Choosing Your Work Tools
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

Work shops consist of several tools, depending on common tasks and personal skills. For most homeowners that are creating a workshop, several tools are considered priority tools. It is important to assess your goals and common tasks, and then select the tool that best suits your needs. Keep in mind that it isn't necessary to buy all of your tools at once. It is a better idea to wait for your skills to improve and your projects to grow more complex. This will give you a better idea of what tools to add that will give you the right results.

There are several different categories of workshop tools including power tools, air tools, cordless tools, mechanic tools, and hand tools. If you are a serious “do-it-yourselfer” then your work shop should consist of several priority tools to make it a truly complete workshop. Priority tools generally include a table saw, band saw, radial arm saw, air compressor, compound miter saw, table and belt sander, a planer, lathe, drill press, a good router with accessories, and an assortment of hand tools. Also, priority hand tools include a good set of chisels and a good plane.

When purchasing the tools for your workshop, it is best to make a visit to your local hardware store. On mid-to-high end brands, the place to find the best prices would be a Home Depot or other hardware superstore. Craftsman tools are commonly a good value, and come with solid guarantees. Other good quality brands include Black and Decker, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Companion, and Skil.

In addition, when it comes to workshop tools, proper maintenance is important. You have a serious investment in your tools, and they will last several lifetimes if you take good care of them. Not only should you choose tools of high quality for lasting purposes, but also be sure to follow a few simple steps when it comes to tool maintenance.

• Keep tools dry.
• Clean them regularly.
• Keep them lubricated.
• Keep them sharp.
• Fix pieces that break.
• Sharpen blades when they get dull.
• Make sure to put them back in their proper place.

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