Some of you have guessed correctly: Milwaukee Tool is set to launch several brand new laser level products as they enter the product category for the first time.

In an interview with Milwaukee’s brand manager, I was told that this is something users have been asking for, and the new tools have been years in the making.

This has been their #1 requested new product.

Why now?, I asked. Why not sooner?

Milwaukee took the time to listen to users’ needs and wants, and took the time to do it right without shortcuts. This involved years of field research. What do users need? Why? What’s important to them? How are they using what they have today, and how could it be better?

There will be FIVE new laser level products:

Milwaukee RedLithium USB Lasers

• 3-Point
• Cross-Line
• Cross-Line and Points

Milwaukee M12 Lasers

• Cross Line & Points
• 3 Plane

Milwaukee Laser Accessories

• Laser Target
• 360° Mount
• Track Clip

Why Should You Care?

Engineering samples were not available in time, but we spent some time chatting with Milwaukee Tool about their new lasers and what’s different about them.

What became clear to me is that Milwaukee Tool has focused on providing users with an exceptionally good experience, addressing common frustrations.

There are 3 core areas of attention:

Runtime

Visibility

Setup

Runtime with RedLithium USB and M12 Batteries

The goal here was all-day runtime.

Workers could set up their laser and then let it run all day if needed, and without the need for battery changes.

Battery changes are disruptive and could force the setup process to be repeated, which could be time-consuming and frustrating. How many times have you swapped batteries in a laser level and not changed its orientation? Even slight changes can lead to big shifts in laser placement.

The RedLithium USB lasers boast up to 8 hours of runtime, and the M12 lasers up to 15 hours.

Milwaukee Tool says that their industry-leading cordless lithium-ion battery technology provides unrivaled rechargeable solutions.

Green Laser Visibility

There has been very high interest in demand in green laser levels, for one big reason – green lasers are more visible and longer-reaching than red.

The Problem: variable light conditions and obstacles can make red lasers difficult to see.

The Solution: high intensity green lasers for uncompromising performance and visibility – optimized for distance.

I was surprised to learn that green lasers are emitted with 6X more power than red. This also helps explain why Milwaukee was intent on launching all of their new lasers with rechargeable battery power sources.

Easier Setup

Milwaukee Tool sought to minimize human error and facilitate as smooth and effortless a setup as possible.

For example, the dials and buttons are designed for easier interaction, even if the user is wearing work gloves.

The goal is for easy and undisturbed setup.

Setup features have also been integrated into the lasers with a built-in magnetic bracket and a micro-control that allows for fast and easy adjustment.

The micro-control pivots on a point, and so you can easily shift the laser beam exactly where you need it.

Amplified rare earth magnets help to reduce the chance of sliding or movements that could affect operation.

With RedLithium USB and M12 battery solutions, battery changes shouldn’t be necessary mid-session, but in case you have to, the battery position was carefully designed so as to minimize the risk of changing your laser orientation.

Additional Benefits

The lasers are said to be impact-rated and IP54-rated against dust and water infiltration.

New Milwaukee Laser Levels

RedLithium USB 3-Point Laser

• Model 3510-21
• 15+ hours on single charge
• Green laser
• 150′ Working range
• ±1/8″ at 33 ft accuracy
• ±4° self-leveling
• 1/4″-20 threaded mount
• Integrated adjustable clearance
  • 2-1/2″ height adjustment
• 1M drop rating
• IP54
• $250 for the kit (battery, charger, case)

RedLithium USB Cross-Line Laser

• Model 3521-21
• 8+ hours on single charge
• Green laser
• 100′ Working range
  • 165′ range with detector
• ±1/8″ at 33 ft accuracy
• ±4° self-leveling
• 1/4″-20 threaded mount
• Integrated magnetic bracket
• Micro-control for fast alignment
• 1M drop rating
• IP54
• $300 for the kit (battery, charger, case)

RedLithium USB Cross-Line and Plumb Points Laser

• Model 3522-21
• 8+ hours on single charge
• Green laser
• 100′ Working range
  • 165′ range with detector
• ±1/8″ at 33 ft accuracy
• ±4° self-leveling
• 2″ plumb point access with riser
• 1/4″-20 threaded mount
• Integrated magnetic bracket
• Micro-control for fast alignment
• 1M drop rating
• IP54
• $350 for the kit (battery, charger, case, riser)

M12 Green Cross Line & Plumb Points Laser

• Models 3622-21, 3622-20
• 15+ hours on single charge
• Green laser
• 125′ Working range
  • 165′ range with detector
• ±1/8″ at 33 ft accuracy
• ±4° self-leveling
• 2″ plumb point access
• 1/4″-20, 5/8″-11 threaded mounts
• Integrated magnetic bracket
• Micro-control for fast alignment
• 360° rotation
• 1M drop rating
• IP54
• $400 for the bare tool (target and case)
• $500 for the kit (compact battery, charger, case, target)

M12 Green 3 Plane Laser Level

• Model 3632-21
• 15+ hours on single charge
• Green laser
• 125′ Working range
  • 165′ range with detector
• ±1/8″ at 33 ft accuracy
• ±4° self-leveling
• 1/4″-20, 5/8″-11 threaded mounts
• Integrated magnetic bracket
• Micro-control for fast alignment
• 330° rotation
• 1M drop rating
• IP54
• $600 for the kit (XC battery, charger, case, target)

Accessories

Green Laser Target

• Model 48-35-1111
• Responsive centering alignment
  • Directs user to center of target
• 1/4″ SAE and 1 cm metric markings
• Wide magnetic base
• Price: $15

Track Clip

• Model 48-35-1313
• Low profile clamp
• Nail holes
• Rubberized teeth
• Fits all Milwaukee lasers
• Price: $25

Milwaukee 360 Laser Mount

• Model 48-35-1311
• Micro vertical adjustment
  • For quick adjustment of horizontal laser lines
• Multi-plane rotational adjustment
• Price: $50

Why are Milwaukee Laser Levels a Big Deal?

