220 V. tools

[Jamie Hascall]

I have a man from Laos studying with me who wants to take back approprite tools when he returns home. Of course the problem is that they are on 220V power, thus our tools won't work without some sort of transformer. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources for 220V tools such as drills and heat guns, or on the cheapest and most effective way of adapting them?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Jamie Hascall]

I have a man from Laos studying with me who wants to take back approprite tools when he returns home. Of course the problem is that they are on 220V power, thus our tools won't work without some sort of transformer. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources for 220V tools such as drills and heat guns, or on the cheapest and most effective way of adapting them?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Jamie Hascall]

I have a man from Laos studying with me who wants to take back approprite tools when he returns home. Of course the problem is that they are on 220V power, thus our tools won't work without some sort of transformer. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources for 220V tools such as drills and heat guns, or on the cheapest and most effective way of adapting them?

Thanks,
Jamie

[imported_Ola Sylwan]

Send him over here, we have all the best tools made for 230V/50Hz.
No adaption needed. :D

[imported_Ola Sylwan]

Send him over here, we have all the best tools made for 230V/50Hz.
No adaption needed. :D

[imported_Ola Sylwan]

Send him over here, we have all the best tools made for 230V/50Hz.
No adaption needed. :D

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Jamie Hascall:
I have a man from Laos studying with me who wants to take back approprite tools when he returns home. Of course the problem is that they are on 220V power, thus our tools won't work without some sort of transformer. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources for 220V tools such as drills and heat guns, or on the cheapest and most effective way of adapting them?The 220 -> 110 problem is easy to crack: my brother brought back a raclette iron from Europe. His easy fix was to stop at a hardware store in Europe and buy some outlets. When he got home, he simply wired in a 220 circuit in his house using the European outlets.

The 110 -> 220 problem is probably harder to crack since I doubt getting a 110 circuit is easy in 220 world. He could always buy Euro tools on his way home.

A little rummaging sez Steinel -- http://www.steinel.de -- makes good heat guns. Their web site has an English version, makes it easier.

You should be able to get drills and the like from Bosch -- http://www.bosch.de/ -- (they, too have an english version of the website,) although I didn't see any routers or corded drill on the German site (is that strictly an American notion?)

Fein -- http://www.fein.com/ or http://www.feinus.com/ -- makes nice drills (nice router too).

FesTool -- http://www.festool.com/ and http://www.festool-usa.com/ -- makes pretty much every portable power tool you can think of. Reputation for high quality products built with german precision. They could ditch the flourescent green color scheme, tho.

Hope this helps.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Jamie Hascall:
I have a man from Laos studying with me who wants to take back approprite tools when he returns home. Of course the problem is that they are on 220V power, thus our tools won't work without some sort of transformer. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources for 220V tools such as drills and heat guns, or on the cheapest and most effective way of adapting them?The 220 -> 110 problem is easy to crack: my brother brought back a raclette iron from Europe. His easy fix was to stop at a hardware store in Europe and buy some outlets. When he got home, he simply wired in a 220 circuit in his house using the European outlets.

The 110 -> 220 problem is probably harder to crack since I doubt getting a 110 circuit is easy in 220 world. He could always buy Euro tools on his way home.

A little rummaging sez Steinel -- http://www.steinel.de -- makes good heat guns. Their web site has an English version, makes it easier.

You should be able to get drills and the like from Bosch -- http://www.bosch.de/ -- (they, too have an english version of the website,) although I didn't see any routers or corded drill on the German site (is that strictly an American notion?)

Fein -- http://www.fein.com/ or http://www.feinus.com/ -- makes nice drills (nice router too).

FesTool -- http://www.festool.com/ and http://www.festool-usa.com/ -- makes pretty much every portable power tool you can think of. Reputation for high quality products built with german precision. They could ditch the flourescent green color scheme, tho.

Hope this helps.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Jamie Hascall:
I have a man from Laos studying with me who wants to take back approprite tools when he returns home. Of course the problem is that they are on 220V power, thus our tools won't work without some sort of transformer. Does anyone have any suggestions or sources for 220V tools such as drills and heat guns, or on the cheapest and most effective way of adapting them?The 220 -> 110 problem is easy to crack: my brother brought back a raclette iron from Europe. His easy fix was to stop at a hardware store in Europe and buy some outlets. When he got home, he simply wired in a 220 circuit in his house using the European outlets.

The 110 -> 220 problem is probably harder to crack since I doubt getting a 110 circuit is easy in 220 world. He could always buy Euro tools on his way home.

A little rummaging sez Steinel -- http://www.steinel.de -- makes good heat guns. Their web site has an English version, makes it easier.

