I don’t consider myself a tool snob. However, while lurking the internet for woodworking inspiration I often find myself wondering which tools people are using to get the job done – especially people like myself who are just doing furniture building as a semi-serious hobby. So, in that spirit I will use this space to share which tools I am currently using and what I think they are good for or not so good for. Keep in mind I’m no pro (just read through some of my projects) but some tools I really do have some strong opinions about.
Drill (Makita XFD10)
This was one of the first serious power tool purchases I made and it was a great choice. Being that it was my first battery-powered tool this essentially locked me into the Makita 18V battery system, but I have never really had any issues with this brand or system. The drill seems to be listed as a “drill/driver” but I would not confuse this with a driver. I used this as a driver for a long time, but then when I got a real driver it amazed me that I ever used this drill to drive screws.
The drill has a nice weight to it and the variable torques are nice (though I hardly ever change it from the drill setting). There is a little light that comes on when you start to pull the trigger. The light is a nice touch though it’s right above the trigger (right below the chuck) and as such the point of the drill itself casts a shadow onto the point where the drill bit touches the work piece. It would have been better if they found a way to place this light lower and aim it upwards.
I really like the little metal pocket hook and use it all the time.
I accidentally got this thing literally smoking when I incorrectly tried to use it to mix concrete (with a giant stirrer bit). I immediately stopped when I saw the smoke (probably about 10 seconds =( after the smoke started). That was 2-3 years ago and the thing still works perfectly – never had any maintenance performed on it.
This drill had a little bit of a hard time with a 6-inch hole saw bit. It drained a 2mA battery in about 20 seconds and made the thing real hot, but it still worked for some cornhole boards I made.
One of the only things I wish it had that I’ve seen on other drills (a Ryobi I think), is a little magnet to hold loose screws. There are a few times this would have been really handy.
Impact Driver
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Routers
Jointer
Thickness Planer
