5 tools every adult should know how to use
- magda
As much as we would love to have a professional handyman at our beck and call around the clock, there are some cases where a little know-how is all you need. Knowing your way around these five tools will see you through plenty of life’s little challenges, and for everything else, well, you know where to find us!
A power drill/screwdriver
For something so sleek, powerful, and flexible a power drill is a surprisingly simple tool.
The drill bit is used to create a hole in the material you are drilling, or you can change this out and use a standard screwdriver drill bit, which is used like a Philips-head screwdriver to tighten or loosen screws.
Once you’ve learned how to change the bits and hold the tool correctly, you can quickly complete simple tasks without needing a professional.
Socket wrench
Like a crescent wrench (which most kids know how to use), only 100 times easier. A socket wrench comes with a collection of sockets that you simply slip on to the wrench according to the size you need and go. You don’t have to readjust the wrench at every turn, and you can easily flip the wrench to loosen or tighten.
This tool makes tasks such as assembling or disassembling furniture incredibly quick and easy. Once you’ve used one, you’ll never turn back!
Sanders
Sanders come in several types to best suit the task at hand. Smaller disc and orbit sanders are best for fine work where you can’t afford to leave evidence of gouging, sheet sanders are great for using on curves, and belt sanders do the big jobs such as table tops.
Whichever tool you use, it’s going to change the way you think about sanding. Sanding back walls or an item of furniture for repainting can take hours with the regular manual block-and-sandpaper set up, so being able to correctly use a sander is a skill that will come in handy throughout your life.
Generators
There may come a time in your life when the power goes out and you simply can’t get by with a handful of candles and torches. Or perhaps you are far from structures where you can simply plug-in to a power source. Either way, knowing how to operate a generator is a hugely beneficial skill.
Many generators are simply gas-powered, so are quite easy to setup and use with a quick tutorial on proper care and use.
Chainsaws
There’s more to wielding a chainsaw than simply pointing the moving end at the thing you want to cut.
They’re fantastic tools for pruning around the property, keeping trees away from your roof and gutters, and sorting your firewood supply for winter. You’ll need to know how to correctly hold and move the chainsaw for the least possible strain and maximum safety for both you and the tool.
They’re fantastic tools for pruning around the property, keeping trees away from your roof and gutters, and sorting your firewood supply for winter. You’ll need to know how to correctly hold and move the chainsaw for the least possible strain and maximum safety for both you and the tool.