Portable Power Tool Guide

Power tools are described as a tool powered by an electric motor. Although most of the tools on this site meet this description, this page is focused on portable power tools. These are tools that can handle the same jobs as hand tools with more efficiency and are easier to handle, store, and transport than stationary power tools such as the table saw, band saw, drill press, etc.

This page is meant to give a brief description of variety of portable power tools. To get more information of a certain tools just click the links next the one that interests you.

Routers

A router is simply a motor attached to a spindle that holds a cutter or router bit in its collet. The router, along with an almost endless range of cutters, jigs, and set ups, can be used in a variety of different ways. When used as a portable power tool, it uses its base and either a jig or cutter as a guide. It can also be made into a stationary tool if you choose to mount it to a router table.

There are two main types of routers. They are the fixed base and the plunge router. Although both have there advantages and disadvantages the difference between the two are as the name implies. The fixed base router’s depth cannot be adjust while you’re running it, the plunge router can.

Another type of router that is usually not included in other’s descriptions is the palm router also known as the laminate trimmer. It is a smaller version of a regular fixed base router. It comes in handy when you are using smaller router bits on jobs that don’t require a lot of horsepower.

If you look in a woodworking catalogue, you will find a number of different router bits available. Depending on the bit you’re using the router is capable of joinery work, molding, duplicating templates, drilling holes, and hundreds of other functions.

Circular Saw

The handheld circular saw consists of a motor that drives a (you guessed it) circular blade. It can be used either with the right or left hand depending on side the handle is located on.

When used for carpentry work, it is a great tool that can make reasonably straight cuts through wood faster than any hand powered saw. If you need a lot of accuracy in your cuts however, you should use a table saw or band saw. When the work piece is too large to handle on a stationary saw, the circular saw can be used to cut your piece down to a more manageable size.

Jigsaw

The motor on this saw is used to drive a small, sword like blade in a reciprocating motion.

Unlike the circular saw, that is used to mainly make straight cuts, the jigsaw along with the right type of blade can easily make curved cuts. This makes this saw handy when a piece you’re working on is too large to handle on a band saw. It can also be helpful when making interior cuts in tight spaces that would otherwise be difficult with a hand saw.

Drills

A motor drives a chuck that holds your drill bit. Most power drills are variable speed that is changed simply by the amount of pressure you put on the trigger. A screw driver tip can also be used in place of a drill bit to turn your drill into an electric screwdriver.

Traditional power drills are corded and require some sort of AC power source. Cordless drills are quickly replacing these though. They are more convenient because they come with battery packs that can quickly and easily be recharged. Corded drills generally have more power and are cheaper in price.

Both have there place in most wood shops. My suggestion would be to buy a good, corded drill and save up for a good, industrial grade, cordless drill later. This way when you do get the cordless you can use it for everyday use. When you need to need the extra power to drive a large bit you can break out your corded drill again.

Sanders

The two most popular types of portable hand sanders are the belt sander and the random-orbit sander.

The belt sander uses a motor to drive two drums that spin a loop of sandpaper. It is an aggressive sander and can take a lot of stock off in a short time. I would never recommend it as a finish sander but it will save you a ridiculous amount of time over hand sanding alone.

A random-orbit sander is a sander that became extremely popular in the 90’s. It is similar in appearance of a palm sander but uses a disk shaped piece of sandpaper instead of a square. The paper is attached using either adhesive or “hook and loop” disks, similar to Velcro, depending on the manufacturer. The biggest benefit of a quality random-orbit sander over a palm sander is that orbiting action the motor produces doesn’t leave swirl marks on your piece no matter what direction of grain you use it. This type of sander along with the right grits of paper and can give a fine finish to most of your pieces.

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