4 Must-Have Power Tool Accessories For Home DIY Projects
By: John Garcia | Date Posted: June 1, 2022
Table of Contents
Power Tool Accessories: Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are popular with people of different ages and varying skill levels. Nothingâs better than the feeling of completing a difficult task using all the knowledge you have.
However, DIY projects wonât be easy if you only have basic tools and accessories. Youâd want advanced equipment to help you accomplish your task sooner and allow you to do more. These highly advanced mechanisms are called power tools, fueled by electricity to complete DIY and carpentry tasks in a quick way.
Some of the most common power tools you can use at home are
- Circular saw
- Electric and cordless driller
- Electric planer
- Electric sander
- Jigsaw
- Impact driver
- Nail gun
You may get these carpentry power tools and gadgets only at your local hardware supplies shop or visit datapowertools for more information.
Additionally, power tools often come at a hefty price. So, itâs critical to maintain them properly, specifically their accessories. These are parts of power tools that you also have to keep in good shape and replace once theyâre damaged. Without them, power tools wouldnât work, no matter how expensive they are.
That said, here are some of the most vital power tool accessories you need to have:
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Batteries
Batteries are pivotal accessories to make your power tools execute their function, especially when it comes to cordless equipment. Itâs also worth noting that batteries are as essential as the power tools themselves.
When choosing a battery, you have to ensure that its characteristics perfectly match the type of power tool youâre using or the work youâre planning to do. For example, if the battery type is not fit for the tools you have, you may not be able to use those tools properly.
Here are the battery specifications you might need to know:
- Cycle Life â It pertains to how many charge cycles a battery can withstand before completely losing its ability to use energy. Most batteries have 1,000 charge cycles or more.
- Self-Discharge â Look for a lower self-discharge rate to save more energy and if youâre only planning to use your cordless tools every once in a while.
- Voltage â Hereâs a basic rule: the higher the voltage, the more powerful the tool is and the more energy it uses. For basic DIY projects, batteries with 7 to 18v are enough. Yet if youâre planning to do more complex and heavier projects in the future, look for batteries with 19v and above.
When it comes to battery types, you may choose between nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or lithium-ion (Li-Ion). Itâs best to use NiCd for tools used most often due to its toughness and long charge cycles. You may use Li-Ion for simple home DIY projects.
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Drill Bits
A drill bit is the pointed part of the drill that rotates and penetrates through wood, metal, and other materials. Itâs often made of carbon steel, solid carbide, cobalt steel, and high-speed steel.
Drill bits often come in different types and classifications, such as twist drills, countersink, flat-bottom, and specialty drills. A detailed description of them is as follows:
- Twist Drills â These are the most common drill bits usually used in all materials. However, twist drills can be confusing because of their sizes and tip styles, such as fishtail points, V-points, conventional points, etc.
- Countersink Drills â These are drill bits you need when creating a V-shaped hole (countersink) for your countersunk screws.
- Flat-Bottom Drills â These drill bits create a hole with a flat and even surface at the bottom end. They donât have a pointed head but an even surface for a smooth hole finish.
- Specialty Drills â These drill bits are best used for more complex projects, such as drilling round plugs from lumber wood, drilling glass and tile, drilling concrete materials, and drilling sheet metal and tubing.
Different twist drills are enough for the usual DIY projects, but you may try others as your skills continue to improve.
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Jigsaw Blades
Jigsaw blades are a vital part of a jigsaw, a hand-held electric saw that allows you to cut through the wood in any manner you want.
When you buy a jigsaw blade, you need to consider its shape, whether itâs a T or a U shape. This is to help you prevent wasting your money on blades your jigsaw wouldnât need. Then, check the material itâs made of, such as:
- High-Carbon Steel â This is perfect for cutting wood and plastic due to its softer blades.
- High-Speed Steel â This material is excellent for cutting acrylics and non-ferrous metals.
- Bimetal â This type is ideal for cutting wood, laminates, and metals, and itâs stronger and may last longer than high-carbon and high-speed steel.
- Tungsten-Carbide Steel â This is perfect for cutting through extremely tough objects, such as embedded nails, glass and tiles, concrete boards, and bricks.
If you want to save money, make sure to purchase the type of jigsaw blade youâll probably use in most cases. For home DIY projects, high-carbon steel blades would be enough. If you want to be more flexible, you may use bimetal steel blades instead.
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Circular Saw Blades
Youâll need circular saw blades if youâre using a circular saw. These blades are a must-have for woodworking and let you cut thicker wood in seconds. In addition, circular saw blades often come in three different types.
- Ripping saw blades achieve a clean, safe, and smooth cut when ripping wood as long as youâre cutting along the direction of the wood grain.
- Crosscut saw blades cut wood in a cross-cutting manner. These blades have kerfed teeth or teeth that lean left and right alternately.
- Combination saw blades rip and crosscut wood at the same time. With these blades, you wonât have to switch from rip to crosscut or vice versa when working on your DIY projects.
Circular saws are one of the most dangerous power tools you can use. So, ensure you take extra precautions when using it to avoid putting your life at risk.
Final Words
Power tools are crucial for home DIY projects, especially for people who donât have enough experience using manual carpentry tools.
When using them, itâs critical to note the accessories youâre using. Ensure to choose the right parts depending on the task, or you wonât achieve the result youâve been wanting.
Furthermore, note that using power tools has potential risks and dangers. Hence, ensure you use the right gear, such as construction gloves and a vest, before starting your DIY projects.
Thank you for reading!