Any seasoned do-it-yourselfer knows the importance of a well-stocked toolbox. Here, we review three of the tools that are most often called into service for household projects.
Jigsaws
One of the weekend warrior's most valuable tools for cutting holes and irregular shapes in flat materials is the jigsaw. Easy to maneuver (it's light and small), it's handy for such jobs as cutting an opening in a countertop for a sink or in paneling or plywood for outlets, pipes, skylights-even stereo speakers. A craftsperson could also use one to make the curved cuts needed for making a rocking horse or any number of other projects.
The jigsaw employs an approximately three-inch-long blade that moves rapidly up and down through a hole in the tool's "foot." The upstroke is the cutting stroke. A popular upgrade is the capability of orbital action, which allows the blade to make a "scooping," J-shaped movement on the upstroke. This helps cut relatively soft materials, such as plywood and plastic, more quickly.
Before starting to cut with a jigsaw, one must often drill a hole in the surface of the material to give the blade a starting point. (Plunge cutting, which requires no predrilled hole, saves time, but must be done carefully and only when working with relatively soft materials.) Other important considerations include choosing the proper blade, facing the "right" side of the material down before cutting, and clamping it securely to a surface before cutting.
Prices for jigsaws range greatly, from about $20 at the low end to almost $200 at the high. The Skil 4470 jigsaw, pictured here, boasts plunger speed control, orbital action, and scroll- and bevelcut capability. Suggested retail price: $69.99. For more information, visit www.skil.com or call 877-754-5999.
Cordless Caulk Guns
Gone are the days of squeezing and squeezing to draw a bead of caulk along a tub or tile. Now, cordless caulk guns make manual caulking obsolete. This new breed of caulk gun eliminates hand fatigue and allows the user to work easily with high-viscosity materials, such as windshield urethanes. It's as simple as pressing a trigger.
Like their manual counterparts, cordless caulk guns can be used to apply weatherstripping and fire-stopping materials, to repair or install auto glass, to seal plumbing fixtures, to repair concrete, and to provide a seal against water and sound.
Commonly powered by a 12- or 14.4-volt rechargeable battery pack, cordless caulk guns deliver up to twice the pushing power of a manual model. Some accessories for cordless caulk guns include interchangeable front-ends that allow the user to work with standard 10-ounce caulk tubes, 29-ounce subflooring adhesives, or sausage-packaged materials. Automatic shutoff, 360-degree carriage rotation, and a trigger-lock also come in handy at the job site. Prices range from about $175 to $350.
The Milwaukee 6560-21 cordless caulk gun, pictured here, has a variable-speed trigger, a trigger lock, an ergonomic design, all-metal gear transmission, and 360-degree carriage rotation. Suggested retail price: $199. For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com or call 800-414-6527.
Miter Saws
For perfectly angled cuts, a compound miter saw (a.k.a. "chop saw") is indispensable. Its 10-inch blade will help you replace the base and crown moldings throughout your house, and then tackle that backyard fence you need to build, cutting the picket tops to perfect 45-degree points.
The powered equivalent of the manual miter box, the electric miter saw features a blade assembly that can be angled to make a bevel (an angled cut across the depth of the material) or a miter cut (an angled cut across the width of the material). For flexibility, the fence of the saw can be moved into a forward or rear position for handling various widths and depths of materials. And a table extension and stock stop are often provided, which allow the user to more easily cut longer materials and to cut several pieces to the exact same length. By adjusting the fence and saw assembly, a 10-inch compound miter saw can cut a wide variety of dimension pieces. Prices range from $100 to $320.
The DeWalt DW703 miter saw, pictured here, can cut large moldings with ease. For greater accuracy and versatility, it also cuts 50-degree miter angles and has a 48-degree bevel capability. Suggested retail price: $229. For more, visit www.dewalt.com or call 800-433-9258.