Over at Amazon, they have a new blacked-out Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi) 18V cordless impact driver kit, WH18DBFL2QB.

If you ask me, this might be positioned as a holiday season 2019 “special buy,” maybe even a Black Friday special. But, we’ll see.

The new Metabo HPT cordless impact driver features a new all-black color scheme. In regard to features and specs, it has a brushless motor and is rated at 1522 in-lbs max torque.

• 1/4″ hex drive
• 1522 in-lbs max torque
• 3100 RPM
• 2300 BPM
• LED worklight
• Length: 5-1/32″
• On-tool battery indicator
• Weighs 2.9 lbs with 1.5Ah battery

The kit comes with a 1.5Ah Li-ion battery and charger.

Price: $159

Buy Now via Amazon

This new Metabo HPT brushless impact driver lacks a lot of the features and premium specs that make the Hitachi/Metabo HPT triple hammer impact driver a personal favorite. See Ben’s review of the triple hammer impact driver here. However this new single-speed model is significantly less expensive.

At $159, this new blacked-out cordless impact driver is still NOT a particularly HOT value. Consider the similar WH18DBFL2S model, which looks to feature the same exact tool but in typical Hitachi and Metabo HPT green and black color scheme.

This impact driver, which looks to have the same exact specs, also comes with a removable belt clip and carrying bag, and is bundled with a higher capacity compact 3.0Ah battery.

Price: $148

Buy Now via Amazon

Discussion

If you don’t care about blacked-out vs. green and black color schemes, the WH18DBFL2S bundle gives you a higher capacity battery and extra accessories, plus $11 savings in your pocket.

With no carrying bag, belt clip, a 1.5Ah battery, and blacked-out color scheme, plus the October launch, I’d bet that the WH18DBFL2QB kit will almost definitely be a holiday 2019 special buy.

The blacked-out cordless impact driver kit is currently $159. If it is destined for holiday season or Black Friday discounting, what price do you think we’ll see it at? $99 is a magical number for single-battery impact drivers and drills. If we don’t see it priced that low, perhaps $119? $129?

Speaking frankly, $99 would almost be necessary for this model to succeed at holiday sales. There are going to be brushless impact driver kits from Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee Tool at this price point. Bosch has a brushed motor impact driver kit at $89 at the time of this posting, and we might see $99 pricing on their Gen 1 or even Gen 2 “FREAK” 2-in-1 impact driver kits.

In my opinion, $159 is too high for what you get with this blacked-out special edition cordless impact driver, at least compared to the “regular” kit.

Let’s for the moment assume that this Metabo HPT kit is destined to be priced at $99 for Black Friday 2019 or the Holiday 2019 shopping season. If you’re in the market for a 1-battery impact driver kit, how likely are you to buy this one?

Speaking personally, I love my Hitachi/Metabo HPT 18V triple hammer impact driver. But, my driver also has the triple hammer engineering and multiple speed and torque options. If I can’t get those features at the $99 “special buy” price point, then the comparative factors come down to max torque, tool size, battery capacity or count, and how appealing I find that brand’s 18V cordless power tool platform.

Metabo HPT tools typically offer solid engineering. I’d find this to be strong competition in the “special buy impact driver” category, but only at $99. If it’s priced any higher, and too many advantages would be awarded to competing brands, objectively speaking.

If this turns out to be a special buy at $99, would you buy it over other brands’ $99 impact driver kits?

If you *must* have a blacked-out impact driver at this price, also consider Makita’s sub-compact model, which is $159 for the one-battery kit.

Compare: Makita Kit via Amazon

Related Posts:

Metabo 12V Brushless Drills and Impact Drivers are Now Shipping (9/2019) New Metabo 12V Cordless Power Tools: Brushless Drills, Impact Drivers, More Sneak Peek: New Bosch 18V Brushless Impact Driver is “Connected-Ready”

We recently posted about a new blacked-out Metabo HPT 18V brushless impact driver, which looks like it could be a Black Friday or Holiday 2019 “special buy.” Now, we’ve spotted a new blacked-out Metabo HPT cordless drill.

The new Metabo HPT 18V brushless drill kit, model DS18DBFL2QB, features a compact and reasonably powerful brushless drill. It tops out at 620 in-lbs of torque, and the kit comes with a 1.5Ah battery and charger.

• 1/2″ keyless chuck
• 620 in-lbs max torque
• 1800 RPM max speed
• 22+1 clutch settings
• Optical trigger switch
• On-tool LED battery indicator
• Weighs 3.5 lbs with 1.5Ah battery
• 6-29/32″ length
• LED worklight

Price: $159

Buy Now via Amazon

If you like the features, specs, and size of this Metabo HPT brushless drill, there’s also the option of buying the green and black version with 1-battery kit, DS18DBFL2S. This model also sports the older Hitachi branding.

But, you get a higher capacity battery (3.0Ah), belt clip, and carrying bag, in addition to the drill and charger.

Price: $89

Buy Now via Amazon

Sure, the blacked-out version looks cool, and tools with Hitachi branding instead of Metabo HPT have been sitting on the shelf for a while since the name change went into effect more than a year ago. But $89 vs. $159, and you get more with the kit? Sounds like a good deal to me.

We don’t know what the holiday season pricing on the blacked-out drill kit will be, but the fact that it doesn’t mention a carrying bag as an included component, and it doesn’t look to have a belt clip both suggest it’ll be a “special buy” of some kind. Still, I’d be surprised if the Black Friday 2019 or holiday pricing beat the $89 price on this Hitachi kit.

As mentioned in my post about the new Metabo 18V blacked-out impact driver, I would also argue that $99 should be the target price for this kit. That seems very reasonable, seeing as how the better-value kit is currently priced at $89.

There’s also a 2-battery kit on Amazon, with 1.5Ah battery packs and a carrying case. This kit also has Hitachi branding.

It’s only listed by 3rd party “fulfilled by Amazon” sellers right now, but you get more in this kit and for less money than the $159 the blacked-out kit is currently priced at.

Price: $138

Compare: 2-Battery Kit via Amazon

If you like the blacked-out drill, Makita has their 18V sub-compact drill kit for $159 at Amazon.

Compare: Makita Kit via Amazon

Related Posts:

New Metabo HPT 18V Blacked-Out Brushless Impact Driver Kit (Holiday 2019 Special Buy??) New Hitachi 18V Compact Brushless Drill DS18DBFL2 Hitachi 18V Brushless Hammer Drill (DV18DBL2)

Milwaukee MX Fuel is unlike any other cordless platform today, featuring tools and light construction equipment that Milwaukee says are the first battery-powered solutions of their kind.

Get the idea out of your head that these are cordless power tools, because they’re not.

You and I might still think cordless power tools out of habit, but in reality this is a cordless machinery and equipment system. Milwaukee uses the term “light equipment,” which we will have to grow accustomed to. Cordless light construction equipment.

From a quick Google search, we see this as brand new terminology. Battery-powered light equipment is a class of tools and machinery that did not yet exist before MX Fuel.

Let’s put it this way. If you consider Milwaukee’s M12 cordless platform to be analogous to 2-door coupes and compact sedans, the M18 cordless system might be analogous to SUVs. MX Fuel would then be a Super Duty truck. You’re not going to call that truck a car, are you?

Get used to these words – cordless light equipment – as MX Fuel isn’t anything like the cordless power tools you’re used to seeing from Milwaukee.

Table of Contents

Intro
Milwaukee MX Fuel Batteries and Charger
Portable Power Supply
Breaker
Rocket Tower Light
Cut-off Saw
Core Drill
Sewer Drum Machine
Discussion

Milwaukee MX Fuel Intro

Milwaukee will be launching their new MX Fuel cordless light equipment system with 6 products. Each specific product is said to represent applications that have historically been challenging experiences for users due to stagnant equipment innovation.

Here are the six tools that will be included in the first wave of Milwaukee MX Fuel cordless lineup:

• MX Fuel Breaker
  • Lightest weight, can break up to 2 tons per charge
• MX Fuel Carry-On 3600W/1800W Power Supply
  • Compact, portable, efficient power
• MX Fuel Rocket Tower Light/Charger
  • 27,000 lumens, “withstands the storm”, new way to light the site
• MX Fuel 14″ Cut-off Saw
  • Full 14″ cut capacity, faster cuts from start to finish
• MX Fuel Handheld Core Drill
  • Power to core 6″ holes in reinforced concrete
• MX Fuel Sewer Drum Machine with PowerTredz
  • Power to clear roots at 200′, one-person transportation

Milwaukee Tool says that the new MX Fuel equipment system will be the platform that provides the technology and capability for Milwaukee to take a giant leap into the equipment space.

WHY? What’s the purpose of MX Fuel? Why now? How will this benefit users?

Milwaukee says that the light equipment industry has been stagnant when it comes to innovation. There has been an increasing emphasis on users’ exposure to emissions, vibration, and noise, with efforts taken to reduce the effects of these and other factors on users’ health.

Why might users be interested in this new battery-powered light equipment?

Milwaukee MX Fuel eliminates emissions.

Milwaukee MX Fuel reduces overall noise.

