Where can I get 220 volt power tools?
bubingaWoodDesign
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Hey all,
I’m from LA and work in Israel right now. I am shipping a container of supplies from the States soon and need purchasing help. Where can I get 220 volt power tools in the States? Anywhere in the US will do, as I’ll just have it shipped to the shipping port. I am in the market for a good laser miter saw and a good trimmer router. I can get the tools here, but I get half the quality for double the price. Besides, the service here is the pits. Thanks for the help.
Josh Silverstein,
Bubinga Wood Design
Replies
Josh,
Few of the portable power tools sold in the U.S. are available in 220 volts versions, mostly those that are also sold in Europe, and you would probably have to deal with a European distributor to get those. Even if you can find 220 volt tools, you probably will have to pay considerably more for them than you would for the far more common, and competitively priced, 110 volt versions of the same tool.
As an alternative, I would suggest looking into purchasing a transformer capable of stepping down the 220 volts to 110 volts. A unit capable of delivering 20 amps on the 110 volt side would be adequate to handle almost any commonly sold small shop power tool. A one time investment in the transformer would then allow you to use any American tool you wanted. The transformer would be hooked up to a circuit with several outlets that were spotted around the shop. You will want to bring a box of American style outlets, mounting boxes, extension cords, and the like with you to set up the system since they won't be available in Israel.
If Israel has 50 cycle current, the U.S. is 60 cycle, you may have problems with some tools that have electronics such as lasers and speed controls. A transformer won't change the frequency only the voltage, although devices are also made that can change the frequency but they are more expensive than a simple transformer.
Also you should know that large power tools that have 60 cycle induction motors in them, cabinet saws, jointers, and the like may also have problems with motor overheating and they will run at a slower speed if hooked up the 50 cycle power.
The motors on the tools you mentioned, a miter saw and a trim router, are universal motors and won't be affected by the frequency difference, although their electronics might be, but my gut level guess is that the electronics will work also.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
Bosch sells some tools in the US which are 220. I know they have 220V routers, but I don't know if they have what you want.
Josh,
Welcome to Knots, and to Israel as well. I've been here for 37 years now, and have gone around the block more than once regarding power tools. If you'll allow me to indulge, I'll save you some time and heartache:
1) Machinery of all kinds - you can get anything you want in Israel, mostly European manufacture. The service on machines is generally good. Don't bother bringing any common machine of US manufacture. If you already own some machine and really want to bring it, just get a new motor for it here. In the long run, better than any converters and transformers.
2) Small cordless tools - you're right that they are more expensive here by a large factor. I bought up a collection of DeWalt cordless 18V tools in the US and brought them all over to Israel. All you need to add here is a 220V charger. Save lots of $$$.
3) Larger electric tools (like your miter saw) - It's extremely rare to find these made for 220V in the US. Years ago I bought a RAS that was wired for 220V, and Tool Crib (now Amazon) used to have PC routers that were 220V. But even if you find a source in the US, the tool will be considerably more expensive than the 110V version. It's the fierce competition on the US market that drives the prices down to what you are expecting. As soon as you step outside the mainstream US market you're going to pay double. Bite the bullet and get what you need in Israel.
In general, service for smaller tools is patchy. Festool is excellent, Makita is OK, Bosch is OK, DeWalt is poor, PorterCable is useless. I love PC routers, so I keep a bunch of carbon brushes and collets around. Learn to either fix them yourself or throw them out.
BTW, where are you located, and what kind of business is it?
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Sounds like Ring gave good advice. I moved to Spain from U.S. 4 years ago and sent a container with everything I thought I would need except power tools. Wish I had sprung for the cordless tools. The good news is that when I go back to visit every year I can work (have my tools) and bring back goodies. Here is a tip for the container. We packed or or stuff in the container and I used 3/4 ply and 2by4 s to brace things. Customs didn't say anything about the wood (don't think they opened my container). The ply was invaluable when settintg up my shop and for work in wreck of a stone farmhouse we bought. Similar material is thru the roof here. Check on regulations though, wouldn't want to be the one who got you in trouble.
Many portable power tools will work happily on what we in the UK refer to as a "site transformer", although some electronic speed controllers don't seem to like 50Hz power too much. In the UK we have a requirement to use 110 volt / 50Hz power tools rather than the standard mains voltage (230 volts / 50Hz) The transformers are actually "55 volt centre tapped" which means that if you grab a single live you'll only get 55 volts live to earth, not enough to kill you (grab both and you get the full 110 volts, though). These units are heavy are heavy, but relatively inexpensive. It's having one pof these which allows me to run several P-C routers and sanders
Scrit
I have bought my 220 volts power tool from samstores.com
I was in same boat and looking around for 220 volts drill and 220 volts sander.
I google online and came across www. samstores.com
This site was great help for me.
They had lot of choice little bit pricy but the cost was worth it. Since the price in Europe was more than that.
Know I am able to use my power tools with any adapters
I have bought my 220 volts power tool from samstores.com
I was in same boat and looking around for 220 volts drill and 220 volts sander.
I google online and came across www. samstores.com
This site was great help for me.
They had lot of choice little bit pricy but the cost was worth it. Since the price in Europe was more than that.
Know I am able to use my power tools with any adapters
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