A Handyman performs general home repair and maintenance tasks that may not require the services of a licensed contractor, such as installing light fixtures, patching drywall and interior painting. Some Handymen work independently while others find jobs with construction and repair service companies or property management companies.
Before hiring a Handyman, ask to see examples of their work. Also, try a test run by having them do a few smaller tasks, such as touch-up painting or furniture assembly.
The framing nailer is one of the most useful tools that a Handyman can have. It’s the perfect tool for major construction projects like assembling 2x4s and building frames. A framing nailer can drive nails into lumber quickly and efficiently, so you don’t have to spend time hammering in nails manually. It can also help you save time and money, since it’s quicker than using a hammer and is more accurate than hand nailing.
There are several different types of framing nailers, including pneumatic and cordless models. The most popular type is the pneumatic framing nailer, which is powered by compressed air. You can find this type of power tool in a variety of sizes, from small to large, and it can be used with various types of nails.
A pneumatic framing nailer has a magazine that holds a large number of nails. This magazine is attached to the tool with a hose or gas cartridge, so it can be quite heavy and inconvenient to transport. A cordless framing nailer can be much easier to carry around, as it doesn’t require a hose or gas cartridge. The M18 FUEL(tm) 30-degree framing nailer, for example, uses a battery-powered engine that provides the same power as a pneumatic model without the need for a compressor or gas cartridges.
Framing nailers come in a variety of angles and can be used with either stick or coil nails. The angle of the nailing gun is important, as it determines which types of nails you can use with the tool. For example, a nailer with a 21-degree angle can only use full round-head nails, while a 29-degree angle can only accept clipped nails.
The length of the nails is also important, as it determines how much force you can apply when driving them into wood. The nailer’s drive mechanism must be strong enough to push these nails into the lumber, so it must be able to handle longer nails than smaller ones.
Framing nailers are generally large and heavy, because they need to house a powerful drive mechanism that can hold thick pieces of wood together. They’re also loud, due to the fact that they need to run on an air compressor.
Circular Saw
A circular saw is a handheld power tool that’s specifically designed to cut different types of construction materials. It has a very sharp circular blade that spins at high speeds, creating rip cuts and cross cuts in the materials being cut. Circular saws are available in many different sizes, and they can be used to cut both wood and metal. They can also be purchased with specialized blades for cutting specific materials, such as plastic or concrete.
When using a circular saw, it’s important to use it properly. Start by wearing proper safety gear, such as a pair of work gloves and eye protection. Then, plug the saw into an electrical outlet and firmly hold the handle. Align the blade near (but not touching) the mark that you’re going to be cutting, and then adjust the plate or shoe for the appropriate height and bevel angle for your project.
Once you’re ready to cut, make sure that the trigger is on the off position and that the saw is not accidentally activated. Then, slowly lower the blade down into the material that you want to cut. This will help preserve the blade and reduce the risk of kickback. It’s also a good idea to use a guide rail with your circular saw, especially when cutting straight lines.
Finally, always be sure to unplug your saw when you’re done with it and to wrap up the cord before storing it away until you need it again. This will help prevent accidents and injuries from occurring in the future.
Circular saws are powerful pieces of equipment that generate a lot of dust as they cut through the materials they’re used on. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in a circular saw that comes with a built-in dust extract nozzle. This will help minimize the amount of cleanup that you’ll need to do at the end of your project. This is particularly useful when working on projects that require cutting through sheet materials, such as plywood or Medium Density Fibreboard. These types of cuts often produce a lot of dust, which can get into your eyes and make the clean-up process more difficult.
Tape Measure
A tape measure is an essential tool for Handymen, especially those who build or renovate homes and other structures. A good quality tape measure can be used to take measurements of both long and short lengths. It can also be useful when measuring the width of doorways or other narrow spaces. Most modern tape measures are dual-purpose, with imperial measurement markings on one side and metric measuring markings on the other. In addition, some special-purpose tape measures feature unit breakdowns such as truss markings for roofing and stud intervals for housing.
The main parts of a tape measure are the case, the hook and the blade (or metal ribbon). The case protects the blade from damage and is typically made of plastic or rubber. The hook is designed to latch onto objects during a measurement and is typically metal. It is important that the hook does not pull away from the object when doing an inside measurement, as this can skew your result. The end of the tape often has a nail slot or scribing tool. The nail slot allows you to use the tape as a level and the scribing tool can be used for marking surfaces. Some tape measures have a thumb lock that prevents the tape from retracting back into the case automatically when you stop measuring. This is important for safety as many people each year are injured by wildly flailing tape measure hooks.
There are several ways to read a tape measure, but the most important thing is to understand what each mark means. The first set of inches, for example, is divided into half-inch increments. Each half-inch increment is marked by a shorter line than the previous one. The shortest lines on the tape measure indicate quarter-inch increments, while the next smallest lines indicate eighth-inch increments.
The last smallest marks on most tape measures denote 1/16-inch increments. This is very small and takes practice to read. Some tapes also have fraction markings that are even smaller, though few Handymen need such precise measurements. If you have trouble reading a tape measure, it may help to have an assistant read the measurements for you.
Cordless Driver
Handymen often work with a variety of different tools, and it’s important that they have the best tool for the job. A good cordless driver is a versatile and useful tool for many jobs. It allows a Handyman to take on projects that require screwing and drilling, such as installing drapery brackets or putting new handles on cabinets or drawers. Cordless drill/drivers have a hex chuck and can be used with a wide range of bits. These include standard round drill bits, spade ends, Forstner bits and hole saws for cutting holes in wood or composites.
Drill/drivers also come with two other kinds of bits: a Phillips head and a square drive, which can handle various sizes of screws. This makes them the most useful tool for most jobs. For heavy-duty screwing projects, a Handyman might opt for a cordless impact driver. These drivers combine rotation with a hammer action that can deliver up to 1,350 inches per pound of torque (twisting force). This means they can drive larger screws into wood much faster than drill/drivers, which makes them perfect for projects such as building deck boards or replacing siding.
A utility knife is another must-have tool for a Handyman. It can cut through wire, sheet metal, wood, plastic and more. It is also great for making cuts in drywall, removing paint, and scraping off carpet or old tile. It is designed with a replaceable blade and an easy-to-use thumb stud.