By Broto Tool
The durability of a tool is seldom discussed in articles or product reviews because the focus is on tool features and not how long its useful life will be. Tool reviews usually compare a single tool produced by several manufacturers; how they feel in your hands, how much power it has, how much work can be achieved in a unit of time, how long the battery will last doing a repetitive task, or by what contractors think as they test them in the field.
Here’s what some contractors who like working with tools, say influences their choices:
- How comfortable a tool “feels” in your hand and whether it feels “balanced”
- Brand loyalty; they buy the same brand tools time after time
- Being able to share batteries between tools is important
- They buy the tool brand their construction supply house sells
- For specific tools, such as a mixing drill, they buy only one brand because they believe it’s the best tool on the market
- Word-of-mouth recommendations
- They buy what they consider to be “industrial strength” or “professional grade”
- They buy brands with the best and fastest customer service when there is a problem
- They look for the most power
- Tools with the best dust control systems
You’ll notice that durability isn’t listed as a primary concern by the contractors above. Maybe contractors just assume “professional grade” tools will last a long time. That’s a valid assumption because tool manufacturers all have research departments that test new tools and tool parts to failure, redesign them and start the process over again.
Many also give tool prototypes to contractors to field test before they go on the market. But you should consider durability when you buy a tool too. Listed below is how manufacturers think about durability and address the issues. But durability also depends on how you take care of your tools.
How you can increase durability
Professional tool companies do their best to produce durable tools; the rest is up to the user. How a tool is treated can add or subtract years of tool life. Here are some things you can do to increase durability:
- Use quality accessories, they can cause excessive tool vibration.
- Feel the gear box frequently if you work a tool hard. If it gets hot, give the tool a rest.
- Give batteries a rest when they feel hot.
- When you are done using a tool, return it to the case it came in for storing and transporting — especially laser equipment.
- Keep tools and batteries away from water, heat, and from direct sunlight.
- Perform preventative maintenance. Use an air compressor to blow dust away and bring them in for preventative service and re-calibrations.
For more information, please contact us by info@brototools.com