Milwaukee MX Fuel reduces vibration.

Milwaukee MX Fuel eliminates the need for gas engine maintenance and other frustrations.

Compared to AC-powered tools, MX Fuel eliminates trip hazards, voltage drops, and the need to walk over to electrical panels to reset tripped breakers.

Milwaukee has designed MX Fuel from the ground up, with new Li-ion batteries, new motors, and new electronics.

Milwaukee M12, M18, MX Fuel Coexistence

MX Fuel will be the cordless system that “provides best-in-class light equipment solutions.”

Milwaukee M18 will continue to “deliver power tool solutions that don’t compromise on power and performance.”

Milwaukee M12 will continue to see a focus on “portable power and transforming inefficient manual tools into advanced workhorses powered by cordless technology.”

In press materials, Milwaukee adds:

Milwaukee Tool will remain unwavering in their commitment to delivering disruptive innovation by working alongside trade professionals to identify challenges and provide solutions that are unparalleled in enhancing jobsite safety and productivity. The future of the jobsite is cordless.

Milwaukee says that MX Fuel will “fundamentally change jobsites everywhere.”

These are some very big claims. Let’s take a look at the new MX Fuel battery-powered light equipment solutions, and please let us know in comments what you think about Milwaukee’s newest cordless platform.

Milwaukee MX Fuel Batteries and Charger

We had the opportunity to attend Milwaukee’s NPS19 media event where they showcased their new MX Fuel tools and technologies.

One thing was very clear – MX Fuel is not an 18V-class battery pack. It’s not a 10-cell hold-in-your-hand 36V battery. Forget about how far cordless power tool or outdoor power equipment batteries have come. MX Fuel delivers next-level power and capabilities.

We actually weren’t told about its operating voltage. Why? Because it doesn’t matter. If I told you that this was a 36V battery or a 60V Max battery, or even a 240V Max battery, would that make a difference? At this time, the number isn’t important.

There will be a compact MX Fuel battery pack, and a high capacity one. Milwaukee’s “everything fits” philosophy will apply – every MX Fuel battery will fit every MX Fuel tool.

• MX Fuel CP203 Battery
  • 3.0Ah
  • Compact with (20) Li-ion cells
  • Charges in 45 minutes
  • 10.6″ long x 3.9″ wide x 4.1″ tall
  • Weighs 5.9 lbs
• MX Fuel XC406 Battery
  • 6.0Ah
  • Extended capacity with (40) Li-ion cells
  • Charges in 90 minutes
  • 10.6″ long x 7.1″ wide x 4.1″ tall
  • Weighs 10.6 lbs

Both batteries have an integrated carry handle, battery fuel gauge, and are said to have 5X more protective rubber overmold for greater impact absorption and durability.

The charger, MXFC, features cell voltage monitoring, an on-board carry handle, and internal cooling fan.

It won’t be long before we know how many watt-hours these new Milwaukee MX Fuel Li-ion batteries are rated at. What really matters is that Milwaukee MX Fuel batteries were designed specifically for the new and future MX Fuel solutions and equipment.

From the renders, it looks like the CP (compact) battery has 20 cells, and the XC (extended capacity) battery 40 cells. This is unconfirmed.

Milwaukee MX Fuel Power Supply (MXF002-1XC)

I was particularly interested in the new Milwaukee MX Fuel Carry-On power supply, as that’s probably the only one of the new cordless products that I could see myself using.

The Carry-On power supply is described as compact, quiet, and portable.

3600/1800 means that the MX Fuel Carry-On power supply can deliver up to 1800W of continuous power, which translates to 15A of current to 120V devices, and it can sustain peaks of 3600W.

There are some products that you can just lift and get an immediate sense of its quality, and this is one such product. It makes competing products, at least those on the US market that we’ve had exposure to, feel like toys.

I found it very fitting that you could mount an M12/M18 multi-voltage charger on the side of the unit.

The Milwaukee MX Fuel Carry-On power supply can also fit one or two batteries. There are two outlets and battery fuel gauges for each battery.

Milwaukee One-Key provides for tracking and management.

Milwaukee says that the Carry-On can power a 55″ LCD television for more than 7 hours. I expect that we’ll get more runtime specs as we learn more about the Milwaukee MX Fuel system and the first wave of tools.

Oh, and it outputs a pure sinewave, and not a “modified sinewave.” This is important for some equipment, but not for others. Basically, a pure sinewave provides a more perfect AC voltage.

Milwaukee MX Fuel Breaker (MXF368-1XC)

Perhaps the most iconic new Milwaukee MX Fuel solution will be the breaker. A cordless breaker?! For concrete demolition? Yep.

Milwaukee says that the new MX Fuel breaker delivers a faster, safer, and easier concrete demolition experience, and that it is the most productive breaker, providing the lowest vibration, lightest weight, and it can break over 2 tons of concrete per charger.

Here you can see the size of the MX Fuel battery. You can’t power something this with a Li-ion cordless power tool battery.

You’ll still need dust collection or containment equipment, but there are no AC power cords or gas engine needs on the tool itself.

Milwaukee MX Fuel Breaker Specs

• 1-1/8″ hex chuck size
• Soft start
• Vibration: 4.9 m/s²
• Impact Energy: 50 ft lbs
• 1300 BPM
• 32.2″ length, 25.1″ width, 11.6″ height
• Weighs 63.9 lbs
• LED lights
• Front handle for easier transportation
• One-Key compatible

Milwaukee MX Fuel Breaker Runtime with (1) XC Battery

• 40′ x 12″ wide trench x 6″ deep
• 2x sidewalk slabs 5′ x 4′ x 6″ deep

Milwaukee MX Fuel Rocket Tower Light (MXF041-1XC)

The new MX Fuel Rocket tower light was big. When deployed, it was too tall for me to get a good photo. The MX Fuel Rocket light literally towers over the other MX Fuel tools in a display.

But, it does collapse into a very portable package.

This isn’t a “light up a dim attic” tool, it’s a “light up the entire jobsite” kind of area light. It’s the kind of light you see hooked up to generators at worksites, but this one is battery-powered.

Milwaukee describes the new MX Fuel Rocket Tower light as being the most portable 10-foot light for both indoor and outdoor use, and that it provides up to 27,000 lumens of task and area lighting. They also say that the new light can withstand the harshest jobsite environments.

The MX Fuel Rocket tower light deploys fast and each unit is self-contained, powered by an MX Fuel battery. No gas engine power generators required.

Milwaukee MX Fuel Rocket Light Specs

• 27,000 max lumens
• High/med/low outputs
• Four adjustable light heads
• 44″ tall x 20.75″ wide x 24.75″ long
• 10′ extended height
• Weighs 108 lbs
• Motorized mast – sets up in seconds
• 8″ all-terrain wheels
• Sealed battery box
• One-Key compatible

Milwaukee MX Fuel Cut-Off Saw (MXF314-1XC)

I don’t use large cut-off saws, but even I recognize this new MX Fuel saw to be a beauty. It’s a 14″ saw that Milwaukee says provides “true 14″ cutting capacity.” They boast it provides the fastest cuts from start to finish. It provides “the best 14″ cut-off saw experience” thanks to less vibration, no emissions, quiet operation, and no gas headaches.

Could you cut large diameter pipes with smaller cordless cut-off saws? Maybe, but it’ll take a while, with smaller tools likely starved for power.

It can be used to cut block.

Or guide it through a long cut into concrete slab. Milwaukee says it delivers the power to cut through 5″ thick concrete. The cut-off saw cart will be available separately.

MX Fuel Cut-off Saw Specs

• 14″ blade diameter
• 5350 RPM
• Universal quick connect hose for water connection
• Wheels on the front aid with straight cuts
• Push-button activation starts with 97% less effort
• 31.73″ length, 13.83″ height
• Weighs 32 lbs
• 5″ depth of cut
• 1″/20 mm blade arbor size
• One-Key compatible

MX Fuel Cut-off Saw Runtime with (2) XC Batteries:

• 5″ concrete depth of cut: 14′
• 8″ ductile iron pipe: 8 cuts
• 8″ PVC pipe: 52 cuts
• Corrugated metal deck: 106′
• 8″ cinder block: 22 cuts
• 8″ cast iron pipe: 10 cuts

The kit comes with (1) XC406 battery.

Milwaukee MX Fuel Core Drill (MXF301)

The new MX Fuel core drill gives users control and enhanced safety with AutoStop technology.

AutoStop technology means that the core drill will shut down if it binds or jams, helping to protect users from kickback and counter-rotation forces.

It comes with a versatile support system and can bore holes of up to 6″ diameter in reinforced concrete.

You can mount the carrier system to a wall, or use it to drill into the floor.

The MX Fuel core drill can also be used separate from the guiding rail accessory.

The core drill will be available in a kit (MXF301-1CP), and in a kit with the stand (MXF301-2CXS).

