5 of the best multi-function power tools
- magda
There are plenty of power tools out there that, while incredibly useful and functional, can only be used for one task. A nail gun, for example, will only ever be useful as a tool to easily plant nails.
And even though there’s nothing wrong with a nail gun, or any other single-use tool, there are some clever designs out there that conveniently allow a single tool to be used for multiple purposes.
Here are five of the best.
1. Detail sanders
No toolbox is complete without a detailed sander of some description. They look after your smaller sanding jobs. But with the change of the head, it can also buff, scrape, clean, polish, and remove dust.
Most brands offer a sander or two in their product lines. So keep an eye out for them if you’re looking at starting a DIY job at home.
2. Oscillating power tools
Oscillating power tools offer a range of uses that will come in handy for just about any job around the house or on a construction site.
They will cut through pipes and cables. They will saw through smaller pieces of wood (no chopping down trees with them). And they can sand down plaster and concrete surfaces. Again, this will only require you to swap out the head attachment.
3. Power drills
The adjustable chuck in power drills is one of the handiest features of any tool, ever. You can use it to hang a picture on the wall, cut holes through solid materials, or dismantle a heavy piece of furniture. That’s just for starters.
Insert a drill bit into the main body of the tool and you can power your way through the wood, metals, plastics, and more. Swap out the drill bit for standard flat or Phillips bits and you can quickly and easily tighten or loosen screws instead of resorting to manual screwdrivers.
You can even swap out the bit for a rotating sander to get into hard-to-reach places, or a mixer to churn up your paint or other materials.
4. Breakers
Breakers, such as the Hilti TE 1000, are fantastically useful when it comes to tearing apart all sorts of materials, including concrete and masonry.
They can also be used to remove tiles and for bushing and compacting. And thanks to the head attachment. You can use a breaker for corrective chiseling work, such as making small adjustments to door and window openings.
5. The Swiss Army Knife
It might not be a traditional power tool. But there’s no denying the Swiss Army Knife is one of the best multi-function tools ever invented.
It’s a knife, a corkscrew, a pair of scissors, a can opener, a bottle opener, and more. All in a handheld piece of equipment that fits in your pocket and never needs charging. The newer versions even come with their own USB ports, proving that this 100-year-old tool can keep up with the times.
