Which Power Tools Are Best for Your Projects?

Cordless screwdrivers are often designed to function as basic driving tools. Do-it-yourself (DIY) models aren’t as powerful as a drill or driver, but they’re a lighter, more compact and less expensive option for handling DIY work, such as replacing outlet and light switch covers, installing new cabinet hardware, or tightening a handle on a cooking pot. If you don’t take on projects that involve drilling or driving fasteners into lumber, a cordless screwdriver will handle most driving tasks around the home.

Drill/drivers are one of the best power tools for a homeowner who plans to tackle medium to heavy DIY projects. With a good selection of drill and driver bits, you can do anything from hanging a wall shelf to installing decking and deck railing. Most drill/drivers are reversible and have a clutch that keeps you from damaging a fastener or driving it too far into the work piece. Most corded drills are best for drilling, but battery powered drills offer portability and convenience on lighter household projects. Variable-speed corded drill models work as drivers, but they lack a clutch, so you have to be careful not to overdrive the fasteners. When you purchase a drill/driver or drill, be sure to pick up a variety of drill bits and driver bits as well. Learn more about the features and operation of a power drill with our power drill guide.

Impact drivers are best for large projects, such as building a deck frame. They’re also more compact than drill/drivers, letting you work in tighter spaces. You’ll often see them paired with drill/drivers in power tool combo kits. An impact driver provides surges of torque to drive a screw into hard or dense material or install a large fastener into a work piece. They usually don’t have a clutch, so be careful not to overdrive your fasteners. You need a good variety of bits, but you’ll specifically need impact driver bits since they’re designed to handle extra torque that could snap standard driver bits.

Impact wrenches, often found in the tool kits of home automotive mechanics, function similar to impact drivers but offer more torque for driving larger fasteners, such as nuts and bolts. They make quick work of removing or installing lug nuts on vehicle wheels. Be sure to use impact sockets. Want more tips on stocking a DIY automotive mechanics shop? See our guide on DIY automotive mechanics tools.

Hammer drills also give you more driving power. Hammer drills are best for work that involves drilling and driving into concrete, masonry and other similar materials. These drills use a pounding force in addition to the rotational action to drive a bit or screw. Rotary hammer drills are pro-grade tools that are designed to deliver more powerful blows and provide the added functionality of chiseling and breaking up material such as concrete. Hammer drills require bits designed specifically for the tool (standard bits can’t handle the extra force), and some bits won’t work with some chuck types. Make sure to get bits designed for the hammer drill you purchase.

Circular saws are easy to carry to the project site and can quickly make cuts in dimensional lumber, plywood and, with the right blade, materials such as concrete and masonry. You can easily make straight or angled cuts and, typically, adjust the blade to make beveled cuts. Our circular saw guide will give you more details on this popular saw and help you find one that meets your needs.

Table saws are available in sizes that allow you to set up at a work site with a stand or portable table (as long as you have a power source). They perform many of the same types of cuts as a circular saw, while making accurate, repetitive cuts easier. They also make it easier to cut larger materials such as plywood. Get more information with our table saw guide.

Miter saws are also typically portable enough for use at a project site. Miter saws are best for projects where you need to precisely cut boards, moulding and more at angles or bevels and repeat the same cut (or a complementary one) multiple times. Learn about the different types of miter saws — compound, dual compound and sliding compound — by reading our compound miter saw guide.

Jigsaws make both straight and curved cuts and can even cut a circle in a work piece. Their relatively small size and maneuverability allow you to cut detailed freehand or stenciled designs. Certain types of jigsaw blades cut different materials, making a jigsaw capable of handling a variety of projects.

Reciprocating saws are good for work where speed and cutting power are important, including demolition or remodeling work where you’re cutting through studs, subflooring, and even nails and screws. A reciprocating saw — and a good selection of blades to go with it — is a useful tool to have.

Sheet sanders, also known as palm sanders or finishing sanders, are small, relatively inexpensive sanders that work with pieces of standard sandpaper sheets. The square shape of the base or foot allows you to reach the corners of a work piece. You’ll need to pay close attention and apply a light touch to avoid leaving visible patterns and scratches. Sheet sanders don’t remove as much material as other types of sanders and are often used between coats of paint or finish.

Detail sanders have a triangular head that makes them perfect for sanding hard-to-reach areas. Some include attachments that let you reach into tight spaces. A detail sander has a similar action to that of a sheet sander but requires a specific type of abrasive pad to fit the sanding head.

Random orbital sanders, or random orbit sanders, are also used in painting and finishing, but they remove more material than a sheet sander and use an arbitrary motion to help eliminate obvious sanding marks or patterns. They use a circular sanding pad that won’t reach into corners, but they’re efficient for sanding larger surfaces.

Belt sanders remove more material and work faster than other types of handheld power sanders. As the name implies, they use a rotating belt of abrasive material to sand a surface. They’re best for smoothing large areas, sanding very rough surfaces or even shaping a work piece. The aggressive action of a belt sander means you have to work with care to avoid gouging the material.

Pneumatic or cordless nailers — also known as nail guns — and pneumatic staplers are other types of driving tools. They work with collated sticks or coils of nails that let you rapidly install fasteners. Large framing nailers work for building a deck or fence, while smaller finish nailers and finish staplers drive small fasteners for more detailed work, including installing moulding or trim. Most nailers are either powered by an air compressor or battery. Take a look at our guide to nail guns to learn how to shop for a nailer and get tips on use and safety.

Rotary tools are compact devices that spin bits at high speeds and let you work on both craft projects and DIY tasks. From etching glass and removing grout to engraving wood and sharpening a chainsaw chain, a rotary tool with a good selection of rotary tool bits and wheels is a highly versatile tool kit to have on hand.

Oscillating tools use a back-and-forth motion for cutting, scraping, sanding and grinding tasks. Their compact design lets you work in places that you can’t reach with a standard power tool. A good selection of oscillating tool attachments will cut drywall, scrape away paint, or sand and smooth wood, plastic, or masonry.

Wood routers are mainstays of woodworking shops. They cut and shape wood by spinning a bit, and the variety of router bits available gives these tools a lot of versatility. You can create rounded or decorative edges for tables, form raised panels for cabinet doors and paneling, or cut custom moulding. Routers are also useful in assembling wood furniture, cabinets and other creations. They can create grooves known as dadoes for supporting shelves in a bookcase and channels called rabbets for insetting panels in cabinets and furniture. A router table lets you use some types of routers as a stationary tool, providing support for the work piece and giving you more stability and control.

Angle grinders are designed for heavy-duty work with metal. The grinder motor spins a disc that, depending on the disc material or design, can grind away metal, cut through the material or give it a smooth, polished surface. Grinders can sharpen some types of mower blades and lawn and garden hand tools and can also remove rust or paint from metal to prepare it for a fresh coat of paint. With the right type of wheel or disc, you can also use an angle grinder to work with masonry products.

Handheld power planers can quickly smooth or shape lumber with a set of rotating knives that shave away wood. In addition to preparing rough lumber for woodworking, power planers have DIY applications, such as trimming doors that are too large and shaping deck posts and railing.