TOOL TIPS

Don't  know which tool is best for your needs?   Not sure how to make the most out of  your power tools?

No problem!  Learn more about tool use, tool basics and of course, tool and workshop safety.  Begin by selecting the product category below.

 

New Products

Cordless Drill Use

The best advantage to a cordless drill is that you can take it anywhere since it has its own power source. Cordless drill power is measured in volts; the higher the voltage the more powerful the drill. Keep in mind, however, that as the voltage increases, so does the tool's weight. You can use your Skil cordless drill for household repairs, DIY projects, craft projects, and construction projects. You can drill holes and drive screws wherever needed.

Choosing the Right Drill

Unlike corded drills which are measured in amps, cordless drill power is measured in voltage. A 12 volt drill is recommended for occasional, around the house repair projects and is fairly lightweight and easy to handle. As you increase the complexity of projects, increase the amount of voltage. A 14.4 volt drill is best suited to more frequent household use while an 18 volt drill is best for heavy use or complicated repairs and DIY projects.

Variable speed

Variable speed allows you to control the speed at which your Skil drill's bit will rotate so you can adapt the speed to the project. For example, to drill pine, plywood or other softer woods you'd want a higher speed of rotation because making the material easier to penetrate. Oak or hardwoods usually demand slower speeds to avoid heat build-up and scorching. Also faster speeds are ideal for drywall screws, but slower speeds work best for more dense material such as mahogany.

Batteries
Since cordless drills depend on their batteries for power, itÕs a good idea to have more than one battery. When working on a project, one battery can be used in the tool while the second battery is charging.

Special Features
Many Skil cordless drills include extra on-tool features to make your drilling jobs easier and more convenient. Extras such as a bit index (used to match the screw size to the correct drill bit), stud finder (used to locate studs in framed walls) or a laser level (used to mark level lines) ensure drilling and screwdriving projects are completed more successfully.

Choosing the right bits

Many drill bits can be used in both cordless and corded tools. Accessories for drills include bits for drilling wood, metal, ceramic, glass, or masonry. In addition to bits other accessories include hole saws, home project sets and screwdriving bits. Skil has a variety of drilling and drilling & driving sets that are ideal for gift giving as well. See the accessories section for a complete listing.

Other Uses

Your Skil cordless drill is a versatile tool that can be used for many projects. With the proper accessories, you can sand and polish. See the Accessories Section for a complete listing of accessories that extend the uses for your Skil drill.

Circular Saw Use
A Skilsaw is ideal for making straight cuts through a single piece or multiple pieces of wood. It is lightweight and portable so you can use inside or out.

Crosscuts and rip cuts

A crosscut is a shorter cut that goes across the grain of the wood. A rip cut is a longer cut that goes along the grain. Crosscutting will most often result in a "rougher" finish while rip cutting will result in a "smoother" finish, since the blade is cutting in the same direction as the grain.

Depth adjustment

Proper depth adjustment is important for safety and for the finest finish in the material. Turn the depth adjustment on the back of the saw to raise or lower the blade. Tighten the knob. For proper depth, approximately 1/2 of a tooth should be visible through the material. This will provide the most efficient use of the blade teeth to create a smoother cut and to reduce the chance of kickback (the saw bucking up out of the wood).

Bevel adjustment

The bevel adjustment slants the blade. It is used for angled cuts, generally when two pieces of wood are to be joined together. Select a bevel adjustment between 0¡ and 45¡ and tighten the knob before cutting.

Maximum thickness of wood

Up to 2-1/2" thick using a standard 7-1/4" blade

Choosing the right blade

Blades are labeled by their size, the material they are made of, and by the number and design of the teeth. A 20-tooth steel blade is ideal for most general-purpose woodcutting. A 40-tooth steel blade creates a smoother, finer cut (more teeth generally means finer cutting). A carbide blade will last up to 50x longer than a steel blade and is ideal for hardwood (like oak, maple, or mahogany) and treated lumber. See a complete listing of Skil blades and blade sets in the Accessories Section.

Sanders Use

Sanders come in two types Ñ belt and orbital. Belt sanders are best for more aggressive sanding jobs such as rapidly removing paint or top layers of wood. Orbital sanders rotate in a circular motion and are best for creating smooth, finished surfaces.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper is available in various grits, which are identified by specific numbers. The higher the number, the finer the grit, and in turn Ñ the smoother the finish. For rough sanding such as finish removal or wood shaping, 60 & 80 grit paper is best. For medium sanding such as rough wood or light finish removal, 100 & 120 grit papers are recommended. Anything above 150 is ideal for fine finish or smooth sanding. You should select the specific paper for your specific sander and application. See the Accessory Section for a listing of sandpaper.

Dust collection

Skil sanders have dust collection systems that help keep work surfaces clean . Empty the dust bag frequently and at the completion of sanding.

Drilling Basics

Start driving screws or drilling slowly (i.e. with a low rotational speed, and gradually increase the speed). To do this, press the main trigger only slightly at the start. The more firmly you press the trigger, the faster the tool drives screws or drills. This enables you to start cleanly and prevents the screwdriver bit from slipping out of the screw or the drill bit from slipping away from the marked position.

Hold the tool in a straight position and press it perpendicular to the surface of the wall or of the work piece. If your drill/driver has an auxiliary handle, you can use this to increase the pressure you apply to the tool for more control.

