Cordless tools have been in the market for a while - across a wide variety of power tool brands. Is it worth the swap and what should you be looking out for?
Performance
Battery tools have now reached performance standards that are similar or better than that of the corded and pneumatic counterparts
40V, 18V, 24V, 12V - these dont make a difference. A higher voltage just means more power is needed to power a motor, it doesnt mean the motor output is better.
What really matters is the motor and how the tool is designed.
Why are some brands so cheap? They use plastic housing, plastic parts, inferior battery cells (that work for 2 months and then dont charge well) and also have poor after service support. This means that when you buy a power tool - try to decide if this makes sense and you are paying for what you get.
Convenience
Simply plug in batteries and get instant power. This is the key selling point of cordless tools. Some tools are sold as bare tools - so if you are already on the system you simply add more functionality to your work!
Do you need to worry about having too many batteries? The answer is no. Refer below to find out how you can save money and get convenience with the sets.
The reason to pick a particular brand of cordless tools - is to recognize that the brand carries a wide variety of tools and equipment that can be operated with the same battery. Pick a brand with a wide variety of tools. For example, Milwaukee has over 300 tools that can be used with the battery system.
AND
if you are starting with a brand for the first time - BUY the set. The sets usually come with a decent discount on the battery and charger so you can get onboarded on the system easily.
Here's a short tip about buying 18V or 12V tools. Always pick the 18V set. The reason is that for the 30-50 dollars more that you pay for the charger, you wont need to buy another charger if you choose to upgrade.
If you need assistance on this matter please feel free to contact us
Safety
Workers often leave generators idle, and turn them on at the start of work. If they forget to flip the switch on the products: it could result in grinders flipping up into the air and injuring people.
Cords and Pneumatic tools are great for workshop use, but also form trip hazards and may prevent working in tight spaces or spaces that require overhead work.
After Sales Service
Tools - as with all mechanical parts : require some level of maintenance and refurbishment for wear and tear. Tool providers that use third party repair operations are often slower and may not use genuine parts for the repair. This can be detrimental and damage the tool in the long run.
Warranties are typically covering mechanical defects but not wear and tear. Be sure to ask your provider about what the approximate tool repair costs are so you can make an informed decision regarding the total cost of owning the tool.
