As a craftworker, be it an electrician, masonry, carpenter, or trimmers, there are some basic electrical tools that can help you work better and faster in your jobsite. These tools are called power tools.
What are the power tools?
Power tools are machines that work with an external power source other than our hand or body. Unlike normal hand tools that rely on manual force to perform a task, power tools use electric motors, compressed air, steam engines, moving water, and internal combustion engines.
Examples of power tools include drills, grinders, jigsaws, circular saws planners, polishers, routers and many more.
At mariaelectricals.com, we have used several tool brands such as DeWalt, Bosch, and Milwaukee, both corded and cordless power tools, and we can help you choose a high-quality tool for better results.
Types of power tools and categories
A power tool can either be stationary or portable. Stationary tools are not movable, portables are, and can be moved by hand during operation.
Both stationary and portable tools have advantages. The stationary power tools have advantages in accuracy and speed, while portable tools are mobile.
Categories
- Concrete power tools
- Compressors and accessories
- Drills
- Grinders
- Oscillating and rotary tools
- Saws
- Sanders
- Woodworking power tools (lathes, planers)
Note: tools driven by animals are not power tools.
Uses of power tools
Power tools are useful in various fields. In the housework, they help with cleaning, cooking, cutting, drilling, grinding, heating, painting, polishing shaping, sanding, and so forth.
They are also useful in industries, construction sites, gardens, and other places.
List of power tools and their uses
Air Compressor
An air compressor is a pneumatic tool that converts powers into potential energy and stores them as compressed air.
The compressor has a container for air storage. When the tank pressure reaches the maximum limit, the compressor shuts off, and the air stored for future use.
The kinetic energy from the compressed air can be useful in various ways, such as in the cleaning of items, spraying of paints, powering up pneumatic tools like jackhammers, and nail guns. It can also help in filling tires and gas cylinders.
When the tank pressure gets to the lower limit, the compressor switches ON again to refill the tank.
Angle grinder
This is also called a disc, or a side grinder. It is a handheld tool used for grinding, cutting, and polishing materials.
You can power it with an electric motor, compressed air or petrol engine.
The electric motor supplies motion power to the geared head, carrying the abrasive disc. Depending on the speed range of the disc, it can serve as sanders, and is also useful in smoothing of rough edges.
Angle grinders also have an adjustable guard and a side handle for holding. They are one of the basic tools in metal fabrication industries, machine shops, and in construction sites.
Bandsaw
A bandsaw is a machine with a long shrill blade and a continuous band of toothed metal.
It is one of the basic tools in lumbering, metal, and woodwork. They have an evenly distributed tooth load, which helps them cut uniformly. They can also cut irregular or curved shapes like a jigsaw.
Bandsaws are stationary, or portable tools that work with electric motors. Their blade comes in unique sizes and tooth pitch, which makes the machine versatile and able to cut different materials such as metals, plastics, and wood.
Belt or strip sander
This tool is used in shaping and trimming wood and other materials. It can be static or hand-held. It has an electric motor that drives a pair of drums containing sandpaper that sands materials.
Stationary belt sanders can be mounted on a workbench, resulting in the name bench sanders.
Belt sanders can be aggressive on wood and can only be used in the early stages of the sanding process. We can also use it to remove paint from wood.
Biscuits or plate joiners
A biscuit joiner is a tool used in woodwork to join two pieces of wood or plate together.
It has a small circular saw blade which helps to cut a curve-shaped hole called the mouth on the opposite sides of the two pieces of wood you want to join.
Glue is then applied to the slot, and the two boards joined.
Chainsaw Power Tools
A chainsaw is a hand-held tool used in cutting trees and harvesting firewood. It uses battery, gas, or electricity to work.
Chainsaws have a guide bar and a set of a toothed chain that revolves around the bar. This helps to cut most things.
There is also a specialized chainsaw used for cutting concrete and ice sculpture.
Circular saw
A circular saw is a power tool that uses a toothed blade to cut different materials such as metals, plastic, wood, and other things.
It can be portable or stationary. Electricity and gasoline engines can power circular saws.
Types of circular saw
- Abrasive saw
- Biscuit joiner
- Cold saw
- Concrete saw
- Flip oversaw
- Carbide Saws
- Plunge saw
- Miter saw
- Multi-tool
- Swing blade sawmill
- Table saw
- A radial arm saw.
Drilling machine
A drilling machine is a tool used by artisans to make round holes and also drive screws. It comes with a drill, driver or even a hammer depending on its function.
The drilling machine varies in size, power, and speed and can either be corded or cordless. Corded work with electricity while cordless is battery powered.
Drills are useful in various fields such as electrical wiring, metalwork, construction, woodwork, tool fabrications and others.
Jigsaw
A jigsaw is a portable tool you can use to cut different shapes and curves. It uses a reciprocating blade which helps it cut irregular curves you can hardly cut with other tools..
Jigsaw works with an electric motor and can cut some wood or metals into different curves, and in making bevel cuts.
Pressure washer
A pressure washing machine uses a high-pressure water spray to remove dirt, dust, loose paint, moulds, and other stains from the surfaces of an object, cars, buildings, and others.
Other lists of power tools commonly used in homes include:
- Trimmers
- Table saw
- Nail gun
- Rotatory tool
- Steel cutter
- Sewing machine
- Leaf blower
- Snowblower
- Radial arm saw
- Power actuated tools
- Wall Chaser
- Washing machine, etc
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