Has the cordless tool market become overpopulated?

comments (18) May 8th, 2009 in Blogs

Justin Fink, Senior Editor

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Of all the tool categories that I have to keep track of for the magazine, none demands more careful attention than cordless drill/drivers. New models are released at such a feverish pace that I’m starting to think these little buggers are breeding on their own.

According to my brief tour through their websites, Milwaukee has about 15 models, Bosch has somewhere around 25, and Hitachi has nearly 35. (NOTE: I was an English major in college, so my mathematical abilities—however simple the task to which they are applied—should be taken as only a loose representation of reality.)

To make things worse, the only differences between some of the many models available from each company are things like the addition of an LED light, a belt hook, or a bottle opener (I wish). The variation in available features seems like a good idea, but how many of us are really making decisions based on a built-in pencil sharpener?

Voltages also range from 3.6 to 36 (I’m pretty sure once we break the 40v barrier we are going to drop voltage and switch over to horsepower). I can only assume this wide range of voltages was intended as a way for manufacturers to spread their chips over several bets rather than limiting their odds and zeroing in on one particular segment of the market.

All of these offerings have merit, and I’m sure they drive sales, because otherwise they wouldn’t be done (at least not for long). But they make me wonder if all of this “we can meet everybody’s needs” leaves the cordless market saturated with shades of gray.

Can you honestly tell the difference anymore between the power of a 12v and a 14.4v Li-ion drill? How about the weight difference between a 14.4v and an 18v Li-ion drill (for one company, the difference is .2 lbs, by the way)? I’m sure the differences are blaringly obvious to all of the engineers that inhabit the sub-basements of each power tool research facility, and are loyally touted by the advertising agencies, but do they matter to the people forking over the cash?

I think a revolution is coming. The cordless industry is becoming too large to sustain itself. There are too many tools, too many voltages, and too many subtle variations. But before you decide that I’m just being whiney about this, consider that I’m most worried for the buyers who will be left with tool platforms that have been abandoned shortly after their release.

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Comments (18)

Bill_in_NC writes: I've owned battery powered tools since the long handle 9.6v Makita I bought in 88. Battery replacement has always been a frustrating issue but since 2006 I've only bought Rigid due to their lifetime service contract which includes batteries. So far they have honored the contract without fault, and they are owned by Emerson Electric and sold mostly by HD. I just drop off a defective battery at HD and pick it up a week or so later. Quality of the tools has been comparable to Dewalt and Makita in my opinion.
Posted: 2:51 pm on December 20th

spinoza2 writes: I've had good luck with my cordless tools, maybe because I've stuck with the higher end stuff and I do take care of them. I recently let my 9-year old NiCd Makita go, for the original $120 or so I certainly got my money's worth. My Li-ion Makitas are still like new after some four years of heavy use.

I recently got one of the new 20-volt Dewalt sets, the hammer driver is awesome. It's lighter, more powerful, and has BMW-like build quality.

I think the proliferation of cordless tools is a good thing, it's driving innovation and differentiation in the marketplace. You do have to do your research, though (thank goodness for the Internet!), and stick with the reliable brands. I've had good luck with Makita and Dewalt, and my Festool stuff should last me the rest of my life.
Posted: 7:01 am on December 19th

demouser writes: We are in a transition from Ni-Cd to Li-Ion batteries. Once that shakes out, there will be less variety on the market. Also contributing are strange retailer agreements like HD forcing DeWalt not to sell to Menards, and HD possibly dropping some Bosch lines.

What the world really needs are standardized battery packs. I feel sorry for the people who buy Craftsman, Harbor Freight, MasterForce, ToolShop, Green, Hyundai, Coleman, Kawasaki and some of the other off-brnds who probably won't be able to get replacement batteries 5 years from now.
Posted: 6:23 pm on May 29th

JFink writes: That's the one - thanks for the help, Greg!
Posted: 10:06 pm on May 24th

gregb writes: Justin, I believe 10C Technologies makes the charger you're thinking of...http://www.10ctech.com/

I still have an old Dewalt Supercharger from the early 90's that charged almost every brand of ni-cad battery available back then. It gives the battery a "tune-up" while charging it in about 5-15 minutes, depending on the voltage & condition of the battery.
Posted: 9:08 am on May 24th

jimmyvern writes: Cowtown, That saw is really cool.

I have seen the price fluctuate so much on the price of these $250+/ea little toys I can't stand it. Every time I go in a big box store for a screw or a light bulb I have to stop by the tool corral for fear of missing out on a good deal. ( Total anxiety really.)One day the Makita 1.5a set is $249 then $199 then $299 and now there is a huge orange sale tag that says " New low Price" $279.
Is there any wonder why we stock up on tools when we see a price drop. The market has taught us that you better buy it right now or it will be $350 next week or even at the store across the street. Could you imagine the uproar from the soccer moms at the local grocery store if they pulled the same stunts?
Posted: 12:34 am on May 21st

sledge writes: You fellers better get ready for new stuff in drills cause I need a new one. As soon as I get past the 90 day return period there will be a new and better crop released just to make my mouth water.

Ed
Posted: 11:25 pm on May 19th

JFink writes: Paul, I'm pretty sure that I saw a company that was making just such an adaptor. Well, if I remember correctly, it was more of a multi-port charging dock that could be adapted for different brands of batteries. I will have to try to dig up that company info.
Posted: 11:01 pm on May 15th

brucet9 writes: "New models are released at such a feverish pace that I’m starting to think these little buggers are breeding on their own. "

More worrisome to me, according to the picture, might be that six of them have transformed themselves into saws and one into a flashlight. :)

Posted: 9:59 pm on May 15th

xxPaulCPxx writes: I really wish someone would make up a battery adapter system. Be able to use one tool of a different set with your own, with just a slight accomodation, maybe a cord going to your belt battery holder.

It's not like the electricity is different from one 18v tool to another!
Posted: 4:19 pm on May 15th

excaliber32 writes: Cowtown, where on earth did you find those tools at? It took me a minute to figure out what they did, but that is about the coolest thing I have ever seen. Its like Transformers for builders!
Posted: 1:07 pm on May 15th

cowtown writes: Last time I got PO'd at the number of batteries that wouldn't hold a charge, would charge in one charger, but not in another, I piled up all the suspects in a pile, and the cost of replacement was 0.5k$

That buys 8 or 10 corded drills whose cords alays fit in the outlets, have more power and are always there with the gumption that gets needed from time to time.

That's half a thousand in consumables.

OK, there is some advantage to be had from these puppies, but you gotta wonder when the 7.2V makitas that you bought 25 years ago keep functioning when the 18V dewalts of 5 years ago don't.

Them early 7.2V were weak buthandy, however now the larger supposedly more powerful 14+V units are clearly over balanced,I'd rather drop a 60 buck corded drill off a step ladder than some 'lectronic space age marvel whose main claim to fame was that it might have saved me 5 minutes in a month, but ended up costing me 4x my hourly rate to repair.

Made no sense to me 5 years ago, makes even less sense now.

The only new bat unit I have purchased in the last few years was the little micro Skil that the salesman dismissed as a "toy" but will fit into the tighter spaces. I think it's a whoppin 3.6V

Battery tools to my mind just don't make economic sense in average applications.

When my grandkids inherit my tools, they is abosolutely gonna love them 14.4V gutles cordless saws that they cannot get batteries for any longer. So sweet.

Meanwhile, them really famous tool mfgrs sell "FLIP-OVER SAWS" in Europe, but not in N.Am.

http://www.knighton-tools.co.uk/acatalog/dewalt_flip_saw.html

nOPE, us po boys gotta buy TWO tools instead of one.

why would I think that marketing don't factor into the equation.

Wanna buy a sh*t load of dead batteries?

I thought not...

Eric in Calgary
Posted: 1:08 am on May 15th

JFink writes: Your suspicions are correct about multiple brands coming from the same factory. In fact, it seems to be getting worse over the last few years. Some of it is undoubtedly because of all of the mergers in the tool industry, but sometimes it's a case of two very independent brands using the same molds and slapping on a different label on the way off the assembly line.
Posted: 2:47 pm on May 14th

excaliber32 writes: Quality from major brand to brand doesn't seem all that different either. I've even noticed what I suspect to be the same factory putting drill/drivers out under different brand names. I like the competition, I think that it helps to keep the prices realistic. I do feel the author's pain, though. Shopping for cordless tools is difficult given all of the choices, and I like the fact that the technology is moving along at such a fast pace.
Posted: 2:18 pm on May 14th

sjdehner writes: not only did we build an entire house but the drill is still working!
Posted: 7:43 am on May 13th

sjdehner writes: Justin, I have to agree with you, when it comes to drill there are too many choices!

My wife and I remodeled a cottage and built a entire house using a single Makita cordless drill. And it was just fine.

The "more-is-better" myth continues to radiate an array of problems, including ecological ones.

Personally, I think its better to build (and own) a few good tools that are consistent in quality.

Posted: 7:29 am on May 13th

jross writes: Too many tools! Next you’ll be saying that one size fits all.

A person should be able to get by with four (maybe five) drivers although I think that’s a little thin. To regular drivers (I like the Panasonic 15 volt), one hammer drill, one corded 1/2in., and one compact impact driver (although two would be better) OK so six ‘cause those little minis with the battery up in the handle are really useful in tight places.

So six. Any one person should be able to squeak by with only six drivers.

Posted: 2:27 pm on May 11th

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