As a full time building and remodeling contractor for the past
fourteen years, I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to own, use, and
observe the use of a wide variety of tools and equipment. Some, of course
are my own, and others belong to various trade professionals with whom I have the privilege
of working on a regular basis.
In addition, my profession requires I read
as much as possible in an effort to keep up with the ever changing trends in
design, building codes, building materials, and even tools and hardware.
Although a great deal of my reading is from the multiple trade magazines I
receive each month, I still try to keep up with reading material which is
currently available to
the public as well.
Having made that statement, I'd like you to understand the following information is
based on personal experience and opinion, and is by no means absolute in
nature. The information is intended to provide assistance in areas where
you may need a little help, or a recommendation.
As you follow along, feel free to click on any of the links
provided, which accompany the information. All are provided for your
assistance.
Magazines
When I'm not reading trade magazines, I often find myself
reading articles in publications like
This Old House and
Family Handyman.
Both are excellent sources for project ideas, how-to information, product
information, and even tips and tricks other pros are willing to share. I
don't know about you, but I'm always looking forward to learning something that
will help me...
- do a job better.
- learn about more durable and better grades of material.
- save time while doing a better job.
My personal feeling is "do the job right the first
time"...
...even if it means my labor and material costs are going
to be a little higher than a competitors.
I want to know when the job is done, it's been done right,
with a product I'm comfortable using and standing behind. And, I want to
know my client is going to be happy with it as well.
Of course magazines aren't the only source of information
available.
Books
Take a walk down the aisle of your local, friendly
bookstore. You'll find loads of books covering every aspect of remodeling
bathrooms, kitchens, basements, building decks, and who knows what else.
If you're like me, and don't often have the time to go to
the bookstore, you might
consider an online source for your reading pleasure and research.
One such source, known to millions who surf the net,
is Amazon.com. They've been around for a long time, and have a huge
selection of books covering all kinds of subjects. And, you can
order from them knowing you'll get great service, and a secure, on-line
ordering system. I order from them from time to time, and have always had
good experiences.
Just click here if you want to check out all the books
they offer about kitchen and bathroom remodeling, deck building, building your
own home, building a storage shed, and a variety of other subjects.
Tools and Hardware
When it comes to tools, you can never have too many.
At least that's what I like to think. Although there are many tools dedicated to a specific use, there are also many that can be used for a variety
of different types of jobs, large and small.
For example, if you're going to be doing a job of any size or
complexity, in addition to the standard hand tools, there are a number of power
tools worth considering when you're planning your tool investment.
Now, before going any further, I want to stop and
stress a very important point. All power tools are dangerous, and must be
handled with the appropriate precautions. Be sure to read and follow all
the respective tool manufacturers instructions and precautions. And whatever
you do, do not let children operate the tools without proper instruction and
supervision. And one last thing. Be sure to wear appropriate
clothing and safety glasses.
Just like the books I mentioned earlier, a large number of
tools can be bought locally. Depending on your location, you may have to
go to more than one supplier to find everything you want. Here again, if
time is an issue, you might consider Amazon.com as your source for power tools. They offer
a large selection of products in many different categories, and their prices are
well within reason. In fact in some cases, lower than you'll find in your
local market area. If you have a few minutes, feel free to click on the links that follow,
to check out the ones I'm going to recommend. You'll find complete product
descriptions, and in many cases reviews and testimonials, both good and bad, for
the items you're considering.
Air Compressor
A good, portable, air compressor is a great piece of
equipment to have in the garage, work shop, or basement. Whether or not
you're doing any remodeling work around your home, an air compressor is handy to
have. Need to fill a truck tire? Maybe a bicycle tire... or how about
inflatable toys for the pool... to take to the lake... or to the beach?
Use it to power a paint sprayer, or a variety of air powered tools that are
available today.
There are several styles of portable air compressors available. For most people, a small "side stack" style, or a
"pancake" style in the 2 horsepower range is more than adequate.
Look for something with at least 4 gallons of air storage capacity so the motor
doesn't run constantly when you're using it.
My personal preference is the side stack model. This
unit has two storage tanks stacked, one above the other, mounted on a frame
which also houses the electric pump motor. I like this style compressor
because it's relatively light, generally around 55 - 65 lbs, is extremely stable
(not likely to tip over), and is easy to transport.
The pancake style models have a storage tank mounted on
the bottom of the unit (which resembles a pancake in appearance), and the pump
motor is mounted on top of the tank. Several of my contractor friends use this style
compressor, but the one complaint I've heard from time to time is they tend to
tip over when being transported in the back of the truck (when they're not tied
down, or blocked in place).
If you're ready to buy a portable compressor, be sure to
take the time, and read the product descriptions, before deciding which style
will best fit your needs.
Either way, portable compressors are great to have around,
and since their prices have been coming down over the last several years,
they're more affordable, and well within the reach of most interested buyers.
Click here here and see for yourself.
