There is a burning desire for all of us in the trades to swap our power cords for a cordless power tool. Battery life and its power band must meet our jobsite needs, if the purchase is to improve our productivity and enjoyment of our craft. With all the innovations in cordless battery pack technology how does one make the right purchase .. without paying for what you don't need?
We've all experience the frustration of running out of power, unable to find a freshly charged cordless battery pack. We all know that the minute we take the cordless drill outside it loses half of its power. And we all know that muscle fatigue is a big issue when we get into the larger voltage cordless tools.. all of which sometimes convinces us to return to the corded model. But are there better answers?
Drill Power Tools
Ni-Cd: This is the old time favourite of cordless tool batteries. It has a long history of reliable performance, even in cold weather applications. Batteries are typically less expensive than other alternatives. Some have suggested that these batteries suffer from "memory affect problems" but some manufacturers like DeWalt and Miwaukee dispute this with their new professional quality models.
As a more environmentally conscious population, we have concerns in using cadmium based batteries, and so there is consumer resistance in supporting this option in light of more environmentally friendly Nickel Metal-hydride models.
Nickel Metal-hydride: These are kind of what we would think of as a second generation cordless battery pack. It entered the market with promises of more power and lighter weight, both of which it achieved but at a price! The cell design of a metal hydride battery generates more heat in both the dissipation and charging cycle. In fact it generates so much heat that the charger typically includes a fan to cool the unit during re-charging. This added heat creates a battery that doesn't survive as many charging cycles as its old cadmium cousin, suggesting higher replacement cost leading to less consumer satisfaction.
Of the three common types of cordless batteries metal-hydride are also the one least able to survive fluctuations in temperature. In cold weather it loses significant power, thus if you are an all weather framer, although the lower weight may appeal to you, it is not the battery pack to purchase. On the other hand if your use is more related to indoor cabinetry it may be the perfect light weight option.
Li-ion: This is going to be the battery to watch. Although it has not been on the market for long, initial experience would suggest that it will be the best of the three in cold weather operation. It is also the lightest of the three in direct comparison of "size to voltage".
So what's the down side? Cost. Li-ion cordless batteries are the most expensive of the lot. For long life usage, li-ion batteries must have electronic circuitry on board to balance the charging and discharging load across all battery cells. They also require longer re-charge times to allow for individual cell rebalancing, as a means for extending the life of your battery pack, thus if you are constantly draining and recharge over short periods of time a Ni-cd may be a better choice. Time will tell if this technology will have long term reliability and find solutions to the longer re-charge issues.
So what are the trade offs you should consider? A balance between weight and power is always the first and foremost consideration. Don't buy a 7 pound Big Bertha if all you are going to do is predrill 1/8" holes and don't worry about cold weather performance if you are always working in a heated shop. Recharging speed won't be a big issue if you're the casual user and of course we'd all like to buy with a good environmental conscious.
Thus for a comparative analysis of Ni-Cd, NiMh and Li-ion for each work environment see our table of Cordless Power Tool Battery options. Find out as well, what is the one rating on cordless batteries that will allow you to compare power output on two identical voltage rated batteries. Visit our website http://www.woodsTheBest.com.
Special Price!!! Bigg Lugg Power Tool Holder Belt Hook
Oct 25, 2011 02:14:20
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Bigg Lugg Power Tool Holder Belt Hook Feature
- Fully adjustable for almost any hand held power tool
- Use to hold cordless drills, nailers, staplers, saws, and more
- Fits any tool belt or waistbelt and clips on and off in seconds
- Swivels out of the way against your hip when not in use
- Durable all metal construction
Bigg Lugg Power Tool Holder Belt Hook Overview
Ideal way to hold and carry most cordless tools, pneumatic nailers, staple guns, saws, and more. Easily attaches to any tool belt or waist belt in seconds. Designed to use by left or right handed users. Durable all metal construction. Contains 12 tool hooBigg Lugg Power Tool Holder Belt Hook Specifications
The Bigg Lugg tool holder might be a deceptively simple-looking device, but it's a breakthrough accessory on the job site. Anyone who's ever dropped a cordless drill or a nail gun off the top of a ladder or scaffolding is sure to appreciate the Bigg Lugg's effectiveness. Unlike standard holsters, the Bigg Lugg swivels on your belt, so tools continue to hang down even when you bend over or sit--they don't slip out the way they can with holsters. It also folds flat to your belt when not in use, which helps keep it from hooking or getting caught. The Bigg Lugg clips to any belt, though it fastens most securely to a 2-inch belt (on wide belts, the clasp can't pinch shut). We use ours mainly for cordless drills, but it also works well for nail guns and reciprocating saws. While the Bigg Lugg might not change your life, it will make your workday a lot easier. --Jon GroebnerSAVE NOW on the special offers below!
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