May/June 2021

Makita: Tool Talk
ONE BATTERY FITS ALL
Kevin Brannigan, marketing manager at Makita, looks at the benefits of investing
in cordless tools that share a common battery platform, including greater efficiency,
cost savings and cutting down on kit.
Cordless tools have been growing in
popularity for many years and advances in
tool, motor and battery technology mean
they are now suitable for the vast majority of
tasks. One of the key reasons for this increased
popularity, is the flexibility and efficiency that
they offer compared with corded tools: There
is no need to manage the routing of the power
cables to the work area, operators are able to
manoeuvre around tasks with ease and possible
trip hazards are eliminated by removing the need
for the cable.
Most cordless tool manufacturers will use
different batteries for different tools and may
even offer many different battery voltages for
each. This is because the battery, charger and
tool are often designed to operate as a system
together and will include features to maximise the
life of the product and provide protection against
damage. For example, Makita batteries and tools
are designed to communicate with each other to
provide overload and thermal protection as well
as prevent over-discharging of the battery, which
can be damaging and costly.
By investing in a family of tools that share
a common battery platform, work can be
streamlined, especially on jobs where there is a
need to swap between tools throughout the day,
depending on the task. If every tool uses the
same type of battery, then it is simply a matter of
switching the battery to the required machine to
carry out the next task. It also means that there is
only one type of charger needed, minimising the
amount of kit needed on-site.
Investing in a battery platform that can be utilised
across a number of tools within a wide portfolio
of products also allows new tools to be purchased
more cost effectively, by taking advantage of
‘body-only’ tool options.
Choosing the right battery platform is essential
to maximise the variety of tools available.
For example, Makita 18V LXT batteries can
be used on more than 270 different products
including rotary hammers, combi-drills, saws,
impact drivers and impact wrenches, as well as
worklights, radios, fans, cleaners – and even a
coffee maker!
Furthermore, when selecting tools for more
demanding tasks, it is worth looking for products
that feature a twin 18V system to supply the more
powerful 36V models. In contrast to a tool that
uses a specific 36V battery, these systems utilise
two 18V batteries to deliver the 36V power. This
offers users the simplicity of staying within the
same battery system, while benefiting from the
greater power and longer runtimes required for
high-drain applications.
Also, well-designed twin battery systems will
allow batteries with different capacities and
levels of charge to be used together. For example,
a 6Ah battery and a 5Ah battery can be used to
create 36 volts of power and the tool will simply
stop when the lower capacity battery is empty.
Simple adapter
For demanding tasks where more powerful tools,
such as 40V and above are required, it will be
necessary to use a different battery platform, but
there are advantages to remaining within the same
family of products. For example, Makita 18V LXT
batteries can be charged using the 40VMax XGT
fast charger with the use of a simple adapter.
Cordless tools offer a number of advantages
including ease and flexibility of working and
improved safety. With a wide range of products
now available, there are very few tasks that
cannot be completed cordlessly. However, using
tools that require many different types of battery
can present its own challenges. Investing in a
single system will make things easier, especially
where there are options for twin battery tools that
deliver improved performance within the same
battery platform.
Contact Makita:
01908 211678
www.makitauk.com
@MakitaUK
72 T I MAY/JUNE 2021 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST