By Glen D. Huey
Page: 40
From the February 2009 issue #174
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Drills have been the focus of many tool manufacturers for a few years now. We’ve had to endure comparisons of Nickel-cadmium, Nickel-metal hydride and Lithium-ion batteries. We’ve moved through 12-volt to as high as 24- and 36-volt batteries.
So what’s next? It appears to be an examination of torque. To that end Ridgid has introduced the 18v Lithium-ion “AutoShift Drill/Driver.” This new drill starts in high speed but automatically senses if additional torque is needed and if so shifts into a lower gear to finish the job. Once the task is complete, the drill shifts back to the higher speed setting. If you wish to bypass the auto-shift function, simply flip the selector and you stay in high speed throughout the work.
From the February 2009 issue #174
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Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.