Hilti measure tool

If you have been on any job site, you have probably used or at least seen the name Hilti. Having tools that are durable and accurate are a must, but it is even more important when it comes to distance measuring tools.

If your measurements are off, then be prepared to up your wallet because you are just wasting money and time. The Hilti PD 40 is a workhorse when it comes to laser distance measuring tools. We have seen a lot of them being used by contractors. One of the main reasons is the ease of use, accuracy and speed.

Oh yeah, not to mention one of the best service supports in the industry. The overall size of the unit is very nice. Large enough to see the auto backlight display and use the buttons, but small enough to keep in your tool belt. The unit is 4. The buttons are a nice size and are spread far enough away from each other to access even with work gloves on. The unit itself is protected by a nice rubberized edging which not only helps protect the tool, but provides a nice grip.

The meter has a bunch of sensors that help make this tool great for any job, but there are two that stand out. First, is the auto sensor backlight. Perfect for the times your moving from light to dark areas when taking measurements. Secondly the unit detects when the user extends the extension stick.

The tool will self adjust and take this equation off the table. As with most other finders, this will also take measurements for square footage.

To use this tool, just aim and point, then press the center button. You can see your recent and other past measurements on the screen. Want to add a distance, just click the add button and take another measurement. Just pull the trigger.

It makes sense since LED lights take almost no power at all to operate. Just press and hold for seconds and the battery runs a self-check:. Since both the Hilti Nuron 22V power tools and 2 x 22V tools use the same batteries, you have a large assortment of products operating off a single battery platform. This interchangeability ensures you can run all of your Hilti power tools more efficiently with fewer total batteries. A single stripe indicates the use of cells in a single series configuration.

It also has an additional set of terminals 5-total, more-or-less halving the resistance to the cells in the pack. A majority of the Hilti Nuron batteries utilize cells. These are larger and provide more power density over cells.

Hilti combines the new battery cells with a sophisticated managed heat system and updated connection interface. They also use much larger contact areas and thicker wires, and more efficient welds. What does this mean? For starters, this lets Hilti Nuron tools draw more than amps of power from these battery packs when necessary. In fact, these new packs can deliver a higher current than V 15A corded mains.

Another big difference comes down to how the batteries collect and send tool and operation data automatically. Not directly, no. Many of the older 22V Hilti tools feature brushed motors. New Nuron tools represent advanced technology across the board. Their hope is that consumers will upgrade and update quickly.

However, while Hilti anticipates a quick transition and migration, they do have a BA battery adapter to mate new Nuron batteries with older tools. That means a rather clunky interface if you want to use the new battery packs on older tools. It does, however, give you an option in the event you want to keep an older tool going while you upgrade in other areas first.

All Hilti Nuron tools generate data that gets stored on the Nuron batteries. From there it can be sent securely to the cloud during the charging process—without any operator interaction. The battery charger features a global SIM and 3G cellular connection that automatically updates the data during the battery charging process. This info can create an alert if action is needed immediately. You can also access alerts via the Hilti ON! Track software platform using either the mobile or desktop app.

The charger also reports battery health for automatic battery replacement when needed. That last one perked up our ears.

Given the right maintenance plan, Hilti can actually anticipate a battery failure and replace it in advance of the customer even knowing they have a need. With Nuron, they wanted to do more. This included innovative solutions like moving active torque control into their cutting tools.

They added SenseTech technology—essentially capacitance-sensing grips on angle grinders. We have more on these features below. Hilti looked at ergonomics, weight, and durability when designing their new line of Nuron tools. Powered by a pair of 22V Nuron batteries, the TE packed a punch and seemed to have enough runtime to get a good amount of work done. With only a 35 minute recharge time on the packs using their 8-amp charger, a few sets of batteries might keep you from having to use air or a cord for most small-scope demo work.

We next tested the inch Hilti DSH power cutter cutting concrete slabs, blocks, and even stacks of 1-inch rebar. Using a nice rocking motion, Ben from ToolBoxBuzz. Later, we took the saw through four pieces at once.

It cuts smoothly, and the weight feels very manageable. We took the SR one-handed reciprocating saw and used it in a variety of applications—including some overhead cutting. The saw felt nimble if a bit familiar and it cut very quickly. Hilti needed an updated 18V version to their SR 2-A12 12V recip saw , and this model shows enough juice to warrant an upgrade. We took it through a few paces, cutting through sheets of what looked to be the European equivalent of ply birch and similar materials.

It cut smoothly and with plenty of power. The track seemed easy to use and was available in multiple sizes along with connectors for additional length options. This saw features a side-mounted battery that stays out of your way and puts the weight more forward—we liked that. It also has a plastic rafter hook and a somewhat thin but wide front handle. The front light really does a good job illuminating the cut line.

Overall, this Nuron battery-powered saw should be a great rear-handle contender. This actually switches off the tool and activates the disc brake when there is sudden, uncontrolled movement in any direction. If that happens, the tool engages the electric brake. That melds—for the first time—the safety of a paddle switch grinder with the convenience of a lock-on slide switch. We tested both systems in several different ways and multiple times to see if we could trip it up.

It works very consistently and intuitively—even while wearing gloves. Hilti showed us a ton of new cutting and crimping tools that should appeal to those in the plumbing and electrical trades.

They support at least RLS and ProPress crimping heads, and we were able to test out these tools on-site. Of course, we saw a LOT more Hilti tools—too many to list here. Check out the photos below if you want a quick glimpse before we start reviewing and previewing select models as they become available to us. It will save your body all sorts of strain and stress and can keep you working longer.

Products like the EXO from Hilti can put a stop to that. It also costs a lot less than back or elbow surgery! Hilti will proactively discuss and offer support services to customers who decide to implement Nuron. The global rollout will continue throughout Hilti plans to go all-in, using their sales platform to help transition customers to the new platform from existing tools. By they hope to be ready for a global launch. Visit the Hilti website for more information.

When he's not remodeling part of his house or playing with the latest power tool, Clint enjoys life as a husband, father, and avid reader. Working on a myriad of feature films , Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer.

After founding the CD Media, Inc. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards , an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.

Crediting his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach.