Buying The Right Tools

All hand tools tend to have a convenience and portability edge on power tool equivalents and are still favourites for many building and construction tasks, but how do you choose the right hand tools?

The recommended policy is quite simply to go for the right tool for the job.

When looking for the best option for the chosen task there are some important questions to bear in mind:

• What are the jobs you will be asked to do?
• What results are expected?
• What advice can I get?

Get it correct and the selected tool will be easier to use, quicker to get the job done and probably give a better end result. As so often "time is money", positive knock on effects such as increased profitability and extra time to undertake more tasks accrue. Safety will also usually be enhanced and tool life lengthened rather than shortened through misuse.

Versatile Hand Tools

In some rare circumstances, selecting the most versatile can be a wise decision for cost and expediency. Tools like hammers are inherently "handy for many situations" but even with these, individual tasks are better done with specific shapes and weights, particularly if combined with the results of newer ergonomic thinking on comfort and reducing stress and fatigue.