Best Of

Securing electrical cable and stretching fabric are two jobs that look similar but demand different staplers. Cable needs controlled penetration and a staple that holds the wire without crushing its insulation. Fabric needs a wide crown, modest driving force, and easy access around corners and frames. One cordless stapler rarely does both jobs well. As […]

For sheathing and stud work, a cordless framing nailer can save a surprising amount of time. There is no compressor hose to drag across the deck, and you can work from a ladder or scaffold without managing an air line. The trade-off is weight, battery consumption, and slower recovery on some models. The right choice […]

For baseboard and door trim, an 18-gauge cordless finish nailer is usually the right tool. It drives slim nails that hold molding securely without leaving the large holes produced by a framing nailer. Cordless models also avoid dragging an air hose through a finished room, but they cost more and are heavier than pneumatic nailers. […]

Choosing a Cordless Band Saw for Threaded Rod and Pipe A cordless band saw is one of the cleanest ways to cut threaded rod, EMT conduit, copper pipe, steel pipe, and strut. It produces fewer sparks than an angle grinder, leaves a more usable thread than a reciprocating saw, and is easier to control overhead […]

What makes a good conduit saw? For electrical conduit, the best cordless saw is usually a portable band saw, not a general-purpose circular saw. A band saw makes a relatively cool cut, throws fewer sparks, and is easier to control around installed cable, ladders, and finished surfaces. It also leaves a narrower kerf, which matters […]

Delicate trim calls for control more than raw power. An 18-gauge cordless brad nailer is usually the right tool for attaching door and window casing, small crown molding, base shoe, panel molding, and lightweight decorative trim. It leaves a smaller hole than a 16-gauge finish nailer, and the thin brads are less likely to split […]

Deburring is a small operation that can consume a surprising amount of shop time. A sharp edge left on a laser-cut bracket, machined part, or welded assembly can damage wiring, cut gloves, or make a finished part fail inspection. A cordless die grinder is useful when parts are spread around the shop, when an air […]

Overhead concrete drilling is harder on a cordless rotary hammer than drilling at waist height. The tool is heavier in your hands, dust falls toward your face, and a long series of holes can drain batteries quickly. The best choice is not simply the hammer with the highest impact rating. For overhead work, weight, vibration […]

Cutting rebar and steel bar is a demanding job for a cordless angle grinder. The work is not difficult because steel is mysterious; it is difficult because abrasive wheels remove a lot of material, generate heat, and load the grinder heavily. A suitable grinder can make dozens of cuts on a battery, while an undersized […]

Large-diameter hole cutting is where an ordinary cordless drill can become unpleasant or unsafe. A 2-inch hole saw, self-feed bit, or spade bit creates much more resistance than a standard twist bit. The drill may twist suddenly, stall hard, overheat, or pull the operator’s wrist off line. A proper side handle gives you a second […]