Over at Amazon, today’s deal of the day features Bosch cordless power tools and a 40pc impact-rated drilling and driving bit set.
These are all great tools, and the sale prices are excellent.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Deal ends at 3am ET 12/21/18, unless supplies sell out sooner.
A couple of readers have mentioned hearing about Milwaukee M18 Fuel Gen 3 drill overheating issues. I did some searching, and I didn’t find much. I also haven’t heard of any issues from other reviewers.
You can read more about the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Gen 3 drill and impact driver combo kit here.
I wanted to look into things, so I took some time today to put my test sample through some quick torture tests.
I grabbed a fresh Milwaukee M18 XC battery pack, a 1-1/2″ self-drilling spade bit, and a 2-foot section of 2×4.
I clamped it down, and then drilled forward. I kept my second hand on the back of the drill, for stability since I didn’t have the aux handle attached, and to feel for what the motor was doing.
For the first test, I drilled 12 holes as fast as I could, on the lower speed setting. That’s the setting that should be used for larger bits like this. The max speed of the drill exceeds the recommended max speed of the bits.
At the end, the motor area was warm, but not hot. The bit was somewhat hot.
Okay, I needed to push the drill a bit harder. So I drilled 12 holes in another 2×4 section, this time at the higher speed setting, which can be more taxing on a drill.
As mentioned, this exceeds the maximum recommended speed of the bit and is NOT recommended. The drill also feels less controllable, which can be dangerous, and is NOT recommended.
I drilled the 12 holes as fast as I could, and at the end, the motor area was warm, but not uncomfortable. My thermal camera is charging, but before the battery gave out, I saw temps of maybe 110°F for the motor, and 200°F+ for the drill bit.
Not many cordless drills could have done this; a 1-1/2″ self-drilling spade separates the light and medium duty drills from the higher-powered ones.
Long story short: overheating? What overheating??
There are a few things I can do to torture-test the drill even harder, such as drilling a 1″ or 1-1/4″ hole through the 3.5″ edge of a 2×4 with downwards pressure, either with a self-drilling spade bit or self-drilling auger. Or, I can push a 1-1/4″+ auger through the side of a 2×6. Maybe I’ll need a longer bit even, the kind that is normally used with heavy duty right angle drills or impact wrenches. Or maybe I can use a paddle to pix a bucket of mud or other viscous material.
But, from what I’m seeing so far, there’s nothing unusual.
I ran it through a fairly tough task for maybe 10 minutes, and without giving the drill much of a break. I stopped only to take a quick photo and change out the 2×4 test block.
If you’re a Milwaukee M18 Fuel Gen 3 brushless drill user, have you experienced any unusual overheating?
If you are, maybe there’s a specific application or test I can do in an attempt to replicate what you’re seeing. But if not, I don’t see any reason to continue with unrealistic rapid-drilling torture tests.
If I have to bring out steel plate, or turn more 2x4s into Swiss cheese, so be it. But I haven’t seen any evidence of overheating yet, under normal circumstances or the first round of torture testing.
I have overheated cordless drills before, and the motor will usually start burning up the insulation covering the copper windings around the same time it gets uncomfortably warm or even hot. I haven’t seen anything like that in this drill, not yet.
I have yet to see any cause for concern or hesitation. I’m up for investigating this further, and can use a bit of help.
This Milwaukee M18 cordless drill/driver chart has been my go-to whenever questions about their different models and tiers come up. So, I thought I’d share it.
The image above is clickable in case you need a larger version.
There are 4 tiers of tools. There’s the brushed motor compact drill, which I’d bet is most often purchased as part of a combo kit, a new version of the compact brushless drill, a new higher-powered brushless hammer drill, and the the top-tier M18 Fuel brushless drill and hammer drill. There are also One-Key versions of the Fuel tools.
Following is a quick rundown of all the current models and what sets them apart from each other.
Prices and links are to the 2-battery kits. But, keep in mind that there are usually promos going on. The “standard” kit prices and links were chosen for baseline comparison purposes only.
For example, the M18 Fuel hammer drill kit is regularly $299, but there’s also a holiday season promo where you can get the same drill in a combo kit with an impact driver and Packout tool box, for the same $299.
Milwaukee’s “compact” brushed motor drill/driver can be found separately, and is one of the core tools in their non-brushless combo kits. It’s reasonably spec’ed, and has a modern design.
Price: $179
Buy Now(Kit with 2 batteries via Acme Tools)
Step up to the compact brushless model, and you get the same torque rating, a small bump-up in lower gearbox speed, and a tool that’s smaller and lighter. The brushless motor is more efficient, and so you should see longer runtime. Plus, the drill is kitted with 2.0Ah batteries, giving you an even further boost in runtime.
Price: $199
Buy Now(Kit with 2 batteries via Acme Tools)
If you want more power and the ability to drill into masonry, but don’t want to step up to M18 Fuel, that’s where the new Milwaukee brushless hammer drill comes in.
Its torque rating is nearly 50% higher than the compact brushless drill, but the brushless hammer drill is only a little longer and heavier. It’s also a little faster in the lower speed gear setting.
The kit is bundled with XC batteries, and the “XC effect” should partially contribute to the increased torque over the compact brushless model.
It’s bundled with an auxiliary handle for greater control and safety.
Price: $229
Buy Now(Kit with 2 batteries via Acme Tools)
Stepping up to M18 Fuel, you get greater torque and speed, and a slight reduction in length compared to the brushless hammer drill. The drill/driver is only a tiny bit heavier. It’s also bundled with 5.0Ah batteries.
Price: $279
Buy Now(Kit with 2 batteries via Acme Tools)
I don’t know how, but Milwaukee managed to make the new M18 Fuel Gen 3 brushless hammer drill the same length and weight as the non-hammer drill/driver. Its specs are the same, except for the hammer drilling function, which delivers around 11% more beats per minute than the non-Fuel brushless model.
Price: $299
Buy Now(Kit with 2 batteries via Acme Tools)
What is your favorite tool of the year? Is it a hand tool? Power Tool? Maybe a dust extractor or vacuum? Or could it be a multi-tool, pocket knife, or other everyday carry-type of item?
For me, I think it would be the Milwaukee M18 Fuel compact 7-1/4″ sliding miter saw. I’ve used this thing a lot, for personal projects as well as ToolGuyd ones, and it has been great.
The only hint of a complaint I can muster is about the rubber feet inserts, which sometimes stick to the floor and pull out.
It’s not that this tool is all that enjoyable to use, but that it’s an extension of my will, and has been perfectly trouble-free.
I’ll eventually have to donate or give away the saw, as it was a review sample, but maybe when that happens I’ll buy one to replace it with. I’m still planning on installing an indoors “miter saw station,” but it’s been great to be able to pull the saw outside for bigger, messier, or more convenient cuts.
I’m sure I’ll be able to think of other 2018 favorites, but for now, let’s here more about what tools you’re happy to have had at your disposal this year.
Ridgid came out with a new 18V cordless “mat light,” model R8694520B. It seems to be a very unique take on area worklighting.
The Ridgid mat light – can I call it a light mat instead? – has 3 brightness settings and outputs up to 1500 lumens. There are 5 individual light bars attached to the mat.
The Ridgid cordless light mat has a power source that connects via a barrel connector. That means that you can remove it and roll the mat up tight, for easier storage or transport. I should also note that the power source connects to the light mat; it doesn’t dangle from the power cord when mounted or hung via the D-ring.
There’s a ring at the top, for hanging the mat for upright illumination.
There are also magnets at each corner. I’d guess that it allows the mat to be mounted from steel surfaces, but it also allows for the mat to be wrapped into a secure 360° illumination ring.
Runtime is up to 25 hours using a 9.0Ah battery. As a bonus, the 18V power source has a USB port for charging other devices.
Ridgid says that the mat is made of durable materials and will hold up to tough jobsite environments.
Price: $99 for the bare tool
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Battery and charger are NOT included.
I just gotta say this – I’m really loving TTI’s product design creativity. Kudos to the lighting product design and engineering team!
I can’t think of a single lighting task that I’d use this for, but I know I’d find tons of uses for it if I had one. Potentially, I wonder if it can be used with an AC adapter for battery-free operation…
If the CRI (color accuracy) is good enough, this might even be suited for photo or video use in tricky situations.
Ryobi has come out with the P784K 18V One+ EVERCHARGE LED area light kit. There are actually a lot of little details that make this a very interesting new product; it’s not just an area light.
To start, this is Ryobi’s third Evercharge product. The first is this Ryobi Evercharge cordless hand vacuum kit, and the second is their 18V One+ Evercharge stick vacuum cleaner.
The Ryobi Evercharge product family works with their 18V cordless power tool batteries, and come with a wall-mountable charger.
The Ryobi Evercharge LED light has an auto-on feature, where if you keep it mounted to its wall charger, it will automatically turn on in the case of a power outage.
Ryobi says that it can deliver 400 lumens at high output, and when using a high capacity Lithium+ battery it can run for over 24 hours. There are 3 brightness modes, and the user manual says that the max runtime is 48 hours in low mode, depending on the battery pack used.
The Evercharge light looks fairly small and compact, although it’s probably not recommended to attach a much bigger battery while it’s mounted to the wall charger.
The light has a built-in 1-amp USB charging port.
