The technology used in cordless power tools has moved forwards in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Firstly the introduction of NiMH batteries replaced Ni-Cad batteries in cordless power tools and now NiMH batteries are being replaced by new Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which have been introduced to the industry. Many of the main tool manufacturers are now using 18v Li-ion batteries in their cordless tools. One such manufacturer being Makita, whose 18v power tools are leading the way in the use of this new technology.
Having said that, Li-ion batteries have been in use in other electronic appliances, such as laptops, for some time but they have only recently begun to be used in cordless power tools. It is a big advancement in the building and DIY industries as Li-ion batteries have many advantages over older type batteries. These new 18v power tools will benefit both professionals and people who merely dabble in DIY as a hobby at home.
One of the main benefits of a Li-ion battery powered cordless tool is the quick charging time. A Li-ion battery can completely re-charge in about 15-20 minutes using a rapid charger, whereas a Ni-Cad battery takes a couple of hours, often longer, and even NiMH batteries take a long time to charge.
This can waste valuable time on a job or just be very annoying if you have forgotten to charge a tool that you need straight away. Using traditional cordless power tools you have to remember to put them on charge the night before, or at least a few hours before you want to use them.
Another advantage of Li-ion batteries is that they hold their power over time rather than loosing it like Ni-Cad and NiMH batteries. You can charge a Li-ion battery and leave it for a couple of months and when you come to use it again it will still have some power. If you charged an older style battery and left it for a couple of months it would have no juice when you came to use it so you'd have to put it on to charge and wait a few hours until you could use it at all.
Li-ion batteries also often come in twos so you can work all day without ever having to wait for one to charge. They have another advantage over older batteries also, in that they are incredibly light considering the amount of power they offer. This makes them convenient and easy to use, even for the inexperienced person or hobbyist who is perhaps less accustomed to holding a tool up for long periods of time. Unless you are really strong and fit holding a tool at eye level for a long time can really hurt.
So it seems that Lithium-ion battery 18v power tools are the future for cordless power tools, as they offer so many advantages over older, heavier batteries. Many professionals are using 18v power tools already and it looks certain that hobbyists and home DIY-ers will follow suit to get all the benefits of this technology.
