So everyone likes a deal, right? Especially when you see those fantastic fliers with the ads for cheap no-name power tools for $19.95. We’ve seen that price for an 18V power drill with battery and charger. I mean, it’s lithium-ion—how bad could it be?
Well, while $20 isn’t exactly a huge investment. However, we have a good reason why you might want to stick with the main brands when shopping for power tools. More and more, it’s easy for a manufacturer to simply slap in a lithium-ion battery. Often, they don’t seem concerned with any of the technical know-how that makes lithium-ion batteries so great. Case in point—check out this email I got not too long ago:
Typical Cheap No-name Power Tools Email
Dear Managers,
I’m Kevin XXXXX from XXXXX Power & Electronics Co., Ltd.
We found your company information on internet, we think we can make li-ion battery packs for your power tools, so we would like to take 3 minutes to introduce ourselves to you with the kind wish to build long term cooperation relationship with you.
XXXXX is one of main li-ion battery supplier in China, we can make negative material of li-ion in house, that means we can control and improve quality from the bottom line, we will make your packs with unit cells from same batch of materials, this will make every pack outstanding discharge performance and all packs will have same function.
Our cheap no-name power tools product line include 3.6V and 3.7V cylindrical li-ion batteries with Various sizes like 14180,14250, 14505, 17340, 18500, 26650, etc…
Safety is more important for military batteries, our batteries have passed many rigorous tests like shoot, pierce, press, crush, temperature shock, etc, our factory is the only one factory that certificated by national defense department.
We are full of experience of making packs for telecommunication, solar, wind, hybrid bus, power tools, etc…
If you need to find a qualified li-ion battery pack for your power tools, please feel free to contact with us.
Best Regards!
Kevin XXXXX
XXXXX Power & Electronics Co., Ltd.
How We Think About Cheap No-Name Tools
Wow. I didn’t know I even manufactured power tools! Wow, even we could hook up with some Chinese company and put out our own tool line. The problem is, we don’t know anything about manufacturing tools. We also don’t have experience in what makes a lithium-ion battery not overheat or discharge too rapidly. Guess what? It’s likely that neither do these guys.
Buying a name brand tool offers some safety. More often than not, it at least ensures somebody has a clue about how these tools work. A manufacturer also needs to understand how lithium-ion batteries work as well. And they (the pros) tweak and design the tool until it’s a well-oiled machine. Chinese generic tools may run for a little while. However, chances are you’re buying heavily disposable cheap no-name power tools that aren’t going to stand up to any sort of prolonged or serious use.
Our advice: Save your money.
