Hot Home Products
New generation of cordless tools get power boost
August 30, 2010
Special to the Star
Vicky Sanderson
When battery-powered cordless tools and appliances first came on the market, response was enthusiastic, as a tool that could go places a cord would not reach had many practical advantages.
The thrill faded, however, as consumers began to complain that battery strength was often not sufficient to power a tool for any length of time. But as battery packs got more powerful and run time was extended, they also added weight to the tool, which diminished their portability, and thus their appeal.
Manufacturers will tell you that advancements to battery technology, namely the development of lithium-ion batteries, have addressed both issues. Lithium-ion batteries are supposed to deliver better power to weight than conventional Ni-Cad batteries, last longer and maintain their charge when not in use.
Two big players, Stanley (which owns Black and Decker, DeWalt, Bostitch and Porter Cable) and TTi Tools (the company behind Ridgid, Ryobi and Milwaukee) are bringing out a slew of new cordless power tools.
Black and Decker ( www.blackanddecker.com) has, in fact, a long and distinguished history with cordless tools, having invented a cordless rotary hammer in the 1960s that was used by NASA astronauts to drill for rock samples on the moon. Today, their focus is on creating products that are increasingly user-friendly and intuitive.
That’s why their Smart Select line has icons, rather than numbers, that guide the user. Turn the drill head, for example, to the setting for one-inch screws and it automatically adjusts to a power and speed that will produce optimal results. Prices are user-friendly, too; the Smart Select 12-volt drill is widely available for $99.
Ridgid ( www.ridgid.com) recently debuted the JobMax, which it’s marketing as “the industry’s most versatile tool system.” The list of tasks it can handle includes cutting, sanding, hammering, drilling, driving and fastening. It comes in a starter kit that includes two blades, a sander pad and paper, and a scraper, which sells exclusively atHome Depot for $119. Other attachments, such an impact driver head, can be purchased separately and the universal adapter fits accessories from other popular multi-tools.
On the cleaning front, Black and Decker has a portable cordless vacuum cleaner that it says has 40 per cent more power than its popular 12-volt Dustbuster. The Flex Mini Canister Vac has a four-foot flexible hose which, when not in use, curls around the machine. The filter can be automatically cleaned by turning a “refresh” knob and put in the dishwasher for deeper cleaning. It comes with a brush/nozzle attachment that can be used for blinds and baseboards, as well as pet hair cleaning tool. It sells for about $70 at Walmart.
New gas-powered nailers from Stanley-Bostitch ( www.bostitch.com) represent another example of how technology is changing power tools. These nailers don’t require a compressor or airline because they have on-board fuel cells that power the tool. That makes them easier to handle (especially on a ladder) and lighter, which can really make a difference on a long job that requires multiple fastening or nailing.
Prices start at about $300 for the 18-gauge straight finish nailer, which can be used for interior or exterior finish and trim, furniture, cabinets, staircases, panelling, or woodworking. It weighs four pounds, including its battery and gas cell. Jam clearance and depth adjustment are tool-free. It accepts nails between 5/8-inch to two inches. The gas cell will shoot 1,200 nails and the 3.6-volt lithium-ion battery charges in an hour.
The line also includes the first gas-powered 15-gauge angled finish nailer, which weighs about 4.2 pounds including battery and gas cell. It takes 15-gauge, 1.1/4 to 2 ½-inch nails, has an adjustable depth guide, and its maker suggests it has a low rate of “dry firing” — that is firing without shooting a nail. It sells for $350.
In the short-term these nailers are available at Home Hardware( www.homehardware.ca) and other independent retailers. The line will roll out to mass merchants later in the year.
Cordless technology has also made garden and yard work much simpler. Outdoor cordless tools are more convenient than corded and create fewer emissions than gas-powered models. (Of course, the most environmentally friendly tools are those that run solely on person-power.)
Ryobi’s ( www.ryobitools.com) new line of outdoor power tools includes a cordless trimmer that I recently compared with a similar tool from Black and Decker. To find out more, check out my blog at www.thestar.blogs.com/onthehouse.
Lost in translation: On a recent tour of cork manufacturing facilities in Portugal, I misunderstood information given me about cork wall tiles and recently wrote that flooring distributor Torlys would be bringing them into Canada later this year. Unfortunately, they won’t. But Torlys ( www.torlys.com) does have an extensive selection of flooring, including some gorgeous cork product. If I do find a company that’s bringing in the wall product, I’ll let you know.
You can read Vicky’s blog at www.yourhome.ca. Contact Vicky Sanderson at vswriter@sympatico.ca and follow her on Twitter @vickysanderson.