You should be able to get drills and the like from Bosch -- http://www.bosch.de/ -- (they, too have an english version of the website,) although I didn't see any routers or corded drill on the German site (is that strictly an American notion?)

Fein -- http://www.fein.com/ or http://www.feinus.com/ -- makes nice drills (nice router too).

FesTool -- http://www.festool.com/ and http://www.festool-usa.com/ -- makes pretty much every portable power tool you can think of. Reputation for high quality products built with german precision. They could ditch the flourescent green color scheme, tho.

Hope this helps.

[Pelican]

Tell him to just go with the 110 stuff - it'll run really fast (for a short period of time) :D

[Pelican]

Tell him to just go with the 110 stuff - it'll run really fast (for a short period of time) :D

[Pelican]

Tell him to just go with the 110 stuff - it'll run really fast (for a short period of time) :D

[Jamie Hascall]

Thanks guys, I knew you'd be an invaluable source of pertinant info :rolleyes:

[Jamie Hascall]

Thanks guys, I knew you'd be an invaluable source of pertinant info :rolleyes:

[Jamie Hascall]

Thanks guys, I knew you'd be an invaluable source of pertinant info :rolleyes:

[gary porter]

Jamie, You can probably go to Radio Shack or some store like that and get adapters. With power tools though be careful to buy one that can handle the current. Also, does he know if the 220 is 50hz or 60hz? This is a whole nuther issue. The English version stuff is usually 50hz. Gary

[gary porter]

Jamie, You can probably go to Radio Shack or some store like that and get adapters. With power tools though be careful to buy one that can handle the current. Also, does he know if the 220 is 50hz or 60hz? This is a whole nuther issue. The English version stuff is usually 50hz. Gary

[gary porter]

Jamie, You can probably go to Radio Shack or some store like that and get adapters. With power tools though be careful to buy one that can handle the current. Also, does he know if the 220 is 50hz or 60hz? This is a whole nuther issue. The English version stuff is usually 50hz. Gary

[gary porter]

You also might want to check out this site and or others like it...www.110-220volts.com/Prod_VOLT.shtml

[gary porter]

You also might want to check out this site and or others like it...www.110-220volts.com/Prod_VOLT.shtml

[gary porter]

You also might want to check out this site and or others like it...www.110-220volts.com/Prod_VOLT.shtml

[Wild Wassa]

I wonder if he should wait until he returns home and then buys his tools. Or perhaps can he buy 'export' models in the US? In Oz we are 240/50hz.

[ 06-12-2002, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

I wonder if he should wait until he returns home and then buys his tools. Or perhaps can he buy 'export' models in the US? In Oz we are 240/50hz.

[ 06-12-2002, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

I wonder if he should wait until he returns home and then buys his tools. Or perhaps can he buy 'export' models in the US? In Oz we are 240/50hz.

[ 06-12-2002, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Ed Harrow]

The Skil wormdrive I picked out of the junk pile last week is content to run AC/DC up to 120 volts, likewise the 100 planer. Information I've received from Skil indicates they were made in 220/50 hz versions as well. Perhaps harder to find, but maybe 220V/50hz handtools are still available here? I'd definately attempt some comparison shopping as prices are often better here (but make certain on the import issues like duties etc don't turn the scale upside down)

There's two issues with 50/60 hz - one is speed. A 60 hz unit will run at 80% normal speed at 50 hz. The other detail is much foggier, but it has to do with heat. If I remember correctly a 60 hz tool used at 50 hz will run hotter (might not be significant, esp for intermitent use).

[Ed Harrow]

The Skil wormdrive I picked out of the junk pile last week is content to run AC/DC up to 120 volts, likewise the 100 planer. Information I've received from Skil indicates they were made in 220/50 hz versions as well. Perhaps harder to find, but maybe 220V/50hz handtools are still available here? I'd definately attempt some comparison shopping as prices are often better here (but make certain on the import issues like duties etc don't turn the scale upside down)

There's two issues with 50/60 hz - one is speed. A 60 hz unit will run at 80% normal speed at 50 hz. The other detail is much foggier, but it has to do with heat. If I remember correctly a 60 hz tool used at 50 hz will run hotter (might not be significant, esp for intermitent use).

[Ed Harrow]

The Skil wormdrive I picked out of the junk pile last week is content to run AC/DC up to 120 volts, likewise the 100 planer. Information I've received from Skil indicates they were made in 220/50 hz versions as well. Perhaps harder to find, but maybe 220V/50hz handtools are still available here? I'd definately attempt some comparison shopping as prices are often better here (but make certain on the import issues like duties etc don't turn the scale upside down)

There's two issues with 50/60 hz - one is speed. A 60 hz unit will run at 80% normal speed at 50 hz. The other detail is much foggier, but it has to do with heat. If I remember correctly a 60 hz tool used at 50 hz will run hotter (might not be significant, esp for intermitent use).

