THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD TOOLS

An ingredient to a successful renovation project is the tools a skilled trades person chooses.  I have always believed that buying quality tools is money well spent. The fastest way to become an adversary with a tool company is to have one of their tools continually break down, causing unexpected work stoppage and trips to the tool repair center. Or, worse, to the tool store to replace the tool.

     I started my carpentry career buying Porter Cable tools. They have a long history of quality. Or at least they did have. I started having problems with many of their tools several years ago. It was that same scenario: middle of a project, tool fails. It happened over and over with a variety of my newer P.C. tools. I was reluctant to change loyalties. But it became an economic hardship. I had shunned Japanese brand saws and such, out of loyalty to American brands, but after being turned off to Porter Cable my ears were open to what others were saying.

     The brands I am currently using are Makita, Hatachi, Bosch. I still have some P.C. saws from long ago, the 1970s and 80s, that I still use occassionally, but otherwise, I purged all of my more modern tools by them a few years ago. Makita makes the best impact drivers, in my view. I have a very nice compressor of theirs. Hitachi makes some very good saws, though I have a Makita and Bosch circular saw. I have an aversion to anything that is DIY oriented, which includes Craftsman, DeWalt, Skil, though Skil is now owned by Bosch. Bosch is a German company that is exceptionally "green" in its corporate philosphy. That goes a long way with me. They can be a bit quirky on some of their innovations, but overall very well made.

     I have some Senco nail guns, a P.C. roofing gun, all of which have given me problems. I'm open to some other brands next go round: Bostitch, Grex, Hitachi, Makita.

     Overall, there are some very good tools out there these days, and the prices are actually cheaper in many instances than ten years ago. I am inspired by more cordless, lithium, tools that are a bit pricey right now, but should be coming down in the near future.

MY FAVORITE TOOL

     The most important tool in my box is... my truck, a 2007 Chevy Silverado. Without it working for me day in and out through all kinds of weather and building sites I would be broker than I am. If my truck gave me fits, like my Porter Cable tools did years back, you can be sure I would change brands.

     I have an extended cab, 6' box with four wheel drive, my first four-wheel-drive truck. This truck has been flawless. This is my eighth Chevy truck in twenty-two years. I have not had a lemon in all of those vehicles. I have not even had a major problem. 

TIP

     Cement board siding is a great alternative to vinyl or even wood siding from a eco-friendly standpoint. But, it takes a little preparation, education, and proper tools to install. There are special nail guns, unique for this product that are prohibitively expensive for a small DIY install. Hand nailing actually works well, but time consuming. Careful, this material can break easily if mishandled. 

OTHER NEWS

Interest rates are low.

Credit is freeing up.

It's more affordable than ever to renovate or build.

The choices for healthy, innovative and healthy building options are greater than ever before.