A power tool is a tool that is actuated by an additional power source and mechanism other than the solely manual labor used with hand tools. The most common types of power tools use electric motors. Internal combustion engines and compressed air are also commonly used. Tools directly driven by animal power are not generally considered power tools.
Power tools are used in industry, in construction, in the garden, for housework tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and around the house for purposes of driving (fasteners), drilling, cutting, shaping, sanding, grinding, routing, polishing, painting, heating and more.
Power tools are classified as either stationary or portable, where portable means hand-held. Portable power tools have obvious advantages in mobility. Stationary power tools, however, often have advantages in speed and precision. A typical table saw, for instance, not only cuts faster than a regular hand saw, but the cuts are smoother, straighter, and more square than what is normally achievable with a hand-held power saw. Some stationary power tools can produce objects that cannot be made in any other way. Lathes, for example, produce truly round objects.
Stationary power tools for metalworking are usually called machine tools. The term machine tool is not usually applied to stationary power tools for woodworking, although such usage is occasionally heard, and in some cases, such as drill presses and bench grinders, exactly the same tool is used for both woodworking and metalworking.
 | This section needs expansionwith: on-tool extraction. You can help by adding to it. (March 2023) |
While hand-held power tools are helpful, they also produce large amounts of noise, vibrations [1] and particulates including ultrafine particles. [2]
Airborne particulate matter is a Group 1 carcinogen. [3] Particulates are the most harmful form (other than ultra-fines) of air pollution [4] as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and brain from blood streams, causing health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, and premature death. [5] There is no safe level of particulates. A 2013 study concluded that "particulate matter air pollution contributes to lung cancer incidence in Europe". [6] Worldwide, exposure to PM2.5 contributed to 4.1 million deaths from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic lung disease, and respiratory infections in 2016. [7] Overall, ambient particulate matter is one of the leading risk factor for premature death globally. [8]
Many construction tasks create dust. High dust levels are caused by one of more the following:
Examples of high dust level tasks include:
Some industry standards on the size and amount of dust emitted by power tools exist, [10] [11] though it appears that they are not widely known or used globally. Knowing that dust is generated throughout the construction process and can cause serious health hazards, [12] manufacturers are now marketing power tools that are equipped with dust collection system (e.g. HEPA vacuum cleaner) or integrated water delivery system which extract the dust after emission. [13] [14] However, the use of such products is still not common in most places. As Q1 2024 petrol powered tools are banned in California. [15]
Using power tools without hearing protection over a long period of time can put a person at risk for hearing loss. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that a person should not be exposed to noise at or above 85 dB, for the sake of hearing loss prevention. [16] Most power tools, including drills, circular saws, belt sanders, and chainsaws, operate at sound levels above the 85 dB limit, some even reaching over 100 dB. [1] NIOSH strongly recommends wearing hearing protection while using these kinds of power tools. [17]
Early industrial revolution-era factories had batteries of power tools driven by belts from overhead shafts. The prime power source was a water wheel or (later) a steam engine. The introduction of the electric motor (and electric distribution networks) in the 1880s made possible the self-powered stationary and portable tools we know today. [18] The global market for power tools is $33 billion (in 2016) and estimated to reach $46 billion in 2025.