To start, users have been demanding it, and Milwaukee Tool strived to deliver a better user experience.

The new laser levels offer longer runtime thanks to the rechargeable batteries, high visibility thanks to green lasers in each of the 5 new products, and attention to user controls and built-in micro-control adjustments to make setup easier.

The micro-adjust is also set to be a big-deal. With the built-in controls, the lasers rotate about a nodal point, which should provide smooth and controlled adjustments. An optional base can be added on for micro-control vertical adjustments.

Additional Questions

Why are there similar RedLithium USB and M12 models?

There is slight overlap between the cross-line and points RedLithium USB and M12 laser levels. Why? This is going to be a very popular configuration, and it gives users the choice between battery systems. The RedLithium USB version is a little smaller and less expensive, and the M12 version extends the range and delivers longer runtime.

Why not M18?

Milwaukee Tool won’t rule out anything, and are open to user demands, needs, and requests. They take pride in constantly learning about their users’ needs and preferences, and are always looking for opportunities.

It seems to me that M18 batteries would have added to the size and cost of the laser levels, and without any appreciable benefits. Of course, this is also Milwaukee’s entry into the laser level product category, and there is no telling what they might have in mind for a hypothetical Phase 2.

Availability?

At the time of this posting, everything discussed above is expected to launch in November 2020.

Where to Buy?

The following retailers have set up Pipeline landing pages where you can view all of the new tools after they’re announced, and preorder when available.

Buy Now via Tool Nut (Lasers Landing Page, coming soon)
Buy Now via Tool Nut
Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO Tools

Related Posts:

New Milwaukee RedLithium USB Tools: Flashlights, Heated Gloves, and Digital Levels New Milwaukee Packout Tool Boxes and Lasers! – Pipeline Rundown 2 5 Best New Cordless Tools from 2017 (That We’ve Tested So Far)

Here is everything we know about all of the new Milwaukee Packout tool boxes and accessories.

Once everything sinks in, we’re eager to know – which of these new Packout tool storage products are you most excited about? (For me, it’s the drawers!!)

Table of Contents

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Packout Worklight and Charger
Milwaukee Packout 2-Drawer and 3-Drawer Tool Boxes
Milwaukee Packout Customizable Work Top
Milwaukee Packout Wall Shelves and Racking Kit
Milwaukee Packout 2-Wheel Cart

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Packout Worklight and Charger

Starting off, there will be a new Milwaukee M18 Fuel Packout-compatible LED worklight and Li-ion battery charger, model 2357-20.

As shown on top of this Milwaukee Packout tool box stack, the new worklight/charger is half-width and the height of two organizers, or 2/3 the height of the half-width tool box and Packout vacuum.

It can recharge M18 Li-ion batteries, and also has a 2.1A USB charger.

There are 3 adjustable LED light heads, all with pivoting hinges.

• Model 2357-20
• 1,000/1,500/3,000 lumen brightness modes
• 12/8/4 hours of runtime on an M18 XC 5.0Ah battery
• All/main/front+rear operating modes
• Up to 31 hours runtime
• Corded or cordless operation
• Weighs 11.4 lbs
• 16.9″ x 9.8″ x 8.7″
• IP54-rated for dust and water resistance

The three independent worklights can operate in 9 total modes: all lights, main light, back/front lights, and in each mode you have high, medium, and low brightness options.

ETA: October 2020
Price: $199

Milwaukee Packout 2-Drawer and 3-Drawer Tool Boxes

Packout drawer tool boxes!!

There will be 2-drawer and 3-drawer tool boxes.

The drawered tool boxes are the same size, and so the 3-drawer will have shallower drawers than the 2-drawer.

It looks like both sizes/styles will come with removable and customizable dividers.

The 2-drawer Milwaukee Packout tool box looks to be large enough to fit a standard-sized cordless Sawzall reciprocating saw in either of the drawers, with the dividers removed.

The 3-drawer Packout tool box is a better fit for smaller tools, hand tools, and accessories. The drawer height looks quite spacious, actually.

You can also load up the 2-drawer Packout tool box with small parts, with the deep compartments also allowing for larger parts or bulk storage.

The beauty of drawers is that you can access tool box contents without having to remove it from a stack.

Each drawered tool box has sliding security bars that can be locked in place with a padlock.

The ball bearing slides are all-metal and each box is said to have a 50 pound weight capacity.

ETA: February 2021
Price: $135 for 2-drawer, $150 for 3-drawer

Models: 48-22-8442 (2-drawer), 48-22-8443 (3-drawer)

Milwaukee Packout Customizable Work Top

Milwaukee has come out with a new customizable Packout work top, for placing on top of Packout totes or tool boxes.

It has a 50 pound weight capacity and is made from 1/2″ marine-grade plywood with a durable finish.

You can mount a [light duty] vise to the top, or simply use it for parts placement or as a light work surface.

This seems like a versatile addition to the Packout system.

What’s notable is that the top is removable, which gives rise to plenty of user modifications and DIY options.

ETA: October 2020
Price: $50
Model: 48-22-8488

Milwaukee Packout Wall Shelves and Racking Kit

Milwaukee has put a lot of attention into creating what looks to be a proper wall shelving and van racking solution.

At the heart of the system, you have metal E-Track rails, which mount to wall surfaces, and shelves that connect with metal brackets.

The racking and shelf system is sturdy enough to hold full-size Packout tool boxes, with 50 pound weight capacity per shelf.

The shelves are reinforced underneath with metal brackets.

The system will be sold as a Packout racking kit, which comes with (2) shelves and (2) 20″ lengths of vertical E-Track, or as individually-mountable shelves.

Obviously you have some adjustments with vertical rails, but horizontal-mounting can come in handy in tight spaces or if you want to mount a row of Packout tool boxes side by side.

The shelves also have integrated tie-down points for secure attachment during transportation.

ETA: Early 2021
Price: $50 per shelf, $130 for the racking kit
Models: 48-22-8481 (shelf), 48-22-8480 (racking kit)

Milwaukee Packout 2-Wheel Cart

Finally, There will be a new Packout 2-wheel cart.

