How to choose a power tool: tips from the master. Useful tips for choosing a power tool Universal options: buy or not

During repair and construction work, one cannot do without power tools, the quality of which will determine the quality of the repair as a whole. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right tool, which will be discussed further.

Today it is impossible to imagine the renovation of an apartment without use of power tools. Arriving at any specialized store, you can appreciate the huge variety of types of power tools, where each device has its own purpose and technical characteristics. The choice of power tools- not an easy task. It is not enough to understand that a drill or a puncher is needed to drill walls, you also need to understand the technical characteristics and capabilities of the tool.

What are the main secrets of choosing a power tool?

First of all, you need to determine for yourself what kind of tool you need - professional or non-professional.

professional tool sometimes many times more expensive than non-professional, but at the same time it is able to withstand huge loads, work for a long time without interruption and in difficult conditions.

non-professional tool more fragile - after a short work, it requires rest, otherwise it can overheat and fail. Accordingly, its reliability is rather low compared to a professional power tool, but it is quite enough for home use. But a professional tool will serve you faithfully for many years.

Next, pay attention to instrument power supply, that is, from which network the tool is powered, what voltage it needs. Here you don’t have to think too much, since the voltage of 220 volts and European standard sockets are widely used. But there is also battery powered power tool. The choice of such a tool depends on the need for its use in places where there is no access to electricity. Battery use limits battery power and battery life.

If you are buying a cordless power tool, be sure to pay attention to the battery capacity. The higher the battery power, the longer the tool will work, and the more power it will have. As for the electrical characteristics of tools, special attention should be paid to power. The higher the power, the greater the chance that he will cope with the work entrusted to him.

A particularly important point when choosing a power tool is its safety. b. This option should be taken very seriously. You should carefully read the safety instructions when working with a power tool and pay attention to the presence of protective mechanisms on the tool: reinforced insulation, build quality and case material, the presence of a fuse to prevent accidental start of the power tool. The power tool must be fertilized in circulation. The handle of the tool must fit perfectly in the hand to prevent accidental slipping.

The appearance of the power tool also plays an important role. First of all, the tool must be durable, it should not break or fall apart if accidentally dropped from a small height. A good and durable tool will be heavier, but this may affect the usability.

Attention should also be paid to power tool versatility. For example, a drill with a perforator will allow you to replace two tools - the drill itself and the perforator, and this is already saving money.

When choosing a power tool, you should pay special attention to some little things, which, in turn, can have a significant impact on the functionality of the tool. For a drill, it is important adjustable speed and soft start. The harder you press the start button, the faster the rotation will be. The presence of a soft start will greatly facilitate the launch of a massive power tool with a powerful electric motor.

An important role is played the presence of a reverse rotation switch. In order to avoid jamming of the drill and the failure of the electric motor, it is imperative to have a limit torque clutch. The name of the power tool manufacturer on the product is also important. Power tools from well-known brand manufacturers will have high reliability and quality.

After you have determined for yourself the parameters and characteristics of the power tool, you can safely proceed to its choice yourself.

It is very important to check the performance of the tool before buying. This will save you nerves and time. When checking a power tool, attention should be paid to extraneous noise and knocks, the sound of a serviceable tool should be smooth, without dips. Turning the tool on and off should be smooth. If the operation of the tool stops instantly, therefore, the assembly of the tool is poor quality, so the power tool may fail after a short time.

A few words should be said about complete set of power tools. The package can be divided into mandatory and optional. The mandatory package must include all the elements without which the proper functioning of the power tool is impossible.

Example: the presence of a screwdriver or a special key for clamping the washer holding the replaceable disks in the grinder kit. The optional package may include: additional drills, a case for storing and transporting power tools.

In the process of making a purchase, be sure to check the availability of nearby service centers and the provision of a company guarantee. Discuss the possibility of returning the power tool in case of defects or failure due to the fault of the manufacturer. Be careful and reasonable. Happy shopping!

Instruction

First of all, you should decide for what type of work you need a power tool - professional or amateur. Professionals know from their own experience that it is often necessary to use the tool for a long time, and at critical loads. Not every model can withstand such work. Therefore, if repair and construction is yours, you must choose the first type of tool. Otherwise, it is better to opt for amateur models. Moreover, the price for them is not so high.

