A 4-ft. spirit level is a good, all-purpose level,
blade is turning at 90° to the motor shaft, it is more
long enough to level accurately across joists and
likely to bind if your cut wanders off the line. For
check for level and plumb of door and window
that reason, a rip fence is a nice accessory.
casings.
Beam saws are called “sidewinders on ste-
roids” because they can accommodate 10-in.
tools
47
THE ZEn OF tool Belts
Circular saws. From left: sidewinder,
Tool-belt users can be divided into two groups:
beam saw, and worm-drive.
walking hardware stores and minimalists.
Whatever the load preference, pros who organize
their belts so they can grab a tool without look-
ing at it can outwork everybody because they get
a rhythm down: hammer on one side, nails on
the other; Speed Square on the left, pencil on
the right; tape measure on the back of the
belt—never a lost tool or a wasted motion.
Before each job, they lay out the belt with just
the tools they’ll need.
Jigsaw and reciprocating saw.
blades that cut smoothly through 4x lumber in
one pass. It’s not a must-buy item, but, wow,
what a tool!
For circular-saw blades in general, the more
teeth it has, the smoother the cut. If you buy just
one, make it carbide tipped; it will stay sharp far
longer and give cleaner cuts than other types. There
are specialty blades for almost anything you’d want
DEMOlITIOn Blades
to cut: tile, concrete, metal, and wet or pressure-
Bimetal demo blades for recip saws are designed to cut almost everything they meet.
treated lumber (these blades have a Teflon® coat-
They are not, however, indestructible, so here are a few tips on choosing and using
ing). Remodelers’ blades cut through wood and
the occasional nail without being damaged.
them. The average demo blade has 6 to 8 teeth per inch (tpi) and is roughly 0.035 in.
thick. Thicker, heavier blades will last longer because they bend less. Thicker blades
A reciprocating saw, also called a Sawzall®
wander, bend, and break less than thin ones.
after a popular make, is the indispensable demo-
As best you can, match teeth to the task: 3-tpi blades chomp through wood, but
lition saw. A marvel in tight spaces, it can remove
their big teeth will be useless if you hit a nail. Conversely, 12- or 14-tpi blades may
old pipes, cut through studs or joists, or, with a
soon clog and overheat. (Overheated blades lose their temper.) Hence, 6- to 8-tpi
bimetal demolition blade, cut through nails and
studs in one pass. (Blades break, so get extras.) A
blades will be most versatile. Saw speed and action are crucial, too: A reciprocating
“recip” saw also is useful in new construction to
saw with orbital action clears debris best from sawkerfs and blade teeth for faster
notch studs for pipes, cut plywood nailed over
cuts and cooler blades. If a blade isn’t cutting, replace it. Never force any saw.
rough openings for windows and doors, and
many other tasks.
Reciprocating saw demo blades
Features to look for include orbital action,
can cut through nails embedded
which clears sawdust out of a blade kerf, speeds
in lumber without destroying the
cutting, and, by reducing heat buildup, extends
blade. From top: 6-in. Sawzall
metal blade will handle nails
blade life; variable-speed control for cutting dif-
well, but its fine teeth will be
ferent materials; quick blade-changing mecha-
slow going through wood; 6-in.
nism; good sightline so you can see cuts; and
Diablo® demo blade can handle
embedded nails but won’t last as
reduced vibration.
long as its carbide-tipped 9-in.
Jigsaws, sometimes called sabersaws, are useful
Diablo demo cousin; two 9-in.
Sawzall blades can handle nails,
for notches, curving cuts, and odd-shaped holes.
but the Torch™’s finer teeth
Typical uses include cutting out holes for sinks in
won’t cut quite as aggressively;
countertops and holes in cabinet backs so pipes
Boar Blade® has different size
teeth above and below.
or ducts can pass through. The blades are thin
and prone to snap, so buy extras.
48
Chapter 3
OsCillating multitOOls
Oscillating multitools, cordless or corded, have
become an essential renovation tool because they
are unequalled for cutting materials in place.
Often called Fein tools because that company has
dominated the niche for decades, multitools have
blades that vibrate rather than spin. Thanks to
precise (3.2°) oscillations per minute (OPM), they
can make fine-kerf, controlled cuts where it would
be hard or impossible for most cutting tools to
fit. Use multitools to remove a small amount of
wood from the bottom of a door jamb; make fine,
multiple cuts to fit a threshold to complex trim;
or remove a section of finished flooring.
These tools do more than just cut. Diverse
attachments allow them to grind, sand, and
scrape. They can remove grout without damag-
ing surrounding tiles, scrape out stubborn glaz-
ing compound without harming delicate window
muntins, and sand into a corner. Cutting blades
come in a range of materials, including (from
more durable to less): bimetal (BIM), high-speed
steel (HSS), and high-carbon steel (HCS).
