Cutting Power Tools – Power Shears
August 12, 2009 by Tool Editor
Filed under Cutting Tools
By Cynthia S.
Cutting Power Tools are many steps up the evolutionary ladder as compared to cutting with an axe or knife. We as human beings have arrived at a point where we make objects for us so that physical strength becomes less and less important. Even though most jobs that require cutting tools also require strength, there is no denying that workmen everywhere have found great relief in using these power tools.
There is a variety of cutting power tools available for different tasks. How do you choose the right tool for the right job? This Power Tool Series will cover the type of power tools and the materials they are suited for. This article covers power shears, their maintenance and safety tips.
Power shears resemble large, high-tech scissors. Instead of a human hand exerting force on a scissor to cut an item, power shears use electrical power to apply a lot more force to the object. Power shears can be used to cut materials such as steel, shrubbery and concrete. Manufacturers of power shears include Pacific International, Milwaukee, Malco and Fiskars.
Maintenance
Keep the equipment clean. Do not sharpen the blades as sharpening may damage this cutting power tool. The tool must be greased every 100 hours of operation. Also, if they are being used to cut shrubbery, care must be taken not to let the shears touch the wires that are often used to keep shrubbery in place. The shears use a mixture of gas and oil, with the oil being the lubricator. Refueling should take place on concrete so as not to kill any grass or plants.
Safety tips for Using Power Shears
As with all cutting power tools, care must be taken to protect the user harm. If necessary, wear protective goggles, hard hats and leather gloves. Do not use power tools out where they can be tripped over or accidentally started. Obviously, if someone has small children, any type of cutting power tool should be kept out of reach.
In summary, power shears can be used to cut shrubbery, concrete and even steel! Not sure of which power shears to use, check out these reviews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_S.
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Power Tools Are Easy to Shop For and You Should Be Able to Find Products That You Need
July 29, 2009 by Tool Editor
Filed under Electric Tools
Power tools come in a variety of shapes and sizes these days and buying them can be a bit confusing, simply because there's so much available on today's market. So, if you're interested in buying something that'll help speed up your DIY tasks then you should have a good look around first.
There are a few things that you'll need to consider before you even think about buying anything. Firstly, you'll need to decide what sort of power tools you need. There are so many things available these days it can be hard to work out what does what.
Depending on the home improvement projects you have in mind, you'll need to think about what sort of things you'll need. Many people usually opt for the simple power screwdriver or perhaps a drill. If this is going to be your first time buying or you have little DIY experience then perhaps it's best to aim for something simple first.
An electric screwdriver would be an ideal first purchase and is certainly not something to be ashamed of. Power tools such as the electric screwdrivers available on today's market are brilliant and will save you a lot of time while you're working.
You may also want to consider a drill or some sort but it really depends on the projects you have in mind. Also, you should think about how often you'll be doing things around your home. Most of the time, someone who rarely does home improvement will buy a huge range of power tools to then only use a few of them once.
Make sure you're realistic about how often you will be using these purchases - otherwise you'll be wasting money. However, if you're the kind of person who will likely whack out the tool belt every weekend then perhaps you can spend a little more.
That brings me nicely onto my next point. You should think about a budget; a lot of power tools can be expensive but if you have a budget in mind then it can sometimes stop you from overspending. Many people simply get too exciting when they're shopping and a budget can be used as a mental barrier to stop you from spending too much.
You will need to be realistic about your budget though, otherwise you won't be able to afford very much at all. This is why research is so important. You will need to make sure that you have budgeted for what you need but that you don't end up overspending.
While performing research you'll need to look into what's available and where you can find it - do some price comparison to see if you can get some better deals elsewhere. Don't always head for the larger stores such as Homebase and B&Q either - by all means, have a look at the prices but don't be fooled by their so-called "discounts". You may be able to find cheaper options elsewhere.
Overall, the market for these items is a lot bigger than people think and if you're interested in buying your first set, you will definitely have to do a bit of research to make sure you are armed with all the facts before you buy anything.
Author Louie A Potts hashes out choosing power tools for your place. http://www.transtools.co.uk has brilliant information on electrical and power tools, you'll definitely be able to buy what you need.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louie_A_Potts
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Electric Power Tools Safety
June 22, 2009 by Tool Editor
Filed under Electric Tools
Electricity typically travels in a carefully directed closed-system. Electrical shock can occur when the body becomes part of this system, or creates a new system path. The actual damage from shock is from current flow (amperes).
As little as 50 milliamperes (or 1/20th of an ampere) can cause electrocution. The danger is multiplied by the amount of time (duration) that the shock is applied through the body.
A lower voltage of say, a 120 volt household current can cause severe shock or death in as little as 3 or 4 seconds duration. Higher voltages at less duration can cause the same amount of current flow and damage.
Shock normally occurs in one of three methods:
Touching both wires of an electrical circuit.
Touching one (hot) wire of an electrical circuit and the ground.
Touching a metallic part that has become energized and the ground.
The last method can be the least-expected type of shock related injury. If the insulation of the electrical parts or wiring inside a tool becomes deteriorated or damaged, electricity can be allowed to flow along the metal parts and body of the tool. This is why "grounding" is so important.
Electrical circuits from utilities have one or more "hot" conductors which have electrical energy, and a neutral or "grounded" conductor. This grounded conductor is the normal path electricity takes back to the utility.
