Power Play: Tools That Deliver (cont.)

If you drive screws into plasterboard all day or if you work with plaster and concrete in extremely dusty conditions, then you might have to replace your brushes as frequently as every 2 years, says Gene Bonds of Staley, which is a tool-repair shop in Richmond, Va.

Although brushless motors create more torque per motor volume than conventional motors do, so far, we haven’t seen that translate into better cordless impact-driver performance. The top brushless models that we found clock in at a maximum of 1,460 inch-pounds of torque, but eight conventional models meet or beat that spec, and they cost far less. For example, Craftsman’s 17338 C3 ($150) generates 1,500 inch-pounds of torque. That model costs less than half of the price of Makita’s LXDT01 ($379) brushless impact driver, which generates 1,460 inch-pounds.

As for cordless drills, we see signs that brushless models generate more torque at less motor volume than conventional models do. At press time, Hitachi was expected to release in September a brushless model that the company claims will create 23 inch-pounds more torque than an otherwise identical conventional model that’s 3.2 ounces heavier and 2 inches longer. But that smaller, brushless model will cost you $80 more than the conventional model will, so unless you really need a smaller drill, 23 inch-pounds of torque is hardly worth the price bump.

As manufacturers introduce more models that have brushless motors in the next 2 years, we expect to see higher torque ratings in smaller tools. However, until their price drops, we see no reason to spend the extra money just to get a brushless-motor power tool—unless you’re a professional.

LIGHT THE WAY. Speaking of power, LED spotlights now can be found on power tools at all price ranges. These lights were rare 2 years ago when your solution for working in a dimly lit space, such as under the kitchen sink, was limited to awkward holding or propping of a flashlight or wearing an LED headlamp.

We found that one-third of all cordless drills and nearly every cordless impact driver now has an LED spotlight. Also, as many as three LED spotlights now appear on some cordless power tools, and these LED-equipped power tools emit as much light as an LED headlamp does.

LED spotlights even are popping up in places that you might not expect, such as corded circular saws.

We tried out an assortment of circular saws and jigsaws that were equipped with LED spotlights, and we believe that the lights made the average pencil markings easier to see even in fully lit conditions. They also come with delay switches that prevent the light from turning off when you power down the tool’s motor. Nice!

What’s best of all, LED spotlights don’t add to the price of a power tool, and electrical engineers tell us that LED spotlights don’t cut into battery life. That ought to brighten any do-it-yourselfer’s day.

Drew Vass is a regular contributor to Consumers Digest. He has covered power tools as an editor and writer for several magazines, including Shelter and Door & Window Manufacturer.