Prior to the 1930s, power tools were often housed in cast metal housings. The cast metal housings were heavy, contributing to repetitive use injuries, as well as conductive - often shocking the user. As Henry Ford adapted to the manufacturing needs of World War II, he requested that A. H. Peterson, a tool manufacturer, create a lighter electric drill that was more portable for his assembly line workers. [19] At this point, the Hole-Shooter, a drill that weighed 5 lbs. was created by A. H. Peterson. The Peterson Company eventually went bankrupt after a devastating fire and recession, but the company was auctioned off to A. F. Siebert, [20] a former partner in the Peterson Company, in 1924 and became the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company. [21]
In the early 1930s, companies started to experiment with housings of thermoset polymer plastics. In 1956, under the influence of Hans Erich Slany, Robert Bosch GmbH was one of the first companies to introduce a power tool housing made of glass filled nylon. [22]
As of 2021, an electric motor is the most popular choice to power stationary tools. Other power sources include steam engines, direct burning of fuels and propellants, such as in powder-actuated tools, or even natural power sources such as wind or moving water. Iln the past stationary tools were powered by windmills, water wheels, and steam. Some museums and hobbyists still maintain and operate stationary tools powered by these older power sources. Portable electric tools may be either corded or battery-powered. Compressed air is the customary power source for nailers and paint sprayers. A few tools (called powder-actuated tools ) are powered by explosive cartridges. Tools that run on gasoline or gasoline-oil mixes are made for outdoor use; typical examples include most chainsaws and string trimmers. Other tools like blowtorches will burn their fuel externally to generate heat. Compressed air is universally used where there is a possibility of fuel or vapor ignition - such as automotive workshops. Professional level electric tools differ from DIY or 'consumer' tools by being double insulated and not earthed - in fact, they must not be earthed for safety reasons.
Different battery powered power tools often use batteries which are not be compatible across brands and models. This may cause vendor lock-in, and results in poor sustainability if and when either the battery, charger or power tool component fails, resulting in potentially all having to be replaced.
Examples of battery differences include the battery technologies themselves, with nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel–cadmium batteries (Ni-Cd) being common previously, [23] but as of 2021 lithium-ion batteries have become the de facto standard for new power tools. The voltage is one of the most important factors for battery compatibility. In simple terms, a higher voltage rating on the tool often means that the power tool can deliver more power, with all else being equal. Using a battery with the wrong voltage rating may damage the tool, persons or surroundings. As of 2021, 18 volt battery packs are the de facto standard in new power tools. The ampere hour, in simple terms, tells something about how long the power tool can operate before it needs to be recharged. If comparing two batteries with the same battery technology and same voltage rating, a battery with twice the amp hour rating should last about twice as long. In practice there may however be some variations to this. Also, batteries with a higher amp hour rating in practice can also often let the power tool deliver a slightly higher peak power due to the ability to deliver a higher current.[ citation needed ]
Even when using the same battery technology, voltage rating and amp hour rating, the interface of batteries for power tools are often not compatible across different manufacturers, and sometimes also not even within the same brand or product line. There are examples of aftermarket adapters being made so that the user can mix and match batteries between well-known brands, but these often do not fully implement the tools battery safety and monitoring systems and the use is done at the user's own risk.
There are initiatives with the goal that the same battery can be used across products from several manufacturers, mostly those who offer special tools rather than general ones. Mainly two German companies have opened their 18V systems for others:
Power tools include:
| Brand | Owner | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| AEG Electric Tools | Techtronic Industries TTI, China by acquiring the AEG Electric Tools brand in 2004. Brand under license from Electrolux. |  China |
| Black & Decker | Stanley Black & Decker Cop. |  United States |
| DeWalt | Stanley Black & Decker Cop | United States |
| Bosch | Robert Bosch GmbH |  Germany |
| Hikoki | Formerly Hitachi Group. today owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. |  Japan |
| Makita | Makita Cooperation | Japan |
| Metabo | Metabowerke GmbH. today owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. | Germany |
| Milwaukee | Techtronic Industries TTI by acquiring Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation in 2005 | United States |
| Ryobi Power Tools | Techtronic Industries TTI by acquiring Ryobi's North American power tools business in 2000. Brand under license from Ryobi Limited. | Japan |
A number of companies, some of which are comparatively small and specialized, build niche solutions for industry and trade.
| Brand | Owner | Headquarters | Usage / Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolmar | Makita Corporation, Japan, by acquiring Dolmar GmbH 1991 | Germany | Forestry and garden tools |
| Dremel | Dremel now a Brand of Bosch Power Tools | United States | Fast-moving multifunctional tools |
| Duss | Friedrich Duss Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG | Germany | Drilling (hammer drills, chisel hammers, diamond drills) |
| Fein | Fein-Verwaltung GmbH of C. & E. Fein GmbH | Germany | Tool for cutting, drilling and grinding (metal construction) |
| Festool | TTS Tooltechnic Systems Holding AG (Wendlingen am Neckar) | Germany | Sawing and sanding for wood construction (also compressed air) |
| Flex | Chervon Holdings Ltd, Owner of Flex-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH (Deutschland, Steinheim an der Murr) | Germany | Separating, grinding and screwing |
| Hazet | Hazet GmbH, | Germany | Impact screws (mainly pneumatic range) |
| Hilti | Hilti AG, |  Liechtenstein | Full Range, Focus on impact drilling and screwing |
| Lösomat | Gedore GmbH, Remscheid (Gedore Torque Solutions), by aquirung Lösomat Schraubtechnik Neef GmbH, Vaihingen an der Enz | Germany | High-torque screwdriver tools |
| Mafell | Mafell AG | Germany | Sawing (wood) |
| Matjeschk | M-PT Matjeschk-PowerTools GmbH & Co. KG, Ralbitz-Rosenthal | Germany | Bohren und Schrauben |
| Perles | ATech d.o.o. |  Slovenia | Drilling tools |
| Stihl | Stihl AG | Germany | Forestry and garden tools |
With purchases from other manufacturers and OEM production
| Brand | Owner | Headquarters | Program range |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEG Electric Tools | Techtronic Industries (TTI) by acquiring the AEG Electric Tools brand in 2004 and licensed the brand name from Electrolux, the AEG owner. | China | Full range |
| Einhell | Einhell Germany AG, Landau an der Isar | Germany | Full Range |
| Parkside | Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG | Germany | Full Range |
| Stahlwerk | Stahlwerk Schweissgeräte GmbH | Germany | |
| Worx | Positec Tool Corporation | China | Full Range |
| Würth | Würth-Group | Germany | Full Range |
The incomplete list lists the brand first, then its manufacturer or owner.
A vacuum cleaner, also known simply as a vacuum, or a hoover, is a device that uses suction in order to remove dirt and other substances from floors, upholstery, draperies, and other surfaces. It is generally electrically driven.
A drill is a tool used for making round holes or driving fasteners. It is fitted with a bit, either a drill or driver chuck. Hand-operated types are dramatically decreasing in popularity and cordless battery-powered ones proliferating due to increased efficiency and ease of use.
A leaf blower, commonly known as a blower, is a device that propels air out of a nozzle to move debris such as leaves and grass cuttings. Leaf blowers are powered by electric or gasoline motors. Gasoline models have traditionally been two-stroke engines, but four-stroke engines were recently introduced to partially address air pollution concerns. Leaf blowers are typically self-contained handheld units, or backpack mounted units with a handheld wand. The latter is more ergonomic for prolonged use. Larger units may rest on wheels and even use a motor for propulsion. These are sometimes called "walk-behind leaf blowers" because they must be pushed by hand to be operated. Some units called blower vacs, can also suck in leaves and small twigs via a vacuum, and shred them into a bag.
A jackhammer is a pneumatic or electro-mechanical tool that combines a hammer directly with a chisel. It was invented by William McReavy, who then sold the patent to Charles Brady King. Hand-held jackhammers are generally powered by compressed air, but some are also powered by electric motors. Larger jackhammers, such as rig-mounted hammers used on construction machinery, are usually hydraulically powered. These tools are typically used to break up rock, pavement, and concrete.
Dremel is a multinational brand of power tools, focusing on home improvement and hobby applications. Dremel is known primarily for its rotary tools, such as the Dremel 3000, 4000 and 8200 series, which are similar to the pneumatic die grinders used in the metalworking industry by tool or moldmakers. Dremel later expanded its product range and now produces butane tools, benchtop and hand-held saws and oscillating tools. The company was purchased by Robert Bosch GmbH in 1993, and is now a division of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.
A respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres including fumes, vapours, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne pathogens such as viruses. There are two main categories of respirators: the air-purifying respirator, in which respirable air is obtained by filtering a contaminated atmosphere, and the air-supplied respirator, in which an alternate supply of breathable air is delivered. Within each category, different techniques are employed to reduce or eliminate noxious airborne contaminants.
An angle grinder, also known as a side grinder or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for grinding and polishing. Although developed originally as tools for rigid abrasive discs, the availability of an interchangeable power source has encouraged their use with a wide variety of cutters and attachments.
Sawdust is a by-product or waste product of woodworking operations such as sawing, sanding, milling and routing. It is composed of very small chips of wood. These operations can be performed by woodworking machinery, portable power tools or by use of hand tools. In some manufacturing industries it can be a significant fire hazard and source of occupational dust exposure.
A pneumatic motor, or compressed-air engine, is a type of motor which does mechanical work by expanding compressed air. Pneumatic motors generally convert the compressed-air energy to mechanical work through either linear or rotary motion. Linear motion can come from either a diaphragm or piston actuator, while rotary motion is supplied by either a vane type air motor, piston air motor, air turbine or gear type motor.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, known more commonly as Milwaukee Tool, is a multi-national company that develops, manufactures, and markets power tools, hand tools, tool accessories, tool storage, and personal protective equipment. Milwaukee Tool was last sold in 2005 for $626.6 million to the Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries, also known as TTI Group. The company is now a subsidiary of TTI Group alongside brands like AEG, Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Vax. In 2022, $206 million was invested in Wisconsin research and development facilities.
SKIL Power Tools is a brand of electric power tools and accessories located in Naperville, Illinois, United States. It is a subsidiary of Chervon, a company based in Nanjing, China.
Makita Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of power tools. Founded on March 21, 1915, it is based in Anjō, Japan and operates factories in Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Romania, the United Kingdom, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Canada, and the United States. Annual sales were equivalent to $3.1 billion in 2012.
SKILSAW Power Tools are a manufacturer of circular saw cutting technology serving the professional construction market. Since 2017, SKILSAW's headquarters have been located in Naperville, Illinois.
Metabowerke GmbH is a manufacturer of power tools for professional users headquartered in Nürtingen, Germany. The company was founded in the 1920s and got its name from a hand drill, the so-called "Metallbohrdreher". Today, Metabo offers a wide range of power tools. The company is owned by the American investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
A concrete grinder is an abrasive machine for polishing or grinding hardened concrete. Concrete grinders can come in many configurations, the most common being a hand-held general purpose angle grinder, but it may be a specialized tool for countertops or floors. Angle grinders are small and mobile, and allow one to work on harder to reach areas and perform more precise work.
An oscillating multi-tool or oscillating saw is a multitool and power tool that oscillates, powered by battery or mains. The name "multi-tool" is a reference to the many functions that this tool can perform with the range of attachments available. "Master Tool" is also a trade name used in North America, short for the original tool by Fein called the Multi-Master. Attachments are available for sawing, sanding, rasping, grinding, scraping, cutting, and polishing.
Occupational dust exposure occurs when small particles are generated at the workplace through the disturbance/agitation of rock/mineral, dry grain, timber, fiber, or other material. When these small particles become suspended in the air, they can pose a risk to the health of those who breath in the contaminated air.
Makita Auto-Start Wireless System, Festool Autostart (2018‒) and Bosch Wireless Auto-Start (2024‒) are Bluetooth-based systems for remotely starting industrial vacuum cleaners from power tools. Several power tools, cordless battery packs, and industrial vacuum cleaners ship with wireless connectivity, mostly using Bluetooth Low Energy to communicate, but as of 2024 the systems remained incompatible between different brands.
Workplace exposure monitoring is the monitoring of substances in a workplace that are chemical or biological hazards. It is performed in the context of workplace exposure assessment and risk assessment. Exposure monitoring analyzes hazardous substances in the air or on surfaces of a workplace, and is complementary to biomonitoring, which instead analyzes toxicants or their effects within workers.
Any type of woodworking that involves cutting, either by hand or machine, releases sawdust. Because fine sawdust can float through the air, it can be easily inhaled without proper protection, leading to damaging injuries to a woodworker's skin and lungs. Sawdust is also an IARC group 1 Carcinogen.
This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : "Frequently asked questions – Dust". HSE GOV.UK. 13 Jun 2023. Retrieved 8 Apr 2024.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
Types of tools | |
|---|---|
| Authority control databases: National |
|---|
