Corded Vs Cordless Tools

The proliferation of cordless tools in the market continues to pick up steam as new battery and motor technologies combine with advanced ergonomics and improved features. Though these improvements expand the versatility of cordless tools, on the whole, corded tools are unmatched for power, longevity and performance.

Corded Vs Cordless Tools
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The proliferation of cordless tools in the market continues to pick up steam as new battery and motor technologies combine with advanced ergonomics and improved features. Though these improvements expand the versatility of cordless tools, the majority of power tools in use today are still of the corded variety. On the whole, corded tools are unmatched for power, longevity and performance.
Every year new innovations in corded tools become available as improvements on current designs as well as through totally new concepts. Advancements in materials like magnesium alloys make tools lighter and more durable. Composite tool housings are more robust and protect the tools from damage related to drops and transportation. Ergonomic grips enhance comfort and safety by reducing user fatigue and improving manageability and control.
Features seen as innovative or market leading today will quickly become the standard across tool lines. Users are becoming more aware of the health risks involved in certain tasks, and they are increasingly looking for tools that will improve air quality or reduce joint fatigue. Dust extraction, vibration-reducing designs and other safety measures are undergoing continuous improvement and are increasingly available on new products, both corded and cordless.
Customers demand tools that enable them to work faster, better and easier. They are looking for longer life cycles, greater performance and better results. In addition to the latest technology, new products must look and feel durable and convey a sense of quality relative to price. For endusers to consider an upgrade to the latest offering, there must be sound justification. They require an understanding of the tool's absolute value in terms of what it will do for them, and how it will ultimately enhance the way they work and the quality of their finished product.
So, how do you know when to sell corded versus cordless? It all goes back to the qualification process. Good customer service means meeting your customers' expectations. How do you know what they really want? You ask!
A customer may come into your store asking for amps, rpm, cfm, volts or any other of a wide range of criteria. However, having such criteria in mind may prove more of a hindrance than a benefit, and may do little in helping the customer reach his objectives.
Match 'em up
Today's customers are better informed than ever. They don't want to be sold anything, but they do want results. They may come in looking for a saw but what they really want to do is make a cut. The type of material, density and thickness are all important factors to match the correct tool to the material. But more important is to match the tool to the end result. Does the customer want to just cut a board in two, or does he want an absolutely straight, splinter free cut? Does he want to strip off a coating or prep for final finish? The desired end result always dictates the proper tool.
If we dig into this even further we can define how and where the work is to be done. Is the cut to be made in the shop? Is the material large, bulky and heavy? Is it to be done in the field? Is power supply an issue?
To a custom installer working in a residential structure, being able to capture and contain dust is a higher priority than working without a cord. In new construction with a limited power source, being able to work cordless may be essential.
The concept of portable power tools is to bring the tool to the material and not the material to the tool. This does not mean we have to compromise on performance or results. Cordless technology is making it easier than ever to do this; however, corded tools continue to offer the best variety with the most features and highest levels of performance.
Though voltages have increased and batteries have diminished in size and weight, corded tools still hold their position as the go-to technology for most heavy-duty applications.
During the past few years, much of the buzz within the power tool industry has been focused on innovations with cordless battery technologies. While the spotlight has been on cordless, manufacturers have not ignored corded tools and have been developing innovations in this category.
There will always be a home for corded tools as high production environments need the constant power to perform hundreds of applications daily. Corded tools can be a very reliable option and meet user demands. For many professional contractors such as, residential framers, residential and commercial plumbers, electricians and those in mechanical trades, corded power tools provide a constant flow of power, allowing them to perform countless applications without stopping to change a battery.
Today, some of the latest developments in corded tools focus on comfort and ergonomics. Vibration reduction is an important factor — allowing end users to use the tool longer without fatigue. Motor technology improvements allow users of corded power tools to experience greater productivity and speed of application. The bodies of corded power tools are getting lighter. Tool housings built with magnesium metal that replace aluminum and steel, are offering users the benefit of a lighter weight tool without sacrificing the durability or power. These advances provide users with more comfort and productivity and distributors with an opportunity to increase sales.
Professional contractors buy power tools for three reasons:
to replace a broken toolto fill a need for additional tools on a job (more workers on a job)to replace existing tools with a product that offers significant benefits over older, similar tools, (i.e. comfort, performance, durability, etc.)
Moving potential buyers to the sale can require distributors to take a hands-on approach. One way to promote the sale of corded tools is to deliver new products to jobsites, allowing workers to use the tools and experience the benefits firsthand. Another way would be to allow customers to physically handle the products in a showroom so they get a sense for the size, weight and performance of the tool. Allowing customers to directly engage with the tools in a one-on-one setting is instrumental to product sales. Speaking with end-users and discussing tool warranties can also be an added bonus for converting the potential buyer.
When matching a corded tool to a specific task, users must take into consideration three things:
Size/Capacity — determine the biggest application the user would need the tool to complete (i.e. what is the biggest hole you would want to drill?)Material — determine what types of materials the user plans to work with (i.e. wood, steel, concrete)Frequency of Use — determine the frequency and duration of time at which the customer will be using the tool. This is key in determining which type of tool fits with what task. For instance, if one tool is working more than three hours a day doing one job, comfort is key — proper weight and vibration levels are a big issue when one plans to use a power tool for that length of time.
With the recent launch of new tools in the corded arena, it is evident that users are looking for tools that address needs such as vibration reduction, comfort and overall productivity. This represents a growing market for buyers and sellers of corded tools.



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