Ask the Builder: The Most Versatile Power Tool

This multi-tool can cut through thick plywood like a warm knife through butter.

This a multi-tool. It operates just like a barber’s clippers, employing rapid side-to-side motion allowing you to cut just about anything around your home. Tim Carter/Tribune Content Agency

I found myself entranced by a video several weeks ago. Shoyan, a master carpenter who lives in Japan, chronicled the construction of a simple residential house that was a mix of Japanese construction methods and Western amenities.

I was in awe of Shoyan’s skills and attention to detail. He employed precision you might see a master cabinetmaker use to build a fine piece of furniture. Shoyan used power tools, but he never hesitated to pull out his razor-sharp wood chisels or a hand plane to get a piece of lumber to do exactly what he wanted. You can watch this video on my www.AsktheBuilder.com website. Just type “Shoyan” into the search box on my home page.