Fein oscillating multitool and
accessories are perfect for making
Multitools have variable-speed controls; Fein’s
and other thin stock. Most are two-sided, with rip fine cuts in materials that have
MultiMaster 250Q runs 12,000 to 21,000 OPM.
and crosscut teeth on opposite edges of the blade. already been installed. Accessories:
Operate cutting blades at highest speeds, scrap-
A handsaw is still worth having in your toolbox,
On tool, wood-saw blade; from left:
ing blades at medium-high, and sanding attach-
preferably a 10-point crosscut saw. Even if you
sanding pad, boot blades for
ments low to medium.
removing grout, scraping blade,
depend primarily on a circular saw, a handsaw is
There are a few downsides, most notably (and
flexible scraper blade for removing
handy for finishing cuts that don’t go all the way
putty, and grinding wheel.
painfully) the cost of replacement blades, which
through a rafter or joist.
tend to be proprietary and thus not compatible
A dovetail saw makes clean crosscuts in small
with other makers’ arbor patterns. Some Fein
molding, doorstops, and casing beads.
blades can cost $50 a pop, so choose and use
them carefully. There’s a bit of a learning curve
&nbs
p; A keyhole saw can cut holes in drywall for elec-
for these tools, and each specialty blade cuts a lit- trical boxes, without predrilling.
tle differently. Specifically, when starting cuts,
blades tend to skitter around until you get the
hang of it. Practice on scrap or in an out-of-the-
way place. Don’t try to make the whole cut at
once. Start in a corner of the area to be cut and
roll/ease the blade into place. When using multi-
tools, hearing and eye protection are a must, and
respirators are highly recommended.
hanDsaWs
The following inexpensive handsaws are handy
to have:
Coping saws cut curves into any thin stock,
although their primary use is coping trim so
intersecting pieces fit snugly. They take both
metal- and wood-cutting blades.
A hacksaw is most often used to cut metal, espe-
cially bolts or nails. Sawblades will last longer if
you use the full length of the blade.
A Japanese saw cuts on the pull stroke. Its thin, Handsaws. Clockwise, from lower right: dovetail saw, crosscut saw, Japanese saw, coping saw, flexible blade is perfect for cutting flush shims
and hacksaw.
tools
49
rOutErs
Full-size routers are probably too expensive for
casual remodelers, but trim routers and rotary
tools are versatile and reasonably priced. Safety
goggles are a must with any router.
laminate trimmers also are called trim routers.
In addition to trimming laminate edges, these
lightweight routers are great for mortising door
hinges and strike plates.
Plunge routers can be lowered to precise depths
in the middle of a workpiece, making them ideal
for wood joinery, edge shaping, mortising door
hinges, and so on.
Dremel® variable-speed rotary tools can dis-
lodge tired tile grout and remove stubborn paint
from beaded or ornate woodwork. There are
hundreds of specialized accessories for this tool.
hanD Cutting anD shaping tOOls
Power tools can do a lot, but you often need a
hand tool to finish the job.
Chisels clean up the corners of hinge mortises
where a router can’t reach and quickly notch
plates so washers sit flush. Be sure to sheathe
cutting edges so they stay sharp and don’t cut you
Routers. Clockwise, from top: large plunge router, laminate trimmer, and Dremel rotary tool
when you reach for them.
with plunge base.
Mallets can strike chisels without damaging
their handles.
P R O T I P
Claw hammers are designed to
pound nails—not other ham-
mers, wrecking bars, or chisels.
2
and hammer claws are generally
too weak for extensive nail pull-
ing or prying apart lumber. for
3
those jobs, use a cat’s paw or a
wrecking bar.
4
6
7
1
5
8
9
Cutting and shaping tools: 1. Mallet; 2. Flat file; 3. Rat-tail file; 4. Utility knife;
5. Chisels; 6. Block plane; 7. Bullnose plane; 8. 4-in-1 rasp; 9. Carbide scraper
50
Chapter 3
Utility knives are indispensable. Quick-blade-
change knives dispense fresh blades so you don’t
Cordless TOOlS
need to unscrew the knife’s body. Don’t use knives
with cheap, snap-off blades (often sold at statio-
Cordless tools have gotten pretty beefy. You can now get 24-volt cordless drills, circu-
nery or office-supply stores) to cut construction
lar saws, and reciprocating saws. But a bigger battery doesn’t always make a better
materials; they can break unexpectedly and
tool: Heavy batteries can strain your wrist and arm. For most renovation tasks—such
injure you.
as driving 3-in. screws into studs—a 12v or 14.4v tool is more than adequate. If a
Rat-tail files smooth and enlarge holes and cre-
cordless tool is straining to do a job, chances are that its blade or bit is not sharp.
ate an oval slot after two holes are drilled close to
Corded tools are still better if there’s a lot of cutting and drilling to do. But if you
each other.
have joists to cut, holes to drill, or joists to notch in inaccessible places, grab your
Flat files take burrs off newly cut bolts and the
cordless tool and go for it.
like, so you can start a washer.
