Power Tools

A power tool is all about efficiency - getting something physical done at a faster more efficient pace without sacrificing cost or physical labor.

They can be powered by a multiple of different sources of energy:  Internal combustion engines, hand powered, steam engines, electric motors, compressed air, burning of fuel, propellants, wind power or even moving water.

Egyptians used a crude form of a modern day drill during the formation of the pyramids, so as you can see this concept has been around for a long time.  The ancient Egyptians also created an early hand powered lathe!

Man has always surged towards being more efficient, saving time, saving money.

These days they are used for practically everything and anything in heavy construction or just around the house.  Whether it's cutting, sanding, grinding, polishing, drilling or driving there is a tool out there for any need or purpose.  And if there isn't then you can bet it won't be long before there is.

Quite ironically, whilst power tools used to be handmade they are now themselves made by machines designed to be faster and move effective at the task.

Another very important factor is accuracy.  It can to some extent or completely depending on the tool in question take out much of the risk and uncertainty of human error.  Designed to be very precise if not perfect at their designed task not only can they do most jobs faster but often better then a human can without it.  And depending on the job at hand accuracy and precision can be a very important factor.

There is of course a downside with power tools.  With greater power comes greater risk to safety.  So as they have become more common and more powerful the safety regulations and rules surrounding the proper use of these tools has grown with them to accommodate with these increase in risks.  Also due the efficient nature of the power tool it has had a negative effect on employment in the construction and home repair workplaces.  As tools have become more efficient and more affordable the need for physical labor in these areas have decreased.

Power tools are one of those niches that will grow and expand the more human kind wants to achieve and the faster that we want to achieve it.