Power Tool Advancements Make a Difference (Power Up: Tool Advancements Make Life Easier)

Beginning with the invention of the first rudimentary wheels by our prehistoric ancestors, tools had but one purpose — to help someone get a job done faster and more efficiently. Over the ensuing millennia, the humble wheel has given way to tools of ever-increasing sophistication and complexity. The core purpose, however, has remained the same: It’s about making the user’s life easier.

During the past three or four decades, technology and ingenuity, along with rigorous real-world use, dictated the basic shapes and functions of most power tools. In other words, most basic power tools do what they were designed to do and deliver a good level of performance and durability. The challenge for tool manufacturers in more recent history has been to simplify end users’ tasks through innovation. That’s good news for any professional power-tool user, because improvements in comfort, line-of-sight, speed, safety and balance ultimately mean increases in productivity and profit.

Tool Selection

You’ve probably heard someone tell you at some point in your career, “You need to choose the right tool for the job.” This is great advice. Why? Because the very first consideration when you pick up a tool is how it will make your job easier. Choosing a jigsaw to cut a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood in half is a recipe for frustration. Thanks to a growing marketplace of great purpose-built tools, you no longer have to compromise when matching a tool to a job.

Nowhere is this trend more evident than in the rising popularity of cordless impact drivers. Where basic power drills were once the standard tool for screw-type fasteners, workers are discovering that a good impact driver will do the job twice as fast with half the effort. Even small, lithium-ion powered impact drivers are more than up to the task for small-diameter lag bolts and 3-inch or 4-inch screws.

Another great example of choosing the right tool for the job is using a small rotary hammer in place of a two-speed hammer drill/driver for concrete drilling and driving. The tried-and-true hammer drill is great for the occasional light-concrete drilling application. But for extended use or deeper holes, users can really benefit from stepping up to a small rotary hammer. A rotary hammer is faster, lasts much longer and transmits far less vibration to the user.

Of course, none of this matters if you’re trying to do pro-level work with a homeowner-grade tool. If you’re not willing to spend a few more dollars — $129 for a quality circular saw versus a $50 bargain-bin special — for a tool that’s durable enough for professional use, then you’ve already chosen the wrong tool for the job.

Comfort

Power-tool manufacturers worldwide have spent a significant amount of energy in the past decade on making their products more comfortable. We have to use the word “comfort” loosely, because it can mean many things — from the way the grip feels to the way a tool discharges dust. But the net effect is the same: A tool that is designed in a way that enables the user to relax during use will ultimately reduce mental and physical fatigue and improve productivity by a fairly large margin.

Compare the latest crop of cordless drills to some of the older ones on a jobsite for a good example of how far tool design has come in such a short time. At first glance, you may not notice much of a difference. Pick them up, however, and the improvements become apparent. You’ll notice subtle differences, such as smaller, less bulky grips that have comfortable notches molded into the casings where your thumb rests and a shorter trigger reach. Hold the tool a while, and you’ll probably discover that the drill’s weight helps point it into its normal operating position. The new tool is probably perceptibly lighter than its predecessors and better balanced.

Now use the older drill alongside the newer one. The newer one will feature smoother operation and less noise. It will probably be more adjustable, enabling you to dial in key features to match the job at hand.

All of this is the product of years of ergonomic engineering by leading manufacturers in response to user feedback. But it’s only one example of one type of user comfort. Sometimes comfort and safety go hand-in-hand, as is the case with vibration reduction and dust collection.

An angle grinder is one of the most basic power tools on the jobsite. Yet, pick up a high-quality grinder and you’ll notice a variety of advanced features aimed at enhancing user comfort. The primary purpose of most tool developments is user safety – but at the end of the day, when you’re breathing clean air and your hands aren’t sore, you’re really talking about comfort.

Control

Many of the same features that enhance comfort also offer users a greater level of control. If a tool is better balanced and the user’s eyes are protected from dust and debris, that tool will be easier to control. This results in an improved finish quality and less strain on the user.

Across the board, the latest generation of quality power tools — drills, saws, rotary hammers, even large breaker hammers — has been designed to offer users a greater degree of control. When shopping for power tools, pro users can make their lives easier by shopping for those featuring grips and handles designed to center and leverage the tool’s weight, thus improving power and control.

Another way power-tool manufacturers are improving control is by making instruments more compact. Narrower tool bodies, angled auxiliary handles, shorter profiles — all of these features work in concert to make tools more maneuverable and enable users to access hard-to-reach areas with minimal fuss. Again, the latest ultra-compact impact drivers are a great example. You get a tool that feels great in your hand and can reach almost anywhere, but you still have more available fastening power than many of the older cordless drills ever delivered.

Tools designed to isolate the user from vibration or debris also enhance control and, with it, safety. Many tools now utilize sophisticated dust-collection and anti-vibration technology. This means less airborne dust in the eyes and lungs, which is not only a distraction but also a proven job-related hazard, particularly when working with concrete. Similarly, tool-related vibration, at best, can lead to fatigue and diminished control as the day progresses. At worst, prolonged exposure to severe vibration can shorten a tool-user’s career. These technologies are out there for a reason. Don’t scrimp at the expense of your long-term health.

No doubt about it. This is a great time to be in the market for power tools. All other factors being equal — power, speed, durability — many of the most exciting recent innovations in power tool engineering were designed specifically with the user’s comfort and safety in mind. So take your time and really think about your next tool purchase before handing the store your hard-earned money. If a tool can’t answer the question, “How are you going to make my job easier and more enjoyable,” keep shopping.

Jim Bohn is a group product manager for Bosch Power Tools in North America. He has nearly two decades of power-tool industry experience and has personally witnessed the progression of almost every type of power tool and accessory during his tenure at Bosch. For more information on Bosch Power Tools visit www.boschtools.com or call 877.267.2499.