[TomRobb]

If his ac line has 3 wire like here then he has 110v on each hot lead to ground & 220v between them.
You can make 2@ 110v lines - one hot & gnd on one & the other hot & (the same) gnd on the other.
It'd be annoying to be tethered to those particular outlets :rolleyes: but if the 2 110s are on a sort of extension cord plugged into the 220 it'd be portable. ;)
The 50cps/60cps question might be the deal breaker, I'd imagine.
Maybe calling the manufacturers would be more practical.

[ 06-13-2002, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[TomRobb]

If his ac line has 3 wire like here then he has 110v on each hot lead to ground & 220v between them.
You can make 2@ 110v lines - one hot & gnd on one & the other hot & (the same) gnd on the other.
It'd be annoying to be tethered to those particular outlets :rolleyes: but if the 2 110s are on a sort of extension cord plugged into the 220 it'd be portable. ;)
The 50cps/60cps question might be the deal breaker, I'd imagine.
Maybe calling the manufacturers would be more practical.

[ 06-13-2002, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[TomRobb]

If his ac line has 3 wire like here then he has 110v on each hot lead to ground & 220v between them.
You can make 2@ 110v lines - one hot & gnd on one & the other hot & (the same) gnd on the other.
It'd be annoying to be tethered to those particular outlets :rolleyes: but if the 2 110s are on a sort of extension cord plugged into the 220 it'd be portable. ;)
The 50cps/60cps question might be the deal breaker, I'd imagine.
Maybe calling the manufacturers would be more practical.

[ 06-13-2002, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[Jamie Hascall]

The system is two wire 220/50. As we continue to talk about this it is obvious that lots of step transformers are in use there so that may just be the way for things to go. Most of the tooling he will be taking is true cordless anyway, no electricity needed. We'll figure things out for the rest.

Thanks,
Jamie

[Jamie Hascall]

The system is two wire 220/50. As we continue to talk about this it is obvious that lots of step transformers are in use there so that may just be the way for things to go. Most of the tooling he will be taking is true cordless anyway, no electricity needed. We'll figure things out for the rest.

Thanks,
Jamie

[Jamie Hascall]

The system is two wire 220/50. As we continue to talk about this it is obvious that lots of step transformers are in use there so that may just be the way for things to go. Most of the tooling he will be taking is true cordless anyway, no electricity needed. We'll figure things out for the rest.

Thanks,
Jamie

[John B]

Here's a thought Jamie.
You get more than $2NZ for $1US.
There must be someone here who would like some mail order business.I'd suggest he finds a brand that's supported and buy from OZ orNZ.
What sort of tools is he looking for?

[John B]

Here's a thought Jamie.
You get more than $2NZ for $1US.
There must be someone here who would like some mail order business.I'd suggest he finds a brand that's supported and buy from OZ orNZ.
What sort of tools is he looking for?

[John B]

Here's a thought Jamie.
You get more than $2NZ for $1US.
There must be someone here who would like some mail order business.I'd suggest he finds a brand that's supported and buy from OZ orNZ.
What sort of tools is he looking for?

[Paul Scheuer]

How 'bout a 120 V generator. There're some real nice units in the 1 KW range, almost "lunch box" size. That should be plenty for most small shop tools, and think of the opportunities for appliances and the like, not to mention future expansion of the shop.. He could be the Norm of Laos.

Prices aren't too bad now that we made it through to Y2K+2.

[Paul Scheuer]

How 'bout a 120 V generator. There're some real nice units in the 1 KW range, almost "lunch box" size. That should be plenty for most small shop tools, and think of the opportunities for appliances and the like, not to mention future expansion of the shop.. He could be the Norm of Laos.

Prices aren't too bad now that we made it through to Y2K+2.

[Paul Scheuer]

How 'bout a 120 V generator. There're some real nice units in the 1 KW range, almost "lunch box" size. That should be plenty for most small shop tools, and think of the opportunities for appliances and the like, not to mention future expansion of the shop.. He could be the Norm of Laos.

Prices aren't too bad now that we made it through to Y2K+2.

[Jamie Hascall]

This was to be a purchase of small tools such as corded and cordless drills and a heat gun. They have electricity that works just fine and the use of transformers is common. I just wondered if there was some neat trick I'd missed that might provide a convenient solution.

I've been told that there are shops in Thailand that will take 110 items apart and switch a few wires to make them work on 220. It all sounds a bit dodgey to me. :eek: Of course, everything is relative. I'm sure it feels quite safe in a land where there is still large amounts of unexploded ordnance left over from our time there. :(

[Jamie Hascall]

This was to be a purchase of small tools such as corded and cordless drills and a heat gun. They have electricity that works just fine and the use of transformers is common. I just wondered if there was some neat trick I'd missed that might provide a convenient solution.

I've been told that there are shops in Thailand that will take 110 items apart and switch a few wires to make them work on 220. It all sounds a bit dodgey to me. :eek: Of course, everything is relative. I'm sure it feels quite safe in a land where there is still large amounts of unexploded ordnance left over from our time there. :(

[Jamie Hascall]

This was to be a purchase of small tools such as corded and cordless drills and a heat gun. They have electricity that works just fine and the use of transformers is common. I just wondered if there was some neat trick I'd missed that might provide a convenient solution.

I've been told that there are shops in Thailand that will take 110 items apart and switch a few wires to make them work on 220. It all sounds a bit dodgey to me. :eek: Of course, everything is relative. I'm sure it feels quite safe in a land where there is still large amounts of unexploded ordnance left over from our time there. :(

[imported_Ola Sylwan]

FYI,
The 3-phase system used outside of the USA has 5 wires, the three phase wires, the ground wire and the neutral wire.

In a 220V system the voltage between a phase wire and the neutral wire is 220V. The voltage between the phase wires is 380V.

To complicate things some of us has 1x230/3x400V systems.

[imported_Ola Sylwan]

FYI,
The 3-phase system used outside of the USA has 5 wires, the three phase wires, the ground wire and the neutral wire.

In a 220V system the voltage between a phase wire and the neutral wire is 220V. The voltage between the phase wires is 380V.

To complicate things some of us has 1x230/3x400V systems.

[imported_Ola Sylwan]

FYI,
The 3-phase system used outside of the USA has 5 wires, the three phase wires, the ground wire and the neutral wire.

In a 220V system the voltage between a phase wire and the neutral wire is 220V. The voltage between the phase wires is 380V.

To complicate things some of us has 1x230/3x400V systems.

[John B]

We only run 3 phase for bigger machines. About 2 hp up. eg my spindle moulders ( gawd! what do you call those ? shapers?) are single but my table saw is 3 phase. You guys would be the same wouldn't you?

[John B]

We only run 3 phase for bigger machines. About 2 hp up. eg my spindle moulders ( gawd! what do you call those ? shapers?) are single but my table saw is 3 phase. You guys would be the same wouldn't you?

[John B]

We only run 3 phase for bigger machines. About 2 hp up. eg my spindle moulders ( gawd! what do you call those ? shapers?) are single but my table saw is 3 phase. You guys would be the same wouldn't you?

[Ron Williamson]

We have 3 phase 575/600V,3 phase 208V(or 220)and single phase 220ish.One electrician told us that it would be cheaper and easier if all of our machines were converted to 208,instead of wiring the shop for 600V.He didn't know that 600V industrial woodworking machinery is pretty reasonable to buy because everyone else is doing what he suggested.Never mind the fact that 5-15Hp motors aren't being given away.
I used to have a drill press that was 1/3Hp and 600V.It came out of a furniture factory and was about 50 years old (the era when Southern Ontario had a pretty serious woodworking machine industry to feed the furniture factories)
R

[Ron Williamson]

We have 3 phase 575/600V,3 phase 208V(or 220)and single phase 220ish.One electrician told us that it would be cheaper and easier if all of our machines were converted to 208,instead of wiring the shop for 600V.He didn't know that 600V industrial woodworking machinery is pretty reasonable to buy because everyone else is doing what he suggested.Never mind the fact that 5-15Hp motors aren't being given away.
I used to have a drill press that was 1/3Hp and 600V.It came out of a furniture factory and was about 50 years old (the era when Southern Ontario had a pretty serious woodworking machine industry to feed the furniture factories)
R

[Ron Williamson]

We have 3 phase 575/600V,3 phase 208V(or 220)and single phase 220ish.One electrician told us that it would be cheaper and easier if all of our machines were converted to 208,instead of wiring the shop for 600V.He didn't know that 600V industrial woodworking machinery is pretty reasonable to buy because everyone else is doing what he suggested.Never mind the fact that 5-15Hp motors aren't being given away.
I used to have a drill press that was 1/3Hp and 600V.It came out of a furniture factory and was about 50 years old (the era when Southern Ontario had a pretty serious woodworking machine industry to feed the furniture factories)
R