The user manual says that USB charging will be active when the light is turned on, and for 4 hours after the light has been turned off. The light can be turned on and off again to continue USB charging for another 4 hours.
You can rest the light on any horizontal surface, and there’s also a folding metal handle that can double as a hanging mounting point.
The included Evercharge charger is easily mounted to the wall.
The kit comes with the LED light, a 1.3Ah battery, and the Evercharge wall charger.
Price: $80 for the kit
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
This seems like a really neat idea, and I like the thought that went into it. I especially like that it has a USB charging port, so that you don’t need another device to charge a phone or tablet during a power outage.
It’s also great that this is sold as a kit, although I know some people would prefer a bare tool option as well. The kit makes the product more attractive to folks that might not necessarily be interested in buying into Ryobi’s cordless power tool lineup.
Here’s their promo video:
How likely are you to switch cordless power tool brands?
I’m not talking about upgrading from an older platform, such as Dewalt 18V, where your tools and batteries are on their last legs and you’re ready for a complete upgrade.
Some users, including pros, DIYers, and regular non-construction users, are okay jugging more than one battery platform. Dewalt 20V Max and Milwaukee M18? Sure. Bosch 12V Max and Makita 18V? Why not. Brand A, Brand B, Brand C? That can work too.
But many other users prefer to stick within a singular system. It’s cheaper and easier to do that, especially for pros that work in teams or partnerships, as opposed to individually. Every battery fits every charger, and every tool. Well, nearly every tool. Some brands have one-way compatibility, such as FlexVolt to 20V Max but not vice-versa.
So for you singular-system users, how likely are you to move to a different system? It’s certainly possible – you can sell everything via ebay or Craigslist, or to someone locally, maybe even an apprentice. But that’s usually a hassle, and a big one given how big a cordless power tool collection can be.
Can you be convinced to switch to a different system?
Considering how much trouble it can be to switch to a completely different system, let me ask a different question. How likely are you to buy into another cordless power tool system?
For instance, if you’re a Dewalt 20V Max user, would you buy a Milwaukee M18 cordless table saw? If you’re a Makita 18V X2 user, would you buy a Dewalt FlexVolt miter saw?
What do you think that Dewalt will come out with in 2019?
Shown above are the new Dewalt brushless cordless woodworking tools – a router, jigsaws, and a sander. All but maybe the router are available now, with the router expected to ship maybe this month or next.
I would guess that Dewalt will continue along these lines, producing more 20V Max brushless power tools. For example, maybe we’re due to see a compact Dewalt circular saw for cutting flooring, trim, and other such materials?
What cordless tools do you want Dewalt to come out with in 2019?
Me? I’m waiting for a FlexVolt 120V Max 10″ portable table saw with AC adapter, or a USA version of their FlexVolt 10″ miter saw. Not because I want them personally, but because I think it will be the next step forward in the very competitive cordless power tool industry.
The Dewalt FlexVolt battery system is now 2.5 years old, and with other brands having closed the performance gap, Dewalt could and should have something up their sleeve to push things forward a little further. I just can’t put my finger on what that could be. I know that readers have been asking for a 60V Max AC adapter, but I’m not sure that’s something they’re willing to do.
Honestly, I’m also really hoping that Dewalt breaths new life into their 12V Max cordless power tool platform. With Stanley Black & Decker sure to launch a new Craftsman 12V Max cordless power tool lineup, maybe that will lower some of the costs related to developing new and upgraded Dewalt tools.
So, what new Dewalt cordless power tools do you want to see or think we’ll see this year?
Pros around here – contractors, electricians, plumbers, techs – they LOVE Milwaukee cordless power tools. In this series, we’ll talk about some of those tools that stand out as clear favorites.
The Milwaukee M18 Six-Pack can charge up to 6 batteries, one at a time.
Our favorite electrician duo uses one of these at the end of the day, to ensure that any drained or batteries are fully charged and good to go the next morning.
It’s compact, it has charge status LED indicators for each battery port, a top handle that makes for convenient portability, and the plug is pass-thru for added convenience.
There are also screw keyhole slots on the bottom, for users that want to mount it to the wall of their workshop or van, or other vertical surface.
While not a must-have for everyone, the Milwaukee M18 Six-Pack charger certainly does make it easier to manage daily or regular charging of several M18 batteries. It also takes up a lot less space than a bunch of individual chargers.
Price: $99
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
I reviewed the Six-Pack charger a few years ago, and since then Milwaukee has also come out with an M18/M12 rapid charger, which has 3x M18 slots and 3x M12 slots, and the ability to charge up to 3 batteries at once.
