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Everything You Need To Know About Car Power Tool

What Is Power Tool?

Curious to know about the power tools? Power tools are gadgets or machines which are designed in a way that they rely on additional sources of energy for their power other than the human body. The different sources of this energy are electric motors, internal combustion engines, compressed air (better known as pneumatic) or gasoline, though gasoline is extremely rare and mostly only found in lawn and garden mechanics).

Types Of Power Tool

Listed here are a few types of power tools easily available:

 

  1. Air Compressor - The air compressor is used to convert power into energy that is stored as pressurized air. The device is employed to store the compressed air as energy in tank until it reaches its capacity. According to the model, the capacity and the pressure vary, and are available in both stationary or portable options.
  2. Angle Grinder - Angle grinders are known as side grinders or disc grinders. You can use it with your hands to grind, cut (even steel, tile and mortar) and polish a number of objects and materials. They are powered by compressed air, an electric motor or petrol engine. It has a geared head at the right-angle that is positioned on a disc with s side handle and an adjustable guard, that helps in getting into the tiniest places. They have both cordless and corded options.
  3. Bandsaw - A bandsaw operates with a consistency of a steel band with a long, sharp and jagged edged (toothed) blade. The blade runs over wheels are is mostly used in woodworking, metalworking and lumbering. It is advantageous for an even distribution of cutting and overall control of the user as they hold the piece of wood and can move it against the stationary, long blade as well. You can buy it as stationary tools, however, there are some portable band saws available too. The band saws are used to dealing with wood, such as for resawing (splitting wood in half like a sub sandwich), resetting the edges and faces of boards, producing veneer, bent lamination, processing of small logs, or cutting anything that’s wooden.
  4. Belt Sander - Belt sanders are larger than most sanders available. They are powered by an electric motor that turns a pair of cylinders with a loop of sandpaper continuously. They're pretty rash when it comes to usage and are only helpful for beginning with the procedure. They come in both stationary and portable options. The usage of these belts’ sanders varies starting from shaping and finishing the wood to trimming a scribed line. They easily sand super rough surfaces, level surfaces, shaping and rounding.
  5. Biscuit Joiner - Also, known as plate joiners, they are used in woodworking in order to join two pieces of wood together (plates). They make use of a circular saw blade that is smaller in size, this helps in cutting small holes (crescent-shaped) in the opposite sides of the two pieces of wood that are being joined. It can be used for joining two pieces of wood together (can be used with plywood, medium density fiberboard and particle board or solid wood). In addition to this, you can also use to change mortise and tenon joints.
  6. Chainsaw - Chainsaws are mechanical saws that have rotating teeth attached to a chain and it rotates on a guide bar. You’ll notice that the saw blades are built into a chain, wrapped around the long guide bar (mostly metal), and an engine that powers it all. They require regular maintenance and are portable too. They are helpful in cutting through large and thicker materials and the specially designed ones easily cut through concrete, brick and natural stones as well.
  7. Chop Saw - A chop saw is also known as a cut off saw. They have a blade that is always perpendicular to the bench top table and sticks to strictly 90-degree cuts. While the miter saws offer a swivel to cut in through different angles as opposed to just 90 degrees. These chop saws are a stationary saw that cuts in a downward motion. You can use it for building or at production sites and shops. They are highly recommended for home creations.
  8. Circular Saw - These are the most common types of power tools and consists of an abrasive\toothed blade or disc to cut usually in a round (rotary) motion. Generally, they have a frame that surrounds the top and sides of the saw itself for protection, leaving the bottom that helps in cutting. They are ideal for straight cuts along the board’s length and they can also be set to make bevel cuts with models that have both depth adjustments and bevel adjustments. You can avail both the corded or cordless options. They can be used to cut wood, plastic, metal or masonry. You’ll find them in either stationary mounted machines or hand-held and portable forms. It can be used for straight rips and cuts with a good speed and precision.
