13 Basic Types of Power Tools: Your Tool Box Explained

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 Types of Power Tools

What are the best power tools? There are many types of power tools that you can use in your workshop, but it’s important to know what each one does so you can decide which ones will work for you. This blog post discusses 20 different types of power tools and their applications in the workshop.

Types of Power Tools

In 1895, power tools revolutionize the way we work and make things. Now, power tools are often used to build projects, homes, furniture, and more.

1. Power Saws

A saw is used to cut through wood, metal, or other materials. Some common types of power saws include:

Circular Saws

A circular saw is a type of power tool that has a rotating blade and can be handheld or mounted on the floor as part of a larger piece of equipment such as an automated cutting table.

Table Saw

A table saw is a stationary power tool consisting of an arm with the blade attached. The blade extends through the top surface of the table and can be lowered or raised depending on your needs.

Band Saw

A band saw is used for cutting curves in wood, metal, or other materials. Usually, two types are available: one with a narrow blade for tight curves and another which has a wider blade that can cut larger pieces of material.

Hacksaws

A hacksaw is used to cut metal or other materials using a fine-toothed saw blade. The name comes from the practice of cutting through metals by hand when mechanical tools were not available. It is most commonly used to cut metal, plastic piping, and other slightly thicker materials than the hacksaw’s blade width.

Hole Saws

A hole saw consists of a thin circular metal piece with saw teeth on one end; these can be either round or hexagonal in shape. A pilot drill bit helps guide it through the material you are trying to cut.

Jig Saws

A jigsaw is a handheld power tool that can be used for cutting curves and tight angles in different materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. They often resemble sabers with their long handles and short blades, making them easier to handle than other saws.

2. Power Drills

A power drill is a handheld electric tool used for drilling holes in different materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. The drill consists of a rotating handle and chuck on the end which holds the drill bit; some drills also have an adjustable speed setting dial. Some common types of power drills include:

Cordless Drills

A cordless drill is a handheld power tool consisting of an electric motor at the base and two handles. They differ from other drills by lacking a fixed speed control. Instead, they usually have variable speeds that are changed using switches or triggers on the handle. Other features to look for include reverse functionality, keyless chuck systems, and battery life indicators.

Bench Drills

A bench drill is a stationary power tool that consists of an electric motor at the base which turns the bit; they are commonly used for metalworking or woodworking purposes due to their stability while working on larger materials.

Hammer Drills

A hammer drill is a handheld power tool with two drill bits at the end of it which move in opposite directions. This makes them ideal for drilling into harder materials such as masonry, concrete, and brick due to their high torque output; professionals most often use them instead of everyday homeowners.

3. Power Sanders

A power sander is a handheld electric tool that can be used to smooth down wood, metal, or plastic pieces. The sandpaper which you attach to the machine usually determines what type of work it can do. Some common types of power sander include:

Palm Sanders

A palm sander is a small and lightweight power tool with two handles and a sanding pad at one end; this type of sander can be used for smaller and curved surfaces.

Random Orbital Sanders

A random orbital sander is a handheld power tool with an attached circular sanding pad that rotates in small circles; the head usually oscillates slightly to make it easier to use on different sized or shaped pieces of material without gouging them.

Stationary Sanders

A stationary sander is essentially like any other belt, disc, or drum sander where the piece you are working on stays still while you move around it (or vice versa). You often need to attach your workpiece securely onto a table or another surface before using these types of sanders due to their high torque output.

Belt Sanders

A belt sander is a handheld power tool with an attached sanding belt, which can be used for different applications depending on the grain of the sandpaper.

They are often stationary since they require you to use your entire body weight to operate them; it’s usually not recommended that homeowners own and use these types of tools due to their high torque output.

4. Power Grinders

A power grinder is a handheld electric tool that consists of an attached grinding wheel, which can be used for different applications depending on the type and shape of your attachment. Some common types of power grinders include:

Angle Grinders

An angle grinder (also known as a side grinder or disc sander) is handheld with one end featuring a circular sanding disk.

They are very versatile due to their small size but tend to wear away materials too quickly if you aren’t careful when using them. You will often see these types of tools used by construction workers since it’s useful for easily cutting through metal bars and beams.

Surface Grinders

A surface grinder is essentially like any other belt sander where the piece you are working on stays still while you move around it (or vice versa). You often need to attach your workpiece securely onto a table or another surface before using this type of grinder due to its high torque output.

Cylindrical Grinders

A cylindrical grinder is a handheld with an attached grinding wheel that rotates, which can be used for different applications depending on the shape and size of your attachment.

