It's kind of funny how the sales and marketing/advertising folks of the power tool companies have "drilled" into our heads the brand logos and the coordinating colors that accompany them. Do you think this was done completely by accident, or were there secret tests going on behind the scenes in your local hardware store's backroom? Whatever the case may be, orange and black means Black & Decker; DeWalts brand is yellow; Milwaukee is the "power-color" of red; and Hitachi is that bright, neon-greenish hue that might one-day attempt to glow in the dark.


Believe me when I tell you that the colors are all part of the big picture for the brands that are behind them. This creates an easily identifiable product in a sea filled with cordless fish, 36-volt electric eels, and 2-speed, man-eating sharks. Simply put, when you're at your workplace or friend's house, you'll see someone else with a power-tool that looks like it would suit your needs perfectly. The color recognition that's in your head will immediately tell you the brand, limiting your remaining search criteria to what the tool will be used for.


For the typical around-the-house jobs like hanging up blinds, curtains and picture frames, a 12 to 14 volt Black and Decker, complete with its orange and black color story, will do a fine job and last for quite a long time if used properly and taken care of according to the manufacturer's directions. If you're planning to build a shed, add-on a sunroom, or build your dream home at the lake, an advanced, professional grade of tool (maybe something like DeWalts and their yellow power tools, or Makita's quality offerings) with a higher voltage will be worth its weight in gold for your project.


After you've decided on your voltage, it's time to check out "under the hood" for the power and muscle of your power tool! Higher voltage usually translates into more torque (the force at which the drill bit turns)-which then transforms into more power.


And you can't forget about speed and their settings- more than one is well worth your consideration to be able to change it with your current task or project without having to change tools. When you think about it, what good will all of the speeds in the world do for you if you lose time changing tools?




Debbie Johnston recommends Makita power tools from BigScrewdriver.com.