Four-in-one rasps contain two flat and two
curved rasps in one wood-shaping tool.
Block planes shave off tiny amounts of wood
from door edges, casings, and other thin stock,
allowing tight, final fits of materials.
Bullnose planes can fine-shave wood edges in
tight places. The blade is the same width as the
sole of the plane. You can remove the bullnose
front piece, allowing you to plane into a corner.
Bahco® by Snap-On® carbide scrapers are not
intended to shape wood, but their blades are so
sharp that you can. Use them to remove dried
putty or excess Bondo® or to clean up the spurs
of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) that screws
sometimes kick up.
Drills
A 3⁄8-in. cordless drill is a must. These days,
builders use screws to install almost everything
from exterior trim to decks and drywall. For
most renovators, a 12v or 14.4v drill is optimal;
there are models with more voltage and bigger
chucks, but 12v or 14.4v has a good weight-to-
power ratio. Get a reversible, variable-speed
model with a keyless chuck, adjustable clutch,
and an extra battery.
A 3⁄8-in. corded, pistol-grip drill has the sus-
tained run time that cordless drills lack, more
power, and a side handle to help you control its
torque. It drills 1-in. or 11⁄2-in. holes easily, but
use a 1⁄2-in. right-angle drill if you’re roughing in
plumbing lines.
A 3⁄8-in. close-quarter cordless drill is best for
tight spaces like cabinet interiors. Its right-angle
configuration extends your reach when you are
hanging upper cabinets.
Corded drills. From top: 3⁄8-in. pistol-grip drill and 1⁄2-in. right-angle drill.
tools
51
CORDlESS impact DRIVERS
Cordless impact drivers can do almost everything a cordless drill or
driver does—and better. Screw guns are fine on tasks where there’s
virtually no resistance—say, when screwing drywall or driving self-
tapping screws into metal studs. But for most other construction
tasks, builders use cordless impact drivers. Where there’s greater
resistance, the impact drivers can knock in screws at lower rpms, so a
bit is less likely to slip.
And impact drivers have twice as much power as drill/drivers of the
same size because the tool delivers its torque in intermittent pulses.
They’re well suited to jobs with limited space or accessibility, such as
installing 1⁄
2-in. lag screws into ledger boards or sinking 6-in. struc-
tural screws into posts or beams. Impact drivers are a bit slower and
noisier than drills, but that’s a small price to pay.
Drill Bits
first, so you can retract the bit and center it to
finish drilling from the other side. This lets you
A standard drill nest contains 1⁄16-in. to 1⁄4-in.
avoid splintering wood in a “bust-through.”
twist drill bits. From there, you’re on your own.
A plumber’s bit is a wide, self-feeding auger
The following specialized bits are quite useful.
good for rough-in framing work.
Vix® bits have spring-loaded drives that accu-
Reamers are tapered bits that enlarge an exist-
rately center holes for hinges, striker plates, and
ing hole in metal or wood.
window pulls.
large twist drill bits, also called aircraft bits,
Self-feeding auger bits drill through posts for
are best suited for drilling metal.
bolts and through wall plates for hold-downs. A
12-in. by 1⁄4-in. auger doubles as an exploratory bit.
Drilling anD
Hole saws drill large-diameter holes in finish
sCrEWing aCCEssOriEs
materials such as doors and countertops. The
pilot bit in the middle emerges on the backside
Magnetic bit holders magnetize drill bits so
screws don’t fall off. Some types also have a collet
that keeps the screw centered as you drive them in.
Extension bit holders enable you to drive
screws where drill/drivers won’t fit.
Flexible bit holders drive screws at angles drill/
1
drivers can’t reach.
Drill bit extensions enable you to drill deeper
with the bits you’ve got.
A ratchet-handle bit driver can turn Phillips-
2
or hex-head screws in tight spaces. They’re also
great for turning the leveling devices on
7
refrigerator legs.
3
5
6
A stubby screwdriver has a reversible bit: one
side Phillips head, the other slotted.
8
4
A 4-in-1 screwdriver is the screwdriver to own if
you have only one.
Allen wrenches tighten Allen screws on a lot of
Drill bits: 1. Self-feeding auger bits; 2. Drill bit extension; 3. Rebar-cutting bit;
tools, including drill bit extensions.
4. Long twist drill bit; 5. 1⁄2-in. by 3⁄4-in. reamer; 6. 3⁄4-in. twist drill bit; 7. Hole saw;
Renovation 4th Edition Page 12