Fastening is a part of most jobs, but many people still struggle with it. The following tips can help you in your fastening endeavors.

Toggle Clips

If you are using toggle clips to hold pieces of hardware together, make sure that they’re not too tight. If the hardware is too small, it may slip out or break off when you install the piece. Toggle clips come in various sizes, so try them on before you tighten them down. This tip also works for spring clamps and other types of screw fasteners.

Wedge Plugs

When you need to drive screws into wood, use wedge plugs instead of a drill. A wedge plug has a slanted end that fits into the hole of the screw. The slant makes it easier to turn the screw into the wood without causing any damage. They’re easy to use and won’t mar your work surface.

Laser Cutters

With some materials, you might have to cut them by hand. For example, if you want to attach a metal baluster to an existing railing, you’ll first have to remove the old rail. While this might be a simple enough job, it might take longer than you think. If you don’t have a laser cutter, you could always borrow one from your local community college.

You can even build a laser cutter at home. You can find instructions online for making a homemade laser cutter at Instructables.com. It might not be the cheapest option, but you can do a lot more than just cutting metal balusters. You could also use it to craft custom jewelry, engrave art onto metals, and much more.

Staple Gun

A staple gun isn’t necessary for everything. But it does come in handy for certain projects. For instance, if you need to hang something up on a wall, you may want to staple the bottom edge of the item to the wall. This way you can easily pull it off again.

It’s important to note that not all items are suitable for staples. In fact, you should never use staples on leather or fabric. That said, a staple gun can be used for a variety of things besides attaching things to walls. Some examples include:

Hanging curtains

Securing bookshelves

Installing picture frames

Putting electrical wire into a conduit

Installing flooring materials – like tiles

Using a staple gun as a tool makes it much safer and quicker than trying to use a hammer. Plus, there are no sharp edges to worry about.

Wire Brush

If you need to strip wires, a wire brush is a good choice. It will allow you to clean away any dirt and grease. There are many types of brushes available, but a flat-head or a fine-pointed wire brush is best. You can also use a nylon brush for larger surfaces.

The best part? Wire brushes can be purchased inexpensively. This means that you can save money while avoiding the hassle of stripping wires manually.

Needle Files

You can purchase needle files to sharpen nails, screwdrivers, and other tools. Before you buy a file, however, check its size. Needle files tend to be smaller than standard files – so if you need a big nail to fit through a tiny opening, you can’t go wrong with needle files.

Don’t forget that file sets usually contain several different sizes. This allows you to use different sizes depending on the shape of the object you’re working on. You’ll get better results if you switch between the different sizes of files for each task. This way, you’ll only have to sharpen one type of file once.

Nail Gun

If you need to drive nails into wood, you should consider purchasing a nail gun. Nails guns are powered by electricity and use compressed air. This means that you can shoot nails anywhere you want, regardless of the material you’re working on.

There are many styles of nail guns available, so you should choose one based on what you’re working on. You should also look for nail guns that can handle multiple sizes of nails. And finally, you should keep in mind that nail guns aren’t cheap. As such, you might want to look into the possibility of building your own nails gun.

By combining parts from around the house, you can create a DIY nail gun that’s just as powerful as those available at stores.

Drill Bits

If you need to drill holes in wood, you should use bits specifically made for drilling. These bits are designed to withstand high-speed rotations and can help you avoid damaging your work surface.

Most people prefer to use bits that come with their drills. However, these bits often leave behind chips and debris, which can damage your work surface. So if you’re looking for a durable bit that will last longer, you’ll have to spend extra cash on a specialty drill bit.