When it comes to buying power tool batteries, going cheap can have potentially disastrous consequences, which is why the Power Tool Institute strongly cautions tool buyers to only buy batteries manufactured by their tool’s original equipment manufacturer. The costs related to a single fire caused by a counterfeit or knock-off battery will quickly reveal the lower initial purchase price to be no bargain at all. Fires and injuries cost much more than buying quality OEM batteries. Spending a little more up front for a product that will perform well and for a longer period of time is a smart investment. … Read more
Three Part Harmony: Understanding Your Power Tool System
Is your power tool pairing with its battery and battery charger? The Power Tool Institute says if all three are made by the same manufacturer and designed to work together as a system, then the answer is yes. But, if you’re using a third-party battery or an adapter that purports to allow battery-switching between brands, the answer is a resounding no. You might wonder why choosing only batteries designed to match the tool system matters. But when you look inside, you see that it gets to the very heart of what makes a power tool run safely and efficiently. Power … Read more
Power Tool Institute Warns of Failure, Fire from Third-Party Batteries
Maybe some power tool users are tired of getting the third degree about using third-party replacement batteries. But they should consider that they might be headed for third-degree burns — or worse — if they keep it up. There is simply no adequate replacement for using the original tool manufacturer batteries and chargers to keep power tools operating efficiently and safely. Efficiency and safety are critically important for professional contractors. A job that takes too long due to tool failure impacts the bottom line. A jobsite going up in flames impacts even more than that. For these and more reasons, … Read more