The powertools tag has no wiki summary.
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0answers
40 views
Increasing Amps [closed]
I am not sure if this is the place to post this, but both physists and electricians should be able to help here, so I am going to cross post with DIY (sorry if this really annoys people - I know it ...
2
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1answer
340 views
Why won't my circular saw blade tighten on the spindle?
The blade on my Craftsman circular saw will not tighten down and consequently slips on the spindle. I've tried packing the bolt with a washer and it didn't help. Can't find anything online so this ...
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2answers
103 views
Is it safe to cut throught a 70mm spruce beam with a Metabo jigsaw?
I have this jigsaw: Metabo Ste 90 SCS (610 watts).
So far, I'm using it to cut 1cm to 2cm thick wood, and it's a great tool.
I know that the right tool to cut this beam would probably be a miter ...
5
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4answers
484 views
Is there any way to replace drill batteries?
We have a great (Porter and Cable) cordless drill but the batteries are no longer commercially available. Amazon has a listing but it's been sold out for the last five years. Do we have any other ...
2
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2answers
166 views
Why don't they make wood cutoff blades for 4.5" grinder?
Many times I used a chisel to cut off a hard-to-reach piece of lumber, I was wishing I had an adequate blade for my 4.5" grinder, as I don't own an oscillating tool. Why is it hard to find? Is it ...
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2answers
3k views
Can I use an 8“ dado blade set in a 10” table saw?
I have a 10" table saw... this is probably a stupid question, but can I use an 8" dado blade set in this saw? Is one only supposed to use 10" blades in a 10-inch saw? I read on some contractor's ...
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2answers
232 views
Why do some table saws have a direct and a reverse ruler on the fence?
For example, in the ruler, the bottom row goes from 0 to 31 cm from left to right and the upper row goes from 32 upwards from right to left?
EDIT: Here is the manual for the tablesaw pictured ...
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1answer
260 views
Can I mount a router to the Ridgid R4510 table saw?
I'd like to purchase a Ridgid R4510 table saw, but I want to make sure I can mount a router under it. Should I be concerned with whether this specific table saw is going to allow it or do pretty much ...
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3answers
621 views
How do I remove a drill bit that is stuck due to an overtightened chuck?
I recently bought a Bosch PSB 500 RE power drill and already I kinda screwed up the machine.
The chuck is keyless, consisting of two parts which I'll refer to as the head and the base. You would ...
7
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1answer
991 views
What do the numbers on a cordless drill mean?
I have a Hitachi cordless drill:
You can turn the gray numbered part to switch between, hammer drill, drill and screwdriver mode. The screwdriver mode is numbered up to 22. Can someone explain ...
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5answers
2k views
How to drill a hole in a space too small to fit a standard manual or electric drill?
I have a very narrow kitchen cupboard I'd like to make some changes to (add shelves maybe). Almost any change will require drilling holes though, and there's not enough room for a standard electric or ...
10
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5answers
567 views
When would one use an impact driver versus a regular drill?
Or vice-versa. As best as I can tell, the impact driver is very good for most any type of screw going through wood. When would you use a drill (with screw bit) instead?
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3answers
184 views
Should I get a keyed chuck for cordless drill?
I am thinking of getting a Milwaukee M18 fuel drill/ driver combo. The drill is insane with 750in-lbf of torque. It comes with a hand tighten chuck though. My other Milwaukee corded screwdriver has ...
4
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1answer
135 views
What units are the clutch settings on a drill?
I have tried looking around the internet for an answer - but I can only find articles that explain what the clutch on a drill does.
I am very familiar not only with what they do but also with how ...
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1answer
189 views
Can oscillating multi-tools be used for fitting pattress boxes
I have a bunch of pattress boxes to fit for light switches and plug sockets and was wondering if my oscillating multi-tool could be of any use.
I have a Bosch PMF 180 E Multi. Can this be used to cut ...
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5answers
2k views
How can I protect my hands when using power tools?
When doing many DIY projects there's a strong need to protect hands against cutting by sharp part edges. Gloves seem a natural solution.
However recently I was mounting a countertop and wearing ...
4
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1answer
110 views
How can I keep a router aligned correctly while running it along the narrow edge of a board?
How can I keep my router aligned correctly when using it with the base against the edge rather than the face of a board? Is there a jig or attachment I should use? Freehanding clearly doesn't cut it.
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1answer
248 views
My cordless drill is smoking, is that bad?
I was using my cordless drill today. I was trying to drive a bolt that was stuck with my drill in low gear and it wasn't really budging. I tried a few times and then noticed that smoke was coming ...
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1answer
116 views
Do electric push activated screwdrivers exist? [closed]
I am looking for a screwdriver. I want it to be powered (electric, cordless). I want it to not be based on a trigger mechanism (in order to reduce repetitive motion strain). I want it to screw (or ...
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3answers
304 views
Can I use a rotary tool to sharpen knives and other blades?
Anybody used Dremel effectively to sharpen knives and things like chisels and scrapers? What kind of bits are good for that application?
Also, what do you call an electromotor that is clamped to a ...
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3answers
212 views
Will neodymium magnets harm my power drill battery?
I glued some magnets onto my power drill battery to use for storing drill bits on - but will the magnets affect the battery life?
3
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2answers
293 views
How to cut exact and identical rectangles with a circular saw?
Following this question What tools do I need to make a straight cut in laminated chipboard? , I bought a circular saw.
So far, I used it to make long straight cuts which didn't require high ...
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3answers
481 views
What tools do I need to make a straight cut in laminated chipboard?
It's 38mm thick.
Next week I will need to cut it along a straight line, and I would like the cut to be as straight and clean as possible.
What tools do I need to do this ?
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4answers
666 views
What is a good way to cleanly cut through steel?
What tools can I use to get a clean cut through thin steel? Specifically, I have several mini beer kegs I need to cut the bottoms out of. I don't mind it taking a while, but my cuts are jagged (easy ...
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1answer
155 views
What is the “wobble” adjustment on a jigsaw for?
Every jigsaw I've used had an adjustment knob with an illustration that looked like back-and-forth "wobble" in the blade.
What is this adjustment used for? I've always just set it as what I figured ...
3
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2answers
170 views
What size ratchets do I need to assemble some new equipment?
I recently purchased a power rack and various other bits and pieces for the home gym. In the instruction manual the nuts and bolts on the hardware list state the following sizes:
1/2" × 3 - 1/2"
1/2" ...
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2answers
318 views
Can I put a sanding drum in a routing table and use it like a spindle sander?
If I mount something like one of these:
in a router in a router table, have I just created a spindle sander, or are there other differences in how they work? If you've already got a router, what ...
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2answers
57 views
Are finishing bits sold as such?
One of the answers for another question of mine recommended using a finishing bit in my router to leave about 1/16" protrusion remaining to be sanded. When I search for "finishing bit" though I can't ...
4
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1answer
110 views
What's the significance of orbit diameter in a random orbit sander?
I've been looking at random orbit sanders and noticed that they have different orbit diameters, and some models even offer settings for it. Does the orbit diameter affect material removal, or ...
6
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1answer
230 views
How to stop a circular saw from locking?
I've been using my new circular saw for about a week. Today while making a plunge cut it just locked. It didn't get stuck on anything inside the board and it consistently locked every time I tried to ...
2
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2answers
2k views
What is the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench?
Obviously impact drivers and impact wrenches are designed for different purposes, but since they both work on the same principle is there some overlap? Is a small cordless impact wrench just a ...
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5answers
413 views
How do I choose a circular saw?
I've made do with hand tools for everything including the rare plywood job for several years now and I want to buy a good circular saw. I will not use it very often, but when I do it will be for ...
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2answers
1k views
Are there any cordless power tool systems that offer a corded option?
Are there any cordless powertool systems (e.g., drills, drivers) that have a corded battery option (i.e., an adapter that fits where the battery would normally go that can be plugged in)? I've used ...
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1answer
360 views
How to take the sandpaper off of a Makita palm sander
I need to know how to take the old sandpaper off a palm sander (Makita model B04553).
It is not mine so I am unsure, but there are four latches that I have lifted, thinking that it will loosen and ...