Power tools can be powered by a built-in battery or AC source. A device that can be plugged into a power outlet is cheaper, but it can only be used close to a power source. To expand the space of application, extension cords are used, however, in this case, you need to be especially careful. The fact is that low-quality extension cords due to a power surge can cause the device to break down.

In turn, a power tool with a built-in battery gives freedom of movement. In addition, it can work in non-electrified places. On the other hand, the duration of the operation of such devices is not so high, and the battery fails over time. If the need for a power tool occurs quite rarely, it is undesirable to purchase a model with a built-in battery. The latter may well fail while the device is gathering dust on the shelf.

The next point that is important to pay attention to is the safety of the tool. There are two points to note here. First, the reliability of electrical insulation. It is best to choose tools with double insulation (the first layer is the internal electrical components, and the second is the body of the tool). Such models can be distinguished by a special marking - a double square.

Secondly, it is protection against accidental start. To prevent the tool from accidentally turning on and thereby harming your health or those around you, it must be equipped with an additional button. Pressing it confirms the start of the device.

When choosing a power tool, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer and point of sale of these products. Always consider only trusted brands such as Hitachi, Bosch, AEG, Krss, Metabo, Makita, etc. It must be remembered that little-known manufacturers are not able to guarantee the high quality of their products. In addition, in the event of a product breakdown, warranty service for such a tool can be a big problem. In turn, when working with devices manufactured by the above brands, such problems will not arise.

Power tools should be bought only in specialized stores, not in the markets. In addition to the obvious advantages of the store (for example, the possibility of replacing defective goods, warranty service), you will also receive advice from a qualified seller.

To choose a quality power tool, take several devices of the same model and turn them on in turn. You should choose one that has a more even sound of work, without knocking. Then start it again, stop it again and listen to the sound at the moment it stops working. This sound should be smooth, gradually fading away. Also see how the device stops spinning. It should do it smoothly. If the power tool is sharp, it means that the connections in the mechanism are too tight and too much force is applied to turn them.

Choosing the right power tool is not an easy task, but it is quite doable. It is only necessary not to forget about all the above recommendations. And remember that buying a quality tool is only half the battle. The product must also be used and stored correctly. If all these conditions are met, it will serve you for a long time.

In the house of every man there will always be a use for a different tool. Not only for a screwdriver or pliers, a hammer or a hacksaw, but also for a tool that has an electric drive. Of course, you can always turn to a friend or neighbor for it, but in this case there is a risk of damaging the instrument. In addition, it is not always possible to drill a couple of holes in the wall and have time to run around the city and look for a drill or hammer drill. Much more convenient to have them on hand. And it is more convenient to use not the tool that will be given, but the one you choose for yourself.

Usually, when choosing a tool, people are guided either by focusing on advertised brands, or at a low or minimally affordable price for their budget.

But in fact, in order to choose the right power tool, you need to know the answers to the following questions:

how often you will need to use this tool;
what should be the maximum power and performance of the tool you need;
whether the selected tool should have additional features;
under what conditions the power tool will operate.

Now let's look at some examples of applying these conditions to some types of power tools. To do this, let's take a closer look at how to choose the most commonly used tool in the household from the following list:

screwdriver;
drill;
perforator;
Grinder;
wall chaser;
soldering iron;
tester.

Choosing a power tool: a screwdriver

The main criteria for choosing a screwdriver are:

torque, which determines with what maximum force a screwdriver can turn a screw or self-tapping screw, and how hard it can drill through material;
engine speed, which affects the speed of drilling holes or tightening screws;
power source, which can be a battery or a household network.

For domestic use, screwdriver models with a rotation speed of 1200 rpm and a torque of up to 15 Nm are suitable. Any screwdriver has the ability to change the maximum torque with a switch, which allows you to stop the rotation when it reaches a certain value. The more steps this adjustment has, the more smoothly you can change it. You should also pay attention when buying how easy this switch is to move.

When choosing a power source for a screwdriver, it should be borne in mind that it is more expedient to use cordless screwdrivers in cases where mobility is needed, or they are supposed to work in places where the household network is not available. Within the limits of an apartment or workplace (in a workshop or in a garage), it is better to use a mains-powered tool. Screwdriver batteries do not last forever, their resource is limited, and if you use them infrequently, the service life will be even more reduced. And the purchase of new batteries at a price will be commensurate with the purchase of a new screwdriver.

