Ranked best-of lists for power tools, curated so you can buy in minutes
Ranked best-of lists for power tools, curated so you can buy in minutes
Choosing a cordless planer for door work A cordless planer is useful when a door needs a small, controlled reduction at an edge and you don’t want to trail a cord through a hallway. It is not the best tool for every sticking door: first find where the door rubs, check the hinges and frame, […]
A cordless random-orbit sander is useful for finish work when the cord would snag a workpiece, a ladder, or a freshly painted surface. The buying decision is less about headline speed than balance, dust collection, pad size, and whether the tool fits batteries you already own. For furniture and trim, a comfortable 5-inch sander with […]
A cordless belt sander makes sense when the work is away from an outlet: fitting a door on site, easing a timber edge, or removing a rough patch before assembly. It is a poor substitute for a stationary sander on large panels, and it can remove material faster than a small job allows. Choose by […]
Drilling concrete overhead puts more demand on a rotary hammer than drilling a few holes into a wall. The tool’s weight hangs from your arms, dust falls toward your face, and a dull bit or awkward stance can turn a straightforward anchor job into a tiring one. For most overhead work, a compact SDS-plus rotary […]
What a 6.5-inch saw can do for framing A cordless circular saw with a 6.5-inch blade is lighter and easier to handle than a typical 7.25-inch framing saw, but it gives up cutting depth. That trade-off matters more than the battery brand. Most 6.5-inch models cut about 2-1/8 inches deep at 90 degrees, enough for […]
A cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer is useful when a regular drill starts to struggle with brick, block, or concrete. For light masonry work—hanging shelves, fitting wall plugs, or drilling holes for small anchors—the main choice is not maximum power. It is whether the tool is light enough to handle comfortably, has enough impact energy for […]
Choosing a cordless die grinder A cordless die grinder is useful when a rotary tool needs more power or reach than a small hobby tool provides. It can clean welds, remove burrs, blend edges and reach inside a casting without dragging an air hose around. It is not a miniature angle grinder: most models use […]
When a cordless track saw makes sense A track saw is useful when you need clean, straight cuts in plywood, MDF, or other sheet goods without wrestling a full sheet across a table saw. The blade travels along a guided track, so you can break down a 4-by-8-foot panel on the floor or a pair […]
What matters for fine curves in hardwood A cordless jigsaw can cut smooth curves in hardwood, but the saw is only part of the equation. Blade choice, a steady feed and keeping the blade square to the work matter more than a long list of features. For tight curves, a narrow scrolling blade turns more […]
Choosing a cordless grinder for metal on site A cordless angle grinder earns its place when you need to cut steel away from an outlet: trimming bolts, cutting threaded rod, shortening angle iron, or making a few cuts in sheet and tube. For occasional work, a compact 4½-inch grinder is usually the sensible buy. For […]