Framing Nail Gun
A "framing nail" gun is not the kind of tool the
average do-it-yourself remodeler needs to own. This piece of equipment is
really intended for use by a professional contractor, who's going to be placing
hundreds, if not thousands of nails a day, on a fairly regular basis.
Now, this isn't to say you can't buy one...
...but if you're thinking about it, consider the
investment, relative to the time it will take you to make the investment pay for
itself.
If you're about to remodel your bathroom or kitchen,
buying a framing gun doesn't make sense. If, on the other hand, you want
to finish your basement, and you have to frame up a hundred or more linear feet
of wall, and maybe a few hundred feet of furring on the underside of the first
floor, floor joists, then the idea starts to make a little more sense.
If you decide a framing gun is the something you need, you
have basically two options. Option one is to buy an air powered (requires
the use of an air compressor) gun, or you can go to a "cordless" gun,
which relies on replaceable fuel cells and a battery pack for power.
There are a number of manufacturers who build quality nail
guns, but my personal favorite is built by Paslode. Their quality and
reputation are recognized in our industry, and Paslode brand nails / fasteners
are easily obtainable. Note: Most manufacturers recommend the use of
their own brand of fastener in their equipment.
Click here to check out the Paslode "Powermaster
Plus" framing gun. This is the one I own personally. Just take
note that it requires an air compressor for power. If you think you might
prefer a cordless nail gun, click here to take a look at the Paslode
"Impulse" Cordless Framing Nailer. I haven't had personal
experience with this nail gun, but I've always heard good things about it.
If you decide you want to purchase the Paslode
"Impulse", click here to buy an extra battery pack so you'll always
have a fresh battery to keep working with. It doesn't make sense to not be
able to finish a day's work just because your only battery ran low on
power.
I should also mention that you're going to have to
purchase the fuel cells locally, due to shipping restrictions. Most lumber
yards carry them so you shouldn't have a problem finding them.
Before I go any further, I want to specify again, these
are not the only framing guns available. There are a number of reputable
manufacturers who build quality equipment. The final decision is yours to
make. If you would like to look at any other brands, just click
here.
Finish Nail Gun
If you're planning to do any volume of trim work at all, a
"finish nail" gun is a great tool to have. Speed and accuracy
can be increased significantly by using one. Once again, if you're only
running a few feet of trim, or hanging a single door, there's no reason not to
hand-nail your work. But if the job is of any size at all, this tool is
worth having around.
Here again, my personal favorite is a Paslode gun.
My current finish nail gun is a slightly older version of the Paslode T250 - F16
Finish Nailer that you can see by
clicking here. Though not inexpensive,
the gun prices are reasonable. One of the reasons I like it, is based on
the range of nail sizes the gun will accept. My gun accepts anything from
3/4" nails, up to 2 1/2" nails. This alone means I can perform
several different types of jobs while using the same piece of equipment. I
should note this particular tool does requires an air compressor for
power.
As I mentioned earlier, there are a number of
manufacturers who build quality equipment. If you would like to compare the
Paslode gun to another manufacturer's before making a buying decision, click
here to view some other options.
Miter Saw
If you're not familiar with a power miter saw, this tool
is designed to cut trim materials at any angle between zero degrees and
forty-five to forty-seven degrees (depending on the model of saw), with the
capability of adjusting or swinging the saw and blade position to either the
left or right direction, relative to the table position.
Miter saws are often specified based on their blade size,
with several different blade sizes being available.
For an additional cost, you can purchase a
"compound", or "dual compound" miter saw. The compound
feature allows the additional ability to tilt the saw motor and blade to the
left and, or right, relative to the table, in addition to the ability to adjust
or swing the saw and blade position to either the left or right direction.
For a little more money again, you can buy a "dual
compound slide" miter saw. This saw allows the additional ability (in
addition to the earlier features) to slide the saw motor and blade from front to
back, across the table. This allows you the ability to cut larger (wider)
stock.
My first miter saw was a 10" Makita LS1020.
It's cut a lot of trim stock, and has been a real work horse. Click here
to see Makita's most recent version of this saw.
As the trim jobs became more complex, and as equipment was
being improved, I eventually upgraded to a 10" Makita LS1013, dual
compound, slide, miter saw. Before I bought this saw, I spent considerable
time researching the saws that were available. When I finally ordered the
unit, I was a little apprehensive about spending the money. (The saw was
new on the market at the time, so the prices were higher than they are
now.)
For the record, I've never once regretted the
purchase. This saw has definitely been a pleasure to work with.
Click here to check one out for yourself. By the way, my original saw (the
LS1020) has since been relegated to "chop saw" duty, and still sees
occasional use.
I know several people who are not contractors, but have
set up a workshop in their basement or garage, and who have added a miter saw to
their power tool collection. This is a real handy tool to have around if
you're going to be doing any fine, finish, or hobby work at
all.
