tasks, including drilling, cutting, grinding, polishing, and more.
What are the Major Types of Power Tools?
So, you're thinking about giving a fresh look to your garage. You no longer have to stumble around with a sander bigger than your body to achieve that. Power tools have also evolved over the years, and now, you can choose from different types of power tools. Let's take a look at those.
● Stationary Power Tools
Also known as benchtop or table mounted tools, the stationary power tools mainly come in handy for the tasks that call for greater precision and accuracy. Once installed, these tools mostly stay stationary at the place. They are mainly used by carpenters, woodworkers, etc. Common stationary power tools include:
➔ Drill press
➔ Bench Grinder
➔ Table saw
● Portable Power Tools
Just as the name signifies, portable power tools are devices that can be transferred from one place to another. They can either be corded with wires that can be connected to an electric port or cordless. Most of these tools are powered by electricity or previously charged batteries. Known for their convenience and mobility, these tools are extremely popular among DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. Some examples include:
➔ Cordless drills
➔ Jigsaws
➔ Angle grinders
● Pneumatic Power Tools
Pneumatic power tools are a set of tools that work with the help of compressed air. Also known as air tools, they are mainly used in industrial settings. These tools mainly have a pneumatic motor that converts the compressed air. Pneumatic tools are user-friendly and need low maintenance. Following are some common pneumatic tools.
➔Air drills
➔Air impact wrenches
➔Air hammers
➔Sanders
Top 5 Power Tools that You Must Own
You might already know how important power tools are for you. Now, let’s take a quick look at the list of essential power tools that you should own and their features.
1. Impact Drivers
Impact drivers drive screws, nails, bolts, etc., into the materials in a faster way. These tools use a blend of rotating and percussion force to generate high torque with little effort. This feature makes them a good choice for drilling into dense materials, which otherwise would take a long time to finish.
Features:
●High torque to provide great power
●Lightweight and compact design
●Variable speed triggers to manage the speed
●Portability that allows you to take it anywhere
2. Cordless Drill
Whether you're going to drill a hole in the wall or drive a screw into a wooden piece, cordless drills are your go-to choice. They feature adjustable speeds to suit your work, making them your best pick for creating accurate holes and driving screws. There are different types of drills such as drill press, standard drill, hammer drill, etc., and all of them have different functions.
Features:
●Offers mobility and convenience
●Helps control the speed
●Rechargeable batteries offer longer battery life
●Lower maintenance
●Great flexibility
3. Reciprocating Saw
Reciprocating saws are power tools primarily used in wood cutting, construction, etc. These handheld tools are specifically designed to make rough cuts in various materials. The back-and-forth motion of the blades helps cut the materials efficiently.
Features:
●Best used for making rough cuts on hard materials
●Lightweight and portable
●Available in corded and cordless models
●Orbital action of the saw lets it cut faster
●Blades are available in different varieties
4. Angle Grinder
The angle grinders are extensively used for a lot of tasks, from cutting concrete to polishing the metal plate. Angle grinders come in cordless and corded varieties, and most of these tools are powered by electricity. They use various discs, each of which has different use cases.
Features:
●Angle grinders feature an option to control the speed
●The brush attachment helps remove rust
●The abrasive grinding disc can sharpen the tools
●High speed rotation of disc ensures efficient cutting
5. Nail Guns
We all use a hammer for driving nails. But how about a situation where you must drive a lot of them? It'll definitely be tiring. This is where nail guns come in handy. A nail gun is like a hammer. However, most of them are powered by electricity, compressed gas, etc., and are used to shoot nails into different materials in a record time.
Features:
●Most nail guns have adjustable depth control feature
●Comes with safety mechanisms
●Holds multiple nails at a time
●Shoots nail in a faster way
Key Milestones in the History of Power Tools
Did you know that the first ever power tool was created by the Egyptians? The Ancient Egyptians created a bow-powered lathe, that is still thought to be the world's first power tool, though it was not directly powered by electricity. Sounds interesting? Here are some more intriguing facts from history related to power tools.
● Arthur James Arnot, a Scottish Electrical Engineer, invented the first electric drill in 1889.
● C&E Fein, a German company, invented and manufactured the world’s first ever cordless power tool.
● World’s first water power circular saw was invented by Tabita Babbit in 1810.
● Alonzo Decker and Duncan Black invented the contemporary portable corded electric power drill.
● The chainsaw was first developed in the late 18th century to aid with childbirth. Chainsaws were not used in forestry and woodworking until the twentieth century.
Use of Power Tools Across Various Industries
Since its inception, power tools have transfigured various industries by offering precise and efficient work mediums. Below, we’ll take a brief look at how various industries use power tools.
● Construction industry
Power tools are an unavoidable part of the construction industry. They enable construction workers to perform jobs more accurately, quickly, and with less physical strain, thus improving productivity. Besides, some power tools also have automation features to streamline the construction procedures. For example, power tools with built-in laser guides don't need human intervention to precisely cut something. This reduces human labor and stress.
Hammer drills, electric saws, drill presses, etc., are some of the power tools used in the construction sector.
● Automotive Industry
The automotive industry also relies on power tools for various needs. These tools help reduce the strain on workers involved in repeated work during car production. Power tools also play a crucial role in car repair and maintenance tasks, which could be extremely time-consuming if done manually. Some of the most commonly used power tools in the automotive industry include impact wrenches, sanders, electric drills, etc.
● DIY Projects
Planning to build a new deck at your home? Then you should certainly use a power tool. Just like in any other industries, DIY projects also require power tools. DIY enthusiasts and homeowners use these tools for a lot of tasks, from hanging curtain rails to making furniture. Owning the right power tools will make these tasks much simpler. Power drill, jigsaw, table saw, etc. are some of the common tools that you’ll see in a DIY lover’s tool collection.
Few Tips for Power Tool Maintenance
● Keeping your tools clean is crucial to keep them functioning for a long time. Hence, once after use, disconnect the power and clean the batteries with a clean, dry cloth.
● When not in use, store the power tools in a secured space or bag. If the tool you have at home is large, ensure to dedicate separate space to store it safely.
● While choosing the extra accessories for the tools, ensure they’re compatible. Using the correct accessories can improve the life span of the tools.
● Make it a habit to inspect the tools regularly. Check for any wear or tear as it can both damage the tool and the work.
Power tools have become an indispensable part across all the industries. They have transformed the way we work by improving efficiency, safety, and accuracy. Now, you know what power tools are and what makes them special. Before planning to invest on the power tools, make sure to go through the features and choose wisely.
FAQs
Q. Why are power tools considered relevant?
A. Power tools help you finish the work in a shorter time, with less effort. These tools are highly efficient and accurate, making them a go-to for most of the industrial sectors.
Q. What are the advantages of portable power tools?
A. Mobility is the biggest advantage of portable power tools. It lets you carry the tool to any location.
Q. Who invented the first power tool?
A. Egyptians are considered to be the inventors of power tools, though the tool they’ve founded was not powered by electricity.
