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Cordless Tools - Page 3 of 11

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.

  • Don’t Wait to Get These Tools

    Patrick, Rob, and Matt talk about their favorite construction tools that have made work on a job site a lot easier.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Page 3 of 11 Previous
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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps

Fine Homebuilding

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