Some Power Tool Safety Precautions
As professionals and DIY enthusiast, power tools have become part of our lives. They are obviously favoured due to the time saving factor both in terms of speed and physical effort required. However, these tools need to be treated with respect and handled with care in order to avoid unnecessary injury. Accidents mostly occur as a result of negligence or distraction and often due to overconfidence. Power tool safety is very easy to neglect and In order to safeguard ourselves against any mishaps, we need to consider the following safety aspects:
1. Personal Safety Protection
- Safety Glasses – Basic ones are relatively cheap to buy. They are very effective in protecting the eyes against dust, grass cuttings, wood shavings and splinters, fibreglass shards, metal filings, etc.
- Earmuffs/Plugs – Some power tools generate excessive levels of noise, especially in enclosed environments.
- Mask – Dust can cause more harm than what we might like to believe.
- Gloves – Although they can become a bit of an annoyance when handling small objects, gloves can prevent a lot of damage to the hands depending on the nature of the material worked on.
2. Dress
- Avoid wearing loosely fitting clothing and jewellery as these can be caught in rotating tools.
- Long hair should be tied back
- Ideally clothing should cover the whole body
- Wear solid shoes
3. Tool Knowledge
- Make sure that you study the manufacturer’s instructions in detail before commencing.
- For more advanced tools, some training may be advisable.
- It is important to be sufficiently knowledgeable in order to select the appropriate tool for the job.
- Do not carry corded power tools by their cords.
- When powering off a tool, wait for the moving parts to come to rest before laying the tool down.
4. Tool Inspection
- Check for cuts in cords and replace where necessary.
- Check for faulty parts like safety guards.
- Check for loose or dull blades.
- Check for defects or cracks in the tool housing.
- C heck for problems with safety shut-off switches
5. Tool Maintenance
- Always keep tools clean.
- Only lubricate tools according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Work Environment
- Avoid working in a wet environment.
- Keep cords out of traffic areas.
- Ensure sufficient lighting in dark areas.
- Disconnect unused tools at the power source.
- Always clean the work area thoroughly after use.
- Store power tools away and out of reach of minors when not in use.
Please fee free to leave your comments below.
Filed under PowerTools by on Jan 21st, 2012. Comment. 
Where to find quality cheap power tools for sale
Brand Names
Buying cheap power tools does not necessarily mean that one has to sacrifice durability. Firstly, one needs to get familiar with just some of the more popular brand names globally available, such as (listed in alphabetical order):
Black & Decker
Bosch
Craftsman
Delta
Dewalt
Fein
Hitachi
Makita
Milwaukee
Panasonic
Ridgid
Rockwell
Skil
Each brand covers a variety of power tools. Prices vary significantly from brand to brand and do not necessarily reflect quality, reliability and backup service.
Comparisons
Comparing prices against specifications across the different brand names can be time consuming and frustrating, especially if you’re considering visiting all the suppliers in your neighbourhood. There are a number of websites that do extensive brand pricing comparisons. However, you will find that often the information is dated and availability is highly regionalised.
Places to find products
If time is not a factor, there are various places to look for cheap power tools such as:
- Local “garage sales”
- Refurbishing shops
- Classified ads for 2nd hand products
- Your local pawnshops
- Popular websites (as mentioned above)
New or Used?
If you are in the market for cheap power tools, you could potentially save yourself a lot of money and aggravation by investigating what’s available at Amazon.com. Here you have a choice between new and used products and it is possible to save up to 50% on any particular product. It’s worth giving a try!
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Filed under PowerTools by on Jan 5th, 2012. 2 Comments.
Learn More About Ryobi Angle Grinders
I am not entirely sold on Ryobi power tools – I own a relatively new Ryobi edge trimmer, which is a complete abortion. However, I also own one of the HG-910 4 ½” Ryobi angle grinders. This product has proven to be reliable and very easy to use. The size and weight combination lends itself to one hand operation, which suits my requirements – I use it a lot on smallish recycled aluminium projects.
One tends to think that angle grinders are only good for grinding metal. But cutting tile, mortar, and pavers becomes an easy task when using a diamond wheel. Wire brush attachments make quick work of rust and loose paint removal.
The ability to handle different wheels and accessories is what makes angle grinders so versatile. Your angle grinder typically includes a spindle washer and a spindle nut that take care of the various accessories.
What is an Angle Grinder?