Which one to buy? If you need more than 3 M18 ports and can wait for the batteries to charge one by one, the Six-Pack might serve you better. If you have a mix of M12 and M18 batteries, and want them recharged at the same time, and fast, the Rapid Charge Station might be the better choice.
Buy Now(Rapid Charger via Acme Tools)
Do you use either of these Milwaukee M18 charging stations? Any regrets?
Makita has expanded their selection of AWS-featuring tools, with the most recent addition being their sub-compact circular saw. AWS is Makita’s Automatic-Start Wireless System, a Bluetooth technology that allows specially-equipped Makita cordless power tools to automatically activate specially-equipped Makita vacuums and dust extractors.
The new saw, XSH05ZB, is nearly identical to the Makita 18V sub-compact circular saw (XSH04ZB) that came out in mid-2018, but with a slot for their AWS transmitter, sold separately.
That part confused me a bit. This version of the Makita sub-compact brushless circular saw is AWS-capable, but not AWS-equipped, at least not out of the box.
Other Makita cordless power tools with AWS capabilities, such as their 18V X2 plunge-cutting track saw, come with an auto-start wireless transmitter, 198901-5.
The new saw is priced a little higher than the non-AWS-capable saw, and you’ll also need an AWS Bluetooth transmitter module, which is currently priced at $80.
Price: $198 for the bare tool
Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
See Also(Non-AWS-Capable via Amazon)
The transmitter module is optional but needed for AWS functionality.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
The saw comes with a dust port accessory.
Something stood out to me at first: this saw is marketed as an AWS-capable tool, but it doesn’t come with the AWS transmitter, all the while still being a little more expensive than the non-AWS-capable model?
Then I thought: are users going to buy another $80 AWS transmitter module for this saw? And then I realized, maybe not.
Circular saws are very rarely used with dust collectors, and the ones that are, they’re specially designed for it, such as Makita’s plunge-cutting track saws.
I can see this saw being used for certain tasks where its compact size and lighter weight can be a great benefit. I’m sure there will be some users who will want it equipped with AWS and connected to a vac hose all the time, and that’s okay. Other users might own a different Makita AWS saw, or saws, that are more traditionally paired with dust extractors. If or when there comes a time when they need or want to use this sub-compact circular saw with AWS tech and dust collection, they should be able to pull the AWS module from an existing saw to temporarily equip this one.
How many AWS-equipped saws will a user operate at any given moment?
With that in mind, this makes a lot more sense to me. Otherwise, this is an AWS wireless vacuum trigger-capable saw that doesn’t come with the optional AWS wireless vacuum trigger, and that doesn’t really sound good at all.
Why buy the AWS-capable model (XSH05ZB) over the regular non-AWS version (XSH04ZB)? Well, you have the option of using AWS with it, if you so choose.
If you’re maybe interested in using a sub-compact Makita brushless circular saw with their AWS vac activation tech, this is the model to choose. You can buy a transmitter later, or “borrow” one from a different tool that has one. If you’re absolutely interested in having this saw connected to an AWS-equipped dust collector all the time, pick up a wireless transmitter for it as well. If you have no interest in AWS vacs or vac triggers, the non-AWS version is a little less expensive.
So, to sum things up, this new Makita AWS-capable sub-compact brushless circular saw is basically the same as the non-AWS one, but a slot for adding in an (optional) AWS wireless transmitter.
Also, keep in mind that you would need a Makita AWS-equipped vacuum or dust extractor. As far as I am aware, there is no retrofit option, it has to have AWS activation capabilities built-in.
This all assumes that the an AWS wireless transmitter modular can be swapped between tools. I can’t find any user manual that mentions it, and nothing for the transmitter itself. I’ll follow up when we hear back from Makita.
Milwaukee is expanding their outdoor power tool lineup with a new modular tool head system, dubbed Quik-Lok.
The new Milwaukee Quik-Lok multi-head power tool system is powered by their M18 Fuel cordless battery platform. There is a power unit, powered by an M18 Fuel brushless motor, and interchangeable tool attachments that are swapped for different tasks. This means you get the capabilities of several tools at a lower cost and with less to store than with dedicated tools.
The system will be launching with 4 separate tools and an extension.
The extension is included in the pole saw kit, but can be purchased separately for use with the hedge trimmer and pole saw attachment.
The kits come with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Quik-Lok power head, the specified attachment (string trimmer or pole saw with extension), a multi-voltage rapid charger, and (1) HD 9.0Ah battery. The pole saw kit is also said to include a shoulder strap.
A shoulder strap (49-16-2722) will be available separately, for $20, and a replacement 10″ pole saw chain (49-16-2723) will also be available, for $18.
ETA: February 2019
What’s not to like?
Press materials summed up the benefits of the system:
Plus, the ability to switch out multiple attachments based on the application will make jobs quicker, easier, and more cost-effective.
This is a huge breakthrough for users who are frustrated with gas solutions or investing in multiple battery platforms to use higher voltage options.
They also say:
The System also achieves instantaneous throttle response while being up to 2 pounds lighter than the other options on the market.
And that it:
Delivers best-in-class power and run-time for landscaping and trade professionals.
I know a lot of you have been asking for something just like this. What do you think?
Raise your hand if you’re going to buy this in time for Spring.
Or, if you’re not a Milwaukee M18 cordless tool user, do you wish that these tools came out in your brand’s color instead?
The newest Dewalt 20V Max cordless LED worklight, DCL074, is described as an all-purpose light.
The Dewalt DCL074 is said to be compact, portable, and convenient for everyday lighting tasks, and bright enough to illuminate large areas.
Dewalt says it can deliver up to 5000 lumens of natural white light, and as usually with LED emitters, without the heat and hassle typically associated with halogen worklights.
Yes, that’s five thousand lumens.
There’s a done-shaped diffusor on top, which should help illuminate an area evenly.
It can be used freestanding on any horizontal surface or hung from an integrated hook.
There’s also a 5/8 x 11 tripod mount (tripod sold separately).
The Dewalt DCL074 worklight can be powered by 20V Max or FlexVolt batteries. It boasts up to 11 hours of runtime, when paired with a 6.0Ah battery ($100-129 via Amazon) and set to the lowest output setting.
The light measures 12″ tall x 11″ wide and weighs 8.6 lbs (presumably tool-only).
Dewalt’s Tool Connect app can be used to control and monitor the DCL074 LED worklight.
Price: $199 for the bare tool
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
I love the shape of this thing, as a worklight but also in a general sense. The new Dewalt LED worklight looks like just the type of product that could appear as a prop in an upcoming sci-fi series or movie.
As an aside, I spotted Milwaukee’s M18 Rocket LED tripod light in a SyFy series episode in 2018, and it wasn’t painted or obviously modified. For you sci-fi fans, which show was it?
The new DCL074 delivers around 71% of the max brightness of the DCL070 worklight, but with a much smaller size and at a lower price point.
Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but its features and functionality seems proportional.
Home Depot has slashed the prices on several Milwaukee M18 Fuel and M18 cordless power tool combo kit and Packout tool box Holiday 2018 “special buys.” These bundles were great values during the holiday season, and now they’re even better, presumably as Home Depot seeks to clear out remaining inventory.
First, there’s the M18 Fuel brushless hammer drill and impact driver combo kit, featuring their latest M18 Fuel tools, and a Packout tool box.
Sale Price: $239 ($60 off the holiday bundle price)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(Just the M18 Fuel combo kit via Home Depot)
Compare(via Acme Tools)
Next, there’s a 3pc Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless power tool combo kit, with the larger sized tool box and the addition of a brushless Hackzall reciprocating saw kit.
Sale Price: $299 ($100 off the holiday bundle price)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(via Acme Tools)
Finally, there’s the M18 6-tool cordless combo kit, featuring a compact hammer drill, impact driver, worklight, Hackzall reciprocating saw, circular saw, oscillating multi-tool, and (3) batteries. These tools are NOT M18 Fuel, they have brushed motors.
The bundle includes a Packout rolling tool box.
Sale Price: $399 ($100 off the holiday bundle price)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(via Acme Tools)
There are some other deals included in today’s sale. Special pricing ends at 3am ET 1/15/19, unless supplies sell out sooner.
As part of our paid partnership with Home Depot, they sent over a Dewalt 20V Max cordless saw and ToughSystem tool box kit (DCKTS253D1) for review consideration.
The kit comes with combo-kit versions of their cordless circular saw and reciprocating saw, a charger, a 2.0Ah battery, and a ToughSystem tool box.
Both are solid saws, although they do lack some of the features of Dewalt’s more premium offerings.
The bundle is a really good value.
I have tested both saws before, and they’re good performers – for brushed saws – and the premium version of the circular saw was my editor’s choice in a past “best cordless circular saws” review. (Yes, I know, that’s one of several roundups that needs to be updated.)
Since I have used both saws before and with a good opinion of them, I passed the kit along to a local electrician for his assistant, who works a lot of jobs with him. The assistant – the electrician’s uncle – was about to start some home remodeling, and I am curious to see what his thoughts are, especially considering that the electrician’s trucks are exclusively stocked with Milwaukee cordless power tools.
I couldn’t just give this kit by itself, I also passed on a higher capacity battery pack. The 2.0Ah battery that’s included in the combo bundle should be considered as a “starter” battery. It’s a very good pairing for compact Dewalt power tools, such as their smaller drills, impact drivers, LED worklights, or tools that will be used lightly. For light work with the included saws, sure, the 2.0Ah battery will be okay. But for regular use or projects where more than just a couple of cuts are needed, a higher capacity battery pack is strongly recommended, and maybe even essential.