3
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1answer
574 views
Is the 60T blade that came with my Dewalt DWS780 miter good for general purpose cutting?
I recently bought a Dewalt DSW780 12" sliding compound miter saw, along with 60T and 96T diablo blades. My question is, should I keep the blades? Is the 60T blade that came with the saw good enough? ...
3
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1answer
232 views
Why would angle grinder cutting wheels of the same diameter have different thickness?
Cutting wheels for the same diameter angle grinder can have different thickness. For example, 125 millimeters wheels can be 0,8 or 1,0 or 1,2 or 2,5 or 3,0 millimeters thick. I've tried several ...
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1answer
436 views
Cutting a Custom Threshold: Best Tool for the Job?
I am in the process of creating a custom threshold to go from a tiled surface down to a carpeted surface. The tile is about an inch above the carpeted floor, so I decided to make a custom threshold in ...
3
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3answers
6k views
Is there anything a rotary tool can do that a oscillating multi-tool can't?
I've got a decent chunk of change to spend on tools, and after cleaning the corrosion off of 96 battery terminals with scouring pads last week, I couldn't help but to think that a rotary tool (e.g. a ...
4
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1answer
401 views
How can I repair my bench grinder?
Received a relatively old black and decker bench grinder from a relative. It works, mostly. About 50% of the time it powers up but doesn't spin - hand cranking gets it going, whether it starts fine or ...
5
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1answer
226 views
Should I lubricate the motor in my power drill?
I have a power drill that looks like the picture below. I've had it for years, but recently I noticed that it squeaks when I use it (I only really hear the squeaking while it's winding down, when it's ...
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5answers
2k views
Is there a technique or tool for consistently placing drywall screws correctly?
Is there a special technique or tool for consistently placing drywall screws correctly?
I'm using a standard Dewalt DWD115K (with no auto-stop mechanism) so I'm usually paranoid of going too deep ...
5
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1answer
289 views
Are there any tricks for using an oscillating multitool?
I recently got myself a Ridgid JobMax and I think I love it. I did spend quite a bit of time, however, trying to get through an old (100 year old home) 2x4 (dimensional). I don't know if the wood ...
3
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3answers
376 views
Can a Dremel Circle Cutter be used on 20mm thick wood?
Will the Dremel Circle Cutter cut through 20mm wood? Its just regular wood am using.
The product details page on the Dremel site just states:
Depth adjustment allows easy setting of the correct ...
12
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2answers
2k views
When should I replace a circular saw blade?
Is there a rule of thumb for how often a circular saw blade should be replaced? Is visually inspecting the blade condition enough?
5
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2answers
335 views
Is it safe to charge a DeWALT 18v battery if the charger emits a whining noise
I have 1 DeWALT 18 volt NiCd batteries. One charges without incident. If I attempt to charge the other, a whining noise is emitted from the battery or charger. Is it safe to attempt to charge this ...
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2answers
84 views
D Grip vs Barrel Grip Jigsaws
I've been looking into getting a new jigsaw and I've noticed that there are two grip types, barrel and D grip. I've looked around and I don't see any good explanation about the differences. Are there ...
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1answer
65 views
Can I use 6“ hook and loop disks with a 5” sander?
A friend just gave me over a hundred 6" flat hook and loop disks. The only problem is, I've got a 5" orbital sander with dust collection which uses perforated sanding disks. Can I use these together ...
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1answer
118 views
Lawn mower's power line cut off caused partial power outage
I happen to cut off lawn mower's power line with the lawn mower cross over it to cause partial power outage. Everything seems to be OK except the outlets on the exterior of the house. I checked my ...
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2answers
141 views
trying to save a cheap electric driller
I wanted to use an old electric driller that it's battery has worn down and i couldn't find a new battery. on the battery it says 7.2V.
So i took a AC-> 7.5V DC 1A Transformer and used it in place of ...
2
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3answers
355 views
Solar power backup for router
I want to use solar panels to create a power backup for a router(9V, 1A). I'm aware I'll require solar panels and batteries but am not sure how to choose suitable ones. Please help suggest me on ...