An angle grinder is essentially a heavy-duty piece of spinning sandpaper that is powerful enough to cut through steel, concrete and many other hard surfaces. The grinder is powered by an electric, compressed air or gasoline-powered motor. It drives a high-powered right angle geared head that holds an abrasive disc. The disc is changeable and can be made of various materials depending on the application. Although the angle grinder has a detachable side handle, which requires both hands to operate, the smaller units can be operated with one hand.
Discs
Discs come in many different materials, grits and degrees of hardness and each one is suited to a particular application. Some of them require lubrication with water for safe use. There are abrasive grinding discs, sanding discs, wire brush wheels, polishing pads and diamond blade cut off discs. Diamond discs are typically used for tile, mortar and pavers. Wire brushes are used for taking off flaking paint and rust. Abrasive cutting wheels are used for grinding or cutting steel.
Buying an Angle Grinder?
Elements to consider when purchasing Ryobi angle grinders would include the size of the disc (4” to 7”), the power source and the power output from the motor. For the home user, the 4 ½” is generally the best choice.
Usage Tip:
Use your grinder on small jobs first to get a feel for it. Use the proper safety equipment. Angle grinders can be really dangerous if not used properly and without the necessary safety precautions. Wheels can shred during operation or they could bind and cause the tool to jerk violently. It is advisable to wear good quality gloves, safety goggles and proper shoes while operating your grinder.
Feel free to leave a comment on your experiences with angle grinders.
Filed under PowerTools by on Jan 3rd, 2012. 32 Comments.
Share Your Power Tools Knowledge
The title of this blog implies that it offers power tools for sale. That is absolutely true and I earn commission on sales via this site. However, selling is not the primary objective of this blog. As a power tools enthusiast you may have noticed that there is very little out there on the web in terms of sharing of information amongst the power tools fraternity.
Most power tool related blogs and forums are poorly visited and most of the comments, if any, are spammy. Apart from the information that I offer through my research and experience, I would like to see your input in terms of your experiences. The information presented here is largely aimed at the DIY enthusiast.
With sufficient input and sharing of tips and ideas, I am sure we can create an environment that can become the first choice when it comes to finding solutions for specific project challenges.
This blog does not live in isolation as I make it my business to visit and explore as many relevant sites as possible. That means that, ultimately, you could save yourself a lot of navigation, as a lot of information would be summarized on this site. Any “borrowed” information would be recognized appropriately.
In order to add momentum to this blog, please leave your comment below. Only through your participation can this blog become a source of valuable information.
Filed under PowerTools by on Dec 30th, 2011. 1 Comment.
Looking Back at the History of Bosch Drills
Robert Bosch, at the age of 25, founded the “Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik” (Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering) in Stuttgart in November 1886. The workshop evolved into what later became known as Robert Bosch GmbH.
One of the new business fields explored by Bosch was power tools. In 1928, the Bosch subsidiary, Eisemann, started marketing a hair-cutting device called Forfex that had a tiny electric motor located in its handle. This device was the forerunner of all the compact electric Bosch drills and screwdrivers that we know today. Bosch engineers soon realized that they could employ the same basic design to create hand-held power tools that were desperately needed for the manufacture of diesel injection pumps at the time. The first of these tools were ready by 1930 and proved to be so successful that Bosch decided to launch the design onto the market in 1932 as the “hand-held motor”.
At the same time, Bosch engineers were working on the development of heavy-duty power tools for use on construction sites. As a result of their effort, the Bosch hammer drill, was launched at almost the same time as the smaller power tools and was marketed as a replacement for the construction tools used for manual chiseling and drilling work. Initially, Bosch aimed these tools strictly at the professional market, but during the 1950’s the company realized that there was an opportunity to develop tools for use in the home.
With strong brands such as Bosch, Hawera, Skil, Dremel and RotoZip, Bosch today manufactures power tools for the building trade as well as for the DIY (do-it-yourself) fraternity. The product range also includes accessories such as drill bits and saw blades, which are marketed under the Vermont American brand. Gardening appliances are marketed under the Gilmour brand.
Although, today, a significant portion of the manufacturing process has been outsourced to China to take advantage of the cheaper labour, I believe that one can still rest assure that the quality of the Bosch drills is controlled by Germany.
Quick Tip:
When operating a corded drill, use a length of thin gauge wire to attach the chuck key to the cord, about a metre away from the drill. Just gently tightening it with a pair of pliers so it does not slide down the cord, will ensure that it is always within reach.
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Filed under Drills by on Dec 26th, 2011. Comment.