MX Fuel Core Drill Specs

• 6″ max core bit capacity
• Spindle sizes: 1-1/4″-7 and 5/8″-11 adapter
• Speed: 790/1550 low/high RPM
• 21.58″ long x 4.80″ wide x 9.29″ high
• Weighs 21.58 lbs
• Clutch and AutoStop technology prevents over-rotation
• Pressure gauge and LED level
• Push-button activation
• On-board water connection
• Can be used for wet or dry drilling
• One-Key compatible

MX Fuel Core Drill Runtime

• (9) 3″ diameter holes in block with CP (compact) battery
• (5) 3″ holes in 6″ concrete with CP battery
• (18) 3″ holes in block with XC battery

Milwaukee MX Fuel Sewer Drum Machine (MXF501-1CP)

At NPS19, Milwaukee described how the new MX Fuel sewer drum machine with PowerTredz lift assist can simplify service calls by only requiring one person to transport it from a service van to where it’s needed, even if that’s up or down stairs.

It can clear roots out to 200 feet, and also has an enclosed drum to help contain a cleared mess. The last thing you want is to slosh any debris into the client’s space as you walk the machine back to a service van or truck.

The MX Fuel drum machine can power-climb up and down stairs!

There are other hand trucks on the market with “stair climbing” belts, but powered ones?

The tracks on the MX Fuel sewer drum machine look leaps and bounds more effective than what was showed off as the competing model, which looks to me like a Ridgid K-7500.

The demonstration of the new MX Fuel drum machine was impressive, making it look almost effortless to transport up and down stairs.

MX Fuel Drum Machine Specs

• 200′ drain line capacity
• Drum capacity: 100 ft of 5/8″ or 3/4″ cable
• Recommended for use on 3″ to 6″ pipes
• 8″ max pipe size
• Manual or automatic feed
• 200 RPM cable spin speed
• 22″ wide x 32/5″ long x 47″ tall
• Weighs 125 lbs
• Powers through multiple jobs on a single charge
• One-Key compatible

Discussion

Did Milwaukee really need to come out with a new cordless platform? Yes.

Benjamen also attended NPS19, and so I let myself separate from some of the MX Fuel rotations to chat with Paul Fry, Milwaukee’s VP of Cordless Product Management.

Almost immediately, there were two main questions I had to ask. Why not use M18 cordless power tool batteries for tools and equipment like this? Does the emergence of a new cordless battery system alter Milwaukee’s “M18 – everything fits!” philosophy?

The fact of the matter, Fry argued, is that cordless power tool batteries were simply not designed for the demands of heavier tools and equipment of this nature.

To effectively provide new solutions that eases users’ frustration and meets their needs, a new system was necessary.

To truly replace gas engine equipment or heavier AC tools, a new system needed to be designed and engineered from the ground up.

Milwaukee press materials describe how the MX Fuel cordless system has three main components, similar to their most advanced M18 cordless power tools – Powerstate brushless motors, RedLink Plus intelligence, and RedLithium battery technology.

There will be detractors I’m sure. But to do what Milwaukee is doing, for there to be cordless tools and equipment of this nature, would you rather have a distinct and separate system designed specifically for light construction equipment and related applications and demands, or compromises and sacrifices?

No, these tools could never be powered by M18 Li-ion battery packs.

The demands for these tools called for an all-new battery system. It’s not just the electrical power requirements, but the punishment the tools will be put through, and the environments in which they’ll be used.

The MX FUEL System was designed to withstand the size and mass of these products, as well as future equipment categories, and to power not only this application but the capability for us to continue driving forward into larger pieces of Light Construction Equipment.

I’m curious to learn more about the voltage, charge capacity, and power potential of the new Milwaukee MX Fuel battery packs. But, at least for the time being, there’s no competition. There doesn’t seem to be any battery-powered tools or equipment like this on the market, and there probably won’t be any others for quite a while.

Milwaukee designed the MX Fuel battery packs to power their new 14″ cut-off saw, concrete demo hammer breaker, drum machine, 10 ft tower light, robust portable power supply, 6″ max core drill, and likely a slew of additional MX Fuel products on their R&D roadmap.

How are Milwaukee’s closest cordless power tool competitors going to respond? Are we going to see multi-battery breakers, core drills, and 14″ cut-off saws? Or has Milwaukee just started a new cordless power equipment tech race?

It looks to me that Milwaukee Tool has changed the game, or rather they just created an entirely new one.

Milwaukee has broken into a new market for them, and it’s going to put competitors and other light equipment makers on notice. Are gas engine and AC tool and equipment makers prepared to develop the cordless technologies necessary to stave off this new competition from Milwaukee? Are cordless tool competitors working on their own light equipment systems? Even if the answer is “yes” to both, Milwaukee looks to have a lengthy head start.

With this new MX Fuel cordless tool and equipment system, there is almost no limit as to what we might see next. Such is often the case with breakthrough technologies.

Yes, there is still room for Milwaukee’s M18 cordless power tool system to extend further into higher-powered equipment. But with MX Fuel, the floor is much higher than M18’s ceiling. Heck, judging from the nature of these tools, MX Fuel looks to be capable of significantly higher power than anything Milwaukee’s cordless competitors have on the market.

This is just the launch of Milwaukee’s MX Fuel line, and we don’t have full specs and details for the individual tools yet, but I am very excited to see what comes next.

What are your thoughts on the new Milwaukee MX Fuel system and new tools?

Related Posts:

Milwaukee Cordless Power Tool Review Roundup: M12 Cut-off Tool, M12 Rocket LED Light New Tool: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 9-inch Cut-Off Saw w/ One Key Milwaukee M18 Fuel Gen 3 Drill Overheating? Nope!, Not Mine

Here are some of my favorite tools for hanging cabinets. These aren’t the best tools for the jobs, or at least they’re not exactly the tools I would generally recommend first. But, I like ’em and they provided a good experience.

Some of the tools are my warm favorites, such as the Hitachi 18V Triple Hammer impact driver, and others are my go-to’s because they’re reliable and consistent, such as the power tool accessories.

I chose these tools based on preference or convenience, rather than say the need to get more testing time in for a review.

After writing about my dream of a Lista workshop and oodles of cabinet space the other day, I mounted some wall cabinets that I had purchased earlier this month.

About the IKEA Sektion Cabinets

The cabinets are basic IKEA kitchen cabinets, 30″ long x 20″ tall x 15″ deep, and with two doors.

I have steel garage-style wall cabinets in another part of the basement, and will have to make some decisions in coming months as I strive to finalize the space for better work and storage organization.

IKEA’s Sektion kitchen cabinets, or at least these, are made in the USA, and the doors in Portugal.

The Blum door hinges were pretty sweet, and installed nearly tool-free. They install tool-free into the doors, and mounting brackets pop into adjustable hole slots in the frame before being screwed in. You’re not actually screwing the hinge mounting bracket to the cabinet, it mounts via a sort of expanding plastic anchor fastener.

I digress, but the point is these are some basic wall cabinets. It’s not like I installed a kitchen’s worth of cabinets.

Still, cabinets are cabinets, and they require tools to go up.

Here are the tools I used, and a couple of words about them:

Stanley FatMax Tape Measure

This was the first tape measure I found when I started collecting my tools and supplies. It’s not my favorite tape measure, but it was a good value when I bought it (buy two for the price of one). I had a defective one a long time ago, but this one has been a reliable companion.

I’m sure we’ll see more promo displays for the 2019 holiday shopping season.

RevMark Marker

RevMark Marker: I still have a couple of samples from my review two years ago. Honestly, I use RevMark, Sharpie, and Milwaukee Inkzall markers interchangeably, and most of the time they work equally well.

Buy Now via Amazon

Stabila 48″ Level

I bought a Stabila 4pc level set a few months ago, and have been getting a feel for the levels. They’re… okay. These are value-priced basic levels either meant for homeowners/DIYers or as an inexpensive introduction to the brand. You can still buy this set at promo pricing.

The lighting in my basement is rather dim and directional, and it was hard to see the bubble when I used the level used to set the steel rail into position.

The way these cabinets can be hung, there’s a steel mounting rail that you cut to size and fastener to the wall. Then you also level the cabinets when screwing them together.

Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)

Hitachi 18V Triple Hammer Impact Driver

I really like my Hitachi/Metabo HPT triple hammer impact driver. It’s got oodles of power, adjustable torque and speed settings, and is really comfortable to use. After a couple of years, it’s still their premium brushless impact.

It’s premium-priced, but I snagged one for personal use during last year’s holiday shopping season. The deal last year was crazy – buy the impact for $139 and get a free (2) battery and charger starter kit.

There are more premium and more powerful brushless impacts, but I really like this one.

Buy Now via Amazon

Milwaukee RedHelix Drill Bits

I hit wood studs in 4 spots but needed to secure the end of the steel mounting rail to the wall. I pulled a hollow wall anchor from a pack I bought last month, and needed to drill a 1/2″ hole.

So, I grabbed a pack of Red Helix bits from my stockpile (I resupply every holiday season and in between with promo sets). I used a 1/4″ bit and then a 1/2″ bit, but with the Hitachi impact.

I had a Dewalt 12V Max Xtreme SubCompact drill/driver on-hand that I intended to use, but my twist drills were in a different room and I was hesitant to use the 1/2″ bit in the small drill. I had no doubt the drill could do it, but it just seemed like an awkward combination.

These drill bits are fine for general purpose use. I still don’t like using impact drivers for drilling holes, but it was easier than going up to get a twist drill bit set.

Bosch T20 Impact Screwdriver Bit

I have a box of Bosch T20 screwdriver bits, but seem to have misplaced it. Can you see why I’m really trying to improve my storage and organizational situation? I have a couple of bit sets I bought on sale, and grabbed a T20 bit from there.

If you’re interested in trying these bits, the 24pc set is on sale for $10 again.

Buy 24pc Set Deal via Amazon

Dewalt Max Impact Phillips #2 Screwdriver Bit

Dewalt Max Impact are longer-sized impact-rated screwdriver bits that are said to last longer than FlexTorq bits. I bought some and are giving them a try. Dewalt Max Impact bits are exclusive to Home Depot.

I posted about these bits recently to Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

I just bought some fancy @dewalttough Max Impact screwdriver bits. Have you seen these before? Will start testing later this week. #tools #contractor #dewalttools #dewalt #screwdrivers #homedepot

A post shared by ToolGuyd (@toolguyd_stuey) on Oct 8, 2019 at 3:12pm PDT

Fasteners: Spax Screws and Strap Toggle Bolt Anchor

I love Spax screws. The choice was between Spax #10 2-1/2″ screws and GRK screws #8 2-1/2″. The Spax were a hair too wide for the metal rail mounting brackets, but they fit with only some leveling imperfections. #8 seemed a little too light so I went with the Spax #10.

IKEA recommends fasteners every 12″. I placed the cabinets to hit four studs and thought that was a better idea than spacing the fasteners closer together and secured to drywall. I used a strap toggle fastener at an end where the rail was too short to reach a fifth wall stud.

I don’t anticipate loading these cabinets too heavily, but if I do, I’ll a couple more wall anchors between stud locations. I have 4 direct-to-stud fastener locations and 1 wall anchor. The 12″ spacing they recommend would have resulted in 2 direct-to-stud fastener placements and 4 wall anchors.

The cabinets are at the foot of the basement stairs and will be for “quick access” tools and supplies.

Bessey GearKlamp Bar Clamps

Dear Bessey, thank you so much for review samples of these GearKlamp bar clamps, I’m loving them so far!!

No, they’re not the end-all solution to all clamping needs, but they’re pretty swell. Yes, I just used the word swell.

We’ll talk more about these Bessey GearKlamps soon.

Buy Now via Amazon

Wera Pozidriv Screwdriver

I did say that Wera Pozidriv screwdrivers are perfect for assembling Ikea furniture. I used this for assembling the cabinets and installing the hinge mounting brackets.

I also grabbed an unremarkable slotted screwdriver for the cabinet-to-rail connector.

Buy Wera 6pc Set via Amazon – this doesn’t have a Pozidriv driver, but has more commonly used Phillips and slotted sizes

Misused Tools

I needed a awl to start screw holes to fasten these cabinets together. I used a spare screw and hammered it in with the tape measure. Please don’t think less of me. I have two awls, one was upstairs, one was in the garage – I think. So I improvised.

Feedback?

What do you think about this kind of post, where I discuss which tools are in play for a given task or project and why those tools in particular?

I snapped the topmost photo after cleaning up and preparing to return the tools to their former storage spots, figuring it might be interesting for social media. But then this morning I thought – why not go into more detail in a ToolGuyd post?

Plus, maybe you have some questions about these particular tools?

It’s something different, and so I figured I’d ask for your opinions. Thank you, and happy Friday!

Related Posts:

Your Favorite Nut Driver Bits? Favorite Screwdriver and Impact Driver Bits? Ours: Milwaukee Shockwave Why Bosch’s 12V Brushless Drill and Driver are PERFECT

I came a great deal on this Black & Decker 4V Max cordless screwdriver, BDCS20C, which is on sale at Amazon for just $10.

Black & Decker? While we don’t talk about Stanley Black & Decker’s more entry-priced cordless power tool brand here on ToolGuyd very often, I have a soft spot for their cordless screwdrivers.

Years ago, when Amazon was strategic about growing their online store beyond books, they had Friday tool deals, weekend deals, and special promos. I snagged a Black & Decker cordless screwdriver back when they had a “buy $xx get a free bonus” promo.

The model I had was the B&D LI3000, and when I look at that listing now, Amazon points to the discounted BDCS20C as the “newer model.”

That little 3.6V cordless screwdriver was great. After using it a whole lot I upgraded to a Dremel model, but I found myself continuing to use that small Black & Decker screwdriver.

No, these screwdrivers are not very powerful.

No, there’s no adjustable clutch.

It’s really kind of basic. But, there are lots of around-the-home tasks where you all you need is a small, basic, and simple-to-use cordless screwdriver.

The model we’re talking about today has a built-in 4V Max rechargeable Li-ion battery. The driver has a 1/4″ hex chuck, 180 RPM speed, and maxes out at 35 in-lbs of torque.

There’s no mention of a variable speed trigger, and so it’s likely an “all or nothing” design.

There’s a reversible switch on top, and large “inline” trigger switch.

From the product images, it looks like there’s a small LED worklight.

I can’t find details about the charger, but it probably has a barrel jack and “overnight” charging time. Tools like this usually recharge in what, 4 hours? I tried to confirm this through an online manual, but both of Black & Decker’s links lead to “file not found” error pages.

Anyway, if you could use a small and basic cordless screwdriver in your life, or you know someone that could, this Black & Decker model is currently very inexpensively priced right now.

Price: $10.04 as of the time of this posting

Buy Now via Amazon

There’s also a 3rd party “fulfilled by Amazon” listing that has the screwdriver for a couple cents less.

Thoughts?

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Meet the Makita DML811 LED worklight, their new 18V cordless/corded jobsite worklight that boasts some nice specs, features, and water-resistant construction.

Makita’s newest cordless worklight is designed for use indoors our outside.

It has 3-mode operation and can illuminate dark spaces with as much as 3000 lumens of bright white light.

You can place it down on any horizontal surface, and aim it where you need it. Adjustment knobs let you lock down the head angle in place so that the work light doesn’t drift from its duties.

Or, you can place in atop the new optional tripod light stand (model GM00002703) if you need it off the ground.

The Makita DML811 can provide up to 13 hours of illumination on low and 3 hours on high, with an 18V 6.0Ah battery. Whoops, all of your batteries are in use? That’s okay, it can also be powered via AC using the included power cord.

Where does that power cord go when you don’t need it? There’s a handy cord wrap built into the work light’s base. if you need a longer reach you can probably just use the included cord in conjunction with a standard extension cord.

What I like is that the power cord looks to be a standard design, and should be easily replaceable if necessary.

It looks like there’s an on/off button and separate brightness/mode button. It doesn’t get any more user-friendly than this.

A sealed battery compartment keeps everything nice and tidy. If you look closely, there’s a translucent grommet, which helps with dust and water resistance. The IP65 rating means that the light is dust-tight and can protect against water jets. In other words, rain – what rain?

Features & Specs

• 3000/1500/750 lumens (high/medium/low modes)
• Runtime: 3/7/13 hours (high/medium/low)
• Pivoting head with adjustment knobs
• IP65 water resistance rating
• Flood light illumination pattern
• AC adapter is included
• Measures 9-3/4″ x 11-7/8″ x 10-5/8″ (with handle folded down)
• Weighs 10.4 lbs with battery
• Large carry handle

Battery and charger are sold separately.

Price: $159
Street Pricing: $175 (as of the time of this posting)

Buy Now via Tool Nut

Discussion

Makita isn’t as well-known for their LED lighting products, but it’s apparent that they’ve been doing a lot of research about what users want and need.

The carry handle looks large and comfortable.

An adjustable head angle? That’s of course a must-have.

3-mode brightness settings? Definitely a great feature.

An included AC cord that looks to be easily replaceable and extendable with 3rd party extension cords? Nice!

And it has a built-in cord wrap for said extension cord? Great!

An optional tripod mount? That could be useful.

Nice job Makita, this looks to be a well-rounded design!

Related Posts:

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Dewalt’s 20V Max cordless LED tripod-base worklight, DCL079B, is currently on sale at Amazon. At the time of this posting, it’s $159, which is $20 to $40 off its regular price.

Lyle wrote in with the deal tip (thank you!):

I’ve been looking for a good tripod light for a while. Since I have a lot of Dewalt batteries, I’ve put in a notification in camelcamelcamel for a specific price. I got notified earlier this week that the price had dropped. Now Amazon has this light (tool only) for $159 for Prime. Normally this is $199 or $179. I just thought you might like to let your readers know.

I hope they don’t improve it and come out with a better one too soon (like can operate on AC, built in charger, or individual adjustable lights) like the Milwaukee one.

This really is a nice LED worklight, and from the look of the reviews over at Amazon, that seems to be the popular opinion.

It features a 7′ height adjustment range, 3000 lumen brightness rating, and 3 brightness settings. It folds down for easy carrying and storage.

