A Bizarre Cordless Tool Test

I don't speak Swedish so I have no idea what the guy in this video is saying. It doesn't matter, though, because his actions speak louder than words.

In the video, he runs a Panasonic drill/driver (EY7441) and recip saw (EY451A) underwater – presumably to demonstrate how resistant they are to moisture. Both tools are IP56 rated, meaning they have passed tests in which they're subjected to specified amounts of moisture and dust, though not even the manufacturer claims it's okay to submerse them in water. There is, however, a photo on the company's Japanese website of the saw lying out in the rain.

The drill/driver in the video is a 14.4-volt tool and has been sold in the U.S. for several years. The recip saw is new. It's currently available in Europe, Asia, and Oceania, and will be released for sale in the U.S. in 2013. I saw one last month at the STAFDA show. Aside from the saw's evident resistance to moisture, the most interesting thing about it is that it's part of Panasonic's new dual-voltage line, which can be run on 14.4- or 18-volt batteries.

Unless you speak Swedish, you may want to skip ahead to the 28-second mark because that's when a tool first goes into the water.

Archived Comments

As I understand it, many tools will operate under water and after bringing them up. HOWEVER, what will happen in a couple days when they dry out and CORRODE ?!?

Yeah, that's kind of impressive. However, we just had a super storm here on Long Island, NY - a major disaster area now. I wonder how long it'll last with SALT WATER soaked wood, debris, etc.

This was a very stoup thing

Yeah, I'd really like to see this test done, and then revisited, a week or so later, with various product lines. I really doubt any of them will be serviceable afterwards or if they are I'd bet all the points of contact inside and any windings are damaged enough to initiate severe premature failure.

Guys, I think the point is that you CAN use these tools under water, at least occasionally. I can see many situations where this could be handy, especially rebuilding and repairing docks and such destroyed by Sandy. As to salt water, I wonder if flushing with fresh immediately after using in salt would help.

I'm not sure what - if anything - this video proves. I posted it because I hadn't seen anything like it before. Those of you who have commented make good points. Will the tools still work a day, two days, or a week later? Would it make any difference if it was saltwater? i don't know the answer to that. It's my understanding from talking to a product manager at Panasonic that the weak link is the electronics - and that they apply a rubber-like coating to theirs. Other companies may do this too. I'll look into it. I may even try what you guys are talking about - dunking a bunch of tools and seeing if they work later on. If I do, I'll write about it in my blog. Thanks for you comments. David Frane Editor, Tools of the Trade

Almost all Cordless tools will run under water. I did this a couple of years ago with my Cordless Cutsaw from DEWALT. The problem came a few weeks later when the tool basically seized up inside. There is a reason they make tools that are designed to work under water. Cordless tools are not.