Guide to Making the Most of Power Hand Tools

Use power hand tools the right way to make your money go farther

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know the safe operating procedures for power hand tools

Make training mandatory for your employees and make any violation of safety rule carry a reprimand of some sort. If your employees operate electric hand tools safely, you can expect many years of service from the equipment.

I recommend: Read the information about power hand tools and safety guidelines established for power hand tools from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Check out the PowerPoint presentation by Scott W. Tritt . It discusses many electrical hand tools safety issues. The presentation also offers tips for making the most of power hand tools.

Buy electric hand tools that have a wide selection of accessories

Not only can you do more specific jobs with the right accessories, some tools can perform more than one task with the right accessories. For example, an electric drill can stir paint as well as drill holes.

I recommend: You can find a large assortment of accessories for your hand held power tools at Aubuchon Hardware. Tools-Plus also offers power hand tool accessories for just about every type hand held power tool imaginable.

Store your electric hand tools properly

Make sure each electrical hand tool has a place in your shop. Whether you hang it on the wall or in one of the many storage chests available from suppliers of power hand tools, you can expect each tool to have a longer life expectancy if it has the proper storage.

I recommend: Choose one of the storage systems for electric hand tools and other equipment at Stanley Vidmar. The well-known distributors of power hand tools, Snap-on, also offers storage systems for all sorts of portable electric power tools.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you upgrade to new electrical hand tools, make sure the accessories from the older power hand tools work on the new equipment. You can save quite a bit of money by reusing accessories as much as possible.

Guide to Power Hand Tools

Find the right power hand tools for the job at hand

By Lori Carver

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose electrical hand tools for your business needs

Whether you are in construction or remodeling, you need electric hand tools to get the job done. Electric hammers and drills are faster than their non-electric counterparts, and time is money when the job has to get done fast. Choose the right equipment for your project from power hand tools manufacturers.

I recommend: West Miami Discount Tool, Inc. has a complete line of electrical hand tool and portable electric hand tools. If you are in Miami, call of visit their store. They export anywhere, so drop them an email for a quote or information about power hand tools they offer. Snap-On brings their power hand tools right to your garage with regular route service. You can also order the tools you need online.

Generate work without electricity with battery power hand tools

Battery hand held power tools work off a battery, so you do not need electricity or generators. The batteries are rechargeable, and the tool comes with the battery and charger.

I recommend: 10C Technologies provides universal adaptors for any battery hand held power tool you currently possess. This new technology not only eliminates the need to carry multiple chargers, but it also charges your hand tools fast, usually in 15 minutes. Tools-Plus offers complete selection of battery power hand tools from electric hammers to circular saws. They also offer low shipping cost by UPS ground on all of their products. Lowe's offers a complete line-up of electric hand tools. Order online or visit a local store. You can download informative guides with the information about power hand tools you need.

Find wholesale suppliers of electrical hand tools, and buy in quantity

Power hand tools manufacturers do not usually sell directly to the public, but some of their distributors do. You can buy closeouts and save tremendously on the right power hand tool your business needs.

I recommend: Wholesale Tool offers both cordless and portable electric power tools. They ship almost anywhere with 2-day service. They offer closeouts, so check for the tools you need. You can sign up for their Super Saving Newsletter so you never miss a bargain on the tools your business needs. GreatNeck is a wholesale supplier of power hand tools. If you are in the business of reselling tools, you can buy from them and save. TDW Closeouts offers truckload closeouts on power hand tools. New loads arrive daily, so check often for the tools you need for your business.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stock up on all the power hand tools accessories when you buy your tools such as extra sockets for your wrenches and extra battery packs for your battery hand tools.

1. Enroll in a local technical school or college to take courses on how to use power hand tools
2. Learn how to use power hand tools through power hand tools manufacturers.
3. Become a carpenter's apprentice and get hands-on training with many types of power hand tools.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take courses on how to properly use power hand tools offered at a technical school or college

While no formal degree is needed to work with power hand tools, you can gain invaluable instruction on the use of electrical hand tools through classes offered at many technical schools and colleges. Many of these types of schools combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice to allow for a full understanding of how to work many types of power hand tools.

I recommend: The Electrical Technology program at the Baran Institute of Technology covers the use of electrical power hand tools as part of the curriculum. Hutchinson Community College offers basic woodworking courses that include instruction in the safe use of power hand tools.

Look to the makers of power hand tools for guidance and instruction

Who would know better about how power hand tools work than those who manufacture them? Top power hand tool manufacturers provide instructional videos and manuals to give details about the operation of their products.

I recommend: Stihl, a well-known power hand tools manufacturer, streams several safety and operational videos for some power tools such as chain saws and trimmers at their online video library. Download instruction manuals for drills, woodworking tools and other power hand tools from Hilti.

Work with the pros to get a feel for how many types of power hand tools operate

While videos and classroom settings can be helpful, hands-on training experience can be key. Many local carpenter's unions and contracting businesses offer apprenticeships that allow you to learn while you work. Take advantage of these types of programs to get the most practical power hand tools education and training available.

I recommend: Penn Foster Workforce Development offers a carpenter's apprentice training program that includes power hand tools courses for power cutting tools, grinding tools and pneumatic hand tools. The Montana Labor/Management Alliance Apprenticeship Education Outreach program has a carpentry apprenticeship that includes operating many power hand tools.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take classes offered by distributors of power hand tools or suppliers of power hand tools. Home Depot, Lowe's and other large hardware stores usually offer many types of free instructional and how-to classes, including the use of power hand tools.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Power tool

A power tool is powered by an external source such as electricity, a battery, gasoline or compressed air.

I recommend: Visit Tool Barn for a quick education and a closer look at a variety of popular power tools.

Portable power tools

Portable power tools are held in the hand during use. The opposite of a portable power tool is a stationary power tool, also known as a machine tool.

I recommend: You'll find a comprehensive overview and educational briefing on the whats and whys of portable power tools at Sears.

Corded power tools

A corded power hand tool operates by being plugged into a power source such as a wall outlet or generator. Although sustainable power is all but ensured, corded tools can be a hazard because the cord can be tripped over, cut and otherwise in the way on a job site.

I recommend: Ridgid is a terrific place to learn about all types of powerful corded power hand tools.

Cordless power tools

Cordless hand power tools don't have a cord, meaning they don't use electricity as a power source. They afford the user a sense of freedom corded tools cannot, using rechargeable batteries as a power source.

I recommend: View a cordless version of most every hand power tool is available to see and learn more about at Makita.

Battery powered hand tool

A battery-powered hand power tool runs off of a rechargeable battery. The convenience of being cordless has often been overshadowed by relatively short battery life, comparatively low energy capacity and high cost.

I recommend: An article at Lowe's Commercial Services says battery-powered tools have come a long way lately and makes a valid argument for their continued use.

Compressed air tools

Compressed air tools, also called a pneumatic tools, are powered by an air compressor attached to the tool with a small hose. Nail guns, drills, hammers and paint sprayers are examples of tools that can operate via compressed air.

I recommend: A large variety of tools that operate on compressed air and a compressed air buyer's guide are available at Northern Tool + Equipment.