When it comes to trying to purchase a new tool, even the most experienced woodworkers might face anxiety; can you imagine how a beginner woodworker must feel in this situation?
When you don't know much, if anything at all, about the product, select the cheapest or near cheapest price. When we don't know much about the product, we tend to pick the most powerful version, reasoning that if one power is good, then two must be better. This is the rule of thumb when purchasing anything.
This is something that each of us is guilty of doing with at least one thing, but doing it with power tools puts your health at jeopardy. An example of someone who made this mistake was a friend of the daughter in our household. Finally, she was able to move into her own apartment, and she made the decision to do some minor repairs. As she needed to attach a bookcase to the wall, she made the decision to buy a portable drill. They can be found in the dozens all around. She had the idea that she wanted a "excellent one," and she went ahead and bought an 18-volt drill after the salesperson gave her that recommendation. She is a wee bit of a thing, and you guessed it, the first time she used the drill, the bit caught something in the wall and twisted out of her control to the point where she had to seek medical attention, and she was off work for a few days and in a sling for two weeks. To be honest, I would be amazed if this young woman weighed 100 pounds when she was dripping wet. She is a tiny little thing. The drill's power was simply well beyond what she could handle.
Ask the woodworker who bought a portable drill, and on the third time he used it, the battery pack literally blasted out the bottom of the case, just missing the craftsman's leg. This was an experienced woodworker. Purchasing power equipment involves more than just looking at power.
When making any kind of purchase, doing a little bit of research may go a long way. Keep in mind that tool salespeople will try to sell you the tools that they sell, not the tools that are best for you, so keep this in mind when you are shopping for tools. As a general rule, I have found that most tool salespeople are knowledgeable. However, keep in mind that they will try to sell you the tools that THEY sell.
I won't go into detail about the many various kinds of equipment here, but I will share some tips that I have discovered to be helpful while shopping for tools.
Warranty - try to find instruments that come with a lengthy or even a lifetime warranty on their components. Because the makers DO NOT want to have to repair or replace any of these products, you can rest assured that they will be among the items with the highest level of performance.
Regarding the cost, I have found that selecting instruments with prices that are approximately in the middle of the range offers me the most bang for my buck. I frequently come across reasonably priced tools that are of a very good quality and come with a solid guarantee.
Power - As was mentioned earlier, size does not automatically indicate superiority. I am an average-sized woodworker, and I have no need for drills that are more powerful than 14 volts. They are too heavy, and they are too powerful; even for me, they can twist my arm. Look for something that will do the job for you. I have no use for them.
Corded or cordless? The price of corded instruments is typically significantly lower, but their lack of portability makes them less convenient. If you just plan on using your tool sometimes, you should probably be alright with a corded model; but, if you think you will be using your tools somewhat frequently, battery power is a better option.
Where to Buy: Always purchase from a trustworthy dealer, especially one that offers a variety of options to pick from and guarantees that they will support the products that they sell.
If you utilize these rules when acquiring tools, you will lessen the danger of purchasing tools of poor quality or equipment that aren't suitable for the work you need them for. As a result, you will save yourself some time, money, and a significant amount of frustration.