https://www.toolboxbuzz.com/cordless-tools/kobalt-24-volt-brushless-cordless-tools/
Kobalt wants to change the way you think about their tool line!
You’ll see a lot of changes come to light this year as Kobalt has completely re-designed their cordless tool line from the ground up. This new release is Phase I of a multiple phases and includes the following tools:
24 Volt Brushless Drill Driver
24 Volt Brushless Impact Driver
24 Volt Reciprocating Saw
24 Volt Circular Saw
24 24 Volt Brushless ½” Impact Wrench
Volt Brushless 3/8” Impact Wrench
LED Work Light
Kobalt 24V Lineup
Kobalt 24 Volt Brushless Cordless Tools – Perception is Reality… or is it?
Kobalt’s new goal with this release is to “up their game,” to a PRO quality line with a consumer price point
I recently tested a few of these tools, and while they still have a long way to go, I think they on a much better track than years past.
Optimizing the Brand
Kobalt increased marketing investments and production activities in 2016, more than any other year in their history. In addition to a new logo and color, Kobalt is making category, strategy changes that better addresses the needs of end-users.
These new 24 Volt MAX brushless tools will be the “hero” for what they are calling the “Year of Kobalt.”
To get there, Kobalt invested in heavily brushless motor technology and made significant improvements in battery capacity, all with the goal of addressing end user needs.
Todays end users are more trusting of cordless performance and Kobalt has developed their new line around four end-user requests:
More power
Better run-time
Reliable
Desire to cut the cord.
Kobalt made the decision to scale their tools to a place where no other battery platform is going, and that is 24-volts. They designed these tools around one principle, that they call an “extension of me!” Meaning, the tools should feel great in your hand, and are built for serious tool users. Basically Kobalt feels that it’s all about the right balance of ergonomics and power.
Kobalt’s 24 Volt BatteryKobalt 24V Battery Packs
The idea of a 24-volt battery coupled with a new 24 volt brushless motor was to achieve the desired power and 20% more runtime all at a lower price point than competitors. According to Kobalt’s Electromechanical Engineer, Abdul Koya, “These are true 24-volt tools.”
Kip Pohlman, Kobalt Design Manager, told us that in order to achieve a 24-volt Kobalt battery they needed to add additional battery cells and reconfigured them to fit in a compact, newly designed lithium-ion battery pack. To make room, they removed some of the battery circuitry and placed it into the tool to make room without increasing the pack size.
Kip explained that the Kobalt team spoke to end-users on job sites and built these new tools with them in mind: to be reliable, resilient and long lasting. He explained that his team built simulated load brakes, performed environmental testing, and other constructed testing jigs to put the tools through thousands of cycles. He told us that each motor is specified for 400 hours of life and he has many motors still operating in his test lab at 4,000 hours plus. The new tools have been rated to perform at temperatures from -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Post time: Jun-13-2017