Guest Column Is it time to review your power


tools? As a professional tradesperson, you will no doubt have built up quite a collection of power tools over the years. From a diamond drill to a nail gun, having the right tool for the task at hand is essential in getting the job done properly. From drills to


saws, angle grinders to routers, the right power tool not only ensures you deliver a high- quality finish, but can also help you to maximise your time on site. Time, as they say, is money and this is especially true for self-employed tradespeople who need to be able to turn projects around quickly and to a high standard. When you rely on your tools for your livelihood it is, of course, in your best


interest to take care of your tools and equipment, therefore maximising its life span. Easy ways to do this with your power tools is to keep your tools clean and to always store them away properly to prevent damage. Also, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. No matter how well you maintain your power tools, inevitably there will


come a time where they need replacing. So, what should you look for when investing in new power tools? Well, firstly


look at the battery power on offer. As a professional you need a battery with staying power; losing time out of your working day waiting for tools to charge is a waste of your time and can be frustrating. Some power tools come with an interchangeable battery pack that can be


used across all tools within the range. The key advantage here is that you can always have a battery pack on charge, it also makes carrying around your power tools easier and lighter as you are not having to carry multiple heavy battery sources. Another key consideration when choosing a power tool is the durability on


offer. With tools regularly in use, often in tough conditions, you need power tools that have been designed with the professional in mind and therefore are robust and durable. Ask your local power tool supplier for a demonstration of some of the power tools they would recommend for people within your trade. You may also want to consider noise levels, something that is a particular


consideration when working in people’s homes or other places where noisy equipment could cause disruption. The most important factor when choosing any tool is of course its safety


credentials. Always opt for a power tool that offers features such as safety cut- out, protection guards and lower vibration levels. Repeated exposure to vibration can result in Vibration White Finger, so opting for a power tool with lower levels can minimise this exposure and make it more comfortable for prolonged use. Having worked in the building trade for over 25 years I understand how


important a good reputation is which is why I am proud to be an ambassador for Checkatrade, an online resource for consumers offering access to a network of approved and vetted tradespeople who are committed to offering quality, value and great customer service. To find out more about becoming a member, visit www.checkatrade.com.


12 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE www.toolbusiness.co.uk


Draper STORM Choose What Y


Independent Review


by Peter Brett


It seems like there is an inexhaustible appetite from tool users for more power tools. And more to the point, there is a huge range on the market to choose from, to suit everyone from occasional users to heavy duty professionals. One of the newest ranges to be launched is the Draper


STORMFORCE range – a set of tools that is so flexible that it offers users lots of choice. There are five Interchange tools in the overall STORMFORCE range of 48 products– a Drill/driver, a Combi hammer drill, an impact driver, a reciprocating saw and a cordless ratchet. All the interchange tools I tested are


powered by a neat little 10.8v Lithium Ion battery pack and can be bought as a complete kit with charger and spare battery, or “bare” – just the tool itself. In this way users can acquire a decent range of tools without having to buy any “unwanted extras”. I was sent an eclectic range of tools to try


out, so here goes…Starting with the cordless combi hammer. This arrived as a complete kit packed neatly


into a black plastic Draper case, custom fitted with a place for tool, spare battery and charger. The quality of the tool inside looked, felt and behaved like an able bit of kit. I looked it over closely for any signs of corner cutting, but I found none. It has a good quality 10mm keyless chuck, there are well designed rubberised protection “bumpers” on the body of the machine and a very comfortable handle that provides good rubber grips and a perfect position for the forefinger on the trigger. The 1.5Ah battery pack slots into the bottom of the handle easily and is also easy to remove with no sticking on the catches. It is full of nice little touches like the big LED light above the trigger that comes on automatically when the trigger is pulled and stays on for a few seconds when the motor stops. Battery charge is indicated by a three light indicator on the top of the handle


and there is also a reversible belt hook, two speeds, a twenty-one position torque setting collar with drill, drive and hammer position marked too. The collar works positively in click stops and is easy to turn to select positions. To test this combi I took it on a job with me and I was pleased with the way it


performed in drilling and driving modes. I managed to drive enough screws to require the use of the second battery and it was great not to have to carry a big 18v drill upstairs to the loft in which I was working.


Celebrity


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