Smart buys, value picks and money-saving guides for power tool shoppers
A brad nailer is useful for attaching trim, small moldings and cabinet parts without leaving the large holes a finish nailer makes. For occasional DIY work, the best value is usually a pneumatic 18-gauge...
What matters in a demolition saw The best-value cordless reciprocating saw for demolition is usually a brushless, full-size tool in a battery platform you already own. Demolition rewards stroke length, control, and enough battery...
Best Budget Oscillating Multi-Tool for Repairs and Remodeling A budget oscillating multi-tool is useful for the awkward jobs that do not justify a larger saw: cutting a doorjamb for flooring, trimming copper or plastic...
For hanging shelves and assembling furniture, the best budget cordless drill is not the one with the highest advertised voltage or the biggest battery. It is a compact drill with a usable clutch, a...
A budget jigsaw can handle rounded cutouts, shaped plywood parts and small workshop jobs without the cost of a premium barrel-grip saw. The important difference is not raw power so much as blade control:...
For furniture refinishing, the best-value random orbital sander is usually a basic 5-inch corded model with variable speed, a dust port, and a comfortable grip. You do not need a premium machine to strip...
For home metalworking, a sensible first angle grinder is usually a corded 4½-inch model with a side handle, a guarded wheel, and a standard 5/8-inch-11 spindle. Basic corded grinders commonly cost less than cordless...
What “value” means for deck repairs For fixing loose deck boards, replacing screws and handling ordinary home repairs, the best-value impact driver is usually a 12-volt brushless kit or a sensibly priced 18-volt kit—not...
For most home plywood work, a corded 7-1/4-inch circular saw in the roughly $50–$90 range is the best value. It has enough power for common 3/4-inch sheets, uses widely available blades, and avoids paying...
Price alone is a poor way to choose a tool. A $40 drill can be the right buy for hanging shelves twice a year; a $120 drill may be cheaper in the long run...
