As the pandemic wears on, the skills and hobbies we acquire increase. From baking to planting a garden, we now expanded our interest in DIY projects, too. Although people have been into DIY long before the pandemic, it garnered more interest now that we’re just staying at home with nothing much to do.
Small-scale projects, like finishing a basement, bathroom, and kitchen remodeling, or building a shed, grew popular during the stay-at-home orders. If you want to venture into these projects as well, you need several power tools and equipment.
Construction will generate a lot of waste, but thankfully, the practice can be greener now. With these power tools and equipment, you can nail a DIY construction sustainably:
1. Alternative Power Source
If you aren’t using a renewable energy source yet, consider switching to it as soon as you can. With a greener energy source, your construction project can carry on without massive environmental impacts.
One common power source in construction is solar. It can be used in two ways: active solar energy or passive solar energy.
Active solar power comes in the form of solar panels. You draw power from it so that you can run your electronics, or, in this case, your power tools. Passive solar power, on the other hand, isn’t a source but an energy-saving system. For example, placing the windows away from the direction of the sunlight. This allows you to save energy when you use your AC in the summer.
Using passive solar energy is the best way to cut down energy costs if you don’t have solar panels yet. So if you’re thinking of remodeling, consider the strategic window placement method.
2. Lighting Equipment
If you need to work at night, especially in an unfinished basement or outbuilding, you need a light fixture specifically made for construction projects. It’s called a light tower. The fixture is beneficial in commercial or public projects, like tunnels or roads.
But in a small DIY construction project, a light tower can be beneficial, too. It just consumes a lot of energy, so consider getting a high-quality light tower generator or using alternative power sources.
3. Cordless Power Drills
Another energy-efficient method is using cordless power drills. They allow you to finish structures without ever plugging in. There are different types of power drills, each with a specific purpose. But generally speaking, drills are designed to bore holes on the wall, letting you insert screws on any surface, from wood to concrete to steel. They can also help you remove screws.
4. Impact Driver
Power drills are often used alongside an impact driver. An impact driver resembles a power drill, but it functions like a hammer instead of boring holes. The tool delivers concussive blows along with a bit of rotation to drive screws into a hole at lighting speed. It comes in handy during deck remodeling or if you have to tighten nuts.
5. Hammer Drill
A hammer drill belongs to the power drill family but has a distinct purpose. It generates a hammering motion, like an impact driver. But how are they different from each other?
Again, an impact driver delivers a concussive blow, which means it “punches” screws into a hole, so to speak. On the other hand, a hammer drill delivers percussive blows, meaning it gives a rapid succession of short hummer thrusts. It also bores holes into a wall, mainly stone, concrete, and masonry.
6. Jigsaw
To cut curved lines in wood and other materials, you need a jigsaw. It is a fine-toothed power tool with a narrow blade. Apart from cutting curved lines, you can use it to make intricate patterns on wood, install a kitchen sink, or cut an excess portion off a countertop.
7. Reciprocating Saw
If you want to save time on cutting wood, ditch the basic saw for a reciprocating type. It’s basically a power saw. It lets you cut wood as the blade moves up and down on its own. You can also perform demolition jobs with it, so if you need to take down walls in your home to make the interiors an open concept one, the reciprocating saw will come in handy.
8. Circular Saw
Another wood-cutting tool, the circular saw, will also help you saw off wood quickly. It does a cleaner job than a reciprocating saw. You can use it to cut tabletop or countertop slabs.
Final Thoughts
With these power tools and equipment, you’ll enjoy DIY construction and finish the project without as much waste as you expected. These tools will also come in handy during repairs, so investing in them is totally worth it.
