I have had a series of hand tools for quite awhile and would now like to graduate to hand power tools. How would you suggest I proceed? Thank you.
Signed, Getting Powered Up
A: Dear Getting Powered Up,
There are a number of hand power tools you could purchase. I sense you are in the process of building up your skill sets as well as how-to confidence, given you have only owned hand tools for some time — if so, good for you! Here are two commonly used hand power tools (always follow manufactures safety instructions).
PALM SANDER
It is important for beginners to start building confidence by using what I refer to as “less aggressive” hand power tools. The Ryobi Corner Cat is a palm sander worthy of your consideration. I like this unit for a number of reasons.
1. It is very light with low vibration.
2. You can easily attach abrasive pads as well as sanding pads; this is a great feature!
3. Because of its “iron” shape it is ideal for sanding in corners as well.
When sanding it is important to consider the following information: Make sure you have chosen the proper grade of sandpaper. The higher the number, the smoother the grit. Generally when sanding “soft” woods it is good to choose a medium grit to start and then adjust accordingly. And remember, sanding is a lot like ironing a shirt, in that you always sand with the grain (like when ironing a sleeve you go with the fabric, not across the fabric.) Be sure to clean the dust bag on your sander at regular intervals for optimum performance.
HAND POWER DRILL
Hand power drills come in a variety of sizes and weights, the first thing to do is to purchase the proper size drill for your physical condition. Here is a good test: You should be able to hold the drill in one hand with your arm fully extended for 30 seconds. If the drill you’ve selected is too difficult to hold in this position, I recommend finding a lighter model (battery models are heavier). When drilling, remember that the drill and the drill bit should be doing all of the work.
If you find yourself grunting and leaning onto your drill, chances are you have the wrong drill bit, you may be using an improperly sharpened drill bit or your drill could be set at the wrong speed. When drilling into a surface, always make sure you know what is behind the surface. If you are uncertain, I recommend that you drill in quarter inch increments and probe as you go. Be extremely careful not to drill into utilities. There are three basic types of drill bits — wood, metal and masonry.
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.