brushed vs brushless power tools

[jd_1138]

I have the Bauer combo pack of 20v tools. It didn't come with a reciprocating saw. I needed one to remove some overgrown shrubs near some steps I needed to rebuild for my friend's house.

I opted to pay the extra $15 to get the brushless Bauer reciprocating saw. $65. This thing is a beast. I may have to get the brushless impact driver now. Only brushless tool it came with in the combo kit was the oscillating multi tool which is a nice tool.

I bought the pack of pruning blades for the saw, and it made quick work of those shrubs. I can't wait to put these tools to work. I also used the recip saw today to cut up an old TV stand my gf's son put out by curb that trash co refused to pickup. Made easy work of it.

 

[jd_1138]

It's kinda pathetic seeing the open box tool table(s) at HF. Yesterday I went there to kill time.

Two tables full of a lot of pricey HD tools like rotary hammer drills, demolition drills and also a lot of reciprocating saws and miter saws. Tile saws. People buying them for one job then returning them. Probably picks up towards end of summer as people get ready for winter.

I guess the restocking fee HF charges erases the shrinkage? I couldn't do that. If a tool saves me or earns me money; that tool is staying with me.

 

[finn]

I have a plethora of Dewalt and Milwaukee brushless tools, but I subconsciously tend to gravitate to my old Bosch driver and drill brushed tools or my much newer Skil drill and driver for quick jobs.
Not sure why, though.

My only brushed tools besides those (I at least think the Skill tools must be brushed, based on the low price Menards was selling them at) is the relatively useless non fuel Milwaukee 12v Hacksall, which I think is brushed.

It’s all in my head, I’m sure.

 

[IndyGarage]

I think there is a very slight inherent performance improvement between brushed and brushless, but I think the biggest difference is the designs are newer on the brushless stuff, so it does perform better. In practicality I don't think it matters.

Where brushless might be a disadvantage is in longevity. Brushed motors can work after decades of sitting, brushless controllers have components that can go bad over time.

 

[bwringer]

I have something like 25 Ryobi tools (platform chosen specifically for the immense range of tools) and get brushless whenever possible. especially for "primary" or most-used tools where it matters. The compact brushless drill and driver set, for example, is phenomenal, and the tiny form factor gets them into places the bigger tools can't go. I'm a big fan.

Some tools demand the greater power; the brushless angle grinder and recip saw are fantastic, and the older brushed versions are famous for being too weak to get much done.

And some tools make use of the precision and control of brushless. The brushless impacts have three power levels plus an insanely useful auto mode; the power ramps up until the fastener is removed, then stops shortly after it breaks free, meaning your lug nuts don't get launched into the weeds. When installing lug nuts, the impacting stops at something like 60 foot-pounds, so I can safely put the car on the ground and finish torquing by hand.

That said, some tools either aren't available in brushless or it doesn't matter enough to make the expense worthwhile. For example, Ryobi now makes a brushless jigsaw, but the brushed version works perfectly fine. The tire pump is a brushed motor, which works just fine. Brushless might be a little more energy efficient, but a decent charged battery already lasts a very long time.

 

[American Locomotive]

The brushless tools are roughly 20% more efficient or so than brushed tools. The biggest difference is that brushless motors can have way higher power densities, so they can plow a lot more power into the same space.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I bought the pack of pruning blades for the saw,

I recommend these blades for pruning and rough cuts. They will also cut nails !

Diablo Demo Demon Carbide Tipped Reciprocating Saw Blades

 

[nafets47]

Brushless tools also dont generate the same heat as brushed tools. I have run a brushed drill to the point it was hot to touch the back end. Brushless get warm.

 

[Davefr]

Brushed cordless tools still have one advantage. They're simple. (ie Battery, motor and switch.) Brushless have a control board and if it goes bad it's a $100+ part. Some Makita brushless tools have had control board problems and unless the tool is under warranty it's very expensive.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

but I think the biggest difference is the designs are newer on the brushless stuff

Indeed, seems to be very little innovation going on for brushed tools just like corded tools.

 

[jd_1138]

I recommend these blades for pruning and rough cuts. They will also cut nails !

Diablo Demo Demon Carbide Tipped Reciprocating Saw Blades

I'll have to get a pack of those. I got this 5 pack of pruning blades for $8 at HF, but they aren't optimal I am sure. Those Diable blades probably go through shrubs and small trees like butter. There's a handyman on YouTube who I watched a couple of his videos, and he happened to mention Diablo pruning blades when he was trimming some foliage off a guy's garage. He said they're the best.

I do have Diablo circular saw blades and they are great. My multi tool blades are Ryobi. I bought a 4 pack at HF.

 

[Beerhippie]

Brushed cordless tools still have one advantage. They're simple. (ie Battery, motor and switch.) Brushless have a control board and if it goes bad it's a $100+ part. Some Makita brushless tools have had control board problems and unless the tool is under warranty it's very expensive.

Variable-speed brushed tools do have an electronic control--it's in the switch. Replacing a switch will still cost you.

 

[lund]

I think there is a very slight inherent performance improvement between brushed and brushless, but I think the biggest difference is the designs are newer on the brushless stuff, so it does perform better. In practicality I don't think it matters.

Where brushless might be a disadvantage is in longevity. Brushed motors can work after decades of sitting, brushless controllers have components that can go bad over time.

I am surprised by this claim. I would think that the brushless is a solid state waveform control. Brushes wear down and get slimed. Yes, they are simple and can be cleaned up and even replaced with relatively standard parts if the model is no longer supported. Also, the switch is the brush speed control is generally some sort of special rheostat that can go bad and is probably not easy to replace and expensive if you can do so. A solid state controller would be very hard to fix IF it goes bad and probably is going to be difficult to obtain or very expensive to do so. How different that situation is from the bush system control, I am not sure. But I would be surprised if solid state controllers go bad from sitting ~10 years. Batteries are another story. But both brushed and brushless use more or less the same Lithium-Ion batteries.