Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Christmas Gifts For Dad - Power Tools

Christmas Gifts For Dad - Power Tools

Christmas gifts for dad do not have to be a painful, dreaded and miserable task around the holidays. Honestly, Dads are not that complex. Stuff they can do while drinking beer, stuff they can destroy or use to destroy or stuff that assists them in making food.

If you get them a gift in this area... success is yours. So, here are some examples of just one of those categories, stuff they can use to destroy, also known as power tools.

Reciprocating Saw

This little gem of a christmas gift for dad is a must have in the garage. Also know as a "saw zaw" this tool will basically cut through, cut off or cut around anything that you need it to. It is a very versatile tool and comes in different sizes, varieties and styles.

I would recommend looking at one of the popular brands of power tools (Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, etc) and finding your best deal on an at least 18V cordless type. If Dad doesn't have one already, it will make an excellent Christmas gift for Dad this year.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Corded Power Tools Vs Cordless - What's the Best Option?

Corded Power Tools Vs Cordless - What's the Best Option?

If you're looking to buy a new power tool such as a drill or saw, there's one big decision to factor in. Corded or cordless. There are benefits and disadvantages of both options. Here's a few things to consider before you hit the hardware store.

The first option that most people consider is cordless. There are a lot of immediate benefits to having a cordless power tool. The most obvious is that you don't have to mess around with a cord. Depending on where you are working in your house, it can be difficult to find an empty plug to use.

With a cordless model you have the freedom to move around. This is fantastic if you are doing several home improvement jobs at the same time. You can work inside and outside without having to constantly plug and unplug your tool.

There are also several disadvantages to cordless tools. The biggest is charging the battery. It takes several hours to recharge a cordless battery pack. Unless you plan ahead, this can put a wrinkle in you home fix it plans.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Replacing Power Tool Parts - Is it the Carbon Brush Or the Switch?

Replacing Power Tool Parts - Is it the Carbon Brush Or the Switch?

You are are in the middle of replacing your old windows. In the excitement of your project, your power tool begins to run one minute, only to shut off the next! One moment it's working fine, just like it always did, and the next it is completely dead. You click the trigger a few times and it's running again. What in the world is going on?

Chances are that you are not out of luck. There are clues which can help you find the problem. While many problems may cause intermittent tool operation, two of the most common failures are the switch and the carbon brushes.

The Switch

The switch usually sits behind the main trigger, controlling power flow from the wall to the tool. When a switch is worn out, it works less and less frequently. At first it works pretty much all of the time. Occasionally it may need to be clicked twice to start the tool.

Over time, you may find yourself clicking the switch several times every time you start the tool. Of course, once the tool is running it works perfectly as long as you hold down the trigger. Don't throw that power tool away! You probably just need a new switch.

Carbon Brushes

Carbon brushes transfer power to the motor of your power tool. Carbon Brush problems are a little different from the switch. When carbon brushes become marginal, a power tool will begin to "cut out" while it's running. Sometimes you might tap or slap the tool to get it running again. The trigger starts the tool just fine, but it doesn't run well. This sort of symptom usually points to a carbon brush problem. You will want to inspect your carbon brushes before replacing them.

A worn out carbon brush will often have a small amount of carbon remaining, or it will be pitted or chipped.

If your carbon brushes are bad, it sometimes means that your power tool has bigger problems (like a worn out motor). Quite often though, a fresh pair of carbon brushes can get you working again.

At eReplacementParts.com we believe in the life of your power tool. The investment you make should not walk out the door when parts are replaceable. We want to make your life easier and it is our goal that you are able to find the power tool replacement parts you need.

Lisa Putman is a writer for the Salt Lake City, Utah based company, eReplacementParts.com.

Check us out at http://www.eReplacementParts.com We are here to answer your questions. You may send us an email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at info@ereplacementparts.com. You may also call us toll free at 1-866-802-6383, 8:30-5:00 Monday - Friday.