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Industry Update: Corded Electric Tools

Corded tools are still the job site champs in power and speed.

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Corded electric power tools may have not have the “glamor” of their cordless cousins, but corded tools are still the champs of the job site in terms of power and speed. Now they are leading the way toward cleaner, safer, more ergonomic tools as well. Here are how our selected suppliers are putting their stamp on the corded market.

Arbortech

The Arbortech AS170 brick and mortar saw uses a combination of hammering and cutting that produces very little dust.

Occupational health and safety and environmental issues and regulations are changing the design of power tools and worker habits on building sites, observes Kevin Inkster, president of Arbortech.

“In renovation and repair of masonry buildings, most of the power tools used to cut bricks and mortar create huge volumes of dust, which present a danger to the operator in the form of silicosis,” Inkster says. “This is also a problem for the general environment. Also, handheld machines that use a combination of high RPM and high torque can be very dangerous indeed, resulting in serious injury and litigation. Regulation worldwide is continuing to get tougher in this area, and insurance companies will penalize companies that do not move to safer alternatives.”

A solution Inkster (quite naturally) favors is Arbortech’s AS170 brick and mortar saw which uses a combination of hammering and cutting that produces very little dust. Waste falls to the ground in a stream rather than being flung into the air like it is from abrasive machines.

“Most importantly, the cutting action is safe,” he adds. “Even if the tool brushes against the hands or body of the operator, it will not cause any serious injury. This is because the hammering action is only effective against hard materials but cannot cut softer surfaces such as flesh.”

Arbortech is currently testing thinner blades for butter joints and longer blades for wood applications, too.

DEWALT

The DEWALT D25323K heavy-duty 1-inch SDS rotary hammer features SHOCKS-Active Vibration Control and accepts the D25300DH Dust Extraction system with HEPA filter. At 3.3 lbs, this HEPA unit features a built-in motor with a two-second shutoff delay for capturing excess dust after the hole has been drilled.

While construction applications have remained fairly consistent, this is an ever-growing trend of minimizing waste, utilizing recycled materials, and LEED based initiatives on job sites.

“The bigger influences we have seen on power tools are growing regulatory trends on dust control, global focus on vibration reduction and user demand for better torque control,” says Doug Redpath, director of corded products for DEWALT.

DEWALT’s solution to help contractors bust the dust takes form in the recently launched line of dust extraction vacuums (D27904 and D27905) for use with power tools. These new vacuums feature automatic filter-clean system (D27904 only), power tool actuation, variable suction and a twist-lock hose. These vacuums also meet the requirements of a HEPA vacuum as defined in the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (40 CFR Part 745) when used with DEWALT’s D279041H HEPA filter.  

DEWALT has also recently introduced two Dust Extraction Systems (D25302DH and D25301D) for cordless and corded DEWALT SDS rotary hammers.  

Vibration reduction is another trend in rotary hammers. DEWALT has applied its patented and patent pending SHOCKS — Active Vibration Control to every range of hammers in its line including: 1-inch SDS, cordless SDS, SDS Max/spline, chipping, demolition and the Breaker hammer, giving DEWALT the widest range of low vibration hammers on the market today.  

“This system takes more than half of the vibration out of the tool, leading to a more comfortable drilling and demolition experience for the operator —when compared to standard designs,” Redpath says.  

Another common issue when drilling with a rotary hammer is being able to maintain control of the tool when the bit hits rebar. DEWALT recently introduced Complete Torque Control (CTC) on a number of its SDS Max and Spline Combination Rotary Hammers to help with this issue. The system utilizes a DEWALT exclusive 2-stage clutch for maximum control in bind-up situations. When powered-on, the tool automatically sets to 30 foot pounds of torque, enough for 90 percent of common applications. If a user hits rebar in this setting they can more effectively control of the tool. When the user needs more torque, they simply move the CTC knob to position 2 (60 foot pounds) and it operates like any other SDS Max or Spline rotary hammer.

“End-users continue to search out the lightest and most ergonomic tools available without sacrificing power” Redpath concludes. “Utilizing DEWALT’s patented high-performance motor technology, which packs up to 40 percent more copper in similar motor size, we are able to generate increased power and performance without sacrificing weight and size. We now use this innovative motor design in a broad range of power tools.”

Makita  

Makita’s model LS1016L 10-inch dual slide compound miter saw with laser cuts up to 6-5/8-inch crown molding (vertically nested), 4-3/4-inch baseboard (vertical), and 12-inch crosscuts at 90 degrees. Its four steel rails and six linear ball bearings deliver smooth, adjustment-free ‘dead-on’ accurate cuts job after job.

“End-users need their table saws for everything from cabinet installation to large custom woodworking and more,” says Joe Soto, product manager, residential construction & pneumatics for Makita. “Challenging tasks like these require power and speed — as well as capacity, accuracy and portability — and Makita’s 10-inch table saw and stand (2705X1) is engineered to meet these demands. “

The 2705X1 has a precision-machined table top to remain flat and true for accurate cuts, an easily adjustable rip fence engineered for lasting accuracy, an innovative trunnion design and a portable stand that’s job site tough for easy transport. The result is an accurate and adjustable table saw with plenty of capacity to cut through 4x material.

“Miter saws are another corded tool that are frequently transported from job site to job site,” Soto adds. “When Makita asked contractors what they required in a miter saw, most replied with accuracy, capacity and portability. Makita’s LS1016L (10-inch) and LS1216L (12-inch) dual-slide compound miter saws are engineered with four steel rails and six linear ball bearings for smooth, adjustment-free ‘dead-on’ accurate cuts job after job. A durable job site miter saw stand, engineered with durable wheels for job site portability, is also available.”

