Power tools peaked

[Fialaja]

Is it me or have corded power tools stopped advancing? Take the sawzall- it got up to 15 amps, anti vibration counterbalance, gear protection clutch, and orbital action, then it seems to have stopped. The Makita 3070 is at least 11 years old, while the Milwaukee 6521-21 is easily 20 years old. Remember the Milwaukee hatchet? A sawzall that could fold into a 90 degree? Or the porter cable with the end that could be angled in a variety of positions?

Corded drills seemed to have maxed out at about 9 amps with triple reduction gears and keyless chucks again at least 10 years ago. The Milwaukee 0299-20 and the Bosch 1043? Come to mind as great examples...

Hammer drills I. Have 2 of the Ridgid r5010 s that were made in Germany by Metabo. They have Rhom keyless chucks, 2 speed gearboxes, a soft start feature that is almost like an impact driver in slow motion.

Jig saws choice of barrel or handle grip, variable speed via dial or trigger, tooless blade change, and orbital action, like the Makita 4304/4305

Circular saws we saw blade right or blade left sidewinders, hypoid saws, and magnesium materials, laser sights...again all old tech, some of which you can’t get anymore.

So have we peaked? Are there features I failed to mention? Are some of them gimmicks? Are there features that you would like to see come to market?
Have I missed any newer tech in corded tools within the last 5-10 years besides Skils wormdrive portable table saw?

 

[Rabid Badger]

If they improved the corded tools they wouldn't sell as many batteries at $100-200 apiece.

 

[Fialaja]

That’s a very good point! The cordless tools and their batteries are a real cash cow. Especially when they switch battery platforms like some brands and your old batteries don’t work with the new tools or the new tools won’t accept the new batteries.

Or imagine if you invested in an abandoned platform like the Milwaukee v28 line...

 

[Voi]

Are there features I failed to mention?

Hitachi has a corded brushless angle grinder. I haven't had a chance to handle one in a store much less use one but it appears to be very slim due to the brushless motor, which is a feature I would love if I could justify the cost.

 

[Fialaja]

What’s the cost of that hitachi brushless grinder? Hitachi merging with Metabo could bring in some interesting stuff....

 

[Whitworth]

There's no demand for corded tools. Not just homeowners, but professionals too. One of the most laborous things when I was in the trades was hauling around a big bunch of heavy tools, each with cords, plus a ganglion of extension cords in the back of the truck.

Cordless are pricey, the batteries need replacing and tool lines are discontinued, but it's all worth it to avoid going up an 8 foot ladder with a corded tool. I have loads of old, quality corded tools, (Milwaukee hole shooters, porter cable routers, skil 77 saws, etc) I never touch any of them anymore.

 

[ku17]

If they improved the corded tools they wouldn't sell as many batteries at $100-200 apiece.

This. Companies are following the money.

 

[Voi]

What’s the cost of that hitachi brushless grinder? Hitachi merging with Metabo could bring in some interesting stuff....

It's "see price in cart" on Amazon but the newer Metabo version is $200, which I think was the initial MSRP of the Hitachi.

I had forgotten about their merge with Metabo and I do think I heard speculation of more corded brushless tools from them.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Do the corded tools really need any “improvement”?

 

[Handyandy23]

I think this falls under the categories of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and "don't reinvent the wheel". The basic function of tools stays the same because that's what they're supposed to do (if the function changed then it would be a different tool). All of the listed "minor changes" like brushless motors, smoother / anti-vibration, more power, etc are all the fine tuning most tools needed. And those changes in themselves take a lot of engineering and effort to refine.

Also I'd say a lot of the more flashy "features" that could be added (like rotating heads on saws) are more gimmicky than useful.

Cordless tools see the most innovation because it is still a relatively young field, and they are more profitable because people actually want to buy them. All of the initial R&D is going to go into the cordless versions to try and catch them up in functionality and power to the corded versions. And I'm sure any new features that are applicable would get carried across to the corded world too.

Lastly I would say corded tool buyers these days are specifically looking for something without bells and whistles and silly features. Tools I buy corded are ones that I know I won't use very often, don't need to be especially mobile, and that I'm hoping will last me for a very long time. If I'm buying for simplicity and longevity I'm not looking for state-of-the-art technology, I'm looking for something tried and true.

 

[Moparman390]

If a 20 year old design still works, is competitive with other's offerings, lower margin, and gets the job done, for something like a corded reciporcating saw for instance, why invest R&D in it? Especially if it's a slow growth, no growth, or shrinking category? The tool companies have most of their R&D efforts going to the battery operated category where the real action is at.

 

[NC Rick]

I purchased good quality corded tools and the big difference to me is they don’t need to be replaced. That is a bad thing for the manufacturers.

A point for consideration, I have a close quarters 90 degree drill, mine is Bosh I think... I have used it maybe 10 times in the last 20 years. When I needed it, I needed it bad. If I need it tomorrow, it will work. Try that with a battery drill. I love my rechargeable battery drills and they last pretty well these days. I’m happy to pay for the convenience. If I want to hand drill a 1/16 hole in something substantial, I grab the 1/4” Milwaukee corded drill which has a 4000 rpm speed. The high speed is worth getting the cord out for, it is way faster than waiting for the battery drill to screw up the drill bit.

 

[ichabod]

Remember the Milwaukee hatchet? A sawzall that could fold into a 90 degree?


still use mine, it has a straight or orbital cut selector switch. wish I could get this in the 18 volt fuel.........

 

[Ign]

There's no demand for corded tools. Not just homeowners, but professionals too. One of the most laborous things when I was in the trades was hauling around a big bunch of heavy tools, each with cords, plus a ganglion of extension cords in the back of the truck.

Cordless are pricey, the batteries need replacing and tool lines are discontinued, but it's all worth it to avoid going up an 8 foot ladder with a corded tool. I have loads of old, quality corded tools, (Milwaukee hole shooters, porter cable routers, skil 77 saws, etc) I never touch any of them anymore.

Not only that but if you can increase your output or through-put or whatever it's ACTUALLY not more expensive.

I lose about 20% of a purchase order if I bring in a helper. But I can practically double the number of purchase orders I can complete. So, is the helper expensive or is it actually a good deal?

Same is true for cordless. *IF* cordless allows you to get more work done in a day, maybe it's at worst break-even, best case actually makes you more money.

Of course there are 8 trillion variables and YMMV

 

[ddawg16]

There's no demand for corded tools. Not just homeowners, but professionals too. One of the most laborous things when I was in the trades was hauling around a big bunch of heavy tools, each with cords, plus a ganglion of extension cords in the back of the truck.

Cordless are pricey, the batteries need replacing and tool lines are discontinued, but it's all worth it to avoid going up an 8 foot ladder with a corded tool. I have loads of old, quality corded tools, (Milwaukee hole shooters, porter cable routers, skil 77 saws, etc) I never touch any of them anymore.

I think there is a demand.......but in different areas.

I use a corded drill in my garage with I'm working on the bench doing a lot of the same stuff....like drilling pocket holes.

DIY stuff around the house? Corded is a PIA.

The reality is, cordless is just the evolution of the corded tool. But I doubt you are going to replace the skill saw for framers.

 

[MrSurly]

Lasers. They are adding lasers to corded tools. I have a new Delta miter saw. It has a laser... that has a pair of AAAs to be replaced..... on a corded benchtop size tool!

 

[zendriver]

Other than designing a life like ****** in them, what else is a user going to do with them that they don't already do?


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[finn]

Same concern the buggy whip and carburetor guys have.

Not much progress on rotary dial telephone technology lately, either, come to think about it either.

 

[NC Rick]

Buggy whip? ;-). Are there any high RPM cordless drills? Try drilling a hundred or so 1/8” holes in double thickness aluminum sometime with a cordless. The battery stuff keeps getting better but high rpm high energy stuff hasn’t happened quite yet I think. 6” angle grinder for a big grinding job is another example of the power advantage of having a nuclear plant wired to your tool.

 

[crewchief888]

I think there is a demand.......but in different areas.

I use a corded drill in my garage with I'm working on the bench doing a lot of the same stuff....like drilling pocket holes.

DIY stuff around the house? Corded is a PIA.

The reality is, cordless is just the evolution of the corded tool. But I doubt you are going to replace the skill saw for framers.

for the most part, if i'm close to an outlet i use a corded tool.
beyond have a fuel cordless grinder, 3/8" dr impact and 1/2" drill in my service truck, and a couple drills and impact drivers in the house, everything else is corded or air...

 

[logical]

The next big upgrade will be to make them cordless...oh, wait.

 

[NC Rick]

Oh! I may have to buy one!
https://toolguyd.com/metabo-fast-cordless-drill-sheet-metal-pilot-holes/
https://toolguyd.com/metabo-fast-cordless-drill-sheet-metal-pilot-holes/

 

[mrvm]

For sustained consistent power one can't forget the corded power tools. As awesome as the cordless tools have become sometimes depending on tough jobs one can't beat corded power.

 

[pstemari]

Yeah. It's strange what tasks will bog down a cordless drill. Wire wheels and sanding disks were what I found to be most notable.

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[speed bump]

Electric DA sanders are an area where I think we have seen some improvement. 10 years ago I would have never considered an electric sander for auto body work but now i'm just waiting for a good excuse to pick one up.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Is it me or have corded power tools stopped advancing? Take the sawzall- it got up to 15 amps, anti vibration counterbalance, gear protection clutch, and orbital action, then it seems to have stopped.