Amazon’s product imagery says it’s rated to IP55 water and dust resistance, although Dewalt’s website says it’s IP54.

Dewalt says the runtime is over 11 hours, presumably at the low brightness setting and with a 6.0Ah battery (because that’s what the DCL079R1 kit comes with).

It’s a fantastic light at a lower than usual price.

Sale Price: $159 for the bare tool
MSRP: $199

Buy Now via Amazon

Related Posts:

New Dewalt DCL074 Cordless LED Worklight with Bluetooth Ryobi 18V One+ Evercharge LED Area Light Milwaukee Cordless Power Tool Review Roundup: M12 Cut-off Tool, M12 Rocket LED Light

Ridgid has come out with a new 18V cordless impact driver “special buy” kit for Black Friday 2019 and the upcoming holiday shopping season.

I was really impressed with Ridgid’s brushless drill/driver deal last year, and I think the new impact driver deal might be worthy of the same sentiments.

To start off, this Ridgid R86038SB4 kit is priced at $99, which isn’t all that unusual for impact driver kits this time of year.

However, it has a couple of stand-out features and specs.

But first, this is where you would find it at your local Home Depot. Or, you can order it online via the link below.

Take a look at this quick photo I took of the box. 2,250 in-lbs. Brushless. 3-speeds.

This is an 18V brushless 3-speed impact driver with a max torque rating of 2,250 in-lbs. I don’t think I have ever seen a multi-speed brushless impact driver at this price point yet.

Last year’s cordless drill special buy was exceptionally powerful for its price-point, and the same looks to be true here.

You’re not going to get a more powerful impact driver kit at this point, nor are you going to get multiple speeds on an 18V-class tool at this level either. Multiple speed and torque settings are typically reserved for more premium models.

If you’re looking for an impact driver kit – and just an impact driver kit, this is looking to be the best option to go with this year.

If you’re looking to buy into a cordless power tool system, or to upgrade from an older brushed model to brushless, there are a great deal of choices. We’ll talk about some of those other brands’ tools and holiday deals soon.

• 2250 in-lbs max torque
• 3-mode speed/torque settings
• High: 0-2600 RPM
• Medium: 0-2000 RPM
• Low: 0-700 RPM
• Tri-beam LED worklight
• One-handed bit holder

The kit comes with a 2.0Ah battery and charger.

Price: $99

Buy Now via Home Depot

There are of course some minor compromises. It looks like you get a different (slower?) charger than you might usually see bundled with Ridgid’s other 18V brushless cordless power tool kits. It also looks like you don’t get a belt hook. But, you get their high-spec’ed and well-featured impact driver and what looks to be a regular main-line 2.0Ah Li-ion battery.

This looks to be best value of all the $99 impact driver kits I’ve seen so far this year.

What do you think – Go Ridgid?

I don’t know if I would necessarily buy this to get into Ridgid’s 18V cordless power tool system, but then again they do have some very good tools, including a number of options other brands’ cannot yet match.

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I’ve been seeing a whole lot of what looks to be paid promotions for Bosch’s new influencer campaign on social media. If you’re on Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen it too. And then I received a press release about it.

Dear Bosch: When I said that I was hoping to see more press releases, I meant about new Bosch tools. But I guess I should be happy that we’re still in the loop, even though we didn’t get one of those swanky new Core18V batteries. I guess we’re not “influencer” enough for you?

Anyway, here’s how it started off:

Does your relationship feel heavy and depleted? Is your partner unable to swiftly recharge after an already insufficient energy boost? It’s time to cut ties – with your power tool battery platform, that is.

And with Bosch Power Tools’ launch today of “Break Up 2 Trade Up”, the timing couldn’t be better! The nationwide contest urges tool users from all walks of life to share Instagram videos about why they’re ready to kick their battery platforms to the curb. The callout ends Nov. 21, when 1,000 winners will be invited to swipe right on a break-up kit containing a Bosch CORE18V battery, charger, and their pick of seven power tools.

Sorry, but no. I’m pretty happy with my current cordless power tool choices. My tool box is a rainbow of different cordless power tool brands.

Bosch wants you to create a break-up video and share it with your social media friends and followers, for a chance to win (1) battery, (1) charger, and (1) new cordless power tool from 7 choices.

Contestants can enter for their chance to win starting Tuesday, Nov. 5, by posting a brief video to Instagram explaining why they are ready to move on from their current battery platform.

They’re giving away up to 1,000 prize packages.

Bosch will choose the most creative breakups to win a prize kit.

Some of the prize choices include newer tools, such as the 2nd generation “FREAK” impact tool, and others are a bit older such as the compact band saw Bosch came out with in 2011.

Here are the Bosch 18V cordless power tool:

• Reciprocating saw
• 6-1/2″ circular saw
• Radio
• 4-1/2″ angle grinder
• FREAK 2-in-1 impact
• Vacuum
• Compact band saw

(Pst. if you enter the contest, go for the PowerBox radio!!)

I at first thought that some of these tools were from the new Bosch “MegaWatt” tools collection, but they’re not, as the Freak impact looks to be the only brushless tool from among the prize choices.

Also, looking into it, the new MegaWatt tools don’t seem to have been released yet, such as the 7-1/4″ Strong Arm” circular saw, with retailers listing it as a preorder or out of stock. Hopefully we’ll see these new tools in 2020.

The tool prize choices are described in an online dating profile-like manner. For example, here’s what it says for the 2-in-1 impact (the FREAK):

Occupation: 18V Freak Impact Driver for bits and sockets
Hobbies: Driving
Likes: People who like to screw around
Dislikes: People who think there’s only one way to get things done

CHOOSE ME IF YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO MAKE AN IMPACT!

I like Bosch – a lot – but my relationship with other brands’ cordless power tools do not leave me feeling heavy and depleted. Other brands’ batteries do just fine recharging swiftly, and they certainly don’t have insufficient energy.

Bosch certainly does make some fine tools. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you about any of the new stuff, as we still don’t have review samples in-hand. I was excited about the compact brushless drills and impact drivers, but it has proven to be very difficult to get my hands on them.

There are lots of Bosch cordless power tools, accessories, and layout tools that I can heartily recommend. I really like their 12V compact cordless tools, for example, and their one-button laser distance measuring tools, and I also favor Bosch for certain types of power tool accessories.

But breaking up with other cordless power tool brands?

Bosch has some very nice tools and innovations. But overall? Let’s look at the brands I believe correspond to those other “colors.”

Dewalt

Makita

Metabo

Hitachi/Metabo HPT

Milwaukee

Ridgid

If I had to rank all of these brands’ cordless power tool systems in regard to innovations, breadth of lineup, battery options, availability, brushless tools, and overall, Bosch’s 18V system would certainly best Metabo’s.

Bosch is a cordless power tool brand that makes some very good tools. But as a whole, as a competitive system?

What are your thoughts? Would you break up with your cordless power tool system for Bosch?

Here’s what I would want to win – it’d take a couple of tools to convince me to break up with my current cordless platforms:

• New 12V Max Brushless Drill
• New 18V Compact Brushless Drill
• New 18V Brushless Impact Driver
• New 18V X-Lock Grinder and Accessories (brushless, plus Type 1 guard)
• New 18V Brushless Freak
• New 18V 7-1/4″ brushless circular saw
• New 18V brushless miter saw

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Bosch is coming out with a new CORE18V 12.0Ah battery pack. Bosch announced and teased about 4.0Ah and 8.0Ah batteries back in 2018, but this is the first time a new 15-cell CORE18V 12.0Ah battery has been discussed.

Bosch has launched their new 18V “MegaWatt” cordless miter saw recently, or at least it’s now available for sale on Amazon. I haven’t seen any press materials (that I can find), or maybe we’re just not in the loop anymore as with their recent power tool break-up promotion.

With some of last year’s MegaWatt Crew tools on the market, and others presumably on the way, what comes next for Bosch?

Note – these images were found via UK resources. It seems that Bosch uses PRO Core18V branding in some markets, and CORE18V here in the US.

ALSO, please keep in mind that none of this is official.

What We Know About the Bosch CORE18V 12.0Ah Battery

In their Amazon description for the new Bosch “MegaWatt Crew” miter saw, it says:

MEGAWATT Technology – a Bosch-exclusive brushless high-performance motor and drive-train system engineered to take full advantage of the additional power generated by 8.0 Ah and 12.0 Ah CORE18V batteries.

12.0Ah?

I never received a press release about the miter saw, and so maybe Bosch released something about the new 12.0Ah CoRE18V battery via social media, paid influencer campaigns, or otherwise. So, I searched for details.

A couple of tries, and… nothing.

So I worked some more research magic and… I found several other references to the 12.0Ah battery, plus a product listing and images on ToolStop, a UK retailer.

Then, I felt really silly, as it seems the Bosch CORE18V 12.0Ah battery is referenced right on Bosch UK’s power tools site. Whoops.

There’s even a german-language video from March 2018 discussing the new 12.0Ah battery in the context of the other “ProCORE18V” batteries, along with a “coming in 2018” claim.

