Welcome to FMP Tools
All that my tool drawer contained 12 years ago were a Philips screwdriver, a hammer, and needle-nose pliers. That’s all. When I needed a flat-head screwdriver, an old butter knife usually worked. For measuring anything, I used a wooden ruler. If I had to drive a screw, I asked my kind neighbor to help me.
The poverty of my tool drawer ended when I married an electrician, and we started building our home on a four-acre parcel in the mountains – with our own hands. If I had known how much I would have to learn before we were through, I never would have agreed to do it, or believed it was possible. But, we built the house and also moved on to build a greenhouse, garden shed, and a free-standing shed. Our finest accomplishment was when we completed the timber framed barn.
We added the necessary tools to our collection as we added buildings to our ‘homestead.’ At the beginning, my husband gave me utility knife, measuring tape, good hammer, and
speed square along with a tool belt to carry them. It was a birthday present soon after we had begun building the house. I appreciated having my own set of tools to carry
with me. Using these, and my newly acquired chop-saw abilities, I was all set for a while.
As my confidence with power tools increased, I took on more of the house building tasks. It wasn’t long before I needed my own cordless drill and a circular saw that I could easily manage, (as opposed to our heavy 1970s Skil saw with its tricky switch). The next tool present I received was the DeWalt kit with five power-tools! What a pleasure to work with superior equipment.
In the DeWalt kit, there is a super strong cordless drill and a battery powered circular saw that’s light and tough. There’s also a saws-all (reciprocating saw), and high beam flashlight,
all in one handy carrying case.
Along the way, adding equipment to our collection and learning how to operate all of it, I figured out some important principles for using, maintaining, and buying
tools.
Below is an example of the tool articles you will find in our archive. Or, just select a tool topic list on the left for more information.
Enjoy!
- Air Tools
- Antique Tool
- Auction Tool
- Authoring Tools
- Auto Tool
- Automotive Tools
- Band Saw
- Bosch Tool
- Business Tool
- Case Tool
- Chain Saw
- Construction Equipment
- Construction Tools
- Cool Tool
- Craftsman Tool
- Cummins Tool
- Cutting Tool
- Daemon Tools
- Delta Power Tool
- Delta Tool
- Detection Spyware Tool
- Development Tools
- Dewalt Tool
- Discount Tools
- Dj Equipment
- Drywall Tool
- Equipment
- Equipment Rental
- Farm Equipment
- Fireplace Tool
- Free Spyware Tool
- Free Web Tool
- Freight Tool
- Garden Tool
- Garden Tool Shed
- Grizzly Tool
- Hand Tool
- Handy Tool
- Harbor Freight Tools
- Hardware And Tool
- Honda Lawn Mower
- Hot Tool
- Husky Tool
- Husqvarna Chain Saw
- Jet Tool
- Jewelry Tool
- Kitchen Tool
- Klein Tool
- Ladders
- Lawn And Garden Tool
- Lawn Mower Part
- Lawn Mower Repair
- Lawn Mowers
- Lee Valley Tool
- Lock Picking Tool
- Mac Tools
- Machine Tool
- Makita Tool
- Matco Tool
- Mcculloch Chain Saw
- Mechanic Tool
- Milwaukee Power Tools
- Milwaukee Tools
- Mobile Phone Tool
- Mp Tool
- Murray Lawn Mower
- Network Tool
- Northern Tool
- Poulan Chain Saw
- Power Tools
- Pro Tools
- Proto Tools
- Removal Tool
- Ridgid Tools
- Riding Lawn Mowers
- Rototiller
- Ryobi Tools
- Saw
- Scroll Saw
- Sears Tools
- Snap On Tool Box
- Snap-On Tools
- Stanley Tool
- Stihl Chain Saw
- Table Saw
- Tool
- Tool Bag
- Tool Band
- Tool Box
- Tool Case
- Tool Chest
- Tool Crib
- Tool Die
- Tool Kit
- Tool Leasing
- Tool Rental
- Tool Set
- Tool Shed
- Tool Storage
- Tool Supply
- Tools
- Tools Retail
- Tree Mulcher
- Truck Tool Box
- Used Tools
- Web Tools
- Wholesale Tools
- Woodworking Tools
Buying Tools
Here’s the central principle: Never cheap-out on tools – it doesn’t pay. Even for the tools we
rarely use, like the acetylene torch, we discovered we were better off just spending the extra money in the beginning. If you don’t, I promise that you’ll eventually have to
hassle with replacing parts, or the entire item.
Cheap tools invariably break or perform poorly – wasting materials, and even worse, your time. This is true for everything from welders to bow saws. Make the extra investment, and save yourself headaches and time.
Using Tools
Here’s the central principle: use the right tool for the job, and then stay within the operating
guidelines of that tool. For example, my strong but small circular saw is able to cut a green 4 x 6… if I were to force it and the battery was fully charged. However, that is not what the little saw is meant to do. I could permanently damage it, mangle the post, injure myself or someone else by using the tool for something it isn’t meant to do. Use the right tool properly and you’ll be more efficient, and have more enjoyment of the process.
Maintaining Tools
Consider this central principle: Since you’ve made an investment and you’ve developed the habit of using the tool for the job it’s designed to do, if you would also put some focus on maintenance, then usually a good tool will last a lifetime. Keep maintenance simple, then you’re more likely to do it. Most tools, all you need to do is keep them dry, blow the sawdust out of them, and store them in a stable place.
With battery powered tools, keep the batteries charged up and they’ll have a longer life and better performance. On saws, keep blades sharp so the motor doesn’t have to work so hard. By taking care of each tool and doing a little maintenance as you go along, you’ll have it ready every time you need it.