If this pathway is interrupted by a person, current can then flow through the person, causing shock. To help prevent this, electrical circuits have an equipment ground, or "grounding" conductor. This is a second, redundant ground path (to be used in cases of equipment defects) which is bonded electrically to the non-current-carrying metal parts of a tool.
By having all metallic parts of tools bonded to a grounding conductor, this conductor- and not the worker can safely carry away any electrical current in the case of a tool's malfunction.
When a tool is properly grounded, current through the body is either eliminated, or greatly reduced. This is why OSHA requires either the use of GFCI receptacles, or all tools and extension cords periodically checked for ground continuity.
The GFCI receptacle is especially useful since it will (even without a good ground) sense more amperes flowing out from the power source than back from the tool. Any imbalance greater than 5 millamperes (significantly less than a shock hazard) will cause the receptacle to shut off- usually within 1/40th of a second. If a GFCI receptacle shuts off, the worker can then find the cause of the electrical problem.
Because of the hazards associated with electrical powered tools, care must be taken to examine daily the visible condition of tool and extension cords, especially the cord ends for any damage or defects. Tools should be checked out when returned to the shop before reissuing back out to the workplace.
OSHA has five overall recommendations for electrical tools safety.
Maintain tools in good condition.
Use the correct tool for the job.
Examine each tool for damage before use.
Operate tools according to manufacturer's instructions.
Use adequate personal protective equipment.
Picking the Right Power Tools
June 21, 2009 by Tool Editor
Filed under Electric Tools
by John Gault
Gas powered or charged? Cordless or corded? Makita or Milwaukee? What is the real difference between them, and do you really need to know? Of course you need to know. Besides the fact that certain power tools are better for certain projects, it’s your money that’s being spent on these items. With that said, here are a few tips to picking the right power tools, either for the project or job at hand or for your collection.
First things first, you need to figure out how much you will be using a particular power tool. If you’re planning on building a house, you’ll probably be using an electric saw or power drill a bit more than if you’re building a small shed. In this case, it would be a good idea to invest a bit more of your hard earned money into a high grade, professional-quality power tool than to buy a new lower-end model several times during the duration of the project.
After all, the lower end models simply aren’t to be used as often as the professional ones. On the flip side of that, if you have a relatively small project to complete and you don’t foresee many additional ones down the road, there’s not really a need to pay the price of a higher-end power tool.
When it comes to the flexibility of cordless power tools, there are both pros and cons to buying such a tool. The cordless tools have a battery pack to give the necessary power to the tool, but it needs to be charged when not in use. These battery packs can last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on the brand, model, and of course, the price.
If your project needs require only a few hours of one power tool at a time, leaving enough time for the battery pack and tool to be recharged before it’s needed again, a cordless power tool will be an asset to your tool chest. But if the tool is something you’ll be using over and over again without time to recharge, you’re better off with a corded power tool and several extension cords. What good would the best power tool be to you and your project if you can’t use it because the battery pack is dead?
When the question arises about gas-powered tools, it would have to depend on your personal preferences. I personally don’t like to have extra gas lying around in my garage because I have a small child. Other than that, gas gives you a lot of the finer traits of the cordless tools, plus the longevity of the corded.
Finally, when picking out the right power tools, be sure to purchase them from a business that sells everything you need to run your tool safely. This included protective eyewear and gloves as well as the appropriate clothing for you to complete your project the same way you began it- in one piece.
John Gault recommends that you visit http://www.toolbarn.com/ for more information on Power Tools.
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Electric Tools Provide Fast Motorized Muscle
June 12, 2009 by Tool Editor
Filed under Electric Tools, Featured
Electric tools generate much more power than a lone human can provide. These tools add the power of electric motors to manual tools. The resulting electric power tools are excellent labor saving devices. The tedious cranking of the hand auger has been replaced by the quick efficiency of the electric drill. The back-breaking hand saw has been outpaced by the fast and easy electric circular saw. Electric sanders smooth woodworking projects thousands of times faster than hand sanding ever could.
Many electric tools operate using standard house current and voltage. This is a great advantage at the worksite, where that is the only type of electrical connection available. Often this means that extension cords must run from the connection to the power tool. This can be a safety hazard at a worksite. First, some extension cords are not rated to handle the currents needed by some power tools. The second danger is that these long cords are a tripping hazard, especially if multiple cords are used.
Battery powered electric tools eliminate the need for extension cords. These power tools utilize small but powerful rechargeable electric batteries. The worker has much more freedom to take his electric tool where it is needed. However, batteries need recharging, and heavy use means more frequent recharging periods. Because recharging may take several hours or overnight, start the job with several fully charged batteries at the beginning of the day. Let all the electric tool batteries recharge each night.
In a workshop, cords and batteries are not problems. All electric tools would simply plug into the house receptacles. Some power tools such as nailers run on compressed air. However, even a nailer needs an electric compressor. Table saws, band saws, sanders, planers, joiners, and even lathes can run on standard electric current. If an electric tool needs more demanding electric power, this can be installed for a nominal fee.
Electric powered tools are superior to tools that run on gasoline, except where electricity is unavailable. For example, loggers in mountainous terrain would certain use gasoline chain saws. For most other jobs, the electrically powered tool has the convenience advantage. On everyday worksites, the work crew using electric tools never has to worry about running out for another can of electricity!
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