Power tool technology has witnessed lots of advances over the past decade or so. Most of us will be familiar with many of them: the cordless revolution, smart tools, green technology … and the adoption of the brushless motor.
Brushless motors are not a new invention. The brushless format was in fact invented in 1962 owing to then-recent advances in electronics, before becoming widely used in motors that drove conveyor belts. Thanks to the growing availability of rare earth minerals and advances in microcomputers during the 1980s, brushless technology in power tools became feasible, and in 2003, Makita invented brushless tools for assembly work in the defence and aerospace industries. Then in 2009, Makita produced the first brushless impact driver. The brushless power tool industry was born.
|
|
Brushed motors
With a brushed motor, 'brushes' carry the electrical charge between the stationary and moving parts of the motor. (These 'brushes' aren't actually brushes, by the way – they're actually small blocks of carbon; they're only called brushes because they were originally made from copper wire and so looked like wire brushes.) To carry the charge, these brushes need to be in constant contact with the rotating central part of the motor. This causes friction – and friction causes heat; longer use means more heat, of course – which leads to wear and tear … and a shorter tool life.
This excess heat doesn't just affect the tool's life – it affects your performance too: When your tool gets too hot, you've got to stop work to cool the tool down. Friction also means noisy performance and vibrations, which is taxing for the tool user during long periods of use. Sparking can be a problem, and can be dangerous for obvious reasons. The design of brushed motors hampers tool speed, too: Because brushed motors have the windings on the spinning rotor (windings are coils of wire that carry the electrical charge from the brushes via a commutator), the weight slows the motor's speed, limiting its performance.
Take your drilling & driving tasks to the next level with Makita's DLX2176TJ Combi & Impact Driver Twin Pack. This kit includes the DHP481 18v brushless & cordless combi drill, which can drill up to 16mm into masonry, 13mm into steel and 76mm into timber. This kit also includes the DTD154 18v brushless cordless impact driver, which has an impressive maximum torque level of 175Nm. There's also a DC18RC battery charger, a carry case, a side handle and a depth stop. |
To keep a brushed power tool functioning, its brushes need replacing regularly; even though this is fairly cheap and quick to do, many tool users fail to replace the brushes, which shortens the tool's life even more.
But has brushed technology really had its day? Can a brushed tool ever be the better choice? Yes, but then it depends on your requirements. Brushed tools are cheaper than their brushless counterparts (the technology has been around a lot longer, after all), so if you'll be using your tool only occasionally and don't want to spend too much, this might be your better choice.
JCB's brushless 21-18RS-B 18v Recip Saw cuts metal, wood and plastic quickly and easily. This powerful, versatile tool has variable speed control, compact size and light weight, plus a tool-free blade change system that's quick and easy to use. The adjustable foot plate gives you control over cutting depth. |
Brushless technology
If, on the other hand, you need a high-performance tool that you'll use more frequently, brushless might be the better choice.
Brushless delivers this higher performance because, as the name suggests, brushes aren't used to deliver the electrical charge that makes the motor workings spin. No brushes means no friction, resulting in longer life, lower maintenance, quieter performance and greater energy efficiency; the latter is especially important if you're using cordless tools – you want your battery charge to last as long as possible, after all. Brushless motors achieve energy savings in another way, too: They use a sensor to adjust performance to suit the demands of the task, meaning that speed and torque levels will change to match the requirements of the job, using only the level of power needed. If you're using a cordless tool, this is good news. There are more benefits to the brushless format: No brushes means smaller tool size and lighter weight, too. Higher speeds are possible, too: Because the windings (which, in this design, carry the electrical charge from a microcontroller instead of brushes) are in a stationary position on the inside of the housing, there's no need for energy to make them spin, as in a brushed motor.
Upgrade to brushless – with UK Planet Tools
Get smooth, professional woodworking results with Milwaukee's M18FTR-0X Brushless Trim Router. This powerful router can achieve from between 10,000 and 31,000rpm, and comes with two dust extraction attachments, a baseplate, plunge base, 2 side fences and 2 collets, as well as its very own rugged carry case. |
Have you thought about upgrading to brushless? Or expanding your toolkit to include more brushless power tools? Then check out our selection of brushless power tools here at UK Planet Tools. We've got an enormous range in every category and for every profession – for woodworking, landscaping, construction and more.