Screwdrivers are equipped with types of batteries:

nickel-cadmium (the most common and cheapest, the number of charge-discharge cycles is up to 1000, they are not afraid of frost, but suffer from strong self-discharge);
lithium-ion (the number of cycles reaches 3000, they are not subject to self-discharge, the disadvantage is that they cannot stand low temperatures);
nickel-metal hydride (the number of charge-discharge cycles is up to 1500, they hold a charge longer, but do not tolerate frost, as well as overcurrent).

Be sure to try to hold the screwdriver model chosen in the store in your hand and evaluate how convenient it will be for you. After all, convenience is one of the important factors during long-term work.

Choosing a power tool: drill

For a household drill, ergonomics and versatility are the main ones. They are not intended for active use, but they can perform functions that are common for a professional tool.

In addition to their main purpose - to drill, drills can also tighten screws or self-tapping screws, like screwdrivers, and have a percussion function, like perforators.

You should pay attention to the presence of additional options in drills, which greatly facilitate their use and expand their capabilities:

rotation speed range switch;
smooth speed control;
the presence of a quick-clamping chuck;
the presence of a reverse switch.

As for the technical parameters, to choose a household drill, you should be guided by the following:

electric power - no more than 800 W;
speed - no more than 3000 rpm;
torque force - up to 25-30 Nm;
beat frequency - up to 30,000 beats / min.

A drill with such characteristics can easily drill a hole in steel with a diameter of up to 8-10 mm, in wood - up to 20 mm, the presence of a speed controller will allow you to make holes in ceramic tiles or plexiglass, drill holes for dowels in brick - up to 12 mm or concrete - up to 8 mm. This will be enough for homework. But if serious work is supposed to be done with brick or concrete surfaces, then a puncher will be needed to complete it.

A household hammer drill is heavier than a drill and has the following operating modes:

drilling (drilling);
percussion drilling;
impact mode, in which the punch works like a jackhammer.

Choosing a power tool: perforator

For use in everyday life, a perforator is enough to have the following characteristics:

electrical power - up to 800 W;
rotation frequency - no more than 1000 rpm;
impact energy - up to 3 Joules.

With the help of such a perforator, you can disassemble brickwork, gouge a niche in a concrete wall, use a “mixer” type nozzle to prepare a solution from DSP or plaster, make a strobe for electrical wiring of small width and depth in a brick wall. But for more serious work with strobes that are of considerable complexity and length, you will need a strobe cutter.

Choosing a power tool: wall chaser

A wall chaser is a highly specialized tool, but at the same time it has a lot of parameters that should be considered when buying it. A wall chaser purchased for non-professional use must have the following characteristics:

motor power - up to 2500 W;
strobe width adjustment - from 6 mm to 35 mm;
it is desirable to have an adjustable guide platform with guide rollers;
direction of rotation (selected individually);
the weight of the tool should be within your power;
cutting depth - from 40 to 55 mm;
saw blade diameter - up to 150 mm;
the number of saw blades - at least two;
thickness of saw blades - from 3 to 5 mm.

Using a wall chaser with such characteristics, it is possible not only to lay gates for electrical wiring, but also for other communications - water supply, sewerage. It is equally easy for them to work with walls made of bricks and concrete.

Choosing a power tool: grinders

Grinding machines are divided into:

- tape;

- eccentric;

- angular, commonly called "grinders".

When choosing a grinder for domestic needs, the following parameters are taken into account:

work with discs with a diameter of 115, 125, 150 and 180 mm;
engine power - 1500 W for working with a 150 mm disc;
the larger the disk diameter, the lower the speed should be, so it is desirable to have a regulator that allows you to work in the range from 8500 to 11000 rpm;
as additional devices, the angle grinder must have an anti-vibration handle and dust protection.

The requirements for belt grinders are as follows:

power - from 800 to 1000 W;
belt rotation speed adjustment - from 300 to 500 rpm;
weight - no more than 4 kg;
it is desirable that the grinder is equipped with a dust collector or can be connected to a vacuum cleaner. During its operation, very fine dust is formed, which then will not be easy to collect.

And for the installation of electrical wiring in an apartment or in the country, you will also need an electric soldering iron and a multimeter (tester).

Choosing a power tool: soldering iron

According to the type of heating element, soldering irons are divided into:

nichrome;
induction;
ceramic;
gas;
impulse;
infrared;
hot air.

