Tools

The right tool for the job can make all the difference. Whether you need a hand tool, power tool, air tool, garden tool or anything else, finding the perfect match can often mean the difference between hours of fumbling labor and a brisk, precise job. No wonder so many people spend weeks refining their shopping lists and comparing features before they buy a set of tools.These days much of the buzz surrounding power tools has to do with portability. Battery packs have come a long way since the days when they provided minimal juice for minutes at a time, but so far no one has been able to create power wrenches and saws whose rechargeable power supplies can rival a corded unit. Still, some clever innovations in efficiency and design have made the possibility of serious work a reality.Top names such as Craftsman and Snap-On continue to lead the charge toward multi-use tools that protect your hands and projects simultaneously. Newer design features such as interchangeable adapters, bolt-sparing wrenches, and power-saving motor speeds have extended the lives of these products, and better materials keep them from wearing down. Even drills and vacuums now come with rugged housing to minimize the risk of shock and fire.If you are in the market for new tools, you will probably want to update powered tools every three to five years to take advantage of rapid advances in the industry.