I guess it was only a matter of time. Toolmakers are developing smartphone apps that can communicate with their tools to alter settings, like the speed of a drill or the movement of an orbiting sanding pad.

To me, this might make sense if you are using a big stationary machine like a CNC router. In that case, you would have the workpiece clamped down and the machine would be doing its thing while you stand by and wait for a process to finish. Maybe it saves you from having to run back to the office computer to make a minor cutter speed adjustment.

But for a hand-held tool like a drill/driver or pad sander. Do we really need an app for this? A dial on the tool itself is no longer sufficient?

OK, it might be high-tech cool, but I’m not convinced that I need it.

D.D.