But, you can always buy a bigger battery if or when needed. I am sure that a lot of users will be happier for the lower price tag.
This kit was a 2018 holiday season special buy, and you can still find it at a lot of stores. You can opt for delivery too, but with a fee for express delivery. My zip code shows a $35 delivery fee. What this means is that you can only get it from stores, either in person, or for $35 the delivery will come from a local store that has it in stock.
Price: $199
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
At the moment, bare-tool versions of the premium saws are $129 at most dealers. The saws in the bundle are slightly lower featured – the reciprocating saw has a 2-way blade holder instead of 4-way, and the circular saw has a steel shoe instead of a magnesium shoe.
The ToughSystem tool box can be found for $45-$55.
The 2.0Ah battery retails for $69.
I think that Dewalt could have gotten away with only offering the bundle with the saws and tool box, as I feel like the charger and battery are almost an extra bonus. I wouldn’t say that you’re getting a $455 value, which is advertised on the packaging, but you are certainly getting more than the $199 sticker price would ordinarily suggest.
I’ll be checking in with the recipient in a few weeks to see how well the saws worked out for them. To be frank, I’d be surprised to hear anything but praise. While not the best of the best, the saws have proven to be reliable workhorses. They’ve been available for a while, and I don’t recall hearing any complaints about them at all.
Thank you to Home Depot for supplying the sample!
Dewalt recently announced their new 20V Max brushless mid-torque impact wrench, DCF896, featuring Tool Connect Bluetooth connectivity.
The new 1/2″ mid-range impact wrench is similar in specs to the DCF894 that came out last year.
Tool Connect customizations require the use of Dewalt’s free app on your smartphone or other device. Once they’ve saved to your tool, you can put your phone away.
Precision Tap: In this mode, the tool can automatically alternate between forward and reverse directions, allowing for easier and faster cutting of threads, compared to manual tapping. With a manual tap wrench, or manual power tapping, you would alternate between forward and reverse directions in order to break up chips that could bind your tap and lead to breakage.
Note: Depending on the application, there are certain taps that you don’t have to back out when used (slowly) with a power drill.
With Tool Connect, you can select this setting for one of your 3 custom modes.
Precision Wrench: In this mode, you can set a runoff speed for the reverse direction, helping to prevent fasteners from speeding off a bolt and getting away from you. In the forward direction, you can set “pause before impact” duration, as well as an auto shut off time, which Dewalt says can aid in fastening consistency.
It also provides for “last seen” tracking, and “out of range” automatic shut-off.
The kit, DCF896HP2, comes with (2) 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, belt clip, and kit bag. There will also be a bare tool option, DCF896HB, and with a detent pin instead of the hog ring (DCF896B, DCF896P2).
The DCF894 is similarly spec’ed, but without Tool Connect customizations or tracking.
See Also(Hog Ring Bare Tool via Amazon)
See Also(Detent Pin Bare Tool via Amazon)
See Also(Hog Ring Kit via Amazon)
See Also(Detent Pin Kit via Amazon)
The special tapping and wrench modes sound convenient, and so does the ability to tweak the speed (and torque) settings.
I should remind you that the Precision Wrench mode is also built into the DCF894 impact wrench, and this version (DCF896) takes it further by allowing the user to customize the delay times. The tapping mode and speed customizations are unique to these Tool Connect models.
Question: Have you ever used a 1/2″ impact wrench for thread-tapping applications? I have seen tap sockets, but I can’t say I have ever used them.
In theory, I like customizations. In practice, the LED work light brightness and “afterglow” delay aren’t variables I ever really feel the need to adjust. But the speed and torque settings? Yes, those are things that I’d be happy to be able to adjust, especially for repetitive tasks. I’d likely “set and forget” once, and then maybe later on if needed.
Out of curiousity, how does the Milwaukee M18 Fuel brushless 1/2″ mid-torque impact wrench compare? I don’t remember looking at both models (Dewalt DCF894, Milwaukee 2861, 2860), but now seems like a good chance.
For the moment, ignore the Dewalt Tool Connect capabilities, as there’s no Milwaukee mid-torque with One-Key option (unless I’m forgetting about it and also searched online using the wrong keywords).
The Milwaukee has more fastening torque (450 ft-lbs vs. 330 ft-lbs), and is also faster. The Dewalt is a lighter, at 3.48 lbs, but the Milwaukee isn’t too far behind, with a bare tool weight of 3.8 lbs. The Milwaukee is 5.3 lbs with XC battery.
The Dewalt has a more useful LED worklight placement.
Despite how things might appear, I am thinking that the max torque was more of a subjective decision by Dewalt, rather than an upper limit dictated by the components. Based on the on-paper specs, I am led to believe that Dewalt could have inched up the max speed and max fastening torque. Surely they could have matched Milwaukee’s mid-torque power if they wanted to. But, perhaps they drew the line where they thought users would have ample power and application speed to get through the types of tasks a tool like this is designed for. In theory, this would trade upper-end power and slightly faster speeds for greater runtime.
This is all speculation of course, but I think that Dewalt was deliberate about the balance between power and runtime, and that they could have increased the power consumption to achieve greater torque if desired.
If you need more torque, that’s what the heavy duty impact wrenches are for.
The DCF894 is a competitive brushless mid-torque impact wrench, and I think that the new DCF896 is a compelling offering for users who want a little more control over what the 3 preset modes can do to make their work easier or better.
If you have used the regular mid-torque impact, do you wish you had this Tool Connect version instead?
If the mid-torque impact wasn’t appealing to you before, does this one change your mind?
While we’re at it, here’s another question – are there other tools that you wish had Tool Connect customizations of some kind?
A couple of months ago, Bosch rebranded their 18V hybrid impact driver-wrench as the Freak. Now, there’s a whole gang of new tools, called the MegaWatt Crew.
Coming to Earth from a meteor explosion, the otherworldly Mega Watt Crew has made it its mission to get the job done with high power. The crew members all have jobs to do, and they can handle anything thrown their way.
Oh boy.
The new Bosch product family is centered around a commonality – they’re all high-powered tools designed to take full advantage of Core18V increased capacity.
In other words, these new Bosch 18V cordless power tools are really to be considered next-gen tools, similar in nature as Milwaukee M18 High Output tools, Dewalt FlexVolt, Hitachi/Metabo HPT MultiVolt, and Makita 18V X2. Or at least that’s at the level I would be comparing them to.
He is crazy. He has a split personality. You never know who you’re going to get. The quarter? The half? Ultimate Jekyll and Hyde; great driver AND tough wrench. Either job, he brings the firepower so that any job gets done.
The new pack of MegaWatt Crew tools is led by The Freak.
This guy’s hook will tear you to shreds. He swings fast and slices through so-called “studs” without breaking a sweat. Fast and dependable, he cuts any job down to size. Doesn’t need to redo work; he handles it right the first time.
The Strong Arm is the new brushless 7-1/4″ circular saw. I’ll post about the new saw separately, but what I like about its real-world image is that it’s shown with an integrated dust port. Attaching a vacuum is going to be optional, but it’s a rare breed of non-plunging circular saws where dust control was more thoughtful than adding a screw-on adapter to a traditional side chute.
Tall and accurate, he can deliver precise results over and over. Durable, dependable, he makes the right cut anywhere.
The new Bosch Surgeon is an 18V 8-1/2″ single bevel sliding miter saw.
With an angle on demolition, she can cut you to the quick and do real damage. She doesn’t look like the other recips, and she’s not: much faster, more powerful and yet a smoother operator.
The Misfit looks to be a rebranding of their ergonomic brushless reciprocating saw. I have tested one of these, and it is indeed incredibly powerful.
Interestingly, the Misfit is described as being a she. The Misfit, Bulldog, and Hell-Ion are all females, while the other tools are males.
Heavy metal thunder, ready for the grind. He can cut the toughest opponents with ease, plus he can smooth out any rough spots. This guy is fast on the cut. Seriously, watch out. He cuts you from any angle. And sparks fly when he does it.
The new Bosch 6″ brushless grinder is the “Spitfire.” Pretty clever.
Don’t let her small size fool you. Tenacious and tough, she doesn’t give up, even on the toughest jobs. Can handle tight spots and difficult situations with ease. She’s the alpha dog of the Megawatt Crew for a reason.
The Bulldog is a brushless 1″ SDS Plus rotary hammer.
When you have a big job, he comes in and handles it. Not afraid to deliver the hammer when needed, this meathead will knock you seven ways from Sunday. If you didn’t think it could get worse, just wait until you meet him. He will destroy you.
The Goon? A heavier-hitting 1-3/8″ SDS Max rotary hammer. It’s the first time a rotary hammer is described as a destroying meathead.
All business; all power. When there’s a big job to do, call in the muscle, and he GETS IT DONE… with maximum impact.
And then there’s the Bosch Hitman, a 1-3/4″ SDS Max rotary hammer that delivers maximum impact
The johnny-on-the-spot backbone of the Megawatt Crew. She keeps them going with a fresh supply of electrons at any time. Pedal to the metal. When the crew is running low on energy, she brings the juice. The best power boost in the business.
