Site users prefer to make repairs in apartments and build houses on their own. In order for the repair to be of high quality, and the construction of the house does not turn into a long-term construction, reliable assistants are needed - different types of power tools. Many companies have a line of professional and amateur tools. What a home masseter needs, we will tell you in our material.
You will find out the answers to the following questions:
- How does an amateur instrument differ from a professional one;
- What features of a power tool you need to know before buying it;
- Does a home craftsman need professional devices;
- At what stage of work is it necessary to switch from an amateur device to a professional one;
- What basic set should any home craftsman have
Main selection criteria
Thinking about purchasing a power tool, first of all, you need to determine the scope of work. Hanging a chandelier or a picture in an apartment is one thing, and quite another thing when a cottage is to be built. If you can hang a picture using an ordinary drill, then when building a cottage, you will need a whole arsenal of mechanical assistants.
All types of power tools can be conditionally divided into battery and power tools. It is also customary to divide it into amateur and professional.
Company specialist "AllInstruments" Alexander Dubov:
- Models of amateur and professional power tools vary significantly in price. The cost is influenced by the resource of work, reliability and functionality.
Two drills do the same job - drilling holes. But the professional drill is designed for long-term use throughout the working day. This is achieved through better cooling or overheating protection.
Such a drill can be provided with electronic speed control, several speeds, a soft start function, maintaining constant speed under load.
Reliability, functionality and performance determine the class of the tool and affect its cost.
Company Power Tools Expert Bosch Vasily Ivanov :
- The professional tool is designed to work on construction sites and in difficult conditions. It has an increased resource and durability. If frequent use is expected, then it is better to choose a professional one. If not frequent, then - amateur.
When choosing a tool, you should pay attention to the fastening of the equipment, how quickly it changes, whether additional tools are needed to replace it. Convenience of location of controls and ergonomics are important.
Master Consultant hypermarket OBI Khodynskoe field Evgeny Babichev:
- A professional tool, unlike an amateur one, has better cooling, dust resistance, a stronger body and higher quality parts. For example, in a professional angle grinder there is a metal bearing, and in an amateur one - a plastic sleeve.
The main differences between an amateur instrument and a professional one:
1. Working time:
- professional - 200 h / month;
- amateur - no more than 20 h / month.
2. Mode of operation:
- professional - 40 minutes of work, 10 minutes of rest; designed for use no more than eight hours a day;
- amateur - 10 minutes of work, 10 minutes of rest; designed to be used no more than five hours a week.
Evgeny Babichev:
- To understand what kind of tool you need, first of all, you need to determine - for what work and in what mode it will be used.
For example, let's take a professional and an amateur drill-driver from two different manufacturers and consider their technical characteristics.
Features of the professional cordless drill / driver:
- battery charging time - 1 hour;
- torque - 30N / m;
- the set includes two rechargeable batteries;
- can screw a 4.2x150 self-tapping screw into a tree without preliminary drilling;
- can work non-stop.
Characteristics of the amateur cordless drill / driver:
- battery charging time - from 3 to 5 hours;
- torque - 11N / m;
- comes with one battery;
- can screw a 4.2x65 self-tapping screw into a tree without preliminary drilling;
- you cannot work non-stop.
Therefore, hobbyist devices will have to be shut down more often to cool or recharge. This can significantly increase the repair or construction time, while a professional tool will allow you to complete the same amount of work in a shorter period of time.
When to upgrade from hobbyist to pro
Buying an expensive professional tool is a crucial step for a home craftsman.
The opinion of a forum member with a nickname Roracotta:
- It all depends on personal needs and preferences. If a person ceases to be satisfied with an amateur instrument, then he acquires a professional one. I know a few great craftsmen who have an amateur tool and this does not affect the quality of their work. It is not profitable for a home craftsman to immediately purchase professional devices. I recommend that you fill your hand first, and with the growth of skill and experience, an understanding will come - whether it is necessary to acquire a professional instrument.
Vasily Ivanov:
- In my opinion, a professional tool is necessary if a person is professionally engaged in repair or construction.
Alexander Dubov:
- It is difficult to define a clear line. If you use a drill every six months to drill a couple of holes in the wall to hang the shelf, then it is irrational to buy a professional tool.
In some cases, a home craftsman should purchase so-called multitool - tools that perform several operations: from grinding and cleaning surfaces to cutting blanks. Their capabilities depend on the set of equipment. One such tool can replace at least two - a grinder and a saw.
