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What Are My Cordless Tool Battery Choices?
Cordless power tools come in Ni-Cad or Lithium Ion battery versions. Choosing between the two isn’t always easy.
Do you want a lighter cordless tool? Lithium Ion batteries are often the lighter option.
Do you want greater durability from your battery? NiCad batteries have a reputation for being more stable and rugged.
Lithium ion batteries do not develop a “memory”, but they have temperature sensitivity, which can lead to reduced battery capacity over time. Your cordless tools may be operated in a wide range of temperatures, and it’s important to take this into account when choosing the type of tool for your work.
If you aren’t worried about the additional weight of a NiCad battery, you may wish to consider this option depending on your needs. There are also “bare tool” options if you already own a battery and charging system. You may find your system compatible with many of your cordless tool options.
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Cordless Tools That Clean: Meet the Scumbuster
A tool fan will tell you that adding a motor to any tool makes it better. Remove the cord and it really gets good. Even better is when these cordless tool features are added to a cleaning device. That’s just what the scumbuster offers to those stuck with the thankless task of scrubbing the tub, shower, sinks, counter tops and floors.
When it comes to reaching and scrubbing those hard-to-reach areas, such as corners, cracks and crevices, the scumbuster is in its element. Because the scumbuster has a handle, it means no bending and straining to employ the right amount of elbow grease. The product uses regular household cleaners, so there's no need to purchase special cleaning solutions, and it's fully submersible.
As one of many battery power tools, the scumbuster has its time limits, running for about 25-30 minutes before it needs to be recharged. This time frame is important when planning how you'll use the scumbuster for cleaning projects because you'll want to budget time for recharging.
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Cold Weather And Cordless Performance
Some battery-powered tools are more sensitive to temperature than their pneumatic counterparts. The hoseless nailer is a good example. This tool is adversely affected by temperatures below freezing or above 100 degrees. The battery performance and lifespan can be shortened. You may notice a reduction in power to the nailer, which will slow down or stop the job you are working on. Some of your problems may not occur on the job, but while the tool is in storage. If you keep your cordless drill and other tools in a garage or warehouse that is not temperature controlled 24 hours a day, you will definitely see a reduction in performance from certain types of cordless batteries. It is far better to keep these tools in the house or in a heated office. Maintaining a constant temperature as often as possible will definitely increase the life of your batteries.
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Going the Distance with Cordless Power Tools
Those who use battery power tools can all speak to the benefits of not being tied down to a cord when they are trying to go the distance on their DIY projects. Because of their popularity, the residential and commercial tool marketplace is flooded with cordless tools and cordless tool kits. That may leave the novice scratching his or her head as to what to buy.
Factors to consider when selecting a cordless screwdriver or drill include charging time. While you may not have to contend with a plug, the battery will eventually give out and that usually happens right in the middle of a project. Look for cordless power tools with lithium-ion batteries that offer fast charging time. Another factor for cordless power tools is their weight and how easy they are to hold. To maintain your comfort level on long projects, look for products that provide an easy grip that fits naturally within your hand.
Look for a brand of cordless power tools that offers a wide array of choices within their collection so that you have a set that runs on the same battery platform, making charging easier. Lastly, brands mean a lot in the tool business. If you have a used a particular manufacturer’s corded tools in the past and felt good about it, then their cordless line is likely to reflect the same quality, reliability and value.
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Cordless Tool Kits
Cordless tools often come in kits which can mean big savings to first-time cordless buyers. Some kits include a cordless drill and saw combination, others offer cordless lights and drills. Some slightly higher-priced kits have two types of cordless saws along with a drill kit. One important difference between cordless kits is voltage. Some are 14.4 volt kits, while others are 18 volts. Some believe the 14.4 volt kits offer a good balance between the power a tool delivers and the weight of the battery. If you need a lightweight cordless tool kit, try out the weight and heft of each tool before purchasing. You may find the 14.4 volt kits work better. You may sacrifice a bit of power or torque, but this may be a fair trade for those in need of lighter tools.
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Where To Start With Cordless Tools
Aubuchon Hardware Tip: If you are on a job site where cold temperatures can zap your batteries on a lunch break or other downtime, consider purchasing a set of disposable thermal warming packs to put in your tool kit when you aren't using your cordless drill or other battery-powered items. These "hand-and-feet warmers" are non-combustible and can temporarily keep your cordless items from being drained by low temperatures when you have to step away.
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Cordless Tools And Tool Belts
Do you use a tool belt when working? It is important to pay attention to the shifting weight issues caused by the battery in cordless tools. A cordless drill, for example, carries the battery in the base. Gravity shifts the bottom-heavy tool around in the tool belt, and in some utility belt designs, the weight shift will eventually let the drill fall out of the belt. If you are working from an elevated position, this can be a real safety hazard. Attaching a cordless drill to your utility belt with a lanyard will go a long way toward preventing your cordless tool from shifting out of the belt and impacting the floor. You can also use a loop of Velcro to fasten the tool in the pouch to prevent these “bottom-heavy” tools from becoming airborne.
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How Your Cell Phone Can Help When Purchasing Cordless Tools
When you are purchasing cordless tools, it’s a very good idea to use the same criteria you use in purchasing a cell phone.
How does the tool fit into your hand?
How long does it take to charge?
Most importantly, how long will the battery last? If you buy a cordless drill, you want to be able to get as much battery life out of it as possible.
What happens when the battery begins to run down? With a cell phone, you get service until the battery finally just conks out, but with a drill you may get reduced power, deceased torque, or other issues.
Does your cordless tool also have a “corded” option in case you do run out of battery?
Or will you be sidelined until the tool is charged again?
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Charging Cordless Tools
There are a wide variety of cordless tool chargers to choose from. If you have purchased a cordless tool that did not come with a charger (from a yard sale or an eBay purchase, for example) you should buy a charger for your make and model that offers two charging slots. This can dramatically cut your tool downtime and increase its efficiency. You may not think so when you only own a single cordless tool, but once you get used to the ease and convenience of cordless tools, you'll want to expand your cordless tool kit. A dual charging bay lets you charge the tools you aren't using while you are on the job with your other cordless units. When working with others on a larger project, you can set fully-charged tools aside so other workers can get their cordless drills, saws, and other tools charged up, too.
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Where To Start With Cordless Tools
Are you unsure where to begin when purchasing that first cordless drill or hoseless nailer? Fortunately, help is available on the Internet. There are plenty of user reviews of cordless tools online. You can check out descriptions of name brands in action for a wide variety of different tools, and probably some you never thought of “going cordless” with. Try a Google search on the phrase “cordless tools reviews” and you’ll get plenty of good results. Don’t settle on a single review, try checking out a variety of different reviews on the particular make and model of cordless tool you need; you’ll get a better perspective of the pros and cons of that model.
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