Digital Torque

Digital Torque

Cutting The Cord, Going Cordless

How much time do professional contractors spend each day sorting through power cords, then carefully weaving them throughout the jobsite and finally securing them to ensure they do not pose a safety hazard? This non-productive time can add up over the days, weeks and years, accounting for a major loss of productivity. These activities do not account for the time and money spent replacing cords, time wasted during power losses or fines due to cord violations.

Right now, contractors may only use cordless tools to make quick holes or cuts, or to fill in for a corded tool when it can't reach the power source. They would be more inclined to use cordless tools more often if they would stay charged long enough, get the job done fast enough, and be light enough to comfortably operate.

The recent launch of high voltage, lithium-ion battery technology opens a new realm of possibilities for corded users, making it possible for them to eliminate some cords and increase productivity on the jobsite.

By now, most professional contractors have learned about the features and benefits of lithium-ion batteries. They have heard the claims that these tools can eliminate the hassle of cords and provide enough power to complete extreme applications on the jobsite. However, many end users are asking: can this really be the case? The answer is yes. With the development of this technology, corded users can now untangle themselves and join the cordless tool revolution. Below are some helpful facts and rules about lithium-ion, which will help contractors identify the right tool for their needs.

Rule #1:

Lithium-ion Does Not Mean More Power What is it about lithium-ion that allows manufacturers to crank out such high voltage tools? Lithium-ion provides an ergonomic benefit as the batteries offer a better power-to-weight ratio compared to other battery technologies. It is important to understand that lithium-ion is not:

• power, which is determined by voltage • run-time, which is determined by Amp-Hour rating • torque or speed, which is determined by the tool design

The primary advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that for a given voltage, they are smaller in size and weigh less than nickel cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.

Rule #2:

Know Which Voltage Suits Your Needs Manufacturers are offering lithium-ion powered tools in a variety of voltages from 3.6V to 36V. With all of these selections, it can be confusing to decide what voltage is the best for replacing corded tools. As mentioned above, it is important to remember that lithium-ion does not indicate power; 14.4-volt is still 14.4-volt and 18-volt is still 18-volt, regardless of the battery technology. Therefore, if lower voltages provide you with enough power to complete your jobsite applications, then they are right for you.

If you are considering transitioning to a lithium-ion tool, you should consider the cost implications of making the change. Most lithium-ion tools cost up to two times more than NiCd and NiMH, but if lithium-ion tools allow you to cut your cord and increase productivity -- it is a wise investment.

There is still a huge market for NiCd and NiMH, and these technologies are still going to be relevant as they provide the necessary amount of power and runtime for most end user's needs.

Rule #3:

Consider the Formula There are hundreds of different formulas of lithium-ion, each with various features and benefits that impact the overall operation of the tool. Some formulas provide far more positive benefits than other formulas. When purchasing a lithium-ion powered tool, it is important to understand the performance and durability of the specific product you are considering. For example, consider how many holes you can drill per charge or how many recharges you can get over the life of the battery.

An example of a battery formula is the DEWALT 36V battery technology, which has a unique Nano-Phosphate lithium-ion design that offers a high level of power, run-time and durability when compared to other conventional lithium technologies. The DEWALT 36V battery delivers up to 2,000 recharges, over three times more than any other formula of lithium-ion tested.

It is important to note that there currently is no industry standard for measuring the amount of recharges a user will get from a battery. Some manufacturers test battery life using more strenuous tests that simulate jobsite applications, providing a "real measurement," while other tool manufacturers test cycle life using applications that are not representative of real world, jobsite applications. Users should be aware of this issue and be cautious of cycle life claims until a standard is established by the industry.

Rule #4:

Do Your Homework Higher voltage lithium-ion power tools are designed to provide corded users with the ability to get rid of their cords. This gives contractors the freedom of a cordless tool that is powerful enough to complete high draw applications on the jobsite. When developing its 36V solution, DEWALT conducted extensive field research to establish exactly how professional contractors use corded tools on the job. Sensors were attached to the tools to digitally record information. This information was collected electronically with data logger technology, which is a unique testing system developed and exclusively used by DEWALT, to determine the most effective high-voltage solution. As a result of these research findings, DEWALT determined 36 volts was the cordless platform with the capabilities that best matched or exceeded the performance of corded tools.

Below is a sampling of the independent testing results of DEWALT's 36V platform. These results further underscore that high voltage, lithium-ion power tools have the ability to provide users with the power of corded, without the cord.

• The 36V ½" drill can drill a 1-3/8" hole saw into 20 gauge steel 22 percent faster than the industry's leading 5.5 amp and 8 amp hammerdrills*.

• The 36V ½" drill has the ability to drill an average 67 holes using a 2-9/16" self- feed bit through a 2"x10", which is 2.6 times the amount of the number drilled by the industry's leading 18V drill. **

• The 36V reciprocating saw was able to make cross cuts in 2"x10" material in 7.34 seconds, 28 percent faster than the industry's leading corded reciprocating saw*.

• The 36V reciprocating saw made an average of 64 cross cuts of a 2"x10", two times the amount of the industry's leading 18V saw**.

Industry data clearly shows that high voltage lithium-ion tools do in fact have the ability to perform equal to, or better than many of the industry's leading corded tools. With these performance levels, it is clear that a transition to cordless tools provides the cost-effective benefit of increased productivity on the jobsite. Finally, users can untangle themselves from the burden of power cords.

*3rd Party testing performed November 2005. Average results based on 150 applications using 6 units. ** 3rd Party testing performed November 2005. Average results based on 30 discharges using 6 units.

About the Author

Norwest Tool Centre is Australia's leading power tool specialist store. We specialise in Professional Quality Tools for trade, industry, and DIY - not cheap inferior imports! Our online toolstore is still the cheapest place to buy quality tools in Australia with the fastest delivery times to every location nationally.

http://www.norwesttools.com.au

What exactly would I be paying for in a $200 dollar torque wrench?

I've always tightened my drain bolt by feel, but have now decided to invest in a torque wrench. I would never spend 200 dollars on something like this but is there any reason I should spend more than $30? As I've seen wrenches that appear similar to each other ranging that price gap. I understand some higher end models are digital, but many 200 dollar wrenches seem to be exaclty like the 30 dollar ones except for the "Snap-On" label.

A high-dollar torque wrench will be more precise, which is a good idea if you're building an engine, but unnecessary for tightening the drain bolt.

If you've had a problem with over-tightening the drain bolt, the torque wrench will solve that, once you find out how tight it should be. If you haven't had a problem with over-tightening the drain bolt, the torque wrench isn't necessary.

If you decide to get a torque wrench, cheap is fine - the reading will be close enough. I just checked HarborFrieght.com, and they had one for 20 bucks.

Draper Electronic Torque Wrench