Also, before buying a device, you should ask to think about what tasks will need to be solved in a year. If over time it will be necessary to work with the tool more often and more intensively, then it makes sense to spend a little more money today. Then you don't have to spend money on the purchase of another, more functional model again.
Alexander Dubov:
- An amateur model is not as functional as a professional one, and may not withstand heavy loads. If you have to use a drill for the construction of drywall partitions, decorating the facade of a house with siding or in large-scale construction, and the work will be carried out every day, for several weeks in a row, then you can immediately think about buying a professional-class model.
Regardless of whether it is an amateur or professional model, it must be of high quality and reliable!
What should be in the arsenal of a home master
Despite the fact that a home workshop can be staffed almost endlessly, there is a basic set that any home craftsman should have.
Alexander Dubov:
- The home master's arsenal can vary significantly depending on what tasks he faces. This can be the renovation of an apartment or the construction of a private house or summer cottage. Many people work in or in a garage, where they need not only a tool, but also devices for organizing a workplace and personal protective equipment.
Here's what is most in demand in everyday life:
1. Drill - needed to drill holes in wood, metal or plastic.
2. Cordless screwdriver - indispensable for assembly work where there are many threaded connections.
It is especially convenient in the absence of electricity. A universal option can be a cordless drill-driver, with which you can not only tighten fasteners, but also drill holes.
3. An impact drill or hammer drill is needed to make holes in concrete and other hard substrates.
If you only need to make a few holes in the concrete, you can only do with a hammer drill.
If you plan large-scale work on drilling bricks, concrete or dismantling work (chipping tiles from walls, etc.), it is better to take a puncher.
4. Grinder (angle grinder) - required for cutting metal and stone (concrete, brick, ceramic tiles).
A grinding or grinding wheel can be installed on it for cleaning and grinding various surfaces.
5. Jigsaw - needed for curly cutting of wood, plywood and laminate.
You must also have a set of hand tools.
Alexander Dubov:
- A universal kit is suitable for performing work of a different nature, which may include: a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches and many attachments.
For specific tasks, there are carpentry, locksmith and automotive kits.
All information is collected on FORUMHOUSE The most complete set of professional is collected in the subject of our form. Read about when working with these devices. Find the answer to the question, which power tool.
When choosing a power tool, most ordinary consumers do not even know what the differences are between professional and household kits.
In this regard, such people often have unnamed drills at home with the words "Professional", which cost up to 1000 rubles and fail after a few months, while a truly branded tool, albeit without fashionable inscriptions, is able to serve faithfully far from one year.
Color coding is designed to make the choice easier. For example, Bosch produces professional tools in blue, while green tools are positioned as household tools.
However, since not every manufacturer resorts to such techniques, you should understand in more detail how professional and household tools differ.
Choosing a professional power tool
First of all, it should be noted that a professional power tool, regardless of the specifics of use, is designed for a long and professional performance of its functions. Here we are talking not only about durability, but also about the ability of the device to work without interruptions daily for several hours. An amateur instrument works no more than two hours. Hence it follows that the first quality that distinguishes a professional instrument from an amateur one is its high indicators of survivability and reliability. This is achieved by using more reliable designs. For example, the place of a sleeve or plain bearing installed in an amateur tool, in a professional one is occupied by a closed ball or roller bearing.
Professional power tools have a housing made of high-quality plastic, often reinforced. If the product is metal, then it is alloyed and heat-treated steel. Household tools, as a rule, do not have any additional treatments.
Differences are observed in the lubrication system. If closed-type bearings work for years without releasing a drop of lubricant from themselves, then other bearings, even with regular maintenance, will fail much earlier, since lubricant simply flows out of them when the temperature of the device rises.
In a professional tool there is such a useful function as "soft start", which protects the device from unnecessarily high voltage when turned on. In addition, there is most often an automatic shutdown mode in case of overheating.
Disconnect couplings are included with the professional tool, which help when the working body is jammed. It also has dust protection, moisture protection, etc.
Naturally, more expensive tools can boast of better ergonomic qualities, which are manifested in a comfortable handle, materials that are pleasant to the touch, and conveniently located buttons. Such devices are capable of operating under almost any temperature condition.
And the last thing is the variety of attachments. If the tool is professional, then you can always find a variety of attachments for it for a variety of needs. Household options, unfortunately, do not offer such a variety.
That's all. Thanks for attention. Choose only professional power tools!
