Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on whether or not it is possibly damaging to leave certain tools out in the cold. I’m not talking about the wet … but out under the roof of a structure that’s going up but hasn’t been enclosed yet … or in a van.
The tools I’m most wondering about are things like Cordless drills with their batteries and cordless framing hammers (Paslode) with their gas canisters and batteries.
Are there any tools that should be kept in out of the sub-freezing temperature on a cold night?
thanks –
nb
Replies
Batteries dont like the cold .
You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof
My first impression was to say no and overall that is true, but there are limits to everything.
Extension cords get brittle and crack - at what temperature depends on the type outside insulation they have and how old they are. Makita used to have terrible cords on tools for the cold, but they have improved that. I have split tires wide open at about fifty below zero.
I busted a bearing on a tool bringing it from storage at below 20°F to stressful use immediately.
The tools you mention are more sensitive. I don't think it will hurt the batteries too much to get down to 28-30 degrees but the intructions that come with the tool might show a higher threshold. Charging them at low temps can do some damage too.
The fuel cells will not be hurt by cold, but the gas will not fire below about twenty degrees. Anything below forty and they are far less efficient. I have had mine barely give a POOF instead of a good BANG at temps below thirty
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My experience has been that NiCads aren't hurt by cold (to well below zero). Lead-acid batteries, of course, can be damaged if they aren't kept charged. Don't know about NiMH or L-Ion batteries.
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NiCD's don't like cold temperatures to operate.
Li-Ion batteries don't have a problem with cold but water is a killer to the Lithium cells.
The paslode has a NiCd battery. Once warmed up it ought to be OK.
The paslode gas shouldn't be affected by temp except when you use it, it would become more likely to gel with rapid depressurazation. (think of an LP tank under heavy drain in the winter.) You'll probably have to replace the canister more frequently. Just save the almost empties for spring to drain rthe last of the canister.
It was cold here yesterday, and I broke 3 T-10 torx bits. I don't know if the cold had anything to do with it, but I'm suspicious....that never happened before.
I ordered some new GRK bits, folks here say they are good ones.
Cold is no good for anything, I think.
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
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Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
My shop's not heated. Our weather here in Georgia is very mild, but I keep my batteries in a 30 quart cooler with a 25 watt light bulb dropped in. Easy, simple, effective, low cost. Cooler or two would work great for air tools.
Greg
The wood is harder in the cold.
Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle. --Mahatma Gandhi
Thanks for your responses.
Much appreciated.
nb
Really ?I tend to have the opposite problem.Waitaminnit.Never mind...
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
The worst thing about cold tools is that they make your fingers freeze and fall off.
My larger concern is the rapid temp change. I hate bringing my tools in to a customers house and seeing all the moisture collect on them. I guess its not bad if you use them right away but I worry about things like my planer in the garage that isnt used as much.
Yeah, condensation can be a problem. A trick used for electronic devices is to bag them in plastic while outside in the cold, then bring them in and not open the bag until they warm up.(I'm sure someone's gonna claim that this only "holds the moisture in", but that isn't the case.)
Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle. --Mahatma Gandhi