Folks, it’s that time of the year again. The major power tool companies are gearing up to launch their new offerings in time for the summer. On tomorrow’s agenda for this editor is a trip to DeWalt to check out their new offerings. As usual, the company is being tight-lipped about what they will be sharing with us, but I did a bit of sleuthing, and I’m guessing the big news will be a major overhaul of their upper-end cordless tools.
18v Redesign
The 18v XRP line will begin phasing out to make room on the shelves for the new line of 20v MAX Li-ion tools. UPDATE: I spoke too soon, it looks like the existing line of 18v Li-ion will NOT be phased out. For more details, see the link, below.
Need to know:
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- Voltage: Why 20v MAX rather than 18v? Because everybody has 18v, which makes 20v MAX seem better. UPDATE: I was wrong! Click here for more details. It will be the same nominal voltage as a typical 18v tool. It looks like a 14.4v line will also be available (again, not a true 14.4v, because that number is a throwback to the days of NiCad cells, which are 1.2v each). UPDATE: Nope! Looks like the 14.4v will be sold in Europe, but not here in the States.
- Battery: Say goodbye to the stick-style (post) batteries, friends. DeWalt is (finally) switching over to a slide-on pack. If the 12v drill is any indicator, this should leave us with a much slimmer, more comfortable handle.
- Charger: It looks like the new charger for this platform will be multi-voltage, allowing the same charger to accept DeWalt’s 12v, 14.4v, and 18v tools.
- Storage: Festool is rubbing off on these companies. Building on the popularity of the Festool Systainer stacking carrying case, Bosch released the L-Boxx. Now it looks like DeWalt will follow suit with their Tough System cases.
- Likely offerings: Because this will be a full redesign of this voltage, expect to see the full spectrum of tools that will include, at a minimum, a basic drill/driver, hammer drill/driver, impact driver, flashlight, reciprocating saw, and circular saw. Expect the more niche tools to include a rotary hammer, right angle driver, portable bandsaw, and a jigsaw.
- Wishful thinking: There are a few cordless categories that I HOPE DeWalt will announce, or is at least working on. They are in desperate need of a new jobsite radio and a better cordless finish nailer, and this 20V MAX line may be the right home.
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A look at the European versions of the DeWalt tools we are likely to soon see in the U.S.
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Taking the Festool systainer concept a bit farther, it looks like DeWalt will include various sizes of storage and a cart. Some components will clearly be aftermarket, but it remains to be seen whether the new cases will be sold at a premium over the traditional carrying case, or as the standard offering. Either way, DeWalt joining Stanley is clearly paying off.
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Although this is the European version of the new 18v hammer drill/driver, which has already been released, the U.S. version will likely be identical, aside from branding (XR vs. 20v MAX). Note the slim handle, the compact size and extreme rear positioning of the motor, and the position of the chuck and mode selector. Should be interesting to see how it all feels in the hand.
View Comments
Their attempt at a systainer is not that great. But for the price point, it barely works. I hope that the weight is not too excessive. If my cases are too heavy, i ain't gonna use them. 14.4 voltage is a waste, thank god it is getting the F out. Kudos to dewalt for realizing that smaller drills are useful.
Peace.
From,
Mr. Too Technical for everything in the Universe