Which supplies the Russian market with a lot of goods for both professional and domestic use. Screwdrivers, drills, hammer drills, grinders, Bosch cutters are popular with buyers. Perhaps, it is against the backdrop of this popularity that the question of labeling a company's instrument very often arises. Robert Bosch.
As you know, many manufacturers of power tools use an alphanumeric code in their model names. This code allows you to determine the most important parameters of the tool by name This is exactly how Bosch labels its products, but in addition to this, color coding is also used.
Power tool color
So let's start with color. Go to any power tool store (you can also visit our store). All kinds of flowers can not be seen on the shelves: blue, green, yellow, orange, red, purple, gray ... The variety makes your eyes run wide! Some manufacturers only "paint" products in the colors of their brand, but not all do this. And Bosch is a great example of this. By the color of the power tool, you can determine its purpose: blue (dark green) is a professional tool, and light green is a household one. Simple and straightforward.
- For household tool - work no more than 4 hours a day with a 15-minute break every hour
- For professional tool - work no more than 16 hours a day with a 15-minute break every hour.
Alphanumeric marking
The model names of the Bosch power tool contain, as mentioned above, a combination of letters and numbers. Let's define what they mean. To make it clearer, let's take the name of some puncher from our catalog. For example, the Bosch GBH 2-28 DFV perforator (product code - 80892).
So, the marking is GBH 2-28 DFV. The first letter indicates the purpose of the tool:
G - professional, the first letter of the German word gewerblicher - commercial
P - household, the first letter of the German word persönlichen - personal
A - garden
B, D - measuring
We figured out the first letter: our Bosch GBH 2-28 DFV rotary hammer is for commercial use, that is, professional!
Now let's move on to the following letters (2 and 3 letters), which indicate the type of tool: BH is the designation of the punch. And here is a list of other abbreviations:
BH (Bohrhämmer) - hammer drill
SR (Schlagbohrschrauber) - screwdriver
SH (Schlaghammer) - jackhammer
WS (Winkelschleifer) - angle grinder
SB (Schlagbohrmaschinen) - impact drill
BM (Bohrmaschinen) - hammerless drill
DB (Diamantbohrmaschinen) - diamond drill
EX (Exzenterschleifer) - eccentric sander
SS (Schwingschleifer) - orbital sander
HO (Handhobel) - plane
ST (Stichsägen) - jigsaw
KS (Kreissäge) - circular saw
SA (Säbelsäge) - reciprocating saw
OF (Oberfräse) - milling cutter
KF (Kantenfräse) - edge router
AS (Absaugsysteme) - vacuum cleaner
HG (Heißluftgebläse) - thermal blower
KP (Klebepistole) - glue gun
NA (Nager) nibblers
SC (Scheren) cut scissors
PO (Polierer) - polishing machine
GS (Geradschleifer) - straight grinder
SM (Schleifmaschine) - sharpener
BS (Bandschleifer) - belt sander
DA (Deltaschleifer) - delta sander
RL (Rotationslaser) - rotary laser
LL (Linienlaser) - line laser
PL (Punktlaser) - point laser
OL (Optisches Nivelliergerät) - optical level
MS (Multidetektor seiner) - detector
LM (Laser-Entfernungsmesser) - laser rangefinder
Wm (Winkelmesser) - protractors
NM (Neigungsmesser) - levels
FS (Farbsysteme) - spray guns
By analogy, a manual professional router from Bosch will be designated as GOF, and a professional grinder - GWS ... Move on!
Usually after three letters there are two numbers separated by a hyphen. They indicate the characteristic parameters of a given type of instrument. For example, in our Bosch GBH 2-28 DFV hammer drill, the 2-28 code indicates the weight and the maximum drilling diameter: 2 kilograms and 28 millimeters. At the grinder, you can find such a designation 15-125, which indicates the power and maximum disc diameter: 1.5 kW and 125 mm.
The last letters usually denote additional functionality of the tool. However, standard capabilities are usually not specified. Here are some of the codes for the last letters in the Bosch tool marking:
A - (Absaugeinheit) built-in dust extraction system
B - (bügel) drag handle
C - (Constant-Electronic) system for stabilizing the rotation speed when the load increases
D - (Drehstopp zum Meißeln) rotation lock
E - (Elektronik) speed control
F - (Futter) replaceable drill chuck
H - (Handgriff) straight grip
I - (Intellegent) inrush current limitation, protection against unintentional start-up and seizure during operation (KickBack stop), new cover fixation (LVI)
J - starting current limitation
L - (Leistungsstark) increased power or productivity
P - (Pendelung) the presence of a pendulum
R - (Revers) reverse, switch the direction of rotation
T - (Torque-Control) torque adjustment
V - (Vibration-Control) special anti-vibration system
X - circle braking system (Bosch Brake-System)
Thus, our Bosch GBH 2-28 DFV hammer drill has the following additional functions: D - rotation lock, F - replaceable chuck for drilling, V - vibration protection. Some functionality is not indicated, since it is standard for such rotary hammers ...
