How to Use Power Tools the Right Way

Almost every home in America has at least one power tool, but many homeowners are unsure how and when to use it.

Start by checking out our guide to power tools below. Read the instructions and follow the safety guidelines that come with your power tool before using it. You'll finish your home project in no time.

Safety First

When working with any power tool, always practice safety. By following these simple guidelines, you will be able to use your power tools safely.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the user manual and follow all instructions.
• Wear eye protection and tuck in loose clothing. Wear fitted safety goggles to protect your eyes. Tie back long hair.
• Wear leather gloves for grip and protection. Avoid loose gloves that could get caught.
• Confirm safety guards are installed and functional. Make sure you correctly install them.
• Replace any damaged parts or tools before use. Using damaged tools is unsafe.
• Always grip tools securely with both hands. Hold tools firmly to control them.
• When sanding, wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling particles. Choose an N95 dust mask.
• Use hearing protection with noisy tools. Exposure to loud noise can damage hearing over time. Opt for a high NRR rating.
• Contain long hair when using tools. Tie hair back in a bun or ponytail.
• For outdoor use, plug tools into a GFCI outlet. GFCIs prevent electrocution if a short occurs.

Focus fully when using power tools. Avoid distractions and never use tools when tired. Check your work area for slip or trip hazards. Follow all precautions for safe and successful projects.

Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a small, handheld saw with a blade that moves up and down for intricate cuts. It is a staple tool for detailed DIY woodworking. You can make curved, straight, or angled cuts in various materials with different blade options.

Jigsaws are easy to use for delicate wood cutting. Hobbyists and DIYers often use them. Many blade varieties are available.

Common Uses:

• Cutting curves and radii in wood
• Cutting notches and openings
• Trimming laminates

Match the blade's TPI to the material. Refer to the user guide for help choosing the right blades.

To operate a jigsaw safely:

• Clamp down the workpiece
• Keep your free hand clear of the blade
• Let the blade reach full speed before starting the cuts
• Move the tool slowly and smoothly

Price range: $40–$240

Circular Saw

A good circular saw is an essential addition to your power tool arsenal. Its portable cutting power lets you break down sheet goods, cut lumber to size, and tackle other workshop tasks.

Circular saws cut boards, plywood, trim, etc. They are very versatile. Most come with a carbide-tipped blade, but you can buy specialty blades. Sharp blades cut cleanly.

Saws come in corded and cordless, battery-powered models. Cordless saws are portable but need charging. Corded models have unlimited runtime but need an outlet.

Common Uses:

• Cutting lumber and plywood
• Breaking down sheet goods
• Cutting deck boards
• Cutting cement backer board
• Cutting wood panels and composites

For safety:

• Mark cut lines and clamp the workpiece
• Make sure you install the blade guards
• Retract the blade fully before setting it down
• Keep hands clear of the blade's path
• Cut with the good face up to reduce splintering

Circular Saw Project: A circular saw came in handy during an episode of Today’s Homeowner when we decided to make a window box. Watch this video to see how we do it. You can add curb appeal to your home with this simple project.

Price range: $50–$200

Learn more about using circular saws in our circular saw guide.

Miter Saw

Miter saws provide precision cutting for trim carpentry and other finish work. The ability to make quick angled cuts also aids in framing and other construction projects.

Miter saws can perform accurate cross-cuts and angled cuts, especially on trim. They can also cut lumber.

The preset angles aid repetitive trim and framing cuts. Common presets are 45 and 90 degrees.

The blade moves horizontally, unlike a circular saw. The piece rests on a fence as the blade cuts.

Common Uses:

• Precise molding miters
• Multiple cuts on stock
• Cutting trim and lumber to length

Get a 12-inch model to cut 6-inch boards. Consider a slide feature for wider stock.

For safety, hold the stock firmly against the fence. Keep hands clear of the blade. Let the blade stop before lifting the saw. Wear eye protection.

Price range: $100–$800

Electric Sander

Electric sanders employ power and abrasives to smooth and shape workpieces. Keeping a few basic sander types on hand will speed up your sanding tasks.

Sanders speeds the sanding process for smoothing and finishing surfaces. A basic sander is a quarter-sheet pad.

Belt sanders rapidly smooth and remove material. Detail sanders reach tight spots. Random orbital sanders are a good choice for beginners as they are easy to control and leave minimal swirl marks.

Common electric sander types:

• Sheet: Lightweight and versatile for finishes and varnish removal.
• Belt: Aggressive removal for leveling and smoothing.
• Orbital: Round motion leaves minimal swirls, good for finishing.
• Detail: Narrow to reach tight corners and edges.
• Spindle: For sanding interior curves and holes.

Start with 80–120 grit and go up to 220 for smooth finishing. Let the sander do the work — don't push too hard.

Common Uses:

• Refinishing furniture
• Prepping surfaces for painting
• Removing old finishes
• Polishing and detailing

Price range: $65–$300

Electric Sander Project: Sanding is the key to preparing any painting job. Watch this video to see how we prepared dozens of cabinet doors during a recent episode using a pad sander with 220-grit paper.

Power Drill

A reliable power drill is a versatile tool every homeowner should own. With the right attachments, you can drill holes, drive fasteners, polish surfaces, and more.

A drill drives holes and allows attachments like drives, wire brushes, and sanding drums. Drills come in corded or cordless battery models. Higher-voltage cordless models have more torque. 12–18 volts suit most tasks.

Keyless chucks enable quick bit changes. A clutch prevents damage when driving screws. The hammer function is for masonry drilling.

Having a charged spare battery allows you to continue working if one battery depletes. Cordless tools won't operate without charged batteries.

Common Uses:

• Drilling holes
• Driving screws
• Surface cleaning and polishing
• Mixing paints and compounds

Match speeds and torque to the task. Let bits do the work - don't push too hard. Secure workpieces from spinning.

Clever Uses:

• Adding a scrub brush speeds up floor cleaning.
• Making braided wire is affordable for hanging pictures.

Price range: $25–$270

Power Drill Project: To ensure something stays in place, use screws instead of nails. Recently, we attached sliding barn doors to a multi-purpose room project on Today’s Homeowner. Watch this video to see how DIY-friendly this type of project is

You can also check out this video for a useful drill technique to get perfectly deep holes.

So, Is Using Power Tools the Right Way Critical?

Proper power tool use is vital for safety and quality results. Even with safety features, misusing tools can cause severe injury. Always follow instructions and precautions. Wear protective gear. With care, power tools enable faster, easier DIY and woodworking. Using tools correctly makes home improvement safer.

Learn More About Power Tools