This section will discuss valuable tools for anyone working on an RV. These are unsponsored reviews of tools I or others have used in the trade.
When I started doing carpentry back in the 1980s, I remember one of the first power tools I ever bought was a Skil drywall screw gun, and I have never been without a power screw gun since. Of course, it was basically a drill motor with a different head and an AC power cord in those days. Things have changed a bit….well, a lot of bits…
While I still own that drywall screw gun from Skil, I never use it. Of course, we have great options that are all battery-powered and portable, as well as great options for various bits. Because of their compact size, many of these are great for RV work.
I bought my first complete 18-volt tool kit back in 2000. I still have that DeWalt kit in service today, except for the drill motor I had to replace some years ago. I used that full time along with a full-size 18-volt right angle drill, which I also still have but seldom use. They’re great for heavy-duty drilling. I do have a screw-driving bit quick connect for the drills if I need to drive a big screw into hardwood, etc.
When they first came out, I invested in DeWalt’s 12-volt screw guns and one impact driver and have never looked back. These are lightweight and easy to use. A right-angle accessory makes getting into the tight spaces easy, and three LEDs light up my work. Inside a cabinet in an RV, this tool makes all the difference.
Even though they are only 12 volts, they have plenty of torque for most daily applications.
Of course, a screw gun is useless without a good selection of bits. The most common bits in RV-Land are the #2 Phillips and #2 Robertson (Square) bits, but plenty of others can be found. Again, I have found the DeWalt bit boxes to be the most usable, as the different boxes snap together to keep everything in one place. I have a matching set of drill bits as the third box in my set. In my set is also a set of nut drivers and 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2” socket bits.
I have a much newer 20-volt impact gun, along with an 18-volt to 20-volt adaptor for the old tools. What’s nice is that the new chargers will charge the 20-volt and 12-volt batteries.
Anyway, a tool like this from whatever manufacturer is necessary for anyone working on RVs and can be quite a labor and time saver for RV owners working on their rigs. I have invested in DeWalt as a professional, and Milwaukee and Makita would be other higher-end makes. Other brands like Ridgid, Ryobi, Craftsman, or Harbor Freight may do what you need them to do. My experience with DeWalt over the last 25-plus years has been exceptional, and I have no reason to change all my tools to change ecosystems.
PRO TIP: When you’ll be working with these tools for a living, I have two recommendations. First, go with quality. Second, stay within one ecosystem, especially if you’re a mobile tech, but you should anyway.
I have bought cheaper tools in the past, and I don’t have them anymore. They don’t last. The battery performance is poorer, which can be an inconvenience and a time suck. Staying in one ecosystem reduces the number of chargers you need, and many tools have interchangeable batteries. Research the various ecosystems, invest in those, and try to stick with them. When I bought my first DeWalt kit, it was used on eBay. Try looking for deals online and at local pawn shops. Buying a working used tool can get you started if money is tight.