Well, that's all we wanted to tell you about the labeling of Bosch products. We hope the information was useful!
The Russian user was convinced of the reliability of Bosch rotary hammers firsthand. Various construction forums provide user opinions on the high performance of Bosch rock drills, their operational reliability and convenience.
Bosch hammer drills are equipped with a dust removal system, a shaft rotation stabilizer, a drilling depth limiting rail, a "soft start" system, a rotation speed controller, anti-vibration devices, and overheating protection devices. This all applies to the original designs of Bosch rotary hammers 2-20, 2-24, 2-26.
But not everyone knows that along with the originals there are also fakes. This fully applies to Bosch rotary hammers.
And how to distinguish a real hammer drill from a fake or Chinese-made tool?
Just a few words about the Chinese famous brands of rotary hammers.
Chinese rock drills manufactured under license or at factories in China owned by Bosch (Dremel, Rotozip, Skil) are no different in quality from Bosch rock drills manufactured in Germany.
Recently, Western manufacturers have been trying to locate their production in China. The differences between the Chinese and branded hammer drill are in the finished product acceptance system.
For Bosch rotary hammers, manufactured in China for Western Europe, there are two stages of control: factory acceptance and acceptance already in the country of purchase. Chinese rock drills sent to Western Europe go through factory acceptance, and upon arrival in the customer country, they are checked there by means of incoming inspection.
The rest of the drills that have not passed factory control at factories in China are sent to third countries. But they are made from the same parts, on the same lines, by the hands of the same workers. And they cost 4-5 times cheaper. The quality is no different.
When buying any tool, first of all, pay attention to the appearance.
Remember the golden rule: If the appearance of the Bosch case or hammer drill differs from the original, there can be no branded tool inside.
Bosch rotary hammer classification
Perforators from Bosch are conventionally divided into professional and household.
Domestic hammer drills weigh much less professional ones with a power of up to 900 watts. Among the disadvantages of household rotary hammers, we single out the poor cooling of the electric motor and high impact on impact.
The advantages of professional rotary hammers from Bosch include:
- high power;
- efficiency in engine cooling;
- the presence of vibration damping devices;
- long-term operation.
Of the shortcomings, two main ones should be noted: high prices and high weight.
How to identify a fake Bosch rotary hammer
By its appearance, you can easily determine whether it is a fake in front of you or the original.
It is necessary to begin acquaintance with Bosch hammer drills by examining the suitcase (case) in which the tool is placed.
Determination of a counterfeit by the appearance of a case for transporting Bosch rotary hammers
Examining the appearance of a suitcase for transporting Bosch rotary hammers, pay special attention to the inscriptions, various nameplates, latches, and the quality of casting.
When inspecting the exterior of the tool storage and transport case, pay particular attention to the latches. They must be imprinted with the Bosch lettering. Fake Bosch rotary hammers simply do not have such an inscription on the latches.
When examining the suitcase, pay attention to the size of the gaps between the closing lids. There should be no gaps, or the minimum gaps around the perimeter should be the same everywhere. For fakes, the covers do not fit tightly, with a bias. Cast flakes and burrs are visible on the covers.
Pay attention to the branded inscription on the suitcase. The original suitcase has a convex sign and inscription, made by casting, the so-called 3D signs. The inscriptions of the fake suitcase are glued and easily peeled off with a fingernail.
Fake punchers have a special sticker on the back of the suitcase with various codes, inscriptions and codes. Don't pay any attention to her.
It is designed to distract your attention from a fake. The original simply does not have such a sticker.
On the back of the original suitcase, the Bosch lettering and the brand name are stamped. There are no such embossed inscriptions on the fake.
To distinguish a fake Bosch punch from the original, you need to buy a power tool in specialized stores with all the necessary documents.
Video of determining fakes of a Bosch rotary hammer by the appearance of a suitcase for transportation.
Let's open the suitcase.
