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 Did you know that the use of cordless power tools on the job site can actually save you money? According to a recent report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc., the oldest and largest provider of workers compensation and employee injury data and statistics in the nation, "Without a doubt, cordless tools do help reduce trips and falls, entanglements, and electrocution injuries," noted Mark W. Kinsey, Broker/CRA/Consultant for PKG Insurance Associates, Inc., in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, head of NARI's Insurance Group. "Additionally, we believe it would make sense for the insurance industry to take this under consideration when writing insurance policies."
All of you contractors feel the effects of rising workers' compensation costs. These rising costs are driven largely by medical care and payments for lost wages when injuries occur. As a business owner, you can control these costs, protect your employees, and keep them at work by reviewing safety issues in the workplace. You may also want to consider using cordless tools to reduce accidents associated with extension cords.
The downside to the cordless tools is the increased weight for handling that comes with the attached battery. This weight difference is getting smaller with the advent of Lithium Ion batteries, which weigh less than their NiCad counterparts. Most power tool manufacturers today have created a cordless version of their nail guns and most of these manufacturers are also implementing Lithium Ion technology into their battery systems. Lithium Ion batteries make today's cordless tools comparable in power and durability to their corded counterparts, but are more convenient to use. Manufacturers such as Makita created cordless Combo Kits like the LXT407 that have optimum chargers (model DC18SC) which will charge the lithium ion battery in 30 minutes. One of my favorite features of the LXT407 is that it comes with 2-LiIon batteries so that you can have one charging while you are working with the other - or have two people working at the same time and charge the batteries on your lunch break.
Cordless tools do come with a higher purchase price. Whether this increased price can save you money in the long run will be determined by the type of Tool User you are. Are you a contractor who uses your tools everyday and has employees also using them? or are you the average homeowner who takes out your power tools on a project by project basis.
Three key questions to ask yourself when you compare cordless power tools are:
1. Will the battery required for the tool be compatible with your other cordless tools?
2. If you purchase a cordless tools that needs a CO2 cartridge to operate, how available are those cartridges to purchase where you frequently shop and at what altitude are you operating that tool? (over 4000 feet usually requires a special adapter)
3. If you are looking at cordless nail guns, are the nails that you will need to purchase going to be compatible with your other nail guns?
** As with all power tools, hearing and eye protection are highly recommended.
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