(653) Tool Guide: The Right Tool for the Right Job
Home Improvement, Today's Homeowner, Tools & Hardware by Danny Lipford
Having the right tool for your next DIY project can make all the difference. Since expensive specialty tools aren’t needed often, consider renting them from a tool rental center like The Home Depot, rather then buying.
Wet Saw
Rental: $55-$60 per day
Wet saws use a special water-cooled blade to cut through tile and brick like butter. Blades may vary depending on the material, so check to be sure you have the right one.
Vinyl Floor Scraper
Rental: $50-$60/day
The vibrating blade on this walk behind machine takes the elbow grease out of removing glued down vinyl flooring.
Jamb Saw
Rental: $30-$40/day
A jamb saw is handy to cut around the bottom of door frames when installing new flooring. Set the height of the saw blade to the thickness of the flooring, run the saw around the jambs, and slip the new flooring underneath.
Floor Sander
Rental: $40-$50/day
This heavy weight drum sander makes quick work of smoothing wood floors. It takes a steady hand and even gait to get a smooth surface without leaving unsightly sanding marks.
Edge Sander
Rental: $30-$40/day
An edge sander is used to smooth the last few inches along walls that a floor sander can’t reach. Like it larger cousin, the edger can remove material fast and requires a deft touch to keep from marring the floor.
Pneumatic Nailer
Rental: $30-$35/day
A nail gun can get the job done in a fraction of the time you would spend with a hammer. There are several types available for different sized nails, so it’s important to decide how it will be used. Framing guns can handle nails from around 2” to 3½” while finish nailers take small fasteners and are great for attaching moldings.
Airless Paint Sprayer
Rental: $50-$75/day
Paint sprayers use compressed air or an airless pump to atomize paint and force it through a nozzle. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation and wear a proper respirator when working inside, and turn off pilot lights and other ignition sources when spraying flammable materials. Cover anything you don’t want painted, and watch out for overspray to keep your neighbor’s car from matching your house.
Texture Hopper Sprayer
Rental: $20-$25/day
This specialty spray gun is the tool of choice for applying textured finishes to ceilings and walls. For minor repairs to existing textured ceilings, a spray can of Homax Acoustic Texture will do the trick.
Trencher
Rental: $80-$90/day
While you could break out the pick and shovel to dig a trench to bury a pipe in the yard, a trencher will get the job done in a fraction of the time with less damage to your yard. Several sizes are available depending on the width and depth of the trench.
Plate Compactor
Rental: $60-$70/day
If your project involves pouring a slab for a driveway or patio, you’ll need a plate compactor to compress the soil. This prevents the ground from settling and reduces the chance of cracking.
Lawn Aerator
Rental: $60-$65/day
If your lawn is not looking its best, you might want to consider aerating it. An aerator uses long steel spikes to make holes in the sod, allowing water and nutrients to penetrate deep into the ground.
Garden Tiller
Rental: $70-$75/day
If you have a large garden, you need a tiller to loosen the dirt and prepare it for planting. Several models are available depending on the size of the job at hand.
Posthole Auger
Rental: $65-$75/day
A motorized auger can dig a hole eight times faster than by hand. They come in both one and two person models with bits available in diameters ranging from 6” and up.
Snowblower
Purchase: $300-$2,000
If you have a lot of snow, you’ll probably want to buy a snowblower to keep your driveway and sidewalk clear. Various sizes and models are available. For those in milder climates, a snow shovel may be all you need. Choose a shovel that’s lightweight, has a nonstick coating, and is ergonomically designed to reduce back strain.
Innovative Ideas for the Workshop
Scotch-Blue removable painter’s tape protects surfaces while painting. It’s also available in precut pieces that are perfect for the corners of window panes.
This new screwdriver bit from Pratt-Read Tools fits tightly in combination Phillips/slotted head screws to prevent slipping.
The Spot-On screwdriver has an illuminating tip that puts the light right where you need it.
The new line of Lithium Ion tools from Ryobi provide more and longer lasting power than regular battery powered tools.
The Starrett ProSite Protractor is great for measuring and laying out angles on projects around the house.
The Bosch Miterfinder combines a protractor, level, and calculator with an easy to read digital display.
Ridgid SeeSnake has a small camera mounted on the end of a flexible cable to allow you to see and pick up objects as far away as 30 feet. The SeeSnake is available at The Home Depot.
Cougar Paws work boots with special replaceable traction grip soles are designed to keep you from slipping even when working on a steeply pitched roof.
Further Information
- Home Depot Tool Rental Catalog (PDF 4.6mb)
- Understanding Power Tools
- The Perfect Workshop
- Top Ten Gift Tool Ideas
- Tool Maintenance
- Lawn Mower Maintenance
Other Tips From This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini: Managing Power Cords
Rather than wrapping cords around power tools, coil them up and use Velcro fasteners available at grocery stores to keep them neat and ready to use.
Best New Products with Emilie Barta: Ryobi ProCross Laser Level
The Ryobi ProCross Laser Level is self-leveling and projects a horizontal, vertical, or intersecting laser line up to 50 feet. A battery powered vacuum pump holds it securely to the wall. It also can be mounted on a tripod or placed on any flat surface.
Ask Danny: Renting Tools
My husband wants to buy every tool he sees. Can you talk some sense into him? – Liz from Encinitas
Whenever you’re tempted to buy the latest tool, consider how much you’ll actually use it. If you find you’ll only need it a couple of times a year, consider renting rather than buying.
Power tools used on Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford® are provided by Ryobi.
4 Comments on “(653) Tool Guide: The Right Tool for the Right Job”
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May 12th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
You provided a hyperlink to Pratt-Read Tools’ website for their new combination Phillips/slotted screwdriver bit for the show “(653) Tool Guide: The Right Tool for the Right Job.” I cannot find this screwdriver bit under “Products” on Pratt-Read Tools’ website or any online vendor that stocks it. Can you please help? The only tool company that sells a similar product is Wera. Here is the link to the screwdriver on its website: Wera Kraftform Plus Screwdriver
Thanks.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Regarding the post hole digger: If you’ve got rocky soil or a bunch of holes to dig, I recommend renting a skid-steer with a hydraulic post hole auger. I dug about 25 post holes in very rocky New England ground in one day with one of these. One held by one or two people just doesn’t have the weight behind it to power through any obstacles it encounters.
Ben Erickson Says:May 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
David,
The Pratt-Read combination screwdriver bit is a new item that should be available soon.
August 17th, 2009 at 3:40 am
[...] Ceramic tiles require cutting tools for laying them. Cutting tools fall under two major categories – the big blade cutting tools and the small blade cutting tools. Axes and saws that are used for chopping large pieces of wood belong to the large blade cutting tools, while knives and scissors that help make precision cuts belong to the smaller blade cutting tools. Learn to choose the right type of tool for your projects. [...]