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Cordless Tools

It is true that a good carpenter can perform near miracles with poorly made, poorly maintained tools. But things go so much better when chisels and saw blades are sharp, batteries topped off, and the tool has been well designed for the job at hand. And possibly for that reason, people in the building trades spend a fair amount of time and money on their tools.

And there’s so much to choose from. There are pneumatic, electric, and hand-driven varieties. A carpenter, for example, can choose a hammer, an air-driven nail gun, a battery-operated fastener, or even one that shoots nails with tiny bursts of ignited gas. The development of the lithium-ion battery has been a huge step forward for tool manufacturers and tradespeople alike. These ever more powerful, long-running batteries now run even miter saws and reciprocating saws, giving builders more flexibility on the job than they’ve ever had.

As important as these developments have been, nothing symbolizes craftsmanship better than a hand tool. We live in a mechanized, battery-powered age, yet there’s still something magical about a sharp plane taking off a gossamer-thin shaving along the edge of a board, or a honed chisel making a neat corner in a mortise for a hinge. That kind of result never goes out style.

Finding the right tools, using them imaginatively, and knowing how to keep them in top shape all are topics of endless conversations among builders, amateur and professional.  If you’re in the trades, you’re into tools. And if that’s the case, you’ll find Fine Homebuilding’s library of tips, articles and videos an invaluable resource.

  • Ditch the Hose

    Ditch the Hose

    Battery-powered cordless framing nailers are almost good enough to replace pneumatics—for some, they already have.

  • Legit Cordless Roofing Nailer

    With as much strength as its air-powered cousins, the DeWalt cordless roofing nailer's only drawback is its battery life.

  • gift ideas for builders and remodelers

    2020 Fine Homebuilding Gift Guide

    We compiled this list of our favorite tools and gear to help you find great things to get for the handy people in your life.

  • Capable Cordless Brad Nailer

    This Milwaukee 18v finish nailer holds up to challenging materials with a great combination of power and consistency.

  • Speedy Paint Sprayer

    The Graco Ultra cordless sprayer takes less time to set up than a spray rig, is easy to fill and clean up, and yields professional results on small jobs.

  • Metabo’s Multivolt Slider

    This Japanese-made sliding miter saw performs exceptionally well for cutting trim and other general finish-carpentry tasks.

  • Sheathing Specialist

    DeWalt's new cordless circular saw is designed for an easier reach across panel products.

  • Festool Favorites

    New tool offerings include an angle grinder, an oscillating multitool, and a mobile workshop.

  • Xtremely Nice Drivers

    DeWalt's Sub-Compact Series offers five powerful tool designs to fit in tight spaces.

  • EditorPicks

    Gift Guide: Editor Top Picks

    From shop vaccums to tablesaws and more, here are 8 tools ideas to gift a home builder.

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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 298 - April/May 2021

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  • Issue 297 - Feb/Mar 2021

    • Foundations for Success
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  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
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  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
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    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls

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