6 Tips For Successful Power Tool Purchasing
From those who enjoy dabbling in a spot of DIY around the home, to semi-professionals with their own workshops, power tools are an excellent addition to any toolkit, and can make a wide range of tasks easier and safer. But, they are an investment, and as such, proper care and attention should be given when purchasing them.
To help you buy the right power tools for your needs, here are 6 handy tips:
1. Choose between corded or cordless
Corded power tools require a power source to operate, while cordless come with a rechargeable battery. Typically more powerful, corded power tools benefit from a constant source of power, but the cord and its length, can be restrictive.
Cordless tools on the other hand, allow for more freedom of movement and portability, but are not as powerful, and the batteries must be recharged to operate them.
Consider your needs before deciding upon corded or cordless power tools.
2. Think about the features you need
Think about the possible tasks you will need to carry out with a power tool, and check the product description to determine whether the tool of your choice has the features to fulfil those needs. Essential features are exactly that, while added bonuses such as comfort grip etc, may be nice, not absolutely necessary.
3. Check the safety rating
Power tools can be dangerous in the wrong hands, or when used inappropriately. As such, you should check through recent reviews of the tools you plan to buy, to see if any accidents have been reported while using them, or if there are any design faults that might deter you from buying them. When browsing products online, simply read the reviews, product description, and all other available information so that can you can understand the safety features and make an informed decision. You may find that buying branded products is the best way to guarantee your safety while using a power tool.
4. Check the battery type
If you’re planning to buy a cordless power tool, check whether the battery it uses can be used for other cordless power tools, too. If so, this can save you a lot of hassle when you need to swap between tools, and when you don’t want to spend out on a different battery for every tool. Buying a bare tool (one without a battery), is often cheaper, and if you buy all of your tools from the same high-quality brand, you should be able to use the one battery for all of them.
5. Consider the true cost of the tool
The power tool that you initially buy often requires the purchasing of accessories in order for it to function as you want it to, or blades, bits and belts, which can bump the price up. Find out what comes with the tool, what you might need to buy, and then consider whether it comes in within your budget.
6. Think about what you’ll be using the tool for
If you’re planning to carry out heavy-duty tasks around the home or in your workshop, a conventional tool designed for basic DIY may not be fit for purpose. Check the capabilities of the power tool carefully before buying, to make sure you’re not over, or under-purchasing in terms of what you want to use it for.
Considering all of the points above will help you choose a power tool that matches your needs and comes in within your budget, and remember that a high-quality tool (which may cost more than a non-branded one), is likely to last longer and give you a more consistent and accurate performance.