If it drew any more amps, you wouldn't be able to plug it into a standard 120vac receptacle.

 

[kidder]

Personally there are powertools that are available cordless that might be as good or better than corded. However tools that fail into this category may also fall into another category called “as soon as the battery fails and it is no longer supported the tool become trash”. For me a tools such as sawsall, tracksaw, etc. For these infrequently used tools being corded has a major plus - if taken care these tools will last a lifetime. Being cordless in my opinion can be major draw back. Long story short, if money is no object I would love a quality cordless tracksaw but for as much as use my corded tracksaw I know it will be more than likely be a one time purchase.

 

[kctyphoon]

This. Companies are following the money.

Yes - but your analogy is backwards.. companies aren’t advancing cordless tools because “THEY want you to buy batteries”. Companies are advancing cordless tools - because nobody wants a cord attached to their tools anymore. For most people there is just no need. Or do you think cordless phones became popular to sell more batteries?

 

[Handyandy23]

Yes - but your analogy is backwards.. companies aren’t advancing cordless tools because “THEY want you to buy batteries”. Companies are advancing cordless tools - because nobody wants a cord attached to their tools anymore. For most people there is just no need. Or do you think cordless phones became popular to sell more batteries?

This man speaks the truth. Companies will spend the time on things customers want. If the demand wasn't there they wouldn't develop them.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I've said it before in a similar thread, but I would love a corded 1/2 inch impact with the grunt of the current cordless models.

 

[kctyphoon]

Lol.. nobody WANTS a cord attached to the tool.. NOBODY is saying “i wish they would make this awesome tool, with a 6 foot tether attached to it”. Or, “man I REALLY wish i could attach a 100’ extension cord to everything”.

 

[Jmonnty]

Buggy whip? ;-). Are there any high RPM cordless drills? Try drilling a hundred or so 1/8” holes in double thickness aluminum sometime with a cordless. The battery stuff keeps getting better but high rpm high energy stuff hasn’t happened quite yet I think. 6” angle grinder for a big grinding job is another example of the power advantage of having a nuclear plant wired to your tool.

https://fein.com/en_us/m/drilling/cordless-drill-drivers/ascm-14-0307692/
It works great in aluminum, just pricey

 

[mrvm]

For me strong recip saws are needed during a big demo job and running on battery power would be somewhat limited. Brushless tech could be a good advancement for corded grinders, recip saws or any high torque saws.

 

[Fialaja]

Okay, I can see the anti corded tools point of view, but I just cannot justify the expense of converting everything to cordless. I don’t make a living in the trades...if I had disposable income, maybe. I don’t know. Does the cordless sawzall have orbital action,enough endurance to use mercilessly all day long and counterbalance? I have an 18 volt Dewalt sawzall that’s nothing to write home about...

Does the hammer drill have a soft start feature? Jig saws with orbital action? A barrel grip version?

Is there a cordless angle drill that can drive a 2&9/16 self feed bit all day long?

I just cannot justify a $300-500 investment in a cordless tool when it’s corded counterpart is 1/2- 1/3 the cost. If I made a living with them, maybe I could.

 

[Fialaja]

Just looked on Amazon a Bosch jigsaw bare tool is pretty much what a corded one costs. Makita is quite a bit more. They have come a long way with anti vibe and counterbalance.
I’m impressed!

 

[Fialaja]

And there is a Milwaukee sawzall that’s counterbalanced. Ok so I’m eating humble pie...

 

[Handyandy23]

Agree to disagree. Current battery systems incentivize brand loyalty and continual investments in one cordless line to the exclusion of others. They’re more concerned with keeping revenues up for their shareholders than they are with satisfying their customers.

Don't those go hand in hand though? Pretty hard to make shareholders happy if you're not selling things people want to buy. The most simple way to make money is to develop products that people want.

The flip side is believing that tool companies have some sort of mind control over customers and have exercised that to make people believe they want cordless tools more than corded.

 

[dnschmidt]

With the advent of Li-Ion batteries this argument ended. Milwaukee's Fuel Super Sawzall has MORE power and faster speed than the corded version. I believe there is a YouTube video demonstrating this from last years Milwaukee event.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

I have corded tools I haven't touched on hears. Who wants to play with cords for tools when I can grab a tool and use it without stringing extension cords and looking for plugs. I'm just Joe-blow homeowner. The pros are probably a lot happier not having cords all over their workspace and getting in the way in cramped spaces.

 

[kctyphoon]

To be fair - I believe DeWalt either did, or is releasing some Brushless corded stuff.. at least a grinder if I remember right. For DeWalt I'm willing to bet their reasoning is purely to add some more "key marketing words" onto the package for potential customers.