When preparing for a disaster, government shut-down, or other crisis, it’s important to have the tools necessary to be self-sufficient. You never know when something in your home will break down. With the right tools, you can repair it yourself.
Whether you’re new to prepping and building a toolbox or you’re an experienced prepper looking for new ideas—this list is for you.
Why purchase power tools?
Not all crises involve a power grid shut down. Even those involving a power shutoff often are only a partial or temporary shutoff. While you need to be prepared to live without power, you also need to be ready to be isolated for long stretches of time. Power tools can improve your ability to survive under these circumstances.
If you have access to an off-the-grid power source, you’re in an even better position. Solar powers and generators can recharge your power tools easily.
How to choose the best power tools for prepping
When collecting power tools for a crisis, it’s important to ask two questions:
- Is this power tool faster than a hand tool?
- Does this power tool require power to run, or is it rechargeable?
Only collect power tools that are an advantage over hand tools. Hand tools will always be available. Power tools will only be useful when electricity is available. If there’s no clear advantage to buying a powered version, opt for the hand tool.
Try to limit yourself to rechargeable and cordless tools. These are more useful during a disaster because they do not directly depend on an active current. If you have corded tools, you will only be able to use them in situations where power supply is adequate for running the tools you need.
3 Essential Power Tools for Preppers:
Drill
A drill is the number one tool in any toolkit. In a prepper’s toolkit, a drill provides a quick way to tighten screws and construct new projects. It’s infinitely faster than drilling and installing screws by hand and doesn’t take up much space.
Even better, there are a variety of cordless drills on the market. Try to find one with a rechargeable battery pack. This way, you can purchase extra batteries and extend the life of your drill even without power. When you do have power, you’ll be able to recharge one battery pack while running the drill with a different battery pack. It’s an essential and versatile tool you can’t afford to go without.
Chainsaw
Yes, you can cut down trees with a handsaw. However, a chainsaw is much faster and more efficient. It’ll also help you conserve your energy for hauling wood, making repairs, and doing other necessary tasks in a crisis. Not to mention a chainsaw can be used to cut through more than just trees and can be an invaluable tool in any prepper situation.
PRO TIP: A cordless chainsaw is essential. Even when power sources are not available or “down”, gas may still be readily available or can be siphoned from cars and other motorized vehicles if needed. Try to select a lightweight chainsaw if possible; otherwise, you may exhaust yourself simply by hauling around the weight.
Air compressor
An air compressor can provide the power for a variety of tools, like a nail gun, angle grinder, or hydraulic riveter. Portable air compressors often come with rechargeable battery packs. Rather than purchasing a corded version, opt for the cordless for greater mobility and flexibility. Charge the batteries whenever you have access to power.
Necessary Accessories and Extra Parts
Each of these tools comes with its own set of accessories, add-ons, and extra parts. Which should you use?
What you purchase depends on your situation, skills, and current tools. Here are a few extra parts that frequently come in handy for the above toolset:
- Extra drill bits—Add bits made for drilling through metal, concrete, and stone to stay prepared for every situation.
- Chainsaw sharpener—A dull chainsaw is both ineffective and dangerous. Don’t buy a chainsaw without also purchasing a sharpener.
- Protective gear and first aid—You should already have some of this in your emergency kit, but if not, make sure you have safety gloves, eye protection, a helmet, and a first-aid kit equipped for handling major wounds. Using a chainsaw is dangerous and should be taken seriously.
- Hoses and adapters—Your air compressor should come with a hose and adapter set. However, it’s a good idea to store one or two extras for when these wear out.
- Extra battery packs—As mentioned above, keep one or two extra battery packs on hand. Remember that batteries lose their charge over the course of their shelf life, so keep them charged and maintained or they’ll just be a few extra paperweights.
Final Thoughts on Power Tools for Prepper Needs
Prepping for an emergency is no joke. It’s important to ensure you have the tools on-hand to keep your home safe and maintained in case of a power grid shutoff, crisis, or other disaster. Not all power tools are useful in a crisis—but many can increase your efficiency and increase your chances of long-term survival in isolation. Don’t forget these tools when creating your emergency kit. Your future self will thank you.
Guest Post – Brandon Smith is an Editor at TheSawGuy.com – a woodworking & DIY resource for everything from comparing the best table saws and miter saws, down to home and garden projects.
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I don’t consider two of these to be Prepper tools. These are tools someone would want to have in a “temporary” kind of situation like when a hurricane knocks out the electric. The Prepper consciousness is one that thinks “long term” outage. But we especially are thinking about making wise choices which do not cause problems down the line and make us regret those choices as having been short-sighted in nature. So having said that, I think there are better options than two of the ones you’ve chosen.
Yes on the drill. In fact I have several on hand with at least two batteries for each – that can be recharged by solar or generator. I have a couple of cheap drills from Harbor Freight that are extremely low voltage recharge – and then a Makita which takes a little more juice, being 18V.
You can get a really good 2000W generator on Amazon for less than $500. A generator is going to have a lot more uses and is more economical than a cordless generator. First of all, we want to think long term….how will we recharge them if the electric does not come back on? That could leave you holding an empty bag….expensive choices that may be useless at some point. With a little knowledge one can make their own repairs on gas generators. They can also be converted to alternative fuels if one is savvy about those things (that is why I have two diesel trucks).
Its easier/cheaper to store gas in five gallons gas cans (just make sure you put Stabil in the cans). Not to mention that what if a battery on the generator goes bad? Can it be replaced? Even if it could…..spare batteries for the DeWalt for instance…..are $140+ for one battery – and that is prices now……what will that price be after TEOTWAWKI, if one could even be found? You can store a lot of gas for that amount of money.
Chainsaw. I would go with gas…same reasons as the generator. Easy to rebuild. Buy spare parts when you buy the chainsaw. I would also recommend at least a 18V portable radial saw. With additional blades, it can double for a chainsaw in an emergency. I also have a B&D alligator lopper, actually works better than a small chainsaw and it is electric…..I can run it off the generator.
I am a single woman farmer…..although technically a Prepper (seems like in this day and age people just love creating monikers for everything)…..in reality people my age (75) that live this way are just ones that have learned to approach everything we do sprinkled with a huge dose of common sense.