To work in domestic conditions, it is enough to have a soldering iron with a power not exceeding 100 W, which has a heating element made of nichrome wire. Using such a soldering iron, you can iron wires before connecting to household appliances or make wire connections in junction boxes.

For a soldering iron, it is advisable to purchase a desktop stand. There are soldering irons that have special stops on the body, but they are not convenient to use. You will also need solder and rosin as consumables.

Choosing a power tool: multimeter

Modern multimeters (testers) have a liquid crystal display, but pointer devices are still found. Their disadvantage is the presence of fragile moving parts that require a very careful attitude to the device. In this regard, a "digital" multimeter is much more practical. In both cases, batteries are used to power the device, but since the multimeter consumes a small current, they last a very long time.

For domestic use, the multimeter should measure the following quantities:

alternating voltage - up to 400V;
DC voltage - up to 100V;
alternating and direct current - up to 10A;
resistance - up to 1 MΩ.

It is desirable that the device has a continuity function with an audible signal and can measure current using the built-in current clamp without breaking the circuit.

And the last

When buying any tool, you always need to hold it in your hands longer, turn it around, twist it, imagine how you will work with it. And honestly answer yourself the question: how much do you like it. it will be difficult for you to work with an instrument that is uncomfortable in your hands or unpleasant for you.

Every home craftsman and qualified specialist has a set of electric tools, which may include a screwdriver, grinder, drill, puncher, jigsaw, etc. If you decide to replenish the arsenal with new devices, but do not know which company to give preference to, so as not to overpay and be satisfied with the work of the tool, we recommend that you carefully read this material. For readers of the site, we have prepared a rating of the best manufacturers of power tools in 2017. We immediately draw your attention to the fact that the list will be compiled according to the principle from the highest quality, but expensive brands to budget ones.

For industrial purposes

Anyone who has dealt with Festool tools is unlikely to speak ill of their reliability. We have personally worked with a disc router, which has been successfully used for milling aluminum composite plates for more than a year. Perfect workmanship, nothing to complain about. Otherwise, the power tool is prohibitively expensive, so it is only suitable for industrial purposes, the construction business, where it will quickly recoup its cost.

By the way, the first place along with Festul is shared by Protool, whose tool is also expensive, but of high quality!

American manufacturer of high quality tools. The business card of this company is black and red colors. As in the case of Festul, you will have to overpay for a reliable American power tool, but it's worth it. In the line of devices there are quite a lot of interesting models that you will not find from other manufacturers.

Hilti

Hilti closes our ranking of the best manufacturers of industrial tools. Both consumables and power tools are of high quality, but also at an appropriate price. Personally, we did not come across Hilti, but judging by the reviews on the Internet, the products fully justify their money and it makes sense to buy it only for making money, one might even say business.

Professionals

The first place in this class is rightly occupied by the Japanese manufacturer of power tools - the Makita company, which has been confidently leading the Russian market for quite a long time. The reason for this is excellent reliability and at the same time an acceptable price. A wide range of products allows you to choose the right tool not only for professional use, but also for domestic needs (periodic repairs).

Bosch

Another fairly well-known manufacturer that specializes not only in power tools, but also in general in household appliances. Bosch, by the way, is also one of the.

Returning to the tool, I would like to note that for professional purposes, you need to choose blue devices that are specifically designed for long-term use. In addition, blue screwdrivers, hammer drills, etc. have higher specifications. In terms of reliability and price, the Bosch tool is optimal, so we recommend choosing it for work.

The American company DeWalt was included in our rating, because. in terms of reliability, power tools from this manufacturer declared themselves on the positive side. The only reason why you will not find yellow-black screwdrivers and hammer drills everywhere is because of the higher cost, although it fully justifies itself.

Nevertheless, if you want to choose a quality tool for work, for comparison, pick up a model from DeWalt and any other Japanese analogue. You will feel the result yourself.

A brand no less recognizable on the Russian instrument market. German quality and reasonable price (slightly above average) have won the hearts of many professional installers. Nevertheless, due to the higher cost, Metabo loses to its competitors, because the technical characteristics of the products are not better than Bosch or Makita, but nevertheless, everyone has their own preferences.

If you come across a good Metabo screwdriver or perforator at a discount, you can safely buy it. The quality is guaranteed, as you can see by reading the relevant reviews on the thematic forums.

Another Japanese manufacturer of power tools, which, of course, should be in the ranking of the best companies for professional use. We draw your attention to the fact that recently there have been a lot of negative reviews about the quality of Hitachi tools, as well as problems with manufacturers' warranty workshops.

We can’t say anything about this, we have personally been using Hitachi for several years now and there are no complaints about the work. Moreover, the Hitachi DS12DVF3 screwdriver has already fallen about a dozen times and, thanks to its rubberized body, is still alive, even the handle has not cracked. That is why we strongly recommend it to those who decide.

Also, brands such as AEG and Kress can be attributed to the best manufacturers of professional power tools, but due to the fact that they are in little demand, and we ourselves have not exploited them, it is difficult to say anything definite. If you have experience and opinion about these brands, you can tell us in detail about them in the comments under the post, or on ours.

For home craftsmen

bocsh

Yes, we were not mistaken, Bosch got into another rating - power tools for home use. Screwdrivers, drills, etc. green colors are much cheaper and at the same time better than alternative budget products. If you need home repair tools, we recommend paying a little more and buying Bosch rather than products from other inexpensive manufacturers, which we discuss below.

Every year, the domestic manufacturer of power tools raises its quality bar to a higher level. Already, even on the popular Yandex.Market, you can find many models from Interskol with a rating of 5 out of 5, while with a bunch of positive reviews not only from jacks of all trades, but also from specialists. At a relatively budget price, the quality of Interskol is average, so if you don’t find a suitable Bosch, you can support a Russian manufacturer.

We recommend using these two companies for semi-professional power tools for home use, because. as sure. There are also budget brands Bort, BLACK & DECKER, Ryobi, Skil and Zubr (Russia), but there are too many negative reviews about the quality of these products, so we don’t want to recommend it to you. You can, of course, meet really successful models that serve for several years, but this is rather an exception, so see for yourself.

Here we have provided a list of the best power tool manufacturers in 2017. We hope you liked our rating and it helped you in choosing the right company for your own application!

Interesting

When performing repairs, always use a power tool. But not every master knows what a power tool is and how to choose it correctly.

If you have a big repair, it is better to choose a high-quality professional tool.

Today, many companies create tools. After the product is released, it meets certain requirements.

To choose the right power tool for your home, you should read some recommendations.

How to choose the right products?

Power tools are presented on the market as professional and non-professional. Professional products are designed for continuous use and heavy workload. Non-professional tools have a weak parts system. In addition, a similar technique works intermittently.

Which instrument should be preferred? If after construction or repair you will not use it, then choose a non-professional power tool. And if you plan to use the technique in the future, you can take a professional one.

When choosing products, pay attention to the power supply. There are various types of power supply for household appliances (current and a battery that is built into the case).

When choosing an AC power tool, it is worth looking at its safety.

Products that work with a battery are only profitable to buy if you work on a non-electrified facility. They are very convenient because you do not need to be tied to a power source, you can work both outdoors and indoors.

But you need to take into account the fact that between recharging the tool does not work for a long time. And yes, the cost is too high.

If we talk about a tool that runs on AC power, then it must have electrical protection. Almost all manufacturers indicate the double insulation symbol on their products.

A tool with such insulation is connected to the network using a two-wire circuit. It is best to choose options with special protection against accidental start-up. Such protection lies in the fact that the permission to press the main button is confirmed only by pressing the additional button.

Back to index

Universal options: to buy or not?

Now on the market you can see universal models that perform many additional functions.

For example, there are drills, thanks to which carving, working with screws, drilling, etc. is possible. Such tools perform work in a small amount - if you need to finish something or make it yourself.

It is recommended to buy an electric tool for the home with additional functions only if its use will be about 25% of the scope of work.

When choosing a product, you should pay attention to whether it will be convenient for you to use it in your work. Some types of equipment must be equipped with certain devices. We are talking about the speed controller and the starter (if there is a soft starter, then the products gain momentum smoothly).

In addition, one can single out such a trifle - a limiting torque clutch that protects the engine of equipment from an unacceptable load and increases its operation time. A more common case for creating certain loads, for example, for drills, is the jamming of the drill directly during drilling.

If the product is capable of releasing dust in large quantities (we are talking about planers, jigsaws, etc.), then it must have an adapter. With it, you can connect a vacuum cleaner to the technique.

If you have already decided on the option and it meets the necessary requirements, then you can buy the device. It is better not to buy products that the seller offers you. It is best to choose products from a trusted company.

Now you know how to choose a power tool for your home.