Essential DIY Handyman Power Tools and Their Operation

A reciprocating saw (a.k.a. "Sawzall") is a wonderful tool and I've used them for thousands of handyman DIY construction and repair tasks over the years. This is a must-have for the power tool collection. Even though to many, it may be blatantly obvious how to change out a blade, it may not be to others or beginners. The first thing, like any other power tool blade or wheel change out operation, unplug the damn thing. I've seen a lot of injuries and almost got a few myself for being stupid or careless and not taking the simple step of unplugging the tool before changing out the blade, wheel, or bit. Once unplugged, you'll need an Allen wrench that fits the Allen head set screw in the reciprocating head. Typically these come with one but many of us lose these things. Loosen the set screw and the blade will come out. Many new models of reciprocating saws have quick disconnect style fittings on them so no wrench may be necessary depending on the model you have. Grab your fresh blade and place it back into the same position and insert it into the slot. Then tighten the Allen head set screw. You are now good to go.

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With a nice combination of plastic and metal this dewalt hand held angle grinder has a dust ejection system which ejects dust and debris.

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This RYOBI brand corded drill was the cheapest on the shelf at Home Depot but don't be fooled....it actually worked really well and sunk some long lag bolts into some studs for a security door installation. I have this thing the stress test quite a few times. It also did a very nice and smooth job of drilling some pilot holes.

This Ryobi battery powered leaf blower is so easy to unbox and use. The directions for use that are in the box state that the battery must be charged before use. I found that the battery actually came with a charge so it was ready for use right out of the box after just a few simple steps. Its immediate use proved to be a success and had more power than I anticipated. The battery holds a nice charge and lasts a long time once fully charged. I was very pleased with this purchase and it got the job done. One nice thing about it was it was successful in blowing pine needles out of gravel without sending gravel flying everywhere and also was great in blowing tree debris off of roofs. Its light weight makes it easy to handle without being cumbersome or too heavy to use for long periods of time.

I purchased this Klein Tools Brand Voltage Sensor at Lowe's for the purposes of doing my own electrical work at home and wanting ensure I didn't shock the hell out of myself in the process. I've known many folks who have opted not to use one of these and have had the pleasure of getting shocked. Not fun and can actually be deadly. If you pick one of these up and actually take the small amount of time it takes to use it. Red light on and beeping means it is detecting a live circuit and the power hasn't been secured. To change out the AAA batteries, push the yellow button on the clip to open up the back end. This thing is so easy to use. All you have to do to turn it on and off is press and hold down the black button and the beeps and light will also let you know when it's on. I demonstrate it's use in this video on a wall socket as well as a cord from a lamp which were both detected as being live. This tool is a must have and it's fairly cheap.

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This is a Demonstration on how to use a Porter Cable Brand Brad Nailer. To use, do the following steps:

1. Unplug from air or power source

2. Depress lever in rear to extend nail holster

3. Insert slat of brad nails in rail side in body of nailer, head side up

4. Slide rear locking slide holster back into place

5. Connect to air or power source

6. Nail by pressing gun into object to be nailed and pulling trigger

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Unboxing and various use demonstration of this excellent oscillating multi tool. This power tool has so many uses. I capture a couple in this video but there are a thousand more applications for which this can be used. Recommend going out and getting one. Dewalt makes nice one too which will probably last longer but costs a little extra.

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In case you missed it above, a reciprocating saw is a wonderful tool and I've used them for thousands of handyman DIY construction and repair tasks over the years. This is a must-have for the power tool collection. Even though to many, it may be blatantly obvious how to change out a blade, it may not be to others or beginners. The first thing, like any other power tool blade or wheel change out operation, unplug the damn thing. I've seen a lot of injuries and almost got a few myself for being stupid or careless and not taking the simple step of unplugging the tool before changing out the blade, wheel, or bit. Once unplugged, you'll need an Allen wrench that fits the Allen head set screw in the reciprocating head. Typically these come with one but many of us lose these things. Loosen the set screw and the blade will come out. Many new models of reciprocating saws have quick disconnect style fittings on them so no wrench may be necessary depending on the model you have. Grab your fresh blade and place it back into the same position and insert it into the slot. Then tighten the Allen head set screw. You are now good to go.

If you don't have one or need a new one, here is a link on amazon to have one delivered: https://amzn.to/34AejAA

So you've decided to pull the trigger on a new four stroke easy starting Troy-Bilt Cadillac. Congratulations. I know that when I bought one I was so excited that I could hardly wait to get home, get it out of the box, get it put together, and get it fired up. This tutorial is taking you through the process of Unboxing and using this great Troy Bilt Weed Wacker.

The first thing to do is get the packaging open, pull out your parts and get them all played out on the ground. Then take the handle and pull out the keeper insert that is in place and snap the two handle pieces together. The springloaded pin on the silver side should snap through the hole in the red side locking it into place. The next step is to install the black plastic guard in for the rotating cutting head using the wing nuts. Now for the black plastic handle installation. Unscrew the one bolt that goes through it, snap the handle on in a comfortable location on the stem of and then place the bolt back through the hole and snug it up. Once you have the handle in the perfect position for your body type that is comfortable for you, then tighten it down all the way.

Add the provided oil in the oil receptacle with the yellow cap on it. Now put in regular unleaded gasoline in the gas canister. Prime the weed weed wacker a few times, put on your safety gear and fire it up.

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For years the old lawn edgers "weed wackers" would run really good when you first purchased them and then once you let them sit for various periods of time between lawn mowing sessions, it would be hell getting them started. I've seen more weed wackers tossed across lawns in my time than homelite chainsaws. The older ones had 2 cycle motors and if you didn't have exactly the correct oil/gas mixture the weed wacker would either not start, smoke the whole place up, or the motor would bog down. I have experienced all of this first hand being starting at a young age watching my father fight these evil little machines and then also myself as I grew up mowing lawns for extra money and then of course my own. There were numerous occasions where all I had left to do was some touch up around the edges after pushing a heavy mower across meters and meters of lawn and I'd spend more time and expend more sweat trying to get the damn thing started again. Even before I'd go out on jobs, I'd make sure the damn thing started before I left my house. It would still find a way to let me down once it was needed.

Like a Sailor

The frustration caused by the old weed wackers could make a preacher swear. Ok maybe not out loud but inside. I've called these things every name in the book and have probably set the distance record for yards thrown.

Not only were the old motors an issue on the older weed wackers but the line feed mechanism on the working end of the contraption often wreaked havoc on the operator's emotions. I would venture to say that no matter what kind of weed wacker you owned back in the day, you probably had both the line feeder mechanism and/or the motor taken apart on it (except maybe a Stihl) before the first year of ownership was up. The older models made it pretty tough to change out the line or even replace it if it got stuck up inside the feeder mechanism causing much frustration and chewing up your clock. There was no youtube or internet readily available at your fingertips, you either had to figure it out or toss it.

Sore Starting Muscles

I can't count how many times that I would wake up the next day with a very sore and stiff upper back and then at first wonder what I did to it the day before. Then it dawns on me. Oh that's right, I tried starting that damn weed wacker by pulling on the pull starter 2000 times over the course of the day yesterday. Then it lingers for the next couple days just for good measure.