Advanced Tools and Techniques for Modern Professionals

Understanding Brushless Tools and Their Advantages

Hi, I’m John from workshop attic.com. In this article, I’ll explain what brushless tools are, their advantages and disadvantages, and help you decide whether to buy a brushless tool or stick with the regular brushed version.

Brushless vs. Brushed Motors

You may have noticed that many tool companies are now releasing brushless versions of their tools. These tools come with a slightly higher price tag, but they also claim to have more power, longer battery life, and longer tool life. So, how is this possible, and why isn’t everything brushless now?

Let’s first discuss brushed DC motors. These motors use brushes to provide power to the coils, which are responsible for changing the magnetic field of the electromagnets on the rotor. This is accomplished through the use of a conductive material (usually made of carbon) that can withstand friction as the brushes physically touch the commutator ring.

Brushless motors, on the other hand, don’t have any physical contact between brushes and commutator rings – this means no friction. Instead, they use an electronic sensor to control the magnetic fields, allowing the motor to rotate.

Benefits of Brushless Tools

Because there’s no friction in a brushless motor, there are several benefits to using brushless tools:

1. More power

The power from the battery is allocated directly to the work being done by the tool, rather than overcoming the friction of the brushed motor. This results in more power being delivered to the tool.

2. Longer battery life

As there is no friction to overcome, batteries last longer in brushless tools.

3. Longer tool life

Friction causes heat, which isn’t good for motors. Without that friction-generated heat, brushless motors have a longer life span than brushed motors.

4. No maintenance for changing brushes

Brushes in brushed motors can wear out over time and need replacing. With brushless motors, there’s no need for this maintenance.

Are Brushless Tools Worth the Additional Cost?

While brushless tools offer several benefits, they are also more expensive to produce than brushed tools. Brushed DC motors have been around for a long time, and their parts are easy to find, making them cheaper to manufacture.

The most expensive part of a brushless motor is the electronic sensor, and the type of sensor used can also drive up the cost of these tools.

So, is it worth investing in a brushless tool?

It depends on your needs and how you use the tool. For contractors and professionals who make their living with tools, brushless tools may be worth it because they can get more life out of them compared to brushed tools.

However, if you’re a weekend warrior or just use the tool occasionally, sticking with a brushed tool might be more economical. Of course, if you are a tool enthusiast who always wants the latest and greatest, you may end up preferring brushless tools regardless.

One Final Advantage: More Power from Smaller Tools

A noteworthy advantage of brushless tools is that since they can deliver more power directly to the tool, smaller voltage tools perform nearly as well as larger voltage ones. This means you can get more power out of a 12-volt tool than you would expect, making it comparable to an 18-volt tool.

Conclusion

We hope this information helps you decide whether to buy your next tool as brushless or stick with the regular brushed version. Consider your usage patterns, budget, and specific needs when making your decision.

I’m John from workshop attic.com, wishing you the best of luck on your tool-buying journey!

source