The First 5 Power Tools You Should Own

The first power tool that most people purchase is a drill/driver. No surprise, since it's the one you need to make hanging wall shelves, mirrors, and photos and easier job. A good choice for your first is this 20V drill/driver from Black & Decker that uses Autosense technology to determine when a screw is flush with wood. There is no physical clutch to adjust—the tool does this for you.

If you're going to start woodworking, then you're going to want a power sander. A sanding block and sandpaper are required for fine sanding and small areas, but if you're going to tackle larger flat areas such as table tops, you want a power tool. This sander from Dewalt features variable speed and a handy dust bag to keep the mess to a minimum.

A jigsaw is great for cutting curves and shapes, and it can also be used with a guide to make straight cuts, which is why this is the first power saw you should own. Unless you plan to rip long sheets of plywood, a jigsaw is preferable over a circular saw. Look for one with multiple orbital settings which gives you greater control over speed and accuracy. This 6-amp orbital jigsaw from Porter-Cable has plenty of precision and power.

A rotary tool can sand, cut, grind, and polish to the finest degree, and it's useful for making all sorts of small repairs around the house. The key is having plenty of attachments and accessories. Dremel makes the most popular rotary tool and its kits usually include everything you need to get started.

Yes, you can drive screws with a cordless drill/driver if you put the right bit on it, and that's the right tool for heavy-duty work, such as driving a screw into a stud. But a cordless screwdriver can be stored in a kitchen drawer and is a tool that everyone in the family can use. It's for tightening and loosening screws into threads or pre-drilled inserts that provide little to no resistance; a cordless screwdriver saves in the frustration and fatigue that can build up when using an old-fashioned screwdriver. This cordless screwdriver from Ryobi has an adjustable handle that makes it even more useful.