Cordless Power Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
There’s nothing more frustrating than starting a project and finding that you can’t find your drill, or losing your work light somewhere in the dark while you’re trying to finish something. Have you ever started sanding and forgotten to turn on the vacuum cleaner, rendering the dust collection system useless? Luckily, our power tools are getting smarter and cordless technology is making its way into our home workshops and garages.
DeWalt Tools with Wireless Tracking
DeWalt offers a line of wireless drills, work lights, and tool trackers that track your tools within your device’s Bluetooth range and can alert you if your tools leave the range of your home. Additionally, the “last seen” feature in the free DeWalt app, available on Google Play and iOS , allows you to track where your lost tool was the last time it connected to your device. This can help you find stolen or lost tools, even if they are out of reach.
For the average DIY enthusiast, DeWalt’s wireless tracking system is probably most useful for their impact driver ($179) and drill ($149) since those tools tend to get lost, but tool tags are also a nice addition; you can attach them to anything or put them in your tool bag to make them easier to find.
Milwaukee tools with wireless tracking and service
Milwaukee offers wireless connectivity to 70 instruments in its lineup using the One Key system, which tracks instruments through a free app available on Google Play and iOS . The tracking tool allows you to find lost tools, turn work lights on and off, and receive alerts when your tools need servicing.
For most home shops, the most practical cordless tool from Milwaukee is the Impact Driver Set ($349), which includes a case, battery and charger. Since the Milwaukee cordless system is currently mostly sold in pro shops, many of the tools will be more expensive than the average home DIYer can afford, but as the technology becomes more widespread, it will likely become cheaper to access.
Makita Wireless Automated Dust Collection
If you’re a woodworker or someone who frequently uses power saws and sanders, you’re probably already familiar with dust collection as a way to reduce clutter and improve air quality in your home workshop. But if you’re like me, you can sometimes forget to turn it on when you need it, showering yourself with sawdust and creating a mess.
The Makita LXT Dust Extractor Tool ($445.99) pairs with any other LXT-compatible tool, such as a sander ($117.97), and automatically starts when the tool is started. If you’re switching between tools, no problem: The dust collection system can handle up to 10 tools at once, making switching between a saw ($259) and a router ($149.18) as easy as changing a hose.
Bosch cordless and cordless tools.
If you’ve ever seen the sun go down on you while working and found that you can’t find your work light in the dark, there’s a tool for that.
The connected Bosch 1,200-lumen wireless work light ($69) can be controlled using the Bosch Toolbox app, available on Google Play and iOS . If you lose the light, you can turn it on from your phone if you’re within Bluetooth range.
The Bosch Connected Laser Rangefinder ($101.68) is a feature-rich tool that will help you measure distances and angles, and its Bluetooth connectivity feature that works with the toolkit also allows you to take photos of your measurements and record them on photos, skipping some notes. – take steps along this path.