Power Tools

Discover 66 posts about power tools

Wood Routers Worth Knowing About in 2026
Power Tools

Wood Routers Worth Knowing About in 2026

Wood routers come in different configurations with different capabilities. This breakdown explains what motor specs, base types, and electronic controls actually mean for routing work.

November 7, 2025
Router Table vs Handheld Router
Power Tools

Router Table vs Handheld Router

A comparison of router tables and handheld routers. Moving the tool versus moving the work changes everything from bit control to dust collection.

November 7, 2025
Makita vs Milwaukee
Power Tools

Makita vs Milwaukee

Makita and Milwaukee achieve professional quality through different approaches. Separating power-focused from efficiency-focused engineering.

November 6, 2025
makitamilwaukee
Ryobi vs DeWalt
Power Tools

Ryobi vs DeWalt

Budget Ryobi vs mid-tier DeWalt tools. Different duty cycles and construction create different price points.

November 6, 2025
ryobidewalt
Ryobi vs Makita
Power Tools

Ryobi vs Makita

See what you actually give up choosing budget Ryobi over professional Makita. Where the performance gap matters and where it doesn't.

November 6, 2025
ryobimakita
Ryobi vs Milwaukee
Power Tools

Ryobi vs Milwaukee

See what separates Ryobi and Milwaukee tools despite sharing the same parent company. How different engineering creates different workshop experiences.

November 6, 2025
ryobimilwaukee
Auger Bit vs Spade Bit for Drilling Joists
Power Tools

Auger Bit vs Spade Bit for Drilling Joists

The differance between auger bits and spade bits drilling through joists and studs. Chip evacuation, torque, nail strikes, and what electricians and plumbers actually deal with drilling structural lumber.

November 5, 2025
drill bitsauger bits
Brace and Bit vs Battery Drill
Power Tools

Brace and Bit vs Battery Drill

What happens when a hand-cranked brace drills large holes compared to cordless drills. Torque delivery, hole quality, battery drain, and why some woodworkers reach for the 150-year-old tool.

November 5, 2025
brace and bitcordless drill
Jigsaw vs Circular Saw
Power Tools

Jigsaw vs Circular Saw

Reciprocating blades vs rotating discs. Tearout patterns, blade deflection in thick stock, cutting speed differences, and why each saw struggles with certain cuts.

November 5, 2025
jigsawcircular saw
Makita vs DeWalt
Power Tools

Makita vs DeWalt

Makita and DeWalt tools in real workshop use. See how motor design and weight distribution create different experiences.

November 5, 2025
makitadewalt
Reciprocating Saw vs Jigsaw
Power Tools

Reciprocating Saw vs Jigsaw

Horizontal blade action meets vertical cutting. Demolition power versus precision curves, vibration patterns, material thickness limits, and why contractors carry both.

November 5, 2025
reciprocating sawjigsaw
Blade Deflection and Circular Saw Binding
Power Tools

Blade Deflection and Circular Saw Binding

Circular saw blades flex sideways under cutting load, creating wobble that causes the blade to rub kerf walls and generate binding conditions.

November 4, 2025
circular-sawblade-deflection
Circular Saw Guard Mechanics and Kickback
Power Tools

Circular Saw Guard Mechanics and Kickback

Blade guards are spring-loaded shields that retract during cutting and close when the saw withdraws. What guards protect against during kickback and why mechanical timing limits their effectiveness.

November 4, 2025
circular-sawsaw-guards
What Happens When Circular Saw Blades Bind
Power Tools

What Happens When Circular Saw Blades Bind

Blade binding occurs when wood pinches the spinning blade from both sides simultaneously, preventing forward cutting while the blade continues rotating at full speed. Understand the tooth-level mechanics that trigger violent kickback.

November 4, 2025
circular-sawblade-binding
Why Unsupported Wood Causes Kickback
Power Tools

Why Unsupported Wood Causes Kickback

Gravity pulls unsupported wood downward during cutting, closing the kerf behind the blade and creating progressive pinching that leads to binding.

November 4, 2025
circular-sawkickback
Bearing Friction vs Cutting Friction in Template Routing
Power Tools

Bearing Friction vs Cutting Friction in Template Routing

When template routing bearings seize from dirt or damage, bearing-to-template friction preheats the bit body before the cutting edge even touches wood. Understand the dual friction sources in bearing-guided bits.

November 3, 2025
router-bitstemplate-routing
End Grain Routing Heat Generation
Power Tools

End Grain Routing Heat Generation

End grain routing severs individual wood fibers perpendicular to their length rather than splitting them, requiring more cutting force and generating more friction heat per square inch of contact.

November 3, 2025
router-bitsend-grain
What Resin Buildup Does to Cutting Edges
Power Tools

What Resin Buildup Does to Cutting Edges

Wood resin melts at cutting temperatures, flows into carbide micro-crevices, and hardens into built-up edges that crush fibers instead of cutting them. Explore how this creates a heat-generating feedback loop.

November 3, 2025
router-bitsresin-buildup
Why Circular Saws Kick Back
Power Tools

Why Circular Saws Kick Back

Circular saws kick back when blade binding creates rotational force that drives the saw toward the operator. The physics of pinching, blade deflection, and why unsupported wood causes violent reactions.

November 3, 2025
circular-sawkickback
Router Bit Speed vs Diameter Physics
Power Tools

Router Bit Speed vs Diameter Physics

A 2-inch router bit spinning at 22,000 RPM has cutting edges moving at 115 mph. Discover why larger bits generate exponentially more friction heat than smaller ones at the same speed.

November 2, 2025
router-bitsrouter-speed
What Feed Rate Does to Heat Buildup
Power Tools

What Feed Rate Does to Heat Buildup

Moving a router too slowly keeps wood fibers in contact with hot carbide longer, building cumulative heat until charring begins. Understand the relationship between movement speed and thermal accumulation.

November 2, 2025
router-bitsfeed-rate
Why Carbide Tips Dull Faster in Plywood
Power Tools

Why Carbide Tips Dull Faster in Plywood

Phenolic resin in plywood glue contains hard particles that abrade carbide tips while melting onto cutting edges. Find out why plywood destroys router bits faster than solid wood.

November 2, 2025
router-bitsplywood-routing
Why Router Bits Burn Wood
Power Tools

Why Router Bits Burn Wood

Router bits burn wood when carbide edges generate friction heat faster than it dissipates. Explore the physics of feed rate, tip speed, material density, and why end grain scorches so easily.

November 2, 2025
router-bitsheat-generation
Why Detail Sander Paper Keeps Flying Off
Power Tools

Why Detail Sander Paper Keeps Flying Off

Find out what makes hook and loop sanding attachments fail mid-job. We look at the reasons why your detail sander paper won't stay put.

October 30, 2025
detail sanderssanding paper
Belt Sander Dust Collection Realities
Power Tools

Belt Sander Dust Collection Realities

Ever noticed that your belt sander dust collection never works as well as promised. Workshop air reality, see what actually happens to all that fine dust.

October 29, 2025
belt sandersdust collection
Why Belt Sanders Leave Marks and Gouges
Power Tools

Why Belt Sanders Leave Marks and Gouges

Belt sander marking patterns explained. Find out what's causing those gouges, lines, and surface defects.

October 29, 2025
belt sanderssanding defects
Grease Gun Cartridge vs Bulk Fill: Why Loading Method Matters More Than You Think
Power Tools

Grease Gun Cartridge vs Bulk Fill: Why Loading Method Matters More Than You Think

Cartridge and bulk fill grease guns handle loading differently, with real implications for cost, mess, and convenience.

October 28, 2025
grease gunmaintenance
What Grease Gun PSI You Actually Need: The 8,000 vs 10,000 vs 12,000 PSI Question
Power Tools

What Grease Gun PSI You Actually Need: The 8,000 vs 10,000 vs 12,000 PSI Question

Grease gun PSI ratings keep climbing, but does higher pressure actually matter? What the numbers mean and when more PSI helps.

October 28, 2025
grease guntool specifications
What oz/min Flow Rate Actually Means for Grease Guns: The Specification That Actually Matters
Power Tools

What oz/min Flow Rate Actually Means for Grease Guns: The Specification That Actually Matters

Flow rate determines how fast grease guns actually work. What 3 oz/min versus 10 oz/min means in real-world time savings for different maintenance situations.

October 27, 2025
grease guntool specifications
Why Grease Guns Leak (And What That Means for Your Maintenance Budget)
Power Tools

Why Grease Guns Leak (And What That Means for Your Maintenance Budget)

Every grease gun will eventually leak. Why seal failure is inevitable, what timeline to expect, and whether repair or replacement makes economic sense.

October 26, 2025
grease guntool maintenance
Battery Grease Gun vs Manual Grease Gun: When Cordless Actually Matters
Power Tools

Battery Grease Gun vs Manual Grease Gun: When Cordless Actually Matters

Cordless grease guns cost 3-5x more than manual ones. Discover when that money buys genuine time savings versus when a manual gun works just as well.

October 25, 2025
grease guncordless tools
Wood Lathe Motor Power and What It Actually Means
Power Tools

Wood Lathe Motor Power and What It Actually Means

Wood lathe motor specifications. How horsepower, torque, and speed interact to determine real turning performance.

October 21, 2025
wood lathe
Variable Speed vs Pulley Speed Wood Lathes
Power Tools

Variable Speed vs Pulley Speed Wood Lathes

A comparison of lathe speed control systems. How electronic variable speed and belt-driven pulleys deliver different performance characteristics.

October 20, 2025
wood lathe
Swing vs Distance Between Centers on Wood Lathes
Power Tools

Swing vs Distance Between Centers on Wood Lathes

A breakdown of wood lathe capacity measurements. What swing and distance between centers actually limit in your turning projects.

October 19, 2025
wood lathe
Why Wood Lathes Weigh So Much (And Why That Matters)
Power Tools

Why Wood Lathes Weigh So Much (And Why That Matters)

This is an exploration of wood lathe mass and stability. Learn how weight affects vibration dampening and why heavier lathes produce better turning results.

October 18, 2025
wood lathe
DeWalt PowerShift Electrifies Concrete Industry
Power Tools

DeWalt PowerShift Electrifies Concrete Industry

This is documentation of what happens when battery power replaces gas engines on concrete jobsites. Discover what concrete workers gain from the shift to cordless equipment.

October 13, 2025
DeWaltbattery tools
What Belt Sander Belt Sizes Mean
Power Tools

What Belt Sander Belt Sizes Mean

This is a in-depth look at belt sander belt sizing. Understand what belt measurements and what different sizes mean with this detailed reference.

October 12, 2025
Belt Sanders in 2026: Models and Features Compared
Power Tools

Belt Sanders in 2026: Models and Features Compared

Belt sanders, let's take a look at what's out there, what they offer and the different models available.

October 11, 2025
Corded vs Cordless Belt Sander
Power Tools

Corded vs Cordless Belt Sander

Let's dive into the world of corded and cordless belt sanders. We look at the power delivery and design differences with this comprehensive comparison.

October 11, 2025
Belt Sander vs Orbital Sander
Power Tools

Belt Sander vs Orbital Sander

This is a comparison of belt sanders and orbital sanders. We take a look at the differences between these two power tools with this detailed guide.

October 11, 2025
Screw Gun vs Impact Driver for Decking
Power Tools

Screw Gun vs Impact Driver for Decking

Impact drivers and collated screw guns both drive fasteners, but the mechanisms work differently and the productivity gap widens dramatically on large decking projects.

October 6, 2025
impact driverscrew gun
Electric vs. Cordless Plane Power Output: What the Numbers Mean
Power Tools

Electric vs. Cordless Plane Power Output: What the Numbers Mean

An examination of power specifications in electric and cordless planes, exploring what amp ratings, voltage platforms, and RPM figures actually indicate about cutting performance.

October 2, 2025
Why Your Router Screams in Bamboo Plywood
Power Tools

Why Your Router Screams in Bamboo Plywood

What happens when routers meet bamboo plywood. The silica content destroys bits faster than any hardwood - here's the data on tool wear patterns.

October 1, 2025
Aluminum: Why Your Woodworking Blade Just Died
Power Tools

Aluminum: Why Your Woodworking Blade Just Died

What happens when woodworking blades meet aluminum. Why aluminum destroys saw blades and how to spot the damage.

October 1, 2025
The Hidden Cost of Cutting Engineered Hardwood
Power Tools

The Hidden Cost of Cutting Engineered Hardwood

Cutting engineered hardwood wears out saw blades faster than solid wood. The laminated construction and adhesives create blade dulling that adds to project costs.

September 30, 2025
What Happens When You Cut Wet Wood
Power Tools

What Happens When You Cut Wet Wood

Wet wood dulls blades faster, creates rust on exposed steel, and produces heavy sawdust that clogs systems. The high moisture content changes how saws cut and what happens to tools afterward.

September 30, 2025
Why Your Jigsaw Hates Particle Board
Power Tools

Why Your Jigsaw Hates Particle Board

This is what actually happens when jigsaws meet particle board. Learn why blades wander and surfaces blow out from this comprehensive analysis.

September 30, 2025
What PVC Does to Your Saw Blades
Power Tools

What PVC Does to Your Saw Blades

This is what actually happens when PVC meets your saw blade. Learn why that yellow-brown gunk forms from this analysis of thermoplastic behavior at cutting temperatures.

September 30, 2025
What Laminate Flooring Does to Your Miter Saw
Power Tools

What Laminate Flooring Does to Your Miter Saw

This is what happens to your miter saw when cutting laminate flooring. Learn about the aluminum oxide factor from this detailed technical breakdown.

September 29, 2025
Why Hardie Board Eats Blades for Breakfast
Power Tools

Why Hardie Board Eats Blades for Breakfast

Hardie Board contains cement and silica sand that abrade carbide teeth rapidly. The fiber cement composition wears blades 10 to 20 times faster than wood cutting.