When driving screws, using the wrong bit can strip the screw head. Match the screw head type (slotted, Phillips, or hexagon) and the right bit size to the type and size of screw.

Use the right type of screw depending on the project application: wood screws for wood projects, drywall screws for drywall related projects. The diameter and length of the screws must also be determined: if the screws are too long, they will pass right through the work piece. If they are too thick, they can split thin wood.

On smooth surfaces such as metal, it is easy for the drill bit to slip slightly when beginning to drill. To avoid this, first knock a small hole or indentation in the metal with either a punch or a hammer and nail. Then place the drill bit in the hole or indentation. In the case of hard material, make a pilot hole with a small diameter drill bit then complete your drilling with the appropriate sized drill bit.

Circular Saw Basics

Be very careful when cutting large sheets of plywood, keep the cord across the board on the side AWAY from the blade to prevent "trapping" between the pieces.

Always use the correct blade and make sure that itÕs properly installed in the correct direction. Circular saws rotate counter-clockwise and most blades are marked with an arrow to line up with the counter-clockwise direction.

Always use a sharp blade. Dull blades bind and overheat. If a blade binds, donÕt force or wiggle it. Instead, power off the saw and use a shim to release the blade.

Set the depth of the blade to no more than 1/4 inch more than the thickness of the wood to be cut. Always stand to the side of the saw to avoid injury in the case of “kick back”.

Look for knots and nails before you begin. Avoid them if possible; if they cannot be avoided, be cautious when approaching them.

Never force the blade - instead guide it with a little pressure. If excessive force is required, there may be an obstruction in the wood or a new blade may be needed.

Sander Basics

Limit pressure applied to the tool - Let the tool do the work! If excessive pressure is required, you may need to change the sandpaper more frequently.

When removing paint or stain, replace sandpaper / sanding belt frequently as the sanding surface will clog with the material being removed. Make sure you empty the dust bag often and at completion of sanding.

Keep your tools and work area clean to prevent excessive dust exposure, which will help extend the life of the tool

.

Always wear proper respiratory and eye protection while sanding! Many compounds such as paints, stains, and other finishes contain toxic substances that can be dangerous when inhaled.

To avoid “S”marks or swirls, gradually step down the grit size. Too big of a jump between sanding iterations can leave marks on the wood.

Sanding Basics

Limit pressure applied to the tool - Let the tool do the work! If excessive pressure is required, you may need to change the sandpaper more frequently.

When removing paint or stain, replace sandpaper / sanding belt frequently as the sanding surface will clog with the material being removed. Make sure you empty the dust bag often and at completion of sanding.

Keep your tools and work area clean to prevent excessive dust exposure, which will help extend the life of the tool

.

Always wear proper respiratory and eye protection while sanding! Many compounds such as paints, stains, and other finishes contain toxic substances that can be dangerous when inhaled.

To avoid “S”marks or swirls, gradually step down the grit size. Too big of a jump between sanding iterations can leave marks on the wood.

Tool Safety

Skil Tools urges you to use your tool safely - even on seemingly small projects. Learn how using the right tool, wearing the right gear and keeping your tools properly maintained could all impact your safety.

Work Area

Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes. Keep by-standers, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical Safety

Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adaptor plugs. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user. Improper grounding can shock, burn or electrocute. Grounded tools are equipped with three conductor cord and three prong type plugs. Before plugging in the tool be certain the outlet voltage supplied is within the voltage marked on the nameplate. Do not use "AC only" rated tools with a DC power supply. Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded. If operating the power tool in damp locations is unavoidable, a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter must be used to supply the power to your tool. Electrician's rubber gloves and footwear will further enhance your personal safety. Don't expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to carry The tools or pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord Away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords Increase the risk of electric shock. When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension Cord marked "W-A" or "W". These cords are rated for outdoor use And reduce the risk of electric shock. Refer to "Recommended sizes Of Extension Cords" in the Accessory section of this manual.

Personal Safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of in attention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch Is "OFF" before plugging in. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or plugging in tools that have the switch "ON" invites accidents. Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool "ON". A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.

Tool Use and Care

Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control. Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.Do not use tool if switch does not turn it "ON" or "OFF". Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired. Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally. Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users. Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained tools, with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control. Any alteration or modification is a misuse and may result in a dangerous condition. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the tools operation. If damaged, have the tool serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools. Develop a periodic maintenance schedule for your tool. Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool, may become hazardous when used on another tool.

Service

Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury. For example: internal wires may be misplaced or pinched, safety guard return springs may be improperly mounted. When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance Instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury. Certain cleaning agents such as gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may damage plastic parts.

Water Damage in Tools

If your electric power tools have been submerged in water for an extended period of time, it is very important that you properly clean, dry, and safety test them before attempting to put them to use. Water is an extremely effective conductor of electricity and failure to properly inspect and test your electric tool could result in an unsafe and dangerous situation. Water contamination can have a detrimental effect on both the electrical and mechanical portions of the tool; therefore a complete examination is required prior to using your tool. We strongly encourage this evaluation and testing be performed by a Bosch Factory or Authorized Service Center or qualified electric motor repair facility.

Electrical

The motor, including the armature, field, brushes, and springs should be completely disassembled and blown off with clean, dry compressed air. Armatures and fields should be safety tested using a high voltage test according to manufacturerÕs and UL specifications.Brush springs or holders that appear rusted should be r