Cordless tools charge forward

New cordless tools help contractors improve productivity and jobsite processes.

by Paul Markgraff

Contractors cite many reasons why they prefer cordless power tools to their corded counterparts. Cordless power tools provide freedom of movement. New battery chemistries provide lighter overall tool weight and increased power and run time. And lately, high-power-draw tools historically relegated to a corded existence – such as band saws and rotary hammers – have broken free of their cords to join the ranks of their cordless brethren.

The bottom line is new cordless tools are making life easier, boosting productivity, decreasing worker fatigue, and changing the way contractors do business. Here are some new entries into the cordless tool market contractors are sure to enjoy.

Li-ion roars into the marketplace
As few as two years ago, lithium-ion (Li-ion) power tools were a new wild card in the construction market. They were largely untested on real-world jobsites, and in spite of potential cost savings, contractors were reluctant to spend the extra dollars.

Now, Li-ion power is beginning to emerge as a real player in cordless power tools. They have delivered on their promise of lighter weight and less worker fatigue, while still providing the same or better power and run time as tools with nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) or nickel metal-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.

Though power tool manufacturers continue to search for that sweet spot that delivers the right amount of power at the lowest weight for the best amount of run time, the onslaught of new Li-ion power tools continues.

Milwaukee Electric Tool’s new line of Li-ion-powered V18 tools focuses on compatibility and convenience for end-users who are satisfied with their Ni-Cd power tools, but might want to give Li-ion a try.

The V18 Upgrade Kit from Milwaukee includes two Li-ion batteries, which are backward-compatible with its older Ni-Cd power tools, and one universal charger. The charger is designed to charge all Milwaukee 18-volt and 28-volt batteries – both Li-ion and Ni-Cd – in one hour or less.

“We see the need for users who already purchased Ni-Cd platforms to give them the option if they want to step up to Li-ion technology and didn’t want to invest in an entirely new combo kit,” says Rick Gray, Milwaukee’s director of marketing for cordless drilling and fastening. “End-users can buy our conversion kit and start getting familiar with Li-ion technology and its advantages.”

Makita has also put its name on Li-ion power. It has more than 30 Li-ion power tools in its LXT line-up including drill-drivers, impact drivers, circular saws, a porta-band saw, a grinder and a concrete vibrator. From this broad range of Li-ion products, the BTP140 impact driver has become a jobsite favorite, says Brad Wheeler, Makita product manager. “The impact driver puts out 1,280 in.-lbs. of torque and weighs a mere 3.3 lbs. At 5 3/4" in length, the impact driver is compact and its ergonomic handle design reduces stress and worker fatigue.”

Makita has also improved the performance of its battery chargers. The new Rapid Optimum battery charger charges a 3.0 amp-hour Li-ion battery in just 25 minutes and carries the Energy Star label for its fast and efficient charging process. “Makita’s 18V LXT Li-ion battery technology and charging system improves upon its Ni-Cd counterpart, completing nearly three times the work with a battery life cycle that lasts between two and three times longer,” Wheeler says.

“We can safely say Li-ion batteries are starting to replace Ni-Cd and Ni-MH in the cordless lineup,” says Wheeler. “Our 18V product delivers much more tool for the money and has the best power-to-weight ratio. With our broad range of 18V product, this is a great time to be a professional tradesperson.”

DeWalt has also charged forward with Li-ion technology. About a year and a half ago, the company unveiled its 36-volt line, which was designed to provide users with a cordless solution to corded applications. The company will introduce its 28-volt power tool platform this fall and it also has plans to launch an 18-volt platform that will be backward-compatible with DeWalt’s extensive line of 18-volt cordless power tools.

The new 28-volt line will include a hammer drill-driver with many productivity-enhancing features. Instead of a ratcheting chuck or two-sleeve chuck, this new 1/2" self-tightening chuck tightens during use, providing better overall torque on the bit and a tighter grip during hammering applications. It has two debris vents to prevent dust and other material from jamming in the nosecone during overhead self-tapping anchor installation.

The tool also features a three-speed transmission, which gives the user more versatility: a low speed provides more torque and control; the high speed facilitates faster drilling; and the top speed generates maximum beats per minute.

“The hammer drill-driver will be a lighter weight drill-driver than current 18-volt Ni-Cd products,” says Tom Baldwin, senior product manager for DeWalt drill-drivers. “When you ask a user if he wants more power or run time, he wants both. That’s what 28V allows him to do. We think that once users who are looking for more power or run time than what 18-volt currently offers get a chance to use these tools, there will be a migration from 18-volt Ni-Cd to 28-volt Li-ion tools.”

The power of Li-ion technology is not lost on Panasonic either. The company’s newest 28-volt rotary hammer is looking to bring cordless Li-ion power and performance to a category traditionally dominated by corded tools.

Doug Bock, Panasonic national sales manager, says the company addressed several problems contractors had with current cordless rotary hammers. Panasonic reduced the tool’s weight, making it 1.2 lbs. lighter than the company’s 24-volt Ni-MH cordless rotary hammer. The new battery also provides 20 percent more power than its predecessor. Plus, Panasonic addressed reliability issues by designing into the tool a new magnesium gear case and dust-proof switch. These features prevent dust from jamming internal components and causing the tool to fail. The tool also features two speeds in hammering mode. The high speed works well for heavy-duty slab applications, and the low speed/low BPM prevents blowout in brick and block.

“With the rotary hammer, you can get the best of both worlds,” says Bock. “We were aiming to get the workload up, the weight down and improve the durability of the tool. Now you can buy one tool that will work well in many environments.”

Time-tested Ni-Cd and Ni-MH
Li-ion power tools have features that Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries can’t match. But the older battery chemistries have been around the block. They are time- and battle-tested. The vast majority of scarred cordless power tools on any jobsite still use Ni-Cd power.

To this end, manufacturers like 10C technologies and Top Cell Batteries offer products that support traditional battery chemistries.

10C Technologies’ new multi-brand universal charger charges any brand of battery in 15 minutes or less without battery degradation, company sources report. The chargers recognize the battery brand, voltage, capacity and overall condition and optimize the charging cycle for that particular battery. The charger will also charge any battery chemistry: Li-ion, Ni-Cd or Ni-MH.

Charger options
“We have what we call the world’s first crew charger,” says Rob Miles, president of 10C Technologies. “It’s a four-port charger. You choose the interface to the battery you want to charge by choosing an adapter from our smart adapter kit. It allows you to adapt the charger to any of the major brands out there. You choose the adapter for the brand you want to charge. You can literally choose four different brands and four different chemistries and it will charge them all independently and all fast.”

Top Cell Batteries has also recognized the present power of Ni-Cd in the marketplace. The manufacturer produces contractor-quality replacement batteries for all major tool manufacturers and sells them for 35 to 40 percent less than name-brand replacement batteries. The company uses top-quality Panasonic and Sanyo cells in its batteries, which is what the better OEMs use, says Kelly Stohler, president of Top Cell Batteries.

The batteries come with a one-year warranty, and Stohler says the company has never rejected a warranty claim. “We’re just a good quality, meat-and-potato, aftermarket battery company,” he says. “There’s a little room there in the marketplace for someone like us and that’s what we are about.”

Published in the July/August 2007 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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