Tuesday, July 17, 2012

How to Build the Best Cordless Power Tool Kit For You

When starting to build a kit of cordless power tools there are a number of key factors to take into consideration before deciding which tools to buy.Batteryvoltage and type, the choice of available tools using the same battery system, and the quality of product required to meet your needs should all be considered very carefully. There is a wide range of options available in today's market place, and taking the time to make the right choice at the start is the best way to guarantee that the investment made delivers the package of tools most suited to your needs.

Battery System

Currently the most popular battery types are 10.8v, 18v and 36v Lithium Ion. All the leading power tool brands offer these systems with battery capacities available up to 3.3Ah and charge times as low as 30 minutes in some cases. Many manufacturers also offer 12.0v and 14.4v cordless power tools which feature a fairly comprehensive range of different types of tool.

Lithium Ion technology is at the premium end of the market, but there are still a wide choice of cordless tools available with Nickel Metal Hydride batteries which deliver good performance and represent excellent value for money. Since the introduction of Lithium Ion, tools using Nickel Cadmium batteries have generally become entry level products.

Higher voltage generally means more power, while high battery capacity delivers longer runtime. Drills and impact drivers are generally less demanding in terms of power and runtime, but saws often require more power and can drain batteries very quickly. Having an additional battery on charge while a tool is being used can be useful, but if a lot of heavy cutting is required then investing in a system with high voltage, high capacity batteries is the best way to avoid running out of power in the middle of a job.    

Available Range

If your intention is to build a kit then clearly the choice of tools available for a given battery system is vitally important. The most commonly purchased cordless power tool is a drill, and it makes sense to buy this complete with batteries and charger as the starting point for a cordless kit. Alternatively, most manufacturers also have twin and triple packs available which include two or three tools, one of which is usually either a drill driver or combi drill. The choice of cordless power tools available is now very extensive and includes jigsaws, reciprocating saws, circular saws, SDS-Plus drills, impact drivers, impact wrenches, multi-tools, lights, grinders and much more.

As well as making sure that the tools you need are available, it makes sense to check that they are also available ‘body only', which means having the option to buy a tool without batteries or a charger. Most reputable manufacturers offer this choice which can represent a substantial cost saving any time you wish to add a tool to the kit.

Product Quality

Cordless power tools are now widely available from a large number of manufacturers; some produce entry level products made for the price-sensitive customer, while others offer powerful, heavy duty tools featuring the latest technology and high quality components.

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