Determination of a counterfeit by the appearance of the body of Bosch rotary hammers
On the body of the original, all inscriptions and badges are applied by the method of extrusion. At a fake punch, the inscriptions are either glued on the film, or each letter is glued. These letters and letters are easily peeled off when picking with a fingernail. In the original, this is impossible in principle.
There are Bosch 2-24 rotary hammers, which have a blue body. As a rule, these are rotary hammers made in Europe. They are most often the subject of counterfeiting. An incorrectly applied inscription is immediately visible on a fake. Instead of the Bosch 2-24 inscription, a set of letters and numbers is pasted on the fake, which at first glance resemble the original inscription.
And the last thing. The factory-made Bosch rotary hammer is printed or extruded. For a fake Bosch hammer drill, the inscriptions are stuck on a self-adhesive.
These are the main characteristics of counterfeits, identified by the appearance of a power tool.
How to avoid fakes
In order not to fall for a fake, you must adhere to several recommendations:
do not buy power tools from hands, in online stores, in markets;
don't be fooled by a low price, a quality tool cannot be cheap;
buy only in specialized power tool stores with the registration of all warranty documents
Do not be gullible, do not fall for simple tricks, do not pursue cheapness.
When choosing a power tool, many consumers do not always understand what is the difference between a professional and a household tool? It is not uncommon to see a drill of unknown origin with a proud inscription "Professional" at the price of 1000 rubles, and an unadorned drill from a brand firm can cost up to five thousand rubles or more.
Sometimes special color coding will help to facilitate the choice. So, the professional tool from "Bosch" is produced in blue, green comes as a household tool. But not all manufacturers do this, so let's try to figure out what the difference is.
Professional screwdriver BOSCH
Household screwdriver BOSCH
How to choose a professional power tool?
First of all, a professional tool, be it a drill or screwdriver, a saw or a plane, is intended for continuous professional use, i.e. for several hours every day, with occasional short breaks (mainly for the worker's rest, not the tool).
An amateur power tool works no more than 2 hours a day or twenty hours a month in the "twenty minutes of work - the same amount of rest" mode.
Consequently, the first difference between a professional power tool is high reliability and durability, which are achieved by the best design and quality materials. Where a household tool has a sleeve or a sleeve bearing, a professional tool has a ball or roller bearing, and even a closed one.
For professional tool cases, a higher quality plastic is used, often reinforced. For metal parts, alloyed, heat-treated steels are used. In household power tools, as a rule, they are ordinary structural products without additional processing.
The lubrication system is also strikingly different. The closed bearing of one works for years without requiring maintenance, while the other, with intensive work, the lubricant flows out from overheating and the tool fails in a matter of weeks, if you do not give it a rest every 15 minutes.
For reliability, which means a long service life, the professional tool is equipped with a "Soft start" mode to reduce the inrush current when turned on. Equipped with automatic shutdown of brushes at their limit of wear, as well as automatic shutdown when overheating.
Has release couplings in case of jamming of the working body (drill or saw blade). The professional tool has the best dust protection, especially for the most vulnerable parts - motor windings and bearings.
Secondly, a professional tool, designed for long-term continuous operation, has the best ergonomics - a comfortable body shape, non-slip handles, shock absorbers.
Thirdly, a professional tool is better suited to work at low temperatures. The mains cable usually has a rubber outer sheath, as opposed to PVC on household ones.
Fourth, for "professionals" a wide range of attachments, accessories are produced, usually developed by the same company and designed specifically for specific models. An example is tools and accessories "Hilty", "Bosch", "Devolt", etc.
Professional tool HILTI
DeWALT professional tool
MAKITA professional tool
How to set priorities?
It's no secret that the price of a professional tool is 3-4 times higher than that of a similar household tool. So what to choose, where to stop? Does it mean that in all cases a home-made master, purchasing a household tool, is forced to throw it away for uselessness after a few months, and a professional one will serve for decades without any care, working several hours daily? Of course not.
With reasonable use (do not drill high-strength concrete with a household drill for days on end, do not cut thick boards and chipboard with a household jigsaw, do not plan larch and painted boards with a low-power planer), adherence to the recommended regime, timely sharpening and replacement of working parts, even a little-known company household tool can last a long time years.
An expensive, highly reliable power tool from well-known brands like Hilty or Devolt also needs maintenance. Disregard of the manufacturer's recommendations on the principle: the tool is highly reliable, it will withstand everything without any care - it is fraught with breakage of an expensive item.