Whether you are a woodworker, builder, laborer, carpenter, or any other kind of tradesperson, you likely have a truck, garage, or shed full of your work tools. We accumulate many over the length of a career. There’s a tool for everything these days and many jobs simply cannot be done without them.
There are often multiple tools that you think may suit a particular job, as well as multiple varieties of the same tool, so how do you know which to use? Often it’s a mix of trial and error, experience, and prior knowledge. But, if you’re just not sure, check out this handy guide for tips on easily choosing the ideal tools for your work.
Types of Tools
What do we mean when we are talking about tools? Well, quite literally anything that you may use to assist you in the job. We’re talking everything from the simple hammer and drill, all the way up to high-velocity power tools and machinery. Your job will dictate the types of tools you use, whether powered or manual, big or small, heavy or light. What we’re saying is, this guide relates to them all, so whether you’re looking for a small saw or a pneumatic drill, we got you covered.
Read Reviews
Obviously, one of the first things you should do is shortlist different tools. Then, as advised by Jamie, a handyman and tool reviewer from www.toolpickr.com, read reviews. “Unbiased reviews – as in those not written by paid bloggers or company executives – are the best way to rate tools you’ve never used before.” He’s right, of course. Genuine, honest, unbiased reviews are by far the best way to tell whether a product is even worth trying in the first place. But, how do you know when a review is fair and honest? For starters, they’ll not be hosted on the company’s website or store. Ignore those reviews and look to review sites that are in no way affiliated with the brand. Group review sites can work, too, but beware, many bigger companies pay for fake reviews on them, too.
Ask Colleagues
For even more genuine reviews, ask your colleagues. Your colleagues likely have similar experience and knowledge to yourself, but they may have used different tools along the way. If you ask a colleague or friend you trust, you’ll get an honest answer about whether the tool is the right one for you or not. The added bonus here is that they know how you like to work. This means they’ll not only tell you whether the tool itself is good, but they’ll also be able to tell whether they think it’s the right tool for you.
Know the Job
Of course, you need to make sure that the tool you are using matches your skillset and the job you are doing. If you are unsure, again, ask. There’s nothing more embarrassing and potentially dangerous than having completely the wrong set of tools for a job. No one wants to try cutting brick with a wood saw! The dangers involved are great, too, so make sure you understand what the tool is and how exactly it matches up to the task at hand.
Try Before You Buy
Many tool companies and outlets now allow for the short-term hiring of tools. This can be for hours, days, or even weeks in some cases. This way, you can use the tool for its intended purpose and see if it works well for you. Then, if you think it has got the potential to become part of your everyday arsenal of gear, you can consider purchasing one for yourself. This is a very low-risk method of trying new equipment, so we recommend it wherever possible.
Go for Brands You Trust
There are a few big hitters in the tool manufacturing game, many brands we all know and trust. Sometimes, it can be tempting to pick up a cheaper version of a tool instead of buying a branded item. We get it, the appeal is there, it is far cheaper. But, the reason these big brands dominate most of the market is that they’re so darn reliable! Stick to brands you know and trust instead of going cheap and risking poor craftsmanship and bad results. These simple tips will help you find exactly the right tools, at the right time, for the right job. It really is that simple. Make sure you know exactly what job you need to complete, do a little research, and then hire – and eventually buy – yourself a new tool.