The cart is a 400 pound weight capacity and can double as a hand cart for moving heavy or bulky materials, such as water heaters or jobsite materials.

There are integrated Packout mounts on the base and frame, for stacking or hanging Packout tool boxes, totes, and organizers.

In typical Milwaukee Tool fashion, they didn’t stop there, also adding in parts trays at the rear.

Notice the cut-outs on the left and right side of the top parts organizer tray (and is that a removable bin/box compatible with Milwaukee organizers?!)

Those cut-outs are for easy transport of longer levels!

ETA: October 2020
Price: $200
Model: 48-22-8415

Discussion

Sweet!

Although not all of these new Packout tool boxes or accessories will be useful to all users, they all look to be solid new offerings to me.

Which is your favorite? Do you plan to add any of these new Milwaukee Packout products to your tool and part storage setup?

We now have 3 M18-Packout solutions – a jobsite radio, a cordless vacuum, and a worklight/charger. What do you think Milwaukee will come out with next?

Where to Buy?

Where to Buy?

The following retailers have set up Pipeline landing pages where you can view all of the new tools after they’re announced, and preorder when available.

Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO Tools
Buy Now via Tool Nut

Related Posts:

New Milwaukee Packout Tool Boxes and Lasers! – Pipeline Rundown 2 The Hottest New Milwaukee Tools from NPS18 New Milwaukee PACKOUT VACUUM – Here’s Everything You Need to Know

I’m not the only one to get a kick out of seeing tools I recognize on TVs or movies, right?

In Lucifer, Season 3 episode 26, a scene features Ella Lopez (Aimee Garcia) revving up a Milwaukee M12 cordless ratchet.

There are signs of wear on the ratchet, and so that leads me to two questions:

1) Did the prop master go to a crazy level of detail to get such a minor detail just right?

or

2) Did the prop master simply raid the film set tool box?

The episode also featured a color-coded Torx T-handle driver with sharpened tip, but I couldn’t recognize the brand. Is it a generic design?

Prop masters seem to love Milwaukee tools.

A few months ago, I caught an M18 light being used as a scientific instrument in the Expanse, and before that, a different M18 light was shown mounted on a spaceship inner wall.

What tools have you seen in fictional TV shows lately?

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Metabo has come out with an 18V cordless heat gun, HG 18 LTX 500. The new Metabo cordless heat gun features two temperature settings, a dual-action switch, “LED readout display,” and is said to perform like a corded version.

The Metabo cordless heat gun follows models by Milwaukee, Dewalt, Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Ryobi, and perhaps others. This space has went from zero to heavy competition in just a few short years.

Metabo Cordless Heat Gun Features & Specs

• 570 and 930°F temperature settings
• 6-7 CFM airflow
• Reaches temperature in less than 5 seconds
• Dual-action safety switch
• Lockout button to prevent operation
• Includes wraparound nozzle and reducing nozzle
• Runtime of 20+ minutes with 8.0Ah LiHD battery
• Weighs 2.8 lbs including battery

The two included accessories are suited for heat shrink applications (wraparound nozzle) and spot heating such as plastic welding (reducing nozzle).

Optional nozzle accessories are available for decal removal and other tasks.

The heat gun also has an LED work light and an attachment point for a tool balancer.

LEDs embedded at the rear of the tool light up to show which temperature mode is selected.

Price: $139 for the bare tool

Buy Now via Ohio Power Tool

Discussion

What’s special about Metabo’s cordless heat gun? In a nutshell, 2 temperature settings, a worklight, fast heat-up time, and over 20 minutes of runtime with an 8Ah battery.

Metabo says that their new cordless heat gun can be used for:

for a variety of applications, from heat shrinking, bending, softening, thawing, plastic welding, to soldering of copper pipes or stripping paint and removing decals.

They also say that their:

lightweight, ergonomic cordless heat gun outperforms the competition and performs just like a corded version but without the limitations and trip hazards of a corded tool.

It’s unclear as to how the Metabo cordless heat gun outerperforms the competition, but their heat-up specs certainly seems impressive. Runtime specs make the Metabo heat gun seem a little more power-hungry than the Milwaukee, which was originally introduced with claims of 20+ minutes of runtime on a 5Ah battery. This could suggest that the Metabo can reach operating temperature faster, and maybe even that it could hold it better. The two temperature settings also gives it a features advantage.

The new Metabo cordless heat gun looks like a nicely spec’ed and reasonably priced option for Metabo 18V cordless power tool users.

Compare: Milwaukee Heat Gun via Acme Tools
Compare: Dewalt Heat Gun via Acme Tools

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Now, Dewalt is introducing a new line of FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools, which seem to be similar to Power Detect but capable of delivering even higher power levels.

Dewalt has previously announced new 20V Max Power Detect cordless power tools, which provide a boost in power when paired with 8.0Ah and similar high capacity batteries.

Dewalt Power Detect cordless power tools also see a boost in power when paired with FlexVolt batteries. Read More: Dewalt Power Detect Q&A.

The new Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage power tools are said to:

provide a new threshold of power and performance by leveraging Dewalt 20V Max with FlexVolt Advantage tools, in order to reach their full potential. These tools, equipped with the FlexVolt Advantage technology, recognize the battery attached and adjust power output accordingly.

So, with these new Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage 20V Max cordless power tools, users will see more power when using the tools with FlexVolt batteries.

There will be 4 new tools:

• Hammer Drill DCD999
• 7-1/4″ Circular Saw DCS573
• Reciprocating Saw DCS386
• 4-1/2″ / 5″ Angle Grinder DCG416

All four of these new Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tools feature brushless motors.

Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill

The new Dewalt 20V Max brushless hammer drill with FlexVolt Advantage technology is said to deliver up to 42% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.

It delivers more than 1200 UWO (what’s unit watts out and how does it relate to torque??) and also features a 3-mode LED worklight and housing upgrades designed for high torque applications.

Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Circular Saw

The new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage brushless circular saw delivers up to 77% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.

It has a 7-1/4″ blade size, right-facing blade, and 5800 RPM (no-load) motor.

Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Reciprocating Saw

The new reciprocating saw is said to deliver up to 50% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.

It delivers over 1400 UWO, has a 1-1/8″ stroke length, and 3000 SPM no-load speed.

Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Angle Grinder

Lastly, the new 4-1/2″ / 5″ angle grinder delivers up to 54% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.

It features a kickback brake and E-clutch system for user protection.

Pricing And Availability

• Hammer Drill
  • Kit, DCD999T1: $279
  • Bare Tool, DCD999B: $179
• Circular Saw Bare Tool, DCS573B: $199
• Reciprocating Saw Bare Tool, DCS386B: $199
• Angle Grinder Bare Tool, DCG416B: $199
• 6Ah FlexVolt Battery, DCB606: $159

So that’s $179 for the hammer drill, $279 for the hammer drill kit, and $199 for each of the other bare tools.

The new tools will be launching in October 2020. They will be sold at Home Depot and various independent retailers.

Discussion

What’s the difference between Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage?

The main difference is Power Detect is optimized for 8.0 Ah packs and FlexVolt Advantage is optimized for FlexVolt packs, so each line supports a different battery platform. Changes to reach the new power levels vary slightly for each FlexVolt Advantage tool. But improved electronics packages (upgrades to components on the boards), software changes, and motor upgrades (more copper wire in motors, increased magnets, increased magnet size, and/or rotor angle/positioning) all help drive the additional power.

This leads to even more questions, and so we’ll be talking more with Dewalt to learn more about these new FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools.

Lets try to make sense of things.

To speak frankly, this seems to muddle things a bit, as it blurs the line between Dewalt 20V Max and FlexVolt cordless power tool systems.

Let’s say you want a premium brushless circular saw. With this launch, you can choose between 20V Max, FlexVolt, 20V Max Power Detect, and 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage. There’s also a brushed motor option as well.

20V Max tools can be used with 20V Max of FlexVolt batteries. FlexVolt tools can only be used with FlexVolt batteries.

Dewalt updated their FlexVolt circular saw, reciprocating saw, and angle grinder late last year.

Looking at the reciprocating saw as an example, here are all of them from least to most powerful:

• 20V Max Power Detect DCS368: 1300 UWO
• 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage DCS386: >1400 UWO
• 60V Max FlexVolt DCS389: 1874 UWO

UWO (unit watts out) specs are not provided for all of Dewalt’s cordless circular saws.

What we can see is that FlexVolt tools deliver the most power. Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage tools are tuned a little differently than standard 20V Max brushless tools, to deliver more power depending on what type of battery you intend to use with it.

20V Max users will see a benefit from powering Power Detect tools with Dewalt’s 8Ah battery. Users will see a greater benefit if pairing FlexVolt Advantage tools with FlexVolt batteries. FlexVolt cordless power tool users can only use FlexVolt batteries.

Generally, 20V Max tools offer great power and performance, and FlexVolt cordless power tools deliver much higher power and performance. There are many exclusive FlexVolt-specific tools, but core tools like these are available on both platforms – except for the hammer drill, for which there isn’t any FlexVolt-specific model (yet?).

Here’s the really difficult question: if you’re in the market for Dewalt brushless power tools, which should you buy? I honestly don’t know, and will have to learn more about the new tools before I can think of a good answer.

At this time, I don’t see many user advantages here.

You can buy Dewalt 20V Max Power Detect tools at Lowe’s and independent channels, and it looks like FlexVolt Advantage tools will be available at Home Depot and independent channels.

The Power Detect tools are available in kit format, and aside for the hammer drill, FlexVolt Advantage tools will be available in bare tool format.

If you want to know which I would buy, RIGHT NOW, given what I know, I would point towards Power Detect. I have been testing out the new tools and LOVE them thus far.

Let’s assume that Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage tools deliver comparable performance using a standard 20V Max battery – let’s say 5Ah for example purposes. Let’s also assume that this performance level is comparable to that of the standard 20V Max brushless power tools where similar designs exist.

Pairing Power Detect tools with a higher capacity battery, such as a 20V Max 8Ah battery, or a FlexVolt battery will provide a boost in performance.

As discussed in our Dewalt Power Detect Q&A post, an 8Ah battery will provide the greatest performance benefit. With a 5Ah battery, users can experience similar power levels to existing Dewalt brushless tools. A 20V Max 6Ah battery provides an in-between boost in power.

I asked about how much of a boost in power and performance users can expect when pairing their Dewalt Power Detect cordless power tools with FlexVolt 9Ah and 12Ah batteries, and Dewalt confirmed that everything would be on-par with the 8Ah. FlexVolt 6.0Ah batteries would perform as well as the 20V Max 6.0Ah battery.

So, Dewalt Power Detect tools deliver a boost in power and performance when 20V Max 6Ah or 8Ah, or Flexvolt 6Ah, 9Ah, or 12Ah batteries are used.

These new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools are said to deliver a boost in power when FlexVolt batteries are used, with the suggestion that you will see max performance even with a FlexVolt 6.0Ah battery.

At this time, there is no information about how the new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage tools respond to any other type of Dewalt 20V Max or FlexVolt battery.

From a philosophical standpoint, I think that the Power Detect tools give you scaled performance depending on the type of battery you pair it with, while the FlexVolt Advantage tools are more appropriately viewed as tools designed for the FlexVolt power tool system while also being compatible with 20V Max batteries.

These core tools are extremely important, given how strong of a demand there is for cordless hammer drills, circular saws, reciprocating saws, and angle grinders.

If you ignore “standard” 20V Max brushless offerings and FlexVolt brushless power tool offerings, focusing only on 20V Max Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage, it seems that Power Detect offers the most battery flexibility, providing scaled performance depending on type and size of battery, and FlexVolt Advantage has greater limitations tied to better rewards.

Check Price: Dewalt FlexVolt 6Ah Batteries via Amazon

With Power Detect, you get the most performance benefits when using 8Ah or higher capacity batteries.

With FlexVolt Advantage, it is strongly implied that you get the most performance benefits when using a 6Ah FlexVolt battery. AND, given limited specs, it seems that Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tools with FlexVolt Advantage technology deliver more power than Dewalt 20V Max Power Detect tools.

So, Power Detect gives you different performance improvements depending on battery type, which makes it more flexible.

Given presently available press information, FlexVolt Advantage gives you even more performance and when using a 6Ah FlexVolt battery.

I would expect that, if you have one type of tool in both FlexVolt Advantage and Power Detect styles, and both powered by a 6Ah FlexVolt battery, the FlexVolt Advantage tool would deliver more power than the Power Detect tool. Stepping up to higher capacity and pricier batteries for the Power Detect tool would close the gap, but based on published specs, the FlexVolt Advantage tools would maintain their performance advantage.

Things are looking a bit clearer now, but there’s more to learn.

What questions do you have?

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Milwaukee has come out with their new M18 Top-Off (model 2846-20), a 175W power supply that allows you to tap into their Li-ion cordless power tool batteries in new ways.

This is Milwaukee’s first M18 cordless battery power supply to feature a 120V AC receptacle and also a USB C port.

Here are the 3 main selling points:

• Faster Device Charging
• Simultaneous Power
• Portable Power, Anywhere

Milwaukee Top-Off Features & Specs

• USB-C PD port (45W max output)
• USB-A port (2.4A max output)
• 120V AC receptacle (175W max output)
• Separate on/off buttons for USB and AC ports
• Adjustable rafter hook
• Fits ALL M18 batteries
• Weighs 0.8 lbs (bare tool)

Here’s a look at the top interface.

On/off buttons for the USB ports might not seem like a big deal, until you use other brands’ adapters and find that they’ll drain your battery even if nothing is plugged in.

The new Milwaukee Top-Off is designed as a multi device charger, for charging whatever it is you need recharged.

It’s got a rafter hook, too.

Here. the Top-Off is shown attached to the side of a work cart.

Milwaukee emphasizes that the Top-Off can power small devices and electronics, but is not intended for use with power tools or kitchen appliances.

It’s also not compatible with their M12 heated jackets or other gear, likely due to its size, but possibly also because of the air vents. Not that anyone would really try to stash this in their heated jacket pocket, right?

You get up to 75% device charging compared to conventional wall chargers, thanks to the USB-C PD (power delivery) protocol.

You get faster simultaneous power, thanks to the Top-Off’s ability to power each port all at the same time.

This chart shows approximate runtime and charging capabilities for the Top-Off when paired with different Milwaukee M18 batteries, ranging from compact 2.0Ah to HD 12.0Ah.

Here’s how it looks with an XC 8.0Ah battery.

Or with an HD 12.0Ah battery.

And finally, with a compact 2.0Ah battery.

Here is a handy “what can it do?” reference chart that Milwaukee put together for all of their M12 and M18 power ports and chargers.

Milwaukee Tool emphasizes that each port on the M18 Top-Off maintains full power even when every one is in use. For example, you can power your laptop while the USB-A and USB-C ports are in-use recharging other devices.

Most other multi-port chargers distribute their maximum charging rate across several ports, and so you encounter longer charging rates if more than one device is plugged in. Not so with the Top-Off, hence their faster simultaneous power claims.

Here is what is quite possibly the biggest selling point of the Top-Off:

Users can instantly set up a mobile workstation or keep electronics securely within eyeshot, rather than making frequent trips to a wall outlet.

The rafter hook adds to its versatility.

Price: $99 for the bare tool
ETA: November 2020

Buy Now via Tool Nut

Discussion

The new Milwaukee Top-Off seems to be a very capable portable multi-port M18 power adapter.

I’m very eager for a larger multiple battery AC power station, but this seems like a very convenient adapter for those who want an AC port or USB-C PD charging capabilities.

Perhaps a future version might feature a built-in LED worklight or additional USB-C ports in lieu of the AC port?

I’m glad that the USB ports are covered – I’ve had problems with my previous USB-C smartphone not charging properly due to dust accumulating and compacting in the “waterproof” charging port over time. If you’re worried about sawdust or other jobsite dust falling into the AC port, child safety covers are cheap prevention – $4 buys you a 30 pack via Amazon.

How Does it Compare?

There aren’t a lot of battery-powered multi-port and AC port adapters out there. Perhaps the closest comparison to the Milwaukee M18 Top-Off is the Anker Powerhouse 200. Let’s take a look at that model, for context.

It features 213Wh of charge capacity, or nearly the equivalent of a Milwaukee M18 HD 12.0Ah battery (216 Wh).

The Anker has more ports – a 12V auto DC port and a second USB-A port. Its USB-C port can deliver 30W max, and its USB-A ports 15W max (likely combined). Its AC port can deliver 100W max, and its car outlet port 60W max. All together, the Anker can deliver a maximum power output of 100W.

The Anker has a display and polished consumer-friendly enclosure. It recharges via included AC adapter, optional USB-C PD charger, or optional DC output solar charger.

The Milwaukee Top-Off can deliver 175W via AC, 45W via USB-C PD, and 2.4A via USB-A (~12W). So that’s a max output of ~232W. The pricing is very different – $260 for the Anker and $99 for the Top-Off plus the price of whatever M18 battery you want to power it with.

Compare: Anker Battery Generator via Amazon

Overall, I’d say that the Top-Off seems like a nicely balanced jobsite-friendly design.

Related Posts:

New Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hackzall Compact Reciprocating Saw New Milwaukee M18 Brushless Circular Saw (7-1/4″) New Milwaukee M18 Fuel Rear Handle 7-1/4″ Circular Saw

Ridgid 18V cordless power tool users – this one’s for you! Ridgid has (finally!) come out with a new 18V cordless band saw.

The new Ridgid cordless band saw features a compact design and 2-1/2″ cut capacity. It sports a variable speed dial, LED worklight, tool-free blade release, and is backed by Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement.

Ridgid Cordless Band Saw Features & Specs

• Model R8604B
• 2-1/2″ cut capacity
• 32-7/8″ blade length
• Variable speed
• 320-680 SFPM
• Integrated rafter hook
• Tool-less blade change
• LED worklight

Ridgid says their new cordless band saw is lightweight to reduce user fatigue and is great for overhead use.

If it’s hard to tell, the 18V battery attaches to the front right side of the tool and at an angle.

It’s designed for cutting threaded rod, black pipe, PVC pipes, conduit, unistrut, angle iron, and other such materials. Press materials also remind that it can be used to cut wood as well.

The saw will ship with an 18 TPI blade.

Price: $179 (bare tool)

Coming Soon to Home Depot
Compare: Dewalt Compact Saw via Amazon
Compare: Dewalt Deep Cut Saw via Amazon

ETA: Fall 2020

Discussion

The new Ridgid R8604B does indeed look to have a compact and streamlined geometry, perhaps even making it more compact than some competing models.

Ridgid cordless power tool users have been asking for a cordless band saw for the longest time. Is this what you guys had in mind?

Related Posts:

New Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless Power Tools, Coming Soon New Ridgid 18V SubCompact Cordless Power Tools: Small in Size, Big on Performance New Ryobi Cordless Band Saw, P590

Dewalt has come out with a new 20V Max cordless drywall sander, model DCE800.

The new Dewalt cordless drywall sander is said to be optimized for demanding applications, with a head-mounted brushless motor that maintains constant speed under load.

The Dewalt cordless drywall sander also features a telescoping shaft, for easy sanding of walls and ceilings in tough to reach areas.

Its head is fully articulated, and with space for an optional Tool Connect Tag just behind the motor.

The head-mounted brushless motor eliminates the risk of flex shaft or brush failures.

Dewalt says that, as part of their commitment to safety, the new 20V Max cordless drywall sander includes features that enhance dust extraction.

First, it is fully integrated with a Wireless Tool Control feature without a separate remote, allowing users to automatically activate a compatible dust extractor, model DCV585.

Once the drywall sander is paired with the dust extractor controls, the automatic activation feature helps to extend cordless dust extractor battery life and does away with the need for manual controls.

The sander also has a built-in Dewalt AirLock connection port, which allows for quick connection to Dewalt dust extractors without the need for a separate adapter.

A variable speed dial and dual action trigger give users application versatility.

Dewalt says that a balanced weight distribution helps to reduce fatigue.

The Dewalt cordless drywall sander comes with a soft backing pad (DWE7801) for fine finishing work, and a hard backing pad (DWE7802) will be available separately for high dust-generating material removal applications.

Both styles of backing pads work with 9″ hook and loop sanding discs. Dewalt will also be launching a line of paper and mesh sanding discs ranging from 80 to 240 grit.

Price: $439 for the bare tool (DCE800), $619 for the kit (DCE800P2)
ETA: Fall 2020

The kit will include (2) 5.0Ah batteries and a charger. The sander ships with a soft backing pad and (1) each of 9″ 120 sandpaper and 150 grit mesh.

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

Dewalt Cordless Drywall Sander Specs

• 9″ sanding head
• 800-1200 RPM
• 49″ tool length
• 30 minutes runtime with 5.0Ah (DCB205) battery
• Weighs 8.59 lbs

Discussion

This looks to be a solid new Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tool introduction.

Dewalt press materials say:

The 20V MAX Cordless Drywall Sander is the first in the DEWALT line.

This has me wondering what else might be coming to the lineup in the drywall sanding or surface prep space.

Automatic activation with Dewalt’s FlexVolt dust extractor is a bonus, but you should be able to use it with other dust extractors – corded or cordless – via manual on/off controls.

It is my understanding that users will need to purchase a Dewalt dust port adapter, DWV9000 (~$21 via Amazon) in order to connect the drywall sander to other dust extractors, but that might not be the case. The Dewalt universal connector attaches to various Dewalt tools and shrouds on one side, with a standard 1-1/4″ dust port on the other end.

30 minutes of runtime with a 5.0Ah battery seems respectable.

Related Posts:

A Different Dewalt Cordless Sander for Europe? New Dewalt 20V Max Cordless 1/4-Sheet Sander DCW200 Dewalt Announces “Power Detect” Cordless Power Tools

Skil has finally come out with a new cordless multi-cutter, filling a hole left in their revamped lineup.

The new multi-cutter is part of Skil’s PWRCore 12V cordless power tool lineup, and features a self-sharpening blade, 1/4″ cutting capacity, compact design, and lock-off switch.

It’s sold as a tool-only, and so you’ll need your own Skil PWRCore 12V battery and charger. I’d recommend their brushless drill kit, which I reviewed here and is currently priced at $70.

Multi-cutters like this one are suited for cutting cardboard, plastic packaging material, fencing, vinyl, fabric, paper, and other types of flat materials up to 1/4″ thick. It might help to think of them as powered scissors.

Price: $50 for the bare tool

Buy Now via Amazon
See Also: Drill Kit
See Also: Multi-Tool Kit

Discussion

There have been many different versions of this tool in the past, by Skil and other brands.

First came a 3.6V cordless model, with built-in rechargeable battery.

Then came an multi-cutter attachment version, where the cutter head attached to the front of their iXO cordless screwdriver.

Now, they have this 12V cordless version, part of their PWRCore 12V lineup of revamped and modernized tools.

The price seems reasonable – $50 for the bare tool, but since there doesn’t seem to be a kit format, that’s $50 on top of at least $70 to get your started in Skil’s PWRCore 12V platform.

There’s also a Makita 12V Max (CXT) cordless multi-cutter, even more attractively priced, at $102 for a full starter kit.

Buy Now: Makita Kit via Amazon

So, it’s $102 for the Makita kit vs. $120 minimum for the Skil bare tool plus a drill kit, or just $50 for the Skil bare tool if you’re already in the PWRCore 12V cordless power tool platform.

Perhaps we’ll see a discounted starter kit for the Skil multi-cutter. If not, while I’m glad to see a new Skil-branded multi-cutter on the market, they’re not giving new users enough of an incentive to join their PRWCore 12V cordless platform.

If you just want a multi-cutter and haven’t yet bought into any brand’s 12V platform, the Makita is the more economical bare tool choice. Not to mince words, but Makita is also considered a more pro-oriented brand than Skil. Skil does have some very compelling tools in their 12V lineup though, and some very modern features, but a lot of users looking for a tool like this will look at pricing first and foremost. Here’s to hoping we see a ~$79 starter kit at some point.

All this is to say that I’m happy to see a new Skil multi-cutter option, but the bare tool format and pricing immediately opens it up to strong competition and from a typically higher-positioned brand.

We also don’t when the Skil cutter will be available for purchase, as right now Amazon describes it as being temporarily out of stock, which is typical for new introductions, and so there might be additional purchase options (hopefully a kit) on the way.

Related Posts:

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Bosch has announced two new 18V cordless LED worklights, GLI18V-4000C and GLI18V-10000C.

The new Bosch cordless LED worklights are said to be their brightest and toughest flood lights yet.

Both lights have “HD” labeling, which I would presume has to do with the LED light color temperature or accuracy (they don’t say), and also feature Bluetooth controls.

With the Bosch “ToolBox” app and a compatible smartphone, you can operate and control the LED lights remotely. Bluetooth smartphone app controls include on/off activation, brightness adjustments, battery life monitoring, and setting timers.

(Scheduling is actually quite a popular feature with other brands’ smartphone and app-connectable LED worklights.)

The new Bosch GLI18V-4000C delivers up to 4,000 lumens max brightness, and 1,000 lumens at its lowest. Runtime is said to be 30 minutes per amp-hour at high brightness, up to 120 minutes at the lowest brightness setting.

Actual runtime will depend on the Bosch 18V Li-ion used.

In theory, a 5Ah battery would provide 150 minutes (2-1/2 hours) of runtime at 4,000 lumens, or 600 minutes (10 hours) at 1,000 lumens.

The Bosch GLI18V-10000C is brighter, delivering 10,000 lumens max at its brightest, and 1,000 lumens at its lowest.

Runtime is 12.5 minutes per amp-hour at high brightness, and up to 120 minutes per amp-hour at low brightness.

Remember, the Bosch ToolBox app allows for controls, and so these are only the high and low limits, with intermediate brightness and power settings also possible.

Both new worklights are powered by Bosch 18V Li-ion batteries.

The worklights have adjustable stands which allow them to be positioned at different angles, and metal shock-absorbing frames.

A 5/8″-11 threaded mount at the bottom offers tripod compatibilty.

The battery port and controls are at the rear, with on-board brightness controls and battery gauge.

Price: $199 for the 4,000 lumens worklight, $299 for the 10,000 lumens worklight

Buy Now: 4000 lumens via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 10000 lumens via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 10000 lumens via Amazon

Discussion

This seems like interesting new LED worklights from Bosch.

We have quite a few questions:

Are the worklights drop-rated? Bosch says its metal frame provides “outstanding” durability, but with no mention about official drop-rating specs.

Are the new worklights water resistant?

What’s the size difference between the 4,000 and 10,000 lumen models? From the product images, they look comparable sized, but I would expect to see more cooling mass on the brighter light.

(Update) Here are the dimensions and weights:

• 4,000 lumens: 9.5″ tall x 7.2″ long x 9.0″ wide, weighs 4.4 lbs
• 10,000 lumens: 12.0″ tall x 8.5″ long x 11.5″ wide, weighs 8.6 lbs

Why does the brighter light have taller lens-shielding bars? The LED lens doesn’t appear to protrude any further than for the lower brightness model. Ah, maybe it’s because of the different weights, and the bars need to be further away from the housing for ample protection?

The pivoting base looks to have adjustable screws, which seems like a nice feature to have.

A top handle, plus a pivoting base, and a tripod mounting screw seem like enough mounting options. Keyhole slots might have been useful too, but I don’t see how it would be possible without interfering with the battery pack or making the lights much deeper.

Both new worklights offer Bluetooth connectivity and similar features, and so it comes down to max brightness, portability, and cost, with the brighter model being much heavier and quite a bit pricier.

It’s good to see Bosch freshening up their cordless LED worklight product line.

Thoughts? Are you glad to see these as “connected floodlights,” or is that a feature you wouldn’t plan on using?

We’ll be following up once we learn more – do you have any questions to add on top of ours?

Related Posts:

Ryobi 18V One+ Evercharge LED Area Light New Dewalt DCL074 Cordless LED Worklight with Bluetooth New Milwaukee USB-Rechargeable Hot Stick Light

Metabo has teased that they will soon be coming out with a new 18V 10.Ah cordless power tool battery pack.

The new Metabo 18V 10Ah battery looks to be the same size and shape as their 5.5Ah and 8.0Ah battery packs, and also seems to be the highest capacity 10-cell Li-ion battery currently on the market.

At the time of this posting, Metabo has a compact 5-cell 4Ah battery and 10-cell batteries in 5.5Ah and 8.0Ah sizing.

Other brands also have 10-cell 8.0Ah batteries, but higher capacity usually requires a step-up to 15-cell battery sizing, which means bigger size and greater weight.

The greater energy density of Metabo’s new 10Ah cordless power tool battery implies the introduction of higher power 5.0Ah battery cells, which could pave the way for compact 5.0Ah batteries. Other brands might also be working on 10-cell 10Ah batteries or even 15-cell 15Ah batteries.

Price-wise, here are Metabo UK’s catalog prices, excluding VAT:

• 4.0Ah: £88.32 (£100 w/ VAT)
• 5.5Ah: £116.66 (£140 w/ VAT)
• 8.0Ah: £182.50 (£219 w/ VAT)
• 10.0Ah: £224.18 (£269 w/ VAT)

Excluding the 4Ah battery since it’s a 5-cell compact form factor, here is a breakdown of per-amp-hour pricing:

• 5.5Ah: £21.21/amp-hour
• 8.0Ah: £22.81/amp-hour
• 10.0Ah: £22.42/amp-hour

That’s actually very good, that the cost per amp-hour is comparable with that of the 8Ah battery pack and only slightly higher than for the 5.5Ah battery.

What this means is that Metabo’s latest 18V LiHD battery doesn’t seem to carry a disproportionate premium compared to their current Li-ion batteries.

The new battery will fit all of Metabo’s tools and chargers, and that of their CAS (Cordless Alliance System) partners.

Metabo says that their new 18V 10Ah battery is the most powerful 2-row battery pack in the world.

This seems to be true – I don’t know of any matching or higher capacity 10-cell battery at this time.

But, if Metabo has access to 5.0Ah next-gen Li-ion battery cells, how long will it be before other cordless power tool brands will have access to those same cells?

At this time, the new battery has only been introduced by Metabo UK; there is not yet any news about if or when Metabo USA will be launching it here as well.

(Thank you to Big Richard for the tip!)

Related Posts:

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Harbor Freight has come out with their first Hercules cordless angle grinder, and this is also their first brushless cordless power tool in the Hercules lineup.

The new Harbor Freight brushless angle grinder works with 4-1/2″ or 5″ wheels and is said to deliver 45% longer runtime and 20% more power, compared to “specifications of standard product.”

That last part is confusing, as Harbor Freight doesn’t have any other cordless angle grinder in the Hercules lineup. Perhaps the comparison is to their Bauer Hypermax angle grinder.

Harbor Freight has previously offered an Earthquake XT brushless angle grinder, which is now marked as being on clearance. The two tools have some similarities with respect to motor specs, but the Hercules grinder looks to have been completely redesigned.

That is, this isn’t Harbor Freight’s product team switching colors and brand labels, the new Hercules brushless angle grinder looks to be its own design.

The new Harbor Freight Hercules brushless angle grinder features an 8500 RPM motor, quick-adjust guard, electronic soft-start, cleanable air vents, and spindle lock.

Features & Specs

• Part of the Hercules 20V cordless system
• Model HC61SB, SKU 56903
• Brushless motor with electronic soft-start
• 8500 RPM
• Quick-adjust blade guard
• Cleanable air vents
• Spindle lock for blade changes
• All metal gear construction [do any angle grinders have plastic gears??]
• 2-position side handle
• Lock-on switch
• Weighs 4 lbs
• 13-1/8″ length

The angle grinder ships with a 5″ Type-27 blade guard and sample grinding disc.

Price: $120 for the bare tool

More Info via Harbor Freight

Thank you to Chris for the news tip!

Discussion

I think this is an interesting place to start, but makes sense given Harbor Freight’s strong customer base with interests in automotive maintenance and fabrication tools.

Personally, I prefer paddle switch angle grinders, but I also don’t use such tools for very long sessions. A lot of heavier users prefer angle grinders with lock-on power switches, as they can be much less fatiguing.

It’s curious that this ships with a Type 27 5″ disc/blade guard. Will other accessories be available, such as Type 1 guards for better protection when using cut-off wheels?

The product specs mention a 3-position side handle, but I only see 2-positions. Harbor Freight’s Earthquake brushless angle grinder had a 3-position handle (both sides and on the top). This could possibly just be a web team error.

Harbor Freight is only selling the Hercules 20V angle grinder as a bare tool, which means you’ll need a separate battery and charger. For new users, a Hercules 5.0Ah battery is priced at $70, and the charger is priced at $40. If you buy all three at the same time, there’s an in-store-only $25 discount. Meaning, if you wanted a one-battery kit, and you buy in-store and without any other promos, you’ll need to spend $205 ($120 tool, $70 battery, $40 charger, $25 discount).

There’s also a 2.5Ah battery, priced at $40, but higher capacity batteries are generally recommended for cordless angle grinders.

This is an expansion of Harbor Freight’s Hercules 20V cordless power tool line, and although it’s their second brushless angle grinder, it’s just the start of their Hercules brushless tool selection. More are surely on the way.

What do you think about Harbor Freight’s first foray with Hercules brushless cordless power tools?

Related Posts:

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HA! I got you guys good!

(Please click the video for effect, or pretend it auto-played. Sorry, I didn’t want to go that far.)

I’m sorry, with a title like that, you were expecting us to talk politics, right?

A couple of people have asked about ToolGuyd’s position on the political stances of different tool brands, retailers, or persons related to them. Yeah… I’m not touching that topic with an 8′ 2×4. There is no shortage of other places for you to read about politics.

For the regulars reading this, I do care about you guys and what you have to say, but I’m not interested in talking politics.

I hope you’re not mad at the trick, but you can’t possibly tell me you were hoping for us to actually talk about politics, right?

Let’s have a heated debate and poll of a different kind.

What type of cordless circular saw do you prefer? Left or right?

It might not seem like a big deal, but a lot of users have long-established preferences when it comes to circular saw blade sides, and many are frustrated by the lack of cordless circular saws aligned with their wants.

And no, this isn’t any kind of analogy or symbolism. I’ve been wanting to ask about your circular saw blade preferences for a while. Maybe I’m wrong (hopefully not), but I also wanted to make light of politics right now, as it’s hard to escape the topic. I figure there’s a good chance you opened this post, bracing for what I had to say, and hopefully you’re relieved that this isn’t at all about politics.

Personally, I’m still undecided. I suppose I prefer right-facing track saws, and that could carry over to circular saws, but I also find left-cutting saws to be easier for making unguided cuts.

This is Dewalt’s 6-1/2″ saw, with a left-facing bladed. Despite brushless circular saws having been around for a while, 6-1/2″ saws are still very popular and are often included in cordless combo kits and bundles. 6-1/2″ saws are also smaller – a selling point for