Metalworkers most commonly use them since they’re useful for sharpening tools like saw blades easily. These types of grinders also tend to produce lots of heat so wearing safety goggles whenever possible is recommended.

5. Ratchet And Wrench

A ratchet and wrench is a type of power tool that is used to tighten bolts. This tool usually has six points around the wrench or ratchet end, with three on one side and three on the other.

It works by turning in only one direction while it moves back and forth across an arc, giving you more leverage for tightening down bolts.

6. Air Compressor

An air compressor is any machine that pressurizes the atmosphere, usually by rotating a turbine that forces gas through an opening. This compressed gas can then be used for different purposes depending on what you attach it to. For example, you can use it to power tools like nail guns and staple guns.

7. Paint Sprayer

A paint sprayer is a handheld airless spraying machine that uses compressed gas (normally air) as an atomizing force for pressurizing liquid or powder coating into a fine mist.

This allows the chemicals to cover surfaces more evenly without having to waste too much material at once.

8. Power Staple Gun/Nail Gun

A power stapler gun (also known as a power nail gun) contains two main components: one which holds the nails or staples inside of its chamber while they are used, and another section containing all other functionalities. With these types of tools, you just have to pull their triggers and they’ll automatically fire the nails or staples.

9. Biscuit Joiners

A biscuit joiner is a handheld power tool that consists of an attached cutting blade, which can be used for different applications depending on the type and shape of your attachment. They are commonly used by woodworkers to aid in making straight or angled grooves; this allows you to easily connect different pieces together without having them fall apart later.

10. Planer

A planer is a stationary power tool that consists of an attached cutting head (which works like any normal hand-held paper trimmer) but it has a rotating cylindrical roller underneath that feeds wood through its blades.

These types of machines clean up rough pieces into smooth ones very easily because all you have to do is guide whatever piece you’re working on slowly underneath it.

11. Lathe

A lathe is a stationary power tool that contains two main components: the headstock and tailstock. The headstock holds whatever piece you’re working on while it spins around in order to carve, sand, or drill into it. The tailstock provides support for larger pieces of wood since they are often too heavy to be supported by just one end.

12. Wall Chaser

A wall chaser is a handheld power tool that consists of an attached cutting head that rotates at high speeds to cut through thin materials like wood or metal. These types of tools are commonly used by carpenters, construction workers, and remodelers because they make it easy for you to create clean holes in walls without having them fall apart later.

13. Router

A router is any type of stationary machine with rotating cylindrical bits contained within its housing; this allows the device to move around whatever piece you’re working on while it cuts into different shapes depending on what attachment you have installed onto it.

They can also be used as sanding machines if their attachments are made out of softer material instead so they don’t scratch up your wood.

How To Choose The Best Power Tools?

Here are the things you should consider when you’re looking for the best power tools to have in your toolbox:

The Power Source

The first thing you have to consider when looking for power tools is what type of energy source it uses in order to function. Some types are battery-powered, others work by being plugged into an outlet, while some can actually be used with generators or solar panels if they’re stationary enough. 

Battery Power 

This type of power tool is usually the most convenient because its batteries can easily be recharged and replaced. However, not all types use this method so make sure you double-check before making a purchase!      

Electric/ Corded 

These types of tools require that they are plugged directly into an electrical outlet using one long cord; these don’t really give you too much freedom since they limit where your machines will be able to go.

Gas/ Petrol 

Power tools that run on gas or petrol power are usually the most powerful type because they can produce a lot of energy from their engines; however, these machines require more maintenance and upkeep as opposed to other types which makes them less convenient overall.   

The Material

The material that a power tool is made out of can also be a big factor in its effectiveness. If you’re looking for something to work on metal, then you’ll need tools with heavy-duty materials like titanium or cobalt alloys.

Things designed specifically for wood will have high carbon steel blades and handles so they don’t break under pressure while you use them.

Noise Level And Vibration Power

Tools are usually pretty noisy when they operate because their engines tend to make lots of vibrations as well–this could cause issues if the tool happens to be placed somewhere near human ears (like during construction). They should always put safety first before anything else by wearing ear protection around loud machines whenever possible!

Blade Type

The type of blade a power tool uses is also important to consider. Many tools have blades made out of high carbon steel which is perfect for cutting through wood or metal while some might be designed with titanium alloy blades that can cut down anything in their path!

The Size Of The Machine

Different power tools come in different sizes depending on how much work it has to do. If you’re looking for something small and simple, then handheld woodworking tools might be the best choice, while large machines like bulldozers or cranes are usually reserved for construction companies that need them to get big jobs done right away!

