PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2025 Tools& Workwear
Go cordless and never go back to plug-in
Cordless tools are the go-to for many in the industry. Here, Kevin Brannigan from Makita explores how advances in cordless technology are benefi ting professionals and outlines how the correct selection of tools can help make work easier, quicker and safer.
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t is increasingly well understood that cordless tools off er a number of important benefi ts over corded or pneumatic
options. Without the restrictions of connecting to mains power or pressurised air lines, cordless tools off er greater fl exibility and ease of work, especially when working in confi ned spaces or areas where power is not readily accessible. By removing the need for power connections, they also improve safety on site by eliminating a potential trip hazard. By extension, this saves time throughout every job as there is no need to plan and implement the safe routing of cables.
Kevin Brannigan Marketing manager for Makita
Neck and neck There have been many advances in cordless technology in recent years. Improvements in battery technology has meant better power density and less bulky batteries, enabling lighter, more compact and easier to handle tools to be developed. Charge times have also been signifi cantly improved. For example, our 3.0Ah 18V LXT battery can be fully charged in as little as 22 minutes, while the 2.5Ah 40VMax XGT battery takes just 28 minutes, and the 4.0Ah XGT battery charges in 45 minutes. Cordless tools reaching parity with corded
versions is in large part due to advances in motor technology, which has led to better performance. The use of highly effi cient brushless motors has helped deliver longer runtimes and increased power from the same capacity and voltage of battery. In fact, a brushless motor can extend run times by up to 50% per battery charge. Additionally, the development of higher
voltage platforms, such as the 40VMax XGT, has provided trade professionals with even more choice, and meant that cordless power can be used for even the most demanding applications, which traditionally required a corded machine. This, and the breadth of cordless options available, means cordless power can be used for virtually every task. Reaching the point where every need can
be met using battery power means it is now possible to have an entirely cordless jobsite. In addition to the go-to tools used every day, and the specialist machines engineered for a specifi c task, there are a wide range of cordless products that make work easier and safer. For example, there is a broad range of cordless lighting available, from handheld options for illuminating specifi c areas, to high-powered area work lights that fl ood the space with high- quality light.
Part of the cordless LTX series, this 12 LED work light with adjustable height for spot or area lightning delivers 3,000 lumen on high mode; daylight white color is similar to natural light and the easy -to-operate tripod stand can adjust light height
between 125 and 224 cm
Done and dusted Dust management is also an area where the use of cordless products has clear benefi ts. There is now a range of cordless dust extractors available, including M-Class products. This is the minimum required when carrying out respirable crystalline silica (RCS) generating tasks, such as drilling or cutting materials like timber, concrete, masonry and stone, due to the serious health risk that RCS presents. With the latest extractors off ering superior
The Flashlight XGT work light with foldable head provides ultra- bright illumination in 7 positive stops and left to right rotation
Makita’s brushless Recipro Saw XGT for spark-free cutting of metal and demolition work
runtimes, it is now feasible to use these for all applications and with modern tool technologies it is also possible to have ‘auto functionality’ – streamlining work still further. This feature has been present for many years on extractors with power take-off where the electrical connection to the tool allows the activation of the extractor when the tool is in use. The same is now possible with cordless tools. For example, our Auto-Start Wireless System (AWS) connects cordless tools to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth to run the extractor whenever the tool is activated. Finally, to take full advantage of the benefi ts
off ered by cordless tools, it is valuable to select tools that utilise the same battery platform, as this enables the user to simply move the battery from one tool to another in seconds to complete the next task. It also minimises the number of diff erent batteries and chargers that need to be managed and stored. Therefore, it is important to look at the breadth of the manufacturer’s range when investing in new tools. For example, our 18V LXT battery system is compatible with more than 325 diff erent products and the 40VMax XGT system currently has over 125 products in its range.
Common ground Even where it is necessary to use two battery platforms – such as 18V and 40VMax – for diff erent types of work, it is worth looking at the possible benefi ts of purchasing everything from the same manufacturer. For example, with the addition of a simple adaptor, the XGT chargers can be used to charge both XGT and LXT batteries. It also means all the tools can be serviced in the same place with a single point of contact. With advances in technology and
improvements in the capability of battery- powered tools in recent years, cordless power now off ers even greater benefi ts for professionals and the option to go fully cordless for all tasks they encounter in the course of their work. ◼
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