4 tools that are necessary to take your contracting job to the next level
One of the many differences between a handyman and a contractor is the quality of the tools they carry and use. Inexpensive tools, good enough for casual projects but woefully inadequate for making a living, can be found stuffed in tool boxes across the country. If you don’t depend on the quality of your work to make a living, you rarely need to depend on the quality of your tools.
https://pixabay.com/en/tools-hammer-workshop-rust-2536159/
Yet, for many of us, settling for lower quality tools means that we are not willing to put our best work into a project. Cutting exact angles with a saw is as important to an amateur project as it is for contractors. Having the right tool for the job, makes it easier and more likely to get right the first time.
1. Hardcore hammer
Of the many different types of hammers, the claw hammer is the most commonly used by both contractors and handymen. Although it is a simple device and has existed in one form or another for thousands of years, a good hammer can be essential for the proper completion of many projects.
According to The Sweet Home website, their top pick for the best hammer is the Estwing E3-16C, a steel-handled claw hammer that has a 16-ounce head. It is a simple, yet heavy-duty, hammer that does everything a hammer should do at a reasonable price. Sweet Home’s reviewer has a lengthy list of qualifications and his review of the hammer lays out in simple English why it is the best.
2. Satisfactory screwdrivers
As common as screwdrivers are on job sites, the sheer range of tasks they can accomplish and the wide variance in prices available means that any review of screwdrivers (or screwdriver sets) should be looked at to get an idea of what you need, not a definitive choice. Business Insider reviewed screwdriver sets and came up with many interesting finds, but what stands out is their choice for budget screwdrivers.
Craftsman screwdrivers, and other Craftsman tools, have long been a staple in American tool use. Made in the USA, a lifetime warranty and easily found at many different stores and online, Craftsman tools are iconic American tools.
3. Dependable drill
The flexibility of a cordless drill makes it one of the most popular devices in the contractor’s tool box. Advances in battery life and power have made them nearly as powerful as corded drills but a lot easier to carry with you and use as needed. Quality dewalt drills also can also come in very handy!
When Popular Mechanics reviewed 10 cordless drills, they found the Makita XPH102 cordless drill to be the best of the bunch. Powerful, yet ergonomically designed, the XPH102 is a comfortable drill with a long-lasting battery for a decent price.
4. Superlative saw
With more choices than hammers, saws are one of the most common power tools on the market and contractors will have multiple ones for whatever job they are working on. Every saw has a use and there are many different uses. Jigsaws and circular saws are common hand tools, but anyone who is serious about a project needs a table saw. If you want to up your wood cutting game, you may want to invest in a chainsaw mill. They are relatively inexpensive, and will provide you with a means to cut a large amount of lumber.
A review of a table saw contractor by Tool Nerds lays out just what this beast can offer you. Neither the cheapest nor the most expensive model on the market, the Sawstop is a high-quality saw that will meet every need easily and without regard to project size. This not a portable tool. Weighing in at almost 350 pounds, it is a heavy-duty piece of equipment designed for contractors.
Getting your money’s worth
Not everyone is going to need the most expensive tool available, and in most cases, buying something because it is expensive will likely mean disappointment and anger. Research what you need in a tool – everything from the humble hammer to a massive table saw – before buying work within a budget to get the best bargain for what you need.
If you are a contractor, you know the necessity for quality and that is a lesson every home handyman should learn and become comfortable with. The quality of your tools has a lot more to do with the look of your finished project than most people realize.
