If you’re into woodworking there are some things you must understand while working with electric tools. This is a craft that requires a lot of comfortable space in your surroundings, in order to manage your work more precisely, and consequently, achieve better results. For that matter, cordless power tools are a great purchase, as they allow you maximum freedom during usage, as well as often being lightweight.
Cordless vs Corded tools is a debate that has been going on since cordless first hit the scene. The main focus of this discourse comes with the answer to some of these questions: Is the range of motion more important than reliability? Are the best cordless tools still inferior because they need a charged battery to operate? Are corded tools less reliable because of the wear and tear that their cords endure?
Well, even though those are some tricky questions, this article is on the cordless side, so if you’re thinking about purchasing a Cordless Power Tool to add to your woodworking shop, here are some strong points that can help you make the best decision.
Portability
Cordless tools offer great flexibility and portability. It’s important that you maintain control of your movements while feeling the most comfortable doing them. Since it has no cords and you don’t have to rely on a stationary power source, cordless tools can be a great option for you.
If you’re working on several projects or in tight spaces, cordless tools also allow you to move freely and unhindered without the hazard of tripping or tangling a cord. It’s a clear advantage for any mobile business or contractors that need to move around frequently on job sites, or for nature lovers that enjoy a good afternoon spent doing woodwork in the middle of nowhere. Lastly, due to their flexibility, they provide a great and enjoyable woodworking experience – this is especially true of cordless sanders since it allows you to work outdoors and avoid breathing in dust and debris.
Battery
They usually come with batteries as a form of power source, meaning there’s less equipment to carry, the workspace is less crowded and the job gets done equally as fast. Most of the batteries are lithium-ion, capable of holding a lot of power that doesn’t diminish over time if the tool is not in use. They are made to be lightweight, also helping to reduce worker fatigue and sore hands. By running on a battery it will also have serious impacts on your electricity bill, as you will only need to recharge it, once in a while.
Storage
Fewer cords also means a safer workplace. Cordless power tools are typically easier to store than corded ones. For example, tools like cordless drills, saws, and impact drivers can be placed in drawers or shelves even though, typically, they already come with handy and resilient individual storage containers to house the tool and its accompanying batteries.
Some Downsides
However, like any other thing in life, cordless tools also have their downsides, and this wouldn’t be an informative article if we didn’t mention them. Most of the time they are not as powerful as their corded counterparts, as the battery depletes quickly. Their battery-time usually works around the 30-40 minute mark – it will always depend on the type of work and the time spent on it. In spite of that, there are some types of cordless sanders with high-quality batteries you should definitely check on!
Bottom Line
The best fit, as expected, depends on the type of projects you wish to tackle and the amount of use you want to give them. While corded power tools offer a higher reliability and sustained power, when it comes to maneuverability and convenience there is no match to cordless tools. However, until they can provide the same power and reliability that a corded tool will always have, the debate will rage on. In general, the rule of thumb among contractors is that cordless tools can be used for minor jobs, but the corded models are best for bigger projects or when excess power is needed. You just need to understand your own needs when it comes to the type of projects you have on that worn-out list stuck to your fridge door.