Maybe I saw hints about the Bosch CORE18V 12.0Ah battery sooner? Still, seeing it mentioned in a USA product page? Optimistically, that could be an indication that we’re going to see it here soon. Maybe in 2020?

Let’s Make Some Predictions

Bosch’s 18V MegaWatt Crew cordless power tools were announced nearly a year ago, but not many of them have hit the market yet. So what’s the hold up?

Or, perhaps new cordless power tools will be tied with the launch of this CORE18V 12.0Ah battery? Again, this part is all speculations.

Back in April, someone left a comment on our CORE18V battery post. They wrote:

Just herd today that Bosch is working on a 12.0 battery and a dual pack powered breaker hammer and table saw!!!

Well, that seems… actually… it seems possible.

Milwaukee has their new M18 High Output cordless power tools, including a 12″ miter saw. Dewalt has their Flexvolt cordless table saw and 12″ miter saws. Hitachi/Metabo HPT has their MultiVolt cordless tools. Makita is coming out with a new XGT cordless power tool system.

What next-gen “cordless jobsite” tools has Bosch come out with recently? An 8-1/2″ cordless miter saw?

Bosch has had CORE18V 6.3Ah batteries for a while. Stepping up to 7.0Ah or 8.0Ah is a step up in charge capacity, but not necessarily a step-up in power or work potential.

Now a 12.0Ah battery – these packs are built with 15 Li-ion cells, or 50% more than typical 10-cell high capacity battery packs.

Sure, stepping up to 12.0Ah would surely provide more runtime. But, launching their first-ever 15-cell Li-ion battery would also mean greater power potential that Bosch would surely want to leverage with new higher-powered cordless power tools.

I am highly confident that Bosch is working on new tools to leverage the potential of this 12.0Ah battery. I cannot imagine a scenario where a larger, heavier, and pricier 15-cell Li-ion battery pack makes sense without there being new higher-powered tools that can take advantage of it.

That one comment tip about a dual battery-powered breaker hammer and table saw? I could definitely see a two-battery jackhammer and two-battery table saw leading Bosch’s push into the next-gen cordless power tool arena.

If there is a two-battery-powered cordless Bosch table saw, there could potentially be different power options. Maybe it could fit (1) of these batteries or (2) non-CORE18V batteries. Maybe it’ll have a plug-in adapter? Bosch’s portable table saws are pretty popular, and it’s about time we saw a cordless option from them.

What else might we see? A 12″ sliding miter saw? A larger cordless jobsite vac or dust extractor?

I’d believe this new Bosch battery to be their key to unlocking next-gen cordless power tool tech. Sure, CORE18V enables Bosch to compete against other brands’ next-gen cordless power tool systems, but a 15-cell battery will allow for much more balanced competition.

Related Posts:

Bosch CORE 18V 6.3Ah Battery Pack New Bosch 18V and 12V Multi-Voltage Battery Charger Bosch Kicks Their 18V Battery Tech up to 7.0Ah and Further

Dewalt has come out with a new 20V Max cordless 1/4 sheet sander, featuring a brushless motor, variable speed control, dust bag, and vacuum dust port.

The new Dewalt finish sander, model DCW200, joins a cordless random orbit sander, router, and jigsaws in their collection of woodworking-specific cordless power tools.

There are a couple of similarities between Dewalt’s 20V Max 5″ random orbit sander and this new 1/4 sheet sander, such as the placement of the dust collection port and speed range. But, if you’re happy with the ergonomics of the ROS sander, it looks like the new cordless finish sander will be familiar to you.

You get variable speed control of 12,000 to 14,000 OPM, and separate on/off button. The paper clamp has a spring-action lever on the front, and locking wire clip on the rear.

I find it interesting that the dust collection port is lower on this sander, rather than angled off to the side with the 5″ sander. Perhaps it’s not surprising, as this will better allow you to reach into corners and edges.

The sander comes with a hole punch accessory. Here’s a look at the hole pattern on the bottom of the sander.

You get a dust bag, and the sander can also work with Dewalt dust collectors (DWV010, DWV012). Or, you can purchase a universal quick connector adapter, DWV9000, for attaching other vacuum systems with 1-1/4″ hoses.

As of the time of this posting, the DWV9000 dust collection hose adapter can be found for ~$20 on Amazon. If you use anything other than Dewalt dust collection hoses, be sure to factor this optional attachment into your budget.

Dewalt DCW200 1/4 Sheet Sander Features and Specs

• Brushless motor
• 12,000 – 14,000 OPM variable speed
• Works with 1/4-size sandpaper sheets
• Low profile height for close-to-work surface prep
• Paper clamp
• Dust-sealed switch
• Textured rubber overmold grip
• One-handed locking dust bag
• Dust port compatible with select Dewalt vacs and extractors
• Long dust chute available for use with 6.0Ah and larger batteries

The bare tool sander (Dewalt DCW200B) comes with a dust bag, hole punch, short dust chute. The kit (Dewalt DCW200P1) also includes a kit bag, DCB112 charger, and DCB205 20V Max 5.0Ah battery.

Price: $129 for the bare tool, $229 for the kit
ETA: December 31st, 2019

Buy Now: Bare Tool via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Kit via Tool Nut

Discussion

The new Dewalt cordless 1/4 sheet sander looks to be a logical addition to their 20V Max cordless power tool system, and indicates that they’re not done with their cordless woodworking tools or solutions.

What might we see next – a belt sander perhaps? A detail sander? Contour sander? I don’t think that Dewalt will lean too far into specialty sander territory, but there’s always room for further expansion.

It’s interesting that the 5″ ROS launched with bare tool, compact 2.0Ah kit, and 5.0Ah battery kit options. At this time, we’ve only seen bare tool and a 5.0Ah battery kit for this new 1/4 sheet sander, but other options might come later.

If you ask me, I think that this might be a great tool for pairing with Dewalt’s 20V Max compact 4.0Ah battery. On paper, the compact 4.0Ah battery would provide 80% of the runtime of the 5.0Ah battery, but with size and weight savings. Runtime is very important with tools like this, but ideally you let the sander’s speed do the work.

Then again, a larger battery helps to stave off dissatisfaction from users who increase the loads on their sanders by not changing abrasives as often as they should and by using excessive pressure.

How likely are you to buy this sander, or a cordless 1/4 sheet finish sander like it?

Related Posts:

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Over at Home Depot, where they are a day away from kicking off this year’s PRO Black Friday tool deals, they having several online-only “special buys” on select Milwaukee cordless power tool kits and hand tools, today only.

• M18 Fuel Backpack Vac with free 5.0Ah battery: $279
• M12 cordless oscillating multi-tool and impact wrench combo kit: $99
• M12 3/8″ ratchet and cordless screwdriver combo kit: $99
• M12 drill, jigsaw, impact driver, flashlight combo kit: $199

These are decent deals, but especially the M12 cordless power tool combo kits. Milwaukee’s M12 drill and impact driver kit is or will be $99 again this season, as will other brands’ similar combo kit offerings, but it’s always nice to see other combinations of tools for users who are interested in something else.

Buy Now

Deals end at 3am ET 11/14/19, unless supplies sell out sooner.

• Empire 48″ digital level with case, magnetic torpedo level, rafter square bundle: $129
• 150′ laser distance measuring tool: $70
• SAE ratcheting combination wrench set: $149
• Metric ratcheting combination wrench set: $149

Empire’s digital levels can do a whole of things that you simply can’t measure or check with a traditional bubble level. With this deal, you’re saving money on the level and basically getting the torpedo level and rafter square for free. The other Empire digital level bundle sold out already, and this one might too.

Other online retailers have just the level by itself priced at $159.

Here’s a direct link to that Empire deal.

Milwaukee’s no-skipped-sizes (from what I can tell) ratcheting wrench sets are on sale for $149 each, from their typical $249. Tool Nut has them for $209. $149 is a good price for these large sets.

SAE sizes: 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″

Metric sizes: 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm

Buy Now

Deals end at 3am ET 11/14/19, unless supplies sell out sooner.

• M12 3/8″ impact wrench and 3/8″ 12pc ratchet and socket set: $99
• 24″ and 14″ adjustable length bolt cutters: $95
• Pry bar set plus hook and pick set: $55
• SOLD OUT: Empire 72″ digital level, torpedo level, rafter square bundle: $159

Again, it’s really nice to see different M12 kit options at the $99 price point. Milwaukee sure knows how to make enticing deals.

Buy Now

Deals end at 3am ET 11/14/19, unless supplies sell out sooner.

Related Posts:

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It’s that time of year when you can buy a 12V-class cordless power tool combo kit for $99. Bosch, Makita, and Milwaukee offerings are all aggressively priced and “get you in the door” to the respective brands’ compact cordless power tool systems.

If you don’t care about buying into a brand, or buying other 12V-class cordless tools at a later time, all of these choices would serve you well.

To start off, Bosch’s CLPK22-120 is an “oldie but goodie.” Its tools are a bit dated, but reputable and reliable.

You get the PS31 drill, PS41 impact driver, charger, (2) 2.0Ah batteries, and a tool bag. The tools’ specs don’t quite match up to the competition’s, but the ergonomics are nice and the kit comes with 2.0Ah batteries instead of 1.5Ah.