September 29, 2025
circular sawssaw blades
The Best Screw Gun for Decking In 2026
Power Tools

The Best Screw Gun for Decking In 2026

This is a complete analysis of decking screw guns. Learn how contractors choose between auto-feed systems and what drives purchasing decisions in this specialized market.

September 28, 2025
The Real Cost of Cutting Fiber Cement Siding
Power Tools

The Real Cost of Cutting Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement cutting costs include specialized blades, dust collection compliance, and rapid blade wear. The total per-square-foot cost runs significantly higher than wood siding installation.

September 27, 2025
fiber cementcutting tools
What MDF Actually Does to Your Tools
Power Tools

What MDF Actually Does to Your Tools

This is what MDF actually does to your cutting tools. Learn how to recognize the specific wear patterns from this engineered wood product.

September 26, 2025
MDFtool maintenance
Why Your Tools Hate Melamine (And What Actually Happens)
Power Tools

Why Your Tools Hate Melamine (And What Actually Happens)

This is the chip-out nightmare material. Learn what actually happens when your tools meet melamine from this comprehensive analysis.

September 25, 2025
Drill Bit Sharpeners That Actually Work in 2026
Power Tools

Drill Bit Sharpeners That Actually Work in 2026

This is a comprehensive look at drill bit sharpeners in 2025. Learn how to identify quality sharpening systems from this detailed analysis.

September 24, 2025
The Best Plane for Doors in 2026
Power Tools

The Best Plane for Doors in 2026

We've analyzed the most popular planes for door work based on value for money, build quality, reliability, and performance capabilities

September 17, 2025
OSB vs Your Circular Saw: The Resin Reality
Power Tools

OSB vs Your Circular Saw: The Resin Reality

This is a comprehensive guide to cutting OSB with circular saws. Learn how to prevent blade binding from resin buildup in this in-depth post.

September 16, 2025
Why Pressure-Treated Lumber Destroys Saw Blades
Power Tools

Why Pressure-Treated Lumber Destroys Saw Blades

This is a deep dive into the chemical warfare happening between pressure-treated lumber and your saw blades. Learn how to recognize the signs of accelerated wear from this comprehensive analysis.

September 15, 2025
What's Available in Cordless Grease Guns for 2026: Features, Specs, and Price Points
Power Tools

What's Available in Cordless Grease Guns for 2026: Features, Specs, and Price Points

This is a comprehensive look at cordless grease gun options in 2025. Learn how to evaluate specs, features, and price points from this data-driven market analysis.

September 11, 2025
Milwaukee vs DeWalt: The Data Behind the Red and Yellow Dynasty
Power Tools

Milwaukee vs DeWalt: The Data Behind the Red and Yellow Dynasty

This is a data-driven analysis of Milwaukee versus DeWalt tools. Learn the measurable differences in patent counts, warranty claims, market share, and pricing from this comprehensive comparison.

September 10, 2025
Brushless vs Brushed Motor Tools: The Data Behind the Price Gap
Power Tools

Brushless vs Brushed Motor Tools: The Data Behind the Price Gap

This is a data-driven analysis of brushless versus brushed motor tools. Learn the measurable differences in efficiency, runtime, heat generation, and longevity from this comprehensive comparison.

September 9, 2025
Drill Bit Sizes Chart - Complete Reference Guide for 2026
Power Tools

Drill Bit Sizes Chart - Complete Reference Guide for 2026

This is a complete drill bit sizes chart and reference guide. Learn how to decode fractional, metric, number, and letter drill bit sizing systems from this comprehensive guide.

September 8, 2025
Impact Driver vs Drill: The Numbers Behind the Noise
Power Tools

Impact Driver vs Drill: The Numbers Behind the Noise

This is a data-driven comparison of impact drivers versus drills. Learn the measurable differences in torque delivery, rotation patterns, and real-world applications from this comprehensive analysis.

September 7, 2025
Wood Lathes: What Full-Size, Midi, and Mini Machines Offer
Power Tools

Wood Lathes: What Full-Size, Midi, and Mini Machines Offer

This is a complete guide to wood lathes. A detailed look at full-size, midi, and mini turning machines with specifications and features.

September 5, 2025
The Best Detail Sander for 2026
Power Tools

The Best Detail Sander for 2026

This is a complete guide to detail sanders. Learn how to get professional-quality finishes from this comprehensive post.

September 4, 2025
The Best Drill for Concrete Walls In 2026
Power Tools

The Best Drill for Concrete Walls In 2026

This is a comprehensive analysis of concrete drilling equipment. Learn how to get maximum drilling performance from this in-depth technical breakdown.

September 3, 2025