Power up and become a full-time DIY player

You bought your first house and it needs more than a few repairs. You started doing some jobs with hammer and nails, and you enjoyed it. Now there are bigger projects to do, like changing the baseboards or fixing some doors, but you don’t think you can make it look just right with a hand saw or a manual screwdriver.

You probably have the basics like hammers and hand saws, but for the first time in your life you’re thinking about power tools.

There are products from many good companies to look at, including DeWalt, Black & Decker and Bosch. What follows are some DIY (Do-It-Yourself) power tools, along with descriptions of what they can do and approximate prices. But if you get through this list and decide that power tools aren’t for you, that’s OK.

There are many great tradespeople in Arizona with all the right equipment when you call for help.

Cordless drill (and driver)

This tool should top everyone’s list because you can’t do much of anything without a cordless drill. Several companies sell good ones.

Prices range from $120 to $200, depending on the size and type of batteries. Preferably, get an 18-volt, but a 12-volt is sufficient for minor homeowner projects. 12-volt drills are a little smaller and can be useful for work in tight spaces.

Get one with an LED headlight to help with jobs inside cabinets and dark garages, and make sure it has a variable speed motor.

A cordless drill can be used with many screwdriver attachments along with steel-brush paint removers.

You’ll find that many jobs done with a power drill will go more quickly, like drilling holes in drywall to insert toggles and anchors for hanging pictures; working on ready-to-assemble furniture; tightening hinges in doorways; and more. These cordless drills are easy to operate for almost everyone.

What about power saws?

But if you’re planning some serious jobs, you probably could use a power saw or two — tough tools that require you to practice using them and take careful safety measures.

Maybe you have always hesitated about buying power saws, but the truth is they can be an incredible help when used wisely.

Get lots of advice before you buy; look for videos online to give you tips on how to use saws. You want to read the instruction manuals carefully. Also, be sure that you have the right size and type of saw for the job you are planning.

Remember that any time you’re dealing with a tool with a blade that is spinning at 4,000 to 5,000 RPM — and a blade that can have 100 teeth on it — you want to pause and consider safety first. Your No. 1 rule should be to secure the lumber or plywood you are working on so that you’re free to control the saw.

It’s also a good idea to wear protective equipment while using power saws and other tools, including safety glasses or better yet a clear face shield, ear plugs or other hearing protection, leather gloves, long sleeves and long pants.

Here are some basic saws plus recommendations for their use:

n Circular (7¼-inch) saw — This saw is vital to have for doing the basics; it’s also the one that requires plenty of caution in its use. It’s the tool for cutting 2x4s, sheets of plywood, and some siding material. Generally, you want a standard corded variation because a cordless might not be powerful enough. But with the right blade, a saw like this can also cut metal, masonry and ceramic tile. You will probably pay from $100 to $150, but you can pay much more.

n Reciprocating saw — Generally, this saw is used for demolition; it’s ideal for taking out a railing or pipe or a cabinet or wall. The word “reciprocating” refers to the up-and-down motion this saw is often known for, though some saws have a different type of moving action. They can be battery-powered or electric. The heavier a job, then the bigger size of a motor you need. You also have to consider the number of teeth per inch on the blade. But you can buy a selection of blades for various jobs like cutting metal, wood, drywall, fiberglass or other materials. Cost varies depending on the size you buy, but look for prices that range from $120 to $200. Of course, along with this saw, many demolition projects may require using a two-pound sledge hammer as well — powered by you.

n Compound miter saw and miter box — If you’re interested in installing crown moldings at your ceiling line or changing your beat-up baseboards, it’s a lot easier with a miter saw. Making precision angle crosscuts and angle cuts will be positively fun to do. You might even want to get a sliding compound miter saw if you’re interested in doing more complicated woodworking projects. Cost of a miter saw can range from $100 to $200 depending on the size, and from $150 to more than $1,000 for the sliding version which may have a laser feature that helps you make exactly the right cut. The higher quality saws will produce precise cuts that will make your work look more professional.

n Angle grinder (4½-inch) with a diamond blade — An angle grinder is not really a saw but is often used for cutting stucco or tiles, including travertine, porcelain and ceramic. This is a tool you need to redo a floor or to tile a bathroom. Always use a diamond safety blade rather than a silicon-carbide blade because silicon-carbide blades can shatter and cause an accident. The grinders themselves will cost $70 to more than $100. The diamond blades run around $30 each.

Of course, there are also a number of hand tools and accessories that you may need to get as well as you build up your DIY workbench, including:

-- A high-quality pull saw that will cut only when you pull back on it. This is a great tool for making a precise cut on small moldings or pieces of trim.

-- An L-shaped, right-angle metal framing square useful for measuring angles and cuts.

-- Assorted adjustable pliers and wrenches.

-- A chalk line tool to mark straight lines for on plywood, drywall and other large pieces of material.