As before, there are a number of different manufacturers
offering a wide selection of miter saws. Click here if you would like to compare
some of the others.
Miter Saw Stand
Depending on where you're setting up your saw, the stand
can be something as simple as your workbench, or an old table. Stability
of the saw is the key issue here.
My first stand was a production unit that I could break
down without too much trouble, and move from site to site in my truck. It
worked out OK, but I eventually wanted a work table that I could use for
multiple purposes. I finally built one to suit my needs. You can do
the same if you want, but if you'd like to check out some production stands,
just click
here.
Portable Table Saw
If you're going to be doing any type of remodeling or
hobby work, the chances are pretty good you'll end up needing a table saw for
some aspect of the work. It seems there's always a need to rip something
down to a smaller size with greater accuracy than afforded by a circular saw.
You can choose a large, basically stationary model if you
want to take your cutting to the saw location, or you can choose a lighter
weight, portable model, and take the saw to the location where you'll be doing
the work.
Once again, my personal choice is the portable
model. When I want to set it up, I just clamp the saw down on the work
table I built to use with the miter saw.
On the other hand, there are a number of stands available
for the portable table saw as well.
I'm not going to recommend a particular model of saw, or
stand here.
The reason?
Over all the years I've owned mine, the particular model
is no longer available. In the meantime, there's a fairly good selection
of new product available now. I guess one of these days I'll have to buy a
replacement for my current saw, and when that time comes, I'll research whatever
is available, and decide which model will fit my needs at that time.
In the meantime, if you'd like to investigate a little
further, click here to see what might fit your needs.
Circular Saw
This is a "must have" tool if you're going to be doing any
kind of rough saw work in an environment where a table saw or miter saw isn't
practical. Used with care, a circular saw can be used on all kinds of
building and remodeling projects. As a matter of fact, if you don't
already own one, I'd recommend putting it near the top of your list of tools to
be purchased.
Depending on where you live, there are two styles of
circular saw, which you might notice as being popular in your area. In the
eastern half of the United States, the "sidewinder" style of saw is
the most popular with contractors. This saw has the blade mounted directly
to the side of the motor. In the western half of the United States, the
"worm gear" style of saw seems to be more popular with
contractors. This style of saw places the blade just ahead of the motor,
using a gear drive to turn the blade.
I'm not going to try to debate the merits of one style
over the other, even though each has certain advantages over the other. I
grew up with the "sidewinder" style, so I guess for my personal taste,
that one wins by default.
Circular saws are small and light enough to be available
just about everywhere building supplies can be found. Once again, though,
if you'd like to compare them without leaving home, just click
here.
Cordless Drill / Driver
The cordless drill /driver is another tool that sees
substantial use, both around the house, and on the job.
I'm not going to suggest you should get one just to have
it, but I'm sure you'll find plenty of use for this tool if you eventually buy
one.
I probably use mine more for driving and / or removing
screws than for drilling purposes. It sure beats the repetitive motion you
experience in the wrist when you turn a screwdriver to set or remove a few dozen
or even a few thousand screws.
A while back I had to replace my old, worn out 9.6 volt
drill driver. It had taken a pretty good beating over the years.
I noticed that both the electrical contractors I work
with, and the plumbing contractors I work with were using a Milwaukee 14.4 volt,
1/2" Driver / Drill. Each of the trades people I asked about the
model told me they were real happy with it.
To make a long story short, I ended up buying one for myself,
and have been happy ever since. Click here
to take a look for yourself.
I will point out that some of the manufacturers, including
Milwaukee, now offer an 18 volt version of the drill / driver...
...but that's probably more power than you'll ever need,
and at a higher cost as well.
Router
The router is a tool that most people will probably never
use, but I'm going to include it here for the sake of mention.
There are quite a number of routers available, from any
number of manufacturers, for a variety of different uses.
I personally own a Makita 3612 Plunge Router. I like
the unit very much, and it has treated me very well. However, before you
make any purchasing decisions, you can
click here to examine the unit, and then
click here to view the wide variety of models available for the specific use you
have in mind.
Hand Tools
Hand tools are usually fairly easy to find on a local
basis, but if you need a source which offers a wide selection, click here to go
to Amazon.com. As I mentioned earlier on this page, the service is
excellent, prices are fair, and the selection is large.
There is one hand tool I'd like to mention if you're
thinking about building a deck. It's called a
BoWrench. This very
simple, almost odd looking tool is a "must have" for straightening
deck boards. I've been using one for the last 6 - 7 years, and would be lost without
it when I build a deck.
While we're on the subject of hand tools, I should mention
another source I like to use when I need woodworking tools, jigs, accessories,
hardware, and more.
Without a doubt, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is a
great place to go. Click here if you want to check out their on-line
store, or to find a location near you...
...or get their FREE
catalog by clicking
here, and
filling out the catalog order form.
I've always had great experiences when dealing with
Rockler, whether on-line, or in their store.