Why Buy This One? Bosch’s smaller 12V Max system does have some tools the other brands’ don’t yet offer. These tools are comfortable, reliable, and compact.

If you’re just looking for a 12V-class drill and impact driver kit, this would be my 3rd choice recommendation.

Price: $99

Buy Now via Amazon

Makita has two 12V Max CXT cordless drill and impact driver combo kits on sale this year – CT226 which has gone on sale in previous years, and CT232.

Makita’s CT232 combo kit features their updated cordless drill, which we posted about earlier in the year. Not to mince words, but why buy the older kit when the updated kit is the same price? This deal gets you the newer model drill.

This kit gives you the FD09 drill, DT03 impact driver, charger, (2) 1.5Ah batteries, tool bag.

Why Buy This One? Makita’s slide-style battery pack gives the tools a slimmer handle that many (including myself) find more comfortable. If you’re not concerned with the smaller (but growing) selection of Makita’s 12V Max CXT cordless power tools system, this kit offers the best balance of power, size, and value.

If you’re just looking for a 12V-class drill and impact driver kit, this would be my 1st choice recommendation. The battery style allows for slimmer handles and wider bases so you can set it down quickly with less chance of tip-over. The tools are a little less compact that those with stem-style batteries.

Price: $99

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools

Milwaukee’s 2494-22 M12 drill and impact driver combo kit hits the $99 price twice a year, pretty much like clockwork.

Some years there are added bonuses, such as an extra battery, but I believe I’ve only seen that happen in June with Father’s Day deals.

With this kit you get the 2407 drill/driver, 2462 impact driver, charger, (2) 1.5Ah batteries, and tool bag.

Why Buy This One? These tools are compact and competitively-spec’ed, and Milwaukee has the most expansive 12V-class compact cordless power tool lineup.

If you’re just looking for a 12V-class drill and impact driver kit, this would be my 2nd choice recommendation.

Price: $99

Buy Now via Tool Nut

Other Deals

If you need a cordless screwdriver instead of a drill/driver, the Bosch CLPK27-120 set might be a better choice. It’s also less expensive, currently priced at $88 at Amazon.

It comes with the PS21 screwdriver, PS41 impact driver, charger, (2) 2.0Ah batteries, and a tool bag.

Buy Now via Amazon

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Dewalt’s 20V Max cordless brushless motor oscillating multi-tool kit, DCS355C1, is once again on sale for $99.

You don’t get a lot in the kit, but you get everything you really need – the tool, two starter blades, an adapter for using it with other accessories, a 1.5Ah battery, charger, and tool bag.

There’s a new Dewalt oscillating multi-tool kit out, but that kit is $199. There is also a new Atomic model, but with slightly lower speeds.

• Brushless motor
• Tool-free blade change system
• 0-20,000 OPM
• Weighs 2.33 lbs
• 1.6° oscillation angle
• 11.2″ length
• Dual-Grip variable speed trigger
• LED worklight

The bare tool is currently ~$110 via Amazon. So with this kit, you end up getting a battery and charger, and save some money too.

Right now, only Home Depot has it for $99. Lowe’s will have it at this price for Black Friday. Other retailers will likely also drop the price down to $99.

This was one of the best Black Friday deals last year, and I feel that the same will be true this year. Sure, the kit only comes with a small selection of accessories, but that also means that you’re not putting money towards cutting blades you won’t use, or 20 sheets of sandpaper you don’t need.

The included 20V Max battery is also 1.5Ah, instead of 2.0Ah. But at this price point, I think we can look past that.

The DCS355 remains a popular and comfortable cordless oscillating multi-tool. This kit, at $99, is a heck of a good deal.

Price: $99

Buy Now via Home Depot

Compare: Acme Tools  | Amazon  | Tool Nut  | Lowes

Compare(New Model Kit via Amazon)

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Right now, Bosch’s popular 12V Max cordless drill and impact driver combo kit is $99 at Amazon, and also eligible for bonus $20 off $100+ savings. Usually it’s excluded from double promos, but at this time it’s eligible!

I posted about this combo kit in a recent $99 kit roundup. It is also featured in Lowe’s Black Friday 2019 tool deals flyer for $99.

Add the Bosch cordless power tool combo kit to your cart, and then add some screwdriver bits or accessories as a filler. I put together a link below that brings up Bosch impact-rated bits up to $5. There are eligible bit packs as low as $2.99 for a 2-pack of power bits. Eligible items will have a “Save $20.00 when you buy $100.00 of select items” message.

You can of course shop for your “filler items” to bring your order from $99 to over $100, but screwdriver bits are usually the most helpful. Jig saw blades and other tools and accessories are included in the extra savings offer.

Buy Now via Amazon
Shop Bosch Impact Bits

See more $20 off $100+ qualifying tools and accessories.

With deals like this, there’s no way of knowing whether the double-stacking promos are intentional, or if someone at Amazon forgot to set proper exclusions. If you’re interested, don’t dawdle.

In my roundup of 12V Max cordless drill and impact driver combo kits for $99, I mentioned the Bosch being my 3rd choice. This bonus promo bumps it up to my top pick! You can’t beat this value. If you go with say a 1/4″ hex bit holder for $4, you get the cordless power tool kit and that bit holder for $83, which is a fantastic price. ($99 + $4 – $20 = $83.)

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What is the BEST cordless power tool combo kit that we’ll see for Black Friday 2019 this year? That’s easy, it’s the Makita 18V XT505 5-tool combo kit.

If you’re looking to buy a modern 18V Li-ion cordless power tool combo kit, there are a LOT of different options this time of year.

So which brand to go with? Which kit to choose? What tools are best?

If you have a good idea of what you will want and need, look at Home Depot’s FREE bonus cordless power tool promo. With this deal, you buy a starter kit or cordless tool combo, and then you pick one or two more tools, batteries, or accessories as free bonuses. This is easily the best option for a lot of people because you can hand-pick exactly what you get.

The downside to the “free bonus tool” promo is that you have to spend more to get two bonus tool choices. You get better tools, but what if you wanted something a little more compact? Or more value-oriented set?

I should also point out that Lowe’s Black Friday 2019 tool deals are out now, as the flyer was made available online a couple of days ago. They have their own version of a “free bonus tool” offer, but I don’t find the brand selection as compelling as Home Depot’s. However, Lowe’s has three choices for the Dewalt base kit, one of which is a compact brushless drill and impact driver kit.

With the Lowe’s deal, I’d get the Dewalt 20V Max compact brushless drill and impact driver combo kit, and choose their brushless 5″ random orbit sander as the free bonus.

So why did I start off the post with a mention of Makita’s XT505 cordless power tool combo kit? Quite frankly, this is the best kit for users who aren’t quite sure of what they want.

Let’s say you’re a new homeowner, DIYer, or apprentice. This Makita 18V kit gives you a hammer drill/driver, impact driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, xenon bulb flashlight, (2) 3.0ah batteries, charger, and fuel gauge.

According to Makita, the charger is their “Rapid Optimum Charger,” and the model number in imagery seems to confirm this.

So what is “cheapened” in this kit – maybe the flashlight? You don’t get a slow charger. The batteries aren’t 1.3Ah “holiday season specials.” The saws are standard sizes. You don’t have to hunt down convenient accessories, such as belt clips for the drill and impact, separately.

Yes, this is a holiday season special buy.

But, if you can pardon my language, it’s a no-bullshit special buy.

If you have a $300 budget for a cordless kit, and don’t want to sort through the seemingly endless options of “special buys” and other deals we’ll be seeing this year, this Makita XT505 kit is a very good choice. If you can, do some research, make some decisions. But if you’re looking for a good deal that comes easily, this is it.

Price: $299

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools

Question to ToolGuyd regulars – do you agree with my recommendation? Is there a different cordless combo kit deal you’d recommend to someone on a $300 budget?

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Over at Amazon, they have Dewalt 20V Max 5.0Ah battery 2-packs on sale for $122.89, down from the regular price of ~$159.

In response to another post, someone mention buying a pair of these Dewalt 5.0Ah batteries for $120 via Craigslist. $123 isn’t too much higher, and it includes a factory warranty since you’re buying from an authorized distributor.

Right now, a 2-pack of 4.0Ah batteries is currently priced at $119, and so for a couple dollars more you get 25% greater charge capacity.

Cordless power tool batteries can be pricey, and so any discount is often much-welcome.

Price: ~$123

Buy Now via Amazon

What if you only want to buy one new battery?

At this time, you can buy a single Dewalt 20V Max 5.0Ah battery for $65 direct from Amazon.

Price: $65

Buy (1) 5.0Ah Battery via Amazon

If you’re looking for a deal of a slightly different nature, Amazon (and other dealers) have the compact 3.0Ah battery 2-pack for $99

Price: $99

Buy 3.0Ah Battery 2-Pack

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Makita’s XTR01T7 18V brushless compact cordless router kit is currently on sale over at Amazon.

With this kit, you get the 18V brushless router, a fixed base, a plunge-cutting base, an edge guide, (2) 5.0Ah batteries, a fast charger, and Makita tool box to hold it all.

