I am just starting out on my first major project this weekend and I am looking at getting some new tools. I've had experience using plenty of 240v power tools, but now that I am looking at getting my own I don't know if to go for 110v or 240v.
The tools I am planning on getting to start with are
- Mitre Saw
- Plunge Router
Both of these 110 and 240v variations (I'll likely get Makita) are priced the same from Screwfix (UK hardware store), so price is irrelevant.
I've seen some articles and forums talk about the supposed positives (safer or more powerful) and negatives (less powerful, carrying around a transformer) of both power levels, but nowhere that offers any conclusive advice.
I am purely a DIY person at the moment (i.e. this isn't my job) but I might consider this as an option in the future. That said, if there are any legitimate reasons for a job to get one over the other I still think these apply (if it is to reduce risk on site I think that applies just as much to DIYers)
For me carrying round a transformer for 110v is a non-issue - it's just part of what you have to do (and the price for a single transformer is also not an issue).
So
- Does 240V offer better performance over 110V
- Is 110V considerably safer in worst case?
- If One is "no" and Two is "yes" then why would anyone get 240v?