Safety Tips When Using A Power Tool

Always Check The Electrical Cord Before Handing It To Someone

Electrical cords tend to fray and become damaged with time, which means that it might not be safe for you or anyone else who’s using the tool if there are exposed wires. Make sure that all of your tools’ cords are checked before they’re turned on because even one spark could lead to an explosion!

Always Wear Protective Eye Gear When Operating A Power Tool

Power tools usually have high-speed blades and rotating parts that could cause bodily harm if they aren’t kept away from your eyes. Make sure to wear protective eye gear whenever you’re operating a woodworking tool or any other machine for safety reasons!

Store All Of Your Tools In An Organized Way So You’ll Know Where Everything Is And Keep Them Away From Children’s Reach If They Get Bored Easily

It’s important to keep all of your power tools in an organized manner so you can easily find them when needed; this is especially true if the last time you used it was months ago since no one wants to take up precious storage space with rusty old machines that don’t get used anymore.

It’s also important to keep them locked up and away from children who might want to play with something that could be potentially dangerous for their tiny hands!

Take Care Of Your Power Tools

Taking care of your power tools is also essential to maintaining them for longer use. Make sure that you always wipe the blades and other moving parts, so they don’t rust or get corroded with time; this can help extend their lifespan by months if not years! 

Keep Them Dry

It’s important to keep your power tools dry. If you’re using them in a wet environment, make sure that they are covered and have been dried before putting them away to avoid rust formation which can damage the blades or corrosion on the electrical components.

Avoid Overloading The Power Outlet

If you are using more than one power tool at a time, avoid overloading the outlet with too many tools plugged in simultaneously.

If you have to use multiple appliances concurrently, plug them into different sockets or breakers to not overwhelm your circuit box and cause an electric outage. Storage And Organization Keeping your tools organized will help improve their longevity because it’ll minimize damage caused by being accidentally dropped during storage or usage.

Keep Your Blades Sharpened For Better Cutting

Efficiency: It’s important to keep blades sharp for better cutting efficiency; dull blades can lead to accidents when taking materials down and wear out the motor much faster since it has to exert greater effort to cut materials.

Where Can You Use A Power Tool?

There are many other applications for power tools.

Constructions

One of the most common uses of power tools is in construction. With the ever-increasing amount of houses and buildings being built, there has been an increase in demand for these tools as well.

It would be hard to imagine any building that doesn’t have at least one or two power saws used during its production. Furthermore, drills are also very common with their presence everywhere from workshops to home improvement projects.

On top of all this, though, it’s important not to forget about sanders, which are fantastic when you want a smooth finish on wood after planning it down by hand or cutting through nails with your circular saw!

Home Improvement Projects

Another great use for power tools is around the house itself, where they can really come in handy whether you’re trying to make room behind some cupboards or building a deck in the back garden. All sorts of tools can be used for this, but it’s important to choose ones that will make your project efficient and effective.

Here is where circular saws, drills, and jigsaws really come into their own as they allow you to easily cut through wood or metal quickly with less mess than if you were using traditional methods like chisels or files!

Furthermore, power sanders can smooth out surfaces ready for painting after drilling holes just where you need them so it doesn’t matter whether you’re tired from working all day at work or not – these handy little tools let anyone do any job no matter how big or small!

Woodworking

The most common application of power tools is perhaps woodworking. You can buy many different types of saws to cut through metal or plastic, but if you want the real thing, it has to be something made from wood!

Moreover, there is a whole range of different saws available for this purpose from the circular saw to table saws and chop saws which can all do wonders when it comes to cutting wood.

In addition, if you want perfect joints, there’s really only one way they’re going to come out with a power drill! Furthermore, sanders will help prepare your surface ready for varnish or paint while other tools like staple guns make the job easier than ever before too.

What Are The Hazards Of Power Tools?

Power tools are dangerous if not used properly.

Everyone knows that power tools can be hazardous to use but what does this mean in reality? Well, it means you have to be extremely careful when using them so as not to hurt yourself or others around you! In particular, though there are a few hazards that arise from the misuse of these products and they include things like:

  1. Accidents caused by kick-back
  2. Cuts due to flying pieces of wood or metal
  3. Falls from ladders while working at height

All three of these injuries could occur during any DIY project however with a bit more care taken then accidents can easily be avoided. For example, always read your tool manuals carefully before operating machines and never rush into anything without thinking about it.

Furthermore, always use the right equipment for the job and don’t try to work at heights without using a ladder or other accessories!

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