Josh wrote in with the deal tip (thank you!):

$235.66 price on this full Makita router kit is incredible, but it is on a 1-4 week delivery from Amazon.

Toolnut sells the same kit for $379.99 for comparison.

A price comparison search shows that other Makita dealers have the same kit for $370 to $400.

~$236 definitely does seem like a great price for this kit! You could spend less on the bare tool if you already bought into Makita’s 18V lineup and only want or need the fixed base. But for what you get in the kit, this deal price can’t be beat.

Buy Now via Amazon
See Also(Bare Tool via Amazon)

We don’t know how long this pricing will last. Currently, the shipping ETA is 1 to 4 weeks, which usually means Amazon is waiting for a resupply. Supplies usually tend to be limited.

Update: Home Depot also has it for this price.

Don’t Need Cordless?

Makita’s corded router set is currently $139 and eligible for $25 off $100+ savings.

See Also(Makita Corded Router Kit via Amazon)

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This here is Bosch’s CLPK232A-181 18V cordless drill and impact driver combo kit, which is currently on sale at Amazon for $129, and it’s eligible for $20 off $100+ savings, lowering the price to $109 at checkout.

So, for $109 plus tax, you get a Bosch 18V cordless drill/driver, impact driver, (2) 2.0Ah batteries, charger, and carrying bag.

The drill is model DDS181A, and the impact driver is the Bosch 25618.

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This drill has been refreshed a couple of years ago, but both tools are somewhat older models.

I own an older Bosch 18V cordless combo kit that came with both tools, and although I have more compact, more powerful, newer, and better-featured drills and drivers at my disposal, I still can’t bring myself to part with them.

These tools are reasonably powerful, and they’ve also been reliable over the years. I have a soft spot for them.

Spec-wise, the drill can deliver up to 600 in-lbs max torque and has 0-500 and 0-1900 speed ranges. The impact driver can deliver up to 1500 in-lbs max torque and operates at up to 2800 RPM.

(Bosch says the drill torque is 600 in-lbs, Amazon’s listing says 560 in-lbs.)

Someone at Bosch is likely going to object to my opinion, but if you ask me, I’d take these tools over some of Bosch’s newer kits that seem to have been designed to hit lower price points.

For example, Bosch has an 18V drill kit for $79 – and with two batteries – and there’s a similar impact driver kit as well, also at $79. Both also look to be eligible for the same $20 off $100+ promo.

Compared to the newer drill and impact driver featured in those special buy kits, the DDS181A and 25618 are better spec’ed. They’re larger and bulkier, but I can live with that. If you want the most compact tools you could buy, you should step up to brushless anyway.

As far as brushed motor drills and impact drivers go, this is the set I would want to buy, and $109 after discount seems like a very fair price.

This time of year, Ryobi and Craftsman have 18V One+ and 20V Max cordless drill and impact driver combo kits for $99. I’ve used the tools at different times, but from what I can tell, these Bosch tools are more than just a little better. A $10 upgrade compared to those special buys gets you a class-upgrade from DIY to Pro.

I think this is the BEST 18V-class cordless drill and impact driver combo kit deal for Black Friday 2019 and the Holiday shopping season in general. This deal is valid NOW, and in my opinion it BEATS any doorbuster or Black Friday deals we have learned about thus far.

That’s my opinion, but I really want to hear your thoughts.

I know some of you pish-posh the thought of anyone buying brushed-motor drills or impact drivers these days, especially with all the $99 single-tool kits and $149-$179 combo kits that are on store and warehouse shelves right now. But for a lot of users, saving money, and not just a couple of dollars either, is more important than having the latest and most compact cordless power tool tech.

Personally, I think this is a HOT deal for the reasons stated. Let’s discuss.

If you don’t think this is a hot deal, which 18V-class cordless drill and impact driver kit would you recommend to others shopping with a ~$99 to $129 budget?

Price: $109 at checkout

Buy Now via Amazon

$20 off $100+ Bosch coupon expires at 11:59 pm (PT) 12/31/2019.

We have a lot more Black Friday and Holiday 2019 tool deal discussions and roundups for you to check out:

• Lowe’s Black Friday 2019 Tool Deals
• Harbor Freight Black Friday 2019 Sales Flyer
• Bosch Tool Deals
• Dewalt Tool Deals
• Makita Tool Deals
• Milwaukee Tool Deals
• See All Recent Tool Deals
• Home Depot PRO Black Friday 2019

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Let’s say you want to buy a new 18V cordless drill and impact driver combo kit this year. Well, your timing is great, because now’s the best time, or at least a good time to score some great deals. This new kit, Makita XT281S, looks to be the best “balanced choice” of all the Black Friday and Holiday deals I’ve seen so far.

Maybe you want an 18V cordless combo kit? Get this one. Just a drill and impact driver on a budget? This will be your best deal. Oh, you want something brushless? A drill and impact driver that will serve you well and for under $200? That’s where this deal discussion comes in.

With every non-brushless kit or combo kit I mention, the naysayers chime in that brushless is better. Well, it is better, but you also have to pay more. And usually, if someone is budgeting to spend more, they usually have a longer list of criteria to aid in their purchasing decision.

But, sometimes a user only wants a new cordless drill and impact driver, and something a little better than entry-priced. That’s where this post comes in.

Here I’ll be talking about Makita cordless combo kits. I am also fond of Dewalt, Milwaukee, and other brands, but if we’re talking about a budget that’s under $200, Makita’s picks are more compelling. Sure, we could expand this discussing to include options over $200, but at that point the decision isn’t just about drills and impact drivers.

So why this kit?

As you might know, there are plenty of 18V drill kits for $99 this time of year. There are also plenty of impact driver kits for the same price. You can buy a drill kit and an impact driver kit for $198, or sometimes a little bit less. But do you need two chargers and two kit bags?

This Makita kit, XT281S, bundles together the same brushless drill and impact driver as in their $99 special buy kits, along with (2) 3.0Ah batteries, a standard (but not “fast”) charger, and tool bag.

They’re good tools at fair pricing.

Important Specs

• Drill (XFD13)
  • 440 in-lbs max torque
  • 0-500/0-1900 RPM
  • 6-5/8″ length
  • Weighs 3.6 lbs with battery
• Impact Driver (XDT13)
  • 1500 in-lbs max torque
  • 0-3400 RPM
  • 0-3600 IPM
  • 5″ length
  • Weighs 3.3 lbs with battery

Price: $179

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Tool Nut

Alternatively, you could spend less and get the Makita CT225R kit, which is $159 via Amazon. This kit has been a Black Friday deal for $149 in the past. It comes with a brushed motor drill and brushed impact driver, and their specs are actually decent and a little better even than what you get with the brushless kit discussed above. But, the tools are a little larger, and the batteries are lower capacity.

If you’re spending $159 for a drill and impact driver combo kit, you might as well spend $20 more to get brushless versions of the tools and higher capacity battery packs. Right? But I’ll leave it up to you.

See Also(Brushed Motor Kit via Amazon)

You might want to wait to see what kind of pricing Black Friday brings. I would bet that the brushless kit stays at $179, and the brushed motor tool kit dips down to $149 again.

As for the other Makita 18V cordless drill and impact driver combo kit to watch or consider this holiday season, let’s talk about their sub-compact brushless kit, CX200RB.

Makita’s 18V sub-compact brushless cordless power tools are popular, but are they right for you?

The tools in this kit are as small as “subcompact” implies, rivaling the size of some brands’ 12V-class power tools.

Here are some important specs:

• Drill (XFD11)
  • 350 in-lbs max torque
  • 0-500/0-1700 RPM
  • 6-3/8″ long
  • Weighs 2.8 lbs with compact battery
• Impact Driver (XDT15)
  • 1240 in-lbs max torque
  • 0-1300/0-3000 RPM (2 speeds)
  • Assist mode to help eliminate cam-out and cross-threading
  • 5-5/16″ long
  • Weighs 2.6 lbs with compact battery

We’ve seen better promos in recent years. $199 for this kit is okay, but I’d hope for better, or for a bonus battery – something to make me feel better about the price. But, I suppose strong demand and good value for what you get explains why we don’t see aggressive pricing or discounting here.

Makita’s subcompact tools aren’t for everyone. Personally, I prefer good brushless 12V Max drills to their sub-compact, but only because I don’t like the ergonomics of the adjustable clutch.

The best part of these tools is that they’re compact and lightweight, but fully compatible with Makita’s 18V batteries. They do compromise on torque and speed, but you can’t have smaller motors and top specs.

For a lot of users, this kit provides all the drilling and driving performance they’ll need. But if this Makita subcompact combo is not yet on your wishlist, you might be better served by the “standard” brushless kit described above. That other brushless combo is a safer pick for anyone who doesn’t already know they want this subcompact kit instead.

Price: $199

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme tools

Would you recommend a different brand or combo kit over these to someone who knows they want a “better” drill and impact driver combo kit?

I don’t think we’ll see better pricing on the brushless combo kit, but perhaps we’ll see better promos on the subcompact combo.

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