Sawdust on the Floor

I recently had an opportunity to visit one of the many traveling woodworking shows that crisscross North America, and to be honest I was impressed by all of the new and wonderful tools. However, I also felt somewhat forgotten by some of the tool manufacturers.

In my shop I have several cordless tools, all of which are powered by 18 volt batteries. I really like using these tools and have only one real issue with them, the size of the batteries. Not the weight, but the actual size. I am an average size male and have average sized hands, but to be honest I often have trouble getting the batteries to release from either the tool or the charger.

I know that my wife, who’s hands are much smaller really has trouble getting the batteries loose, yes she uses my tools and is very good with them. But what good is a cordless tool that the average sized person has trouble handling.

At the show the manufacturers all were displaying their collections of new cordless tools, and you guessed it the batteries have grown in size and voltage. Most had 24 volt batteries. I know that torque and battery lives are very important to the professional contractors, but what about the average woodworker. I don’t need all of that added weight, torque or size. Problem is that in a year, I may not be able to buy batteries for my older 18 volt system. Parts for the older 12 & 14 volt systems are becoming harder to find.

I don’t want to condemn all of the manufacturers, some seem to understand the plight of the average woodworker. For instance I saw clamps, that had been reengineered with better handles, that didn’t require as much torque to tighten, or had added cushioning. Hand tool manufactures are offering more tools with better handles on things like chisels. And I truly thank you.

In a way it seems like some manufacturers are going backwards, instead of advancing. Think of how big some of the first powered tools were, some took two men to operate. In some cases I think we are approaching that state again. At the show I attended I saw more 40 + woodworkers male and female, then I did the younger 20& 30 year old groups, and it maybe a sign of the current economic times, but it makes one wonder just who is buying the tools.

I freely admit that some days it hurts to work in the shop, my hands, knees and back are not as young as they once were, so any help I can get from the tool manufactures is really appreciated. And you know what, I don’t think I am alone in my way of thinking.

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