Metabo

Metabo’s 6-inch WEPA14-150 Quick small angle grinder features a unique auto-balance system that extends both tool and wheel life, while making it safer and more comfortable to use. Ball bearings automatically offset out-of-balance conditions present in the grinding accessory, while the tool is in use, reducing vibration and operator fatigue significantly and extending tool and abrasive life by up to 50 percent.

“Metabo has long been known for angle grinders with low vibration, excellent ergonomics, productivity and longevity,” states Terry Tuerk, product manager for Metabo USA. “Metabo has further addressed ergonomics, safety and cost savings with the launch of our ‘Auto Balance’ angle grinders, the WA11-125 Quick 5-inch top switch and WEPA14-125 Quick 5-inch electronic paddle switch and WEPA14-150 6-inch electronic angle grinder. These tools are designed to meet or exceed the new European standards for vibration and are the only angle grinders available that allow the worker to use the tool without limitations due to vibration.”

Long-term work-related disorders are now recognized as a result of operating tools with high vibration levels; HAVS, or Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, and White Finger Syndrome. Metabo Auto Balance angle grinders greatly reduce the risk from and exposure to vibration. Besides reducing risk, benefits include longer work cycles without fatigue and more comfortable working conditions, which improve operator morale.

The autobalancer works by offsetting vibration caused by the accessory on the tool. The more out-of-balance the accessory is — a wire brush, for example — the higher the benefit to the user. And, since any out-of-balance condition in a grinding disc is offset by the autobalancer, a more consistent pressure is maintained at the point of the grind. The net effect is that grinding wheel life is increased a minimum 50 percent, Tuerk asserts.

Tool life is likewise extended; wear on carbon brushes,  gears and bearings, other motor components — all are reduced; the angle grinder lasts 50 percent longer.

“These tools also include the Metabo ‘Quick’ tool-less wheel change system, the Metabo ‘S’ Automatic safety slip clutch which helps the operator control kickback, long life motor components with the winding protection grid and epoxy-coated field coil windings, encapsulated carbon brushes and double-lipped labyrinth sealed bearings. All of these combine to make Metabo the longest lasting angle grinders in the world.”

Porter-Cable   

Porter-Cable’s new heavy-duty 15-amp circular saw (model PC15TCSMK) weighs just 9.5 pounds and has improved weight distribution and balance for a lighter, more comfortable grip. An angled auxiliary handle gives users the ability to naturally and comfortably hold the saw without impeding the line of sight.

“Following the lead of cordless tools, we are seeing corded tool users add compact tools to their toolboxes,” observes Rachel Lombardo, group product manager, corded products for Porter-Cable. “Compact tools can perform the majority of a contractor’s needs without the need of a full size tool. This size vs. power equation gap is closing and users prefer more compact designs when available.”  

“Price is also becoming a larger factor as tradesman are buying new tools. With the economy still struggling, tradesman are becoming sensitive to new tool investments and that shift is driving growth in our new line of Porter-Cable Tradesman tools.”  

Good things come in small packages. As Porter-Cable continues to launch new products in the market, Lombardo says users will see a shift in their size.  

“We will be introducing a new line of reciprocating saws in early 2011 which focuses on a balance of compactness, right-sizing power and ergonomics. We will also launch a new small angle grinder, significantly smaller than our current offering, designed for a slim girth and application-specific power.

“As tradesman compete for work in a struggling economy, price becomes an important factor in tool investment decisions. Porter-Cable has developed each tool with the same focus in mind, to provide the user with the features, power and reliability at a competitive value price. That will continue to be our brand promise.”

Finally, Lombardo notes, outside of demolition and remodeling work, one-size-fits all products will become a thing of the past. Compact appropriate power and size will lead the corded category and pace cordless development and expansion, she concludes.

Ridgid

The RIDGID R3400 5-inch Fiber Cement circular saw features the exclusive, patent-pending AIRGUARD on-board active dust collection system with up to 90 percent efficiency, which dramatically reduces the risk of inhaling harmful dust particles.

One leading trend RIDGID sees is manufacturers expanding beyond “mainstream tools” and getting into specialty tools that address specific issues and applications.

“For example, OSHA is looking more closely at dust and particulates on the job site. Having a corded tool with more power available allows you to add features like fans that can help displace dust,” says Wyatt Kilmartin, director of branding, RIDGID. “We have been able to add a fan into our new fiber cement saw that helps displace the dust without it getting into the motor. Adding a secondary fan would have been very difficult to do with a cordless tool.

“The fan can move the silica dust into a container, which makes the job site much safer. That’s one example where we have really taken advantage of the power of corded tools and used it to add features to the tool that make the job site safer.”

Kilmartin also cites the smaller motor trend. Making a smaller motor that can produce the same amount of power allowed RIDGID to produce tools like the R3030 one-handed reciprocating saw, which has been well received by contractors. RIDGID’s new Slim-Grip R1005 4.5-inch angle grinder also benefits from this trend.  

“I was glad to hear you were covering corded tools,” Kilmartin says. “Cordless is more glamorous these days, but for their higher more power, lower cost and ability to add features that would run down a battery too quickly, corded tools will always have a place and be a staple of any line. We are certainly going to keep innovating and we are not going to ignore that category.”
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