The Hell-Ion is a new 16-amp max charger. Does that mean it’ll recharge an 8Ah battery pack in half an hour??
Bosch needs to make this into a comic book.
More on the new tools as details become available.
Shown here is the new Bosch GKS18V-264GC brushless 18V circular saw. Part of the new MegaWatt Crew of cordless power tools, the new Bosch circular saw is designed to take advantage of their higher performance CORE18V Li-ion batteries.
Not much is known about the new Bosch Strong Arm circular saw, aside from its 7-1/4″ blade size and 18V battery compatibility.
As mentioned in the product family introduction, I like the look of the Strong Arm’s dust chute, which has an integrated dust port. It remains to be seen how well sawdust ejection works when a dust vac is not connected, but I don’t see cause for concern.
If you look closely, there’s a module in the tool’s handle, but at this time we don’t know what that means. Does it offer Bluetooth connectivity for tool tracking, or for performance customizations?
Like other high-performance cordless 7-1/4″ circular saws, such as the Dewalt FlexVolt saw (first impressions here), the Bosch Strong Arm is a blade-right saw.
We’ll share more details about the Bosch Strong Arm circular saw once we know more.
Based on the few details presently available, how do you feel about the new Bosch circular saw?
Do you remember the Dewalt FlexVolt dual-handled mud mixer that was introduced at their 2017 media event? Well, it never seemed to have hit the market here in the USA. We don’t know what happened, all I can tell you is that it was never released, and retailers have been taking down the product pages.
Don’t fret, Dewalt has come out with a new FlexVolt mixer, and with a drastically different design.
Dewalt is showing off their new FlexVolt mixer at World of Concrete 2019. More details will be forthcoming, but in the meantime, here’s a quick action video pulled from their social media.
Unlike the other FlexVolt mixer design, this new model looks like an oversized drill, complete with long auxiliary handle. What do you think?
We’re not at World of Concrete, but you can find us on Instagram here.
This is what the unreleased/delayed/cancelled? mixer looked like.
Something really strange is going on. In a comment, Altan linked to new European retailer product pages for the new Dewalt DCW210 cordless sander, but it looks different from the one recently released here in the USA.
New European product page images show the Dewalt cordless sander, DCW210N, with a vertically-oriented battery.
But, the model available here has a horizontal battery placement.
Other than that, the two tools look identical, at least from what I can tell. It’s hard to judge since there’s only one image out of the new EU vertical battery version.
There’s nothing disagreeable about the way the battery is oriented on the USA model.
So… why the different battery geometry?
I am thinking that maybe the dust port is different? From what I’ve seen, dust extractors are more popularly used in Europe than in the USA. So maybe the battery form factor is different so as to allow for a more effective built-in dust collection port? The USA model might have the horizontal battery positioning to be congruent with the dust fabric bag.
I’d swear that I saw a photo or two of the new EU vertical battery sander model on social media a few days ago, but I was not successful in finding it again for this post. Seeing a “real” version of the sander is what convinced me that this wasn’t an early rendering published online by mistake. It could still be wrong in some way, but that’s nowhere as likely as I had initially believed.
The sander is now available in the USA.
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Tool Nut) – $25 off $100+ Dewalt promo ends in Feb, 2019
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
We’ll ask around for more details. In the meantime, do you have any ideas as to why there are two versions of the sander?
Thank you to Altan for the heads-up!
Bosch has come out with a new “FREAK” 18V brushless impact driver/wrench, model GDX18V-1800C.
There hasn’t been any press materials on the new Bosch Freak (Freak 2.0?), but it looks to be a completely revamped design.
Compared to the original model, the new Bosch Freak 18V brushless impact/driver wrench is faster, more powerful, more compact, and a little lighter.
Design-wise, the new Bosch Freak has a base-mounted LED, compared to around the chuck for the original model. It is also Bluetooth connectivity-compatible (GCY30-4 is optional, not included).
Basically, it’s a complete upgrade.
Like the other hybrid-chuck tools, the Bosch 18V brushless impact driver/wrench has a 1/4″ hex screwdriver bit holder and 1/2″ square drive anvil. It also has 3 speed/torque settings, for better control and reduced chance of fastener damage.
GDX18V-1800CB25 kit comes with (2) CORE18V 4.0Ah compact batteries, Bosch’s next-gen 21700 cell tech batteries, a charger, belt clip, and carrying bag.
A bare tool version, GDX18V-1800CN is also available.
Price: $299 for the kit, $159 for the bare tool
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Amazon)
Bosch also has a brushed motor version of the 2-in-1 impact driver/wrench. It’s currently bundled as part of a drill and impact combo kit, for $149 at Amazon.
