Maritime Wood

Clear differences between heavy- duty professional tools and light-duty consumer tools

There are many more instances in which professional- grade tools are manufactured with more durable metal parts than the consumer type. A drill’s chuck, for example, is one of the single most expensive components of the tool. Because the professional craftsman is constantly inserting and removing bits from his drill, the jaws the part of the chuck that grasps the drill bit must be made from durable, and expensive, case-hardened steel. The consumer drill, which normally sees less use, can get away with cheaper, heat-treated steel.

The chuck of a professional drill is also manufactured to be more precise than a consumer drill. Wobble in a consumer drill is acceptable at .0 10” off true, but for a professional drill it can be no more than .005”, only half as much. Low tolerances require more exacting machine work.

Switches on professional tools have to be more durable than those on consumer models; the professional craftsman is constantly turning his tool on and off, which puts tremendous stress on the switch. In addition, the tool is used in harsh conditions, where abrasives in the air such as dust, dirt, and sawdust can make their way into the tool. These abrasives can ruin a switch that is turned off and on continually, so a special switch-protection mechanism is necessary for a heavy-duty tool.

Many people think the use of plastics in power tools is a way for the manufacturer to save money. Yet plastics generally cost at least as much or more than comparable metal parts. Plastics are used in certain places or for particular components because they can do a better job than metal and because they provide much better electrical insulation than metal.

There are differences among plastics, however, and some professional tools use a higher-grade, “Super Tough” nylon. This material is almost indestructible more so than some aluminum castings, for example and is highly resistant to corrosives, such as solvents and other chemicals that are prevalent around the workplace. It can also stand up to the high operating temperatures common for professional tools. A very good grade of plastic is used in the manufacture of consumer-grade tools, but it is nowhere near as durable as “Super Tough” nylon.

Alignment of parts is especially important in the assembly of power tools, which are normally made up of three external assemblies the gear housing, the motor housing, and the handle. A consumer-grade drill is usually held together with one set of screws that go from the gear case through the motor housing into the handle. For the light use expected for this type of tool, such an arrangement is satisfactory. But for a professional tool, where efficiency and prolonged, heavy-duty use is expected, a more rigid and integrated structure is necessary. Professional tools are consequently built like a Chinese puzzle everything interlocks. Where each of the three assemblies comes together, there are usually pilot pins to set the alignment. Then separate sets of screws are used to join the first assembly to the second, and the second to the third. If the tool is dropped or abused in operation, the rigidity of the structure should keep it in line.

Even the cord on a power tool will mark the difference between a consumer and a professional model. To avoid the need for extension cords on the job as much as possible, most professional tools have a cord at least 8’, sometimes 10’ long. Consumer tools rarely are provided with a cord longer than 6’. For infrequent use, the need for an extension cord isn’t much of a problem; for constant use, a long cord saves the professional time, which to him is also money. The quality of the cord material is usually considerably better on the professional model as well, and the connection between the cord and the tool is smartly albeit more expensively designed. Made in two parts, the connector allows easy replacement of an old, worn cord.

So the next time you’re shopping for a new power tool, remember that there are clear differences between heavy- duty professional tools and light-duty consumer tools. Each has its place, but if you’re intending to use the tool day in and day out, pay attention to the professional difference.