  9. Disc Sander - A disc sander has a replaceable sandpaper that is circular shaped and is attached to a wheel powered by an electric motor (or in rare cases, compressed air). Place the wood (various soft materials, metals and plastics can be used too.) on the bench and adjust it in any angle as per your needs. As they are stationary machines, your sander spins in place while you control the intended piece of material and control the sanding using your hands. This is good for usage on rounding edges, straightening surfaces and more. Various hand-held, portable disc sanders work in the opposite way, as they will allow you to control the entire machine over the material. Although rare, they are extremely efficient when it comes to smoothing surfaces by abrasion or eliminating waste materials.
  10. Drills - Drills come with a cutting or driving tool attachment (a drill or driver bit), that functions with an electric motor and spins the attachment at a rapid pace for efficient drills and drives. The attachment is fastened using a chuck and pressed against the target, using a trigger. You can either use them with or without the cord. They can be used for shelving, wood and metal working, construction and a number of household tasks.
  11. Hammer Drill -. Also known as roto-drills, rotary hammers, or hammering drills, this tool is used for workflow a rapid hammering thrust to destroy materials that are fragile. They are the best for fast and efficient drilling. They are widely used through hands for tasks that need more power, efficiency and speed.
  12. Heat Gun - Heat guns are used with hands and are powered by electrical devices that release hot air (around 100 degrees Celsius to 550 degrees Celsius) for specific targets. Heat is created using an electronic element that is built into the gun itself (a few have gas flames, that is rare though) combined with a mechanism to move the air (fan), and a nozzle to direct this stream of hot air according to the requirement. They can be used for stripping paint, shrink materials such as tubing and film, dry wood, bend plastic, thaw pipes that are frozen, bending plastic and a number of household tasks too.
  13. Impact Driver - The impact drivers give a strong and sudden force that is both downward and rotational and are made of an outer sleeve that is heavy and is surrounded with splined inner core that is curved. This helps in creating downward force. You can use it for loosening screws and nuts. They give in and out motions and are used only in specific applications along with a simultaneous spin.
  14. Impact Wrench - Also known as the air wrenches, air guns, torque guns, impactors, they act like a powered socket wrench. The impact wrenches give a very high amount of torque with low exertion as the energy is stored in a rotating mass and then delivered as per needs. They are generally powered by compressed air, but there are a number of electric and hydraulic models too. You have cordless and hand-held electric models available. You can use it for small tasks like tightening the lug nut, turning the bolts etc.
  15. Jointer - The jointer helps in making smooth, flat finishes on surfaces along the edges of wood. It cuts wood into required thickness with even and parallel surfaces. You can use it if you have edges of wood that are uneven, wood that needs to be flattened, and other wood imperfections like twisting. On the contrary, planers are better for parallel surfaces on either side of the wood (think doors, frames and tables).
  16. Jigsaw - It is also known as a bayonet saw or even sabre saw at times. It helps in cutting shapes in a wide range of materials and for cutting curves to add some shaping and cutting. Note that they are handheld power tools that work with an electric motor paired up to a reciprocating saw blade and can be controlled upto 45 degrees. The uses include cutting imperfections on materials like wood or metal, making bevel cuts. Ones, with even blades can be used for a number of softer materials too.
  17. Lathe - The lathe is used for shaping materials such as wood, metal or other common material found in shops or at home. It shapes using a rotational drive. The working depends on the symmetry of the objects on a rotational axis. You can use it for cutting, drilling, sanding, facing, turning, knurling, and a number of tricky designs too.
  18. Miter Saw - This helps in making cuts at quite a few different angles and are known as compound miter saws. Miter saws have a blade mounted to a swing arm that is pivoted either right or left in order to create cuts that are angled. There are a few different types include, compound miter saws, dual compound miter saws, and sliding compound miter saws. They have different tilting capabilities. You can use it for crown molding, door frames, window casings, cutting trim, and picture frames.
  19. Nail Gun - Nail guns are used to drive nails into wood or any material. It is driven by compressed air (also known as pneumatic) or electricity, or flammable gases (rare). You can find a guide attached to the end for protection and help with lining up the nails. You can use it for carpentry, roofing, flooring, finishing and they are cheaper options too.
  20. Orbital Sander -The orbital sander has a sanding surface that vibrates in a closed orbital design and are driven by an electric motor at a high-speed. The sanding disk spins at the same time moving in small ellipses and are advantageous for getting into corners and against edges. The uses include light sanding, preparing a surface for sealing, painting or refinishing wood.
  21. Oscillating Tool - The oscillating tools are known as multi-tools. It is a handheld tool with a number of interchangeable attachments. They rapidly rotate back and forth that helps in creating friction that can be directed onto objects or materials. It can be used for sawing, sanding, scraping, cutting, polishing, grinding, and more. Various brands offer accessory packages with 100+ attachments too.
  22. Planer - Planers help in creating parallel pieces of wood for a number of projects and can be used on board of woods that are already jointed flat into equal end-to-end thickness. It is apt for users who require accuracy can be used for carpentry, such as tables, chairs, doors, window frames, or jobs that require parallel pieces of wood on opposite sides or next to each other.
  23. Power Screwdriver - A power screwdriver gives the capability of driving a screw in a quick and efficient manner. They work slowly and have more torque that gives extra power. The uses vary according to requirements. They are less versatile because of fewer attachments but they help in accessing hard places and corners.
  24. Radial Arm Saw - A radial arm saw is a device used for cutting and is made up of circular saw mounted on to a horizontal arm that can slide easily. They help in making some rip cuts, dado, half lap joints or rabbet and are preferred by workers who need to cut long pieces of stock to length. You can use them for shaping, sanding accessories or chucks.
  25. Reciprocating Saw - They use a push-and-pull method to cut with a blade and are known as sawzalls, recip saws, or hognoses. A number of them have variable speeds that gives versatility and control over what you’re cutting. Mostly they are used for demolitions and construction works along with repairing and remodelling. You can also add a number of variants and accessories (clamps, longer blades, etc.) for customizations.
  26. Rotary Tool - Rotary tools have a lot of attachments (just like multi-tools), as a number of brands even offer packages of up to 100+ accessories at a time. They are handheld power tools with rotary tips that spin at a high rate. They are small with an easy storage and can be used for sanding, carving bevels, buffing, polishing, etching, shining metal surfaces and more.
  27. Router - A router helps in hollowing a groove or hole of a hard material (plastic or wood) or can be used for plunging. It has a spindle and are driven by an electric motor and a hand plane with a broad base. They are available in different sizes can be used for trimming, cutting, shaping (even with metal or laminates). Apart from the standard grooves or holes, finished edges, curved contours, re-created patterns, recess of door hinges, cutaways, carve out clean rabbets can also be performed.
  28. Scroll Saw - The scroll saw offers a large range for cutting capabilities, and is preferred for fine and intricate cuts, such as hobbies or crafts. They are pedal-operated tools have a fineness blade that cuts delicately. You can notice a plate that rests on wood, and a finely-toothed blade present inside of an arm that is vertical. This allows positioning as per needs. You can use it for cutting decorative patterns or spiral lines. Apart from this, it is used to cut dovetail joints or intarsia projects.
  29. Shop vacuum - Shop vacuums have the advantage of power motors with comparatively larger noses, and more space for storing dirt, chunks and any kind of junk because of the bigger canister. Different models offer different sizes in canisters and power motors, but the overall experience of using these vacuums is better than the home cleaners which we are accustomed to using. The shop vacuums are also more convenient as they do not have any belts or rotating brushes attached, unlike the home vacuums, which tangle with random other stuff during cleaning.
  30. Table Saw - Table saws are great for extreme cuts, cross cuts, and overall power when it comes to sewing materials. It has a circular saw located underneath a bench or table with blades and is driven by electric motors (some with a belt, gears or even directly). You can adjust it according to your needs and use it vertically or horizontally, especially for making deeper cuts. The benchtop table saws are portable, while contractor table saws are larger ones with wheels. You can use it for a number of tasks like rabbetting, cutting and sawing etc.
  31. Wall Chaser - Wall chasers help in cutting narrow grooves in walls and are powered by an electric-motor that further powers up a pair of discs that are abrasive and positioned together closely (like those in an angle grinder). You can use it with your hands and it helps in accessing difficult places. You can use them for laying electrical table, installing pipes into property, cutting grooves, cutting channels into masonry walls, and a lot more.

Hand Tools Vs Power Tools

Hand tools require manual labour while the power tools have a source of power that enables them to operate automatically. They are powered by batteries, air compressors or electricity. The motors in power tools allow them to function efficiently as compared to the hand tools. The designs vary as the hand tools are simply designed.

Important Features Of Power Tools

Here we have listed a few important features of power tools:

 

  • Power tools are incredibly time-saving and with their use even the most time-consuming tasks can be handled efficiently and in relatively less time, as they help the work to be done at a high speed.
  • Power tools are much more efficient as compared to hand tools and the other tools and offer many advantages which are not available with ordinary tools. Power tools can also be used in tasks which otherwise cannot be done with the help of hand tools.
  • The time-saving feature of power tools helps the workers to give more time to the quality of their work rather than only wasting that time in labor tasks. This feature has earned power tools a great deal of popularity with all kinds of workers and their availability has been made on online stores dealing with tools and other mechanical equipment.
  • Power tools are also the preferred tools to be used for repair or construction tasks as they do not disturb any previous work done or cause any disruptions because of their high efficiency.

Purpose Of Power Tools

Here we have listed about the functions of the power tools:

 

Tools have been the greatest discovery for mankind to date. The early man made his work easier with tools made up of stones and sticks progressing to metals and the gradual evolution of tools into the kind which are used by us today, make all the industrial works many more efficient than it would have been otherwise. Power tools rely on electrical power for their source of energy and the only human effort required is the effort of guiding and operating the tools for the required tasks. All the laborious tasks are then handled by these tools. These implements make every job many times more efficient. To find out which power tools are most convenient for the required tasks, read through the following benefits of these tools as well as the difference between corded and cordless tools. Power tools cut down all the manual labour that is required when using a hand tool and it is also faster as all the labour is mechanized.

 

A lot of time is saved with power tools which gives them a huge step up to be used as industrial equipment. The manufacturing period is cut drastically short and the products reach the market in good time. Power tools achieve tasks which are beyond what hand tools can do. Along with efficiency, power tools allow great power. One of the examples of this is that it is nearly impossible to drive a hole in concrete using hand tools but with power tools the task becomes easier and the task becomes relatively much easier and the concrete can be drilled through like wood with the appropriate power tools. The power tools, however, are somewhat complex in their operation and one requires considerable amount of training and practice before they learn to operate the tools well.

 

The two major different types of power tools are corded and cordless power tools. The corded power tools have the advantage of continuous work without having to fret about batteries but at the same time they are not convenient while working at remote locations or where there are lesser number of power outlets. Cordless power tools have the benefit of being used anytime and in any location as long as batteries are provided. The choice depends solely on the type of locations where the work has to be done. Cordless ones would be a better choice in areas where there is no electricity and corded ones can be preferred where heavy work has to be done and power outlets are available.

Frequent Problems With Power Tools

The issues with power tools can be determined with thorough inspection and keeping in mind the proper procedure for inspection. Here are five signs to look out for and the proper way to examine your tools for repair:

 

It should always be kept in mind that none of these tools should be inspected while connected to their power source, as it could be dangerous.

 

  1. Trouble with starting up - If there is any kind of trouble in starting up the tool, it may be due to some other electrical problems, for example, a short or even part malfunction. The first step is to inspect the power switch and the assembly to ensure that no water or heat damage has been caused or led to issues in the starting up of the tool. It is suggested to use a multimeter to test whether power is moving through the cord, switch and other parts of the tool, by assessing the voltage on your tool. The next place that should be inspected are the brush channels. Dirt and accumulation of other such contaminants However, with some careful examination, you can diagnose the cause of the issue and determine the next course of action. Check out these five red flags and how to properly inspect your tools for repair. Remember, always make sure your power tool is disconnected from the power source before your try to diagnose any potential problems.
  2. Weak Power - Your tool may start but with low power levels that you’d feel better without a manual screwdriver, or handsaw, or bicycle pump. This happens usually because they are old and damaged carbon brushes that need a replacement. The carbon brushes serve the task of transferring the electrical current from the power source to the tool’s motor. So, if you notice your tool not being able to work, then in that case, take this an indication of a quick replacement. Check your carbon brushes for any signs of damage. Also, if there isn’t a problem with them, then check the tool’s commutator or rest of the assembly. Buildup, fading and melted insulation are often signing of an underlying issue.
  3. Burning Odour - Damaged motors have a very strong burning smell. You might see things working but with a bad odour. So, take this as a sign of an underlying issue in some or the other power tools. Check the drive belt (like a sander or a planer) if your vehicle has it. If in case, the drive belt is broken, then you’ll smell a tell-tale burning smell, although your motor will work. Check the capacitors in case of power saws. Also, at times, overheating also becomes an issue as motors tend to generate a lot of heat when they run for too long or too hard. We advise you to immediately turn off any power tool that emits a burning smell and let it rest for about 30 mins even before diagnosing the issue.
  4. You are likely to hear high-pitched screeching noise - Power tools when used, tend to create a loud noise that sometimes becomes unbearable. If your tool makes such noises, ensure that it is lubricated. Then refer to the manufacturer’s manual for maintaining your tool. Also, another tip for a screeching tool is to check the gears immediately as if your tool has a forward and reverse control, there are chances of your gear switch being stuck between the gears. More it back and forth and try running the drill again.
  5. Sparks and Smoke - If your power tools emit smoke or sparks, you should turn them off quickly. Then set them aside to allow it to cool down even before attempting to diagnose. Once cooled down, check for any dirt and debris (mainly sawdust) present in the tool. In case, your tool is free of burning debris, then you should take apart the tool’ casing and check for any damage.

Top Brands For Power Tools

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Power Tools:


Milwaukee Power Tools (electric & Cordless)

Hitachi Power Tools (electric & Cordless)

Ingersoll Rand Power Tools (electric & Cordless)

Acdelco Power Tools (electric & Cordless)

Dewalt Power Tools (electric & Cordless)

ATD Power Tools (electric & Cordless)

Related Parts Of Power Tools

There might be a big-picture overview of Power Tools in your mind, and now it’s time to look at its related components.


Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort For Power Tools

More than any other kind of failure in a car, there's almost nothing that's quite as heartbreaking as a completely damaged Power Tools. Now when we talk about the replacement cost, it might vary a lot even on the same car depending upon its performance, labor cost, brand etc.

 

  1. $50 and under - Within this price estimation it can be challenging to find power tools with enough power for automotive work, although a number of experienced drivers that scrape the top of this range can get the job done. Note that almost all the options, tend to be suitable more for general DIY use around the home instead of the garage.
  2. $50-$100 - Within this price range, there are numerous drill options for automotive work. Almost all the power tools are just the tools itself and lack major accessories or even a battery.
  3. $100 and above - Within this high range, you can avail the most powerful tools capable of handling most automotive tasks. Also, they come in complete kits that include all of the accessories and batteries that are extremely important.
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John Framigllia
Technical Writer
Our technical writer is known for simplifying automotive parts and services. Intuitive with various vehicles and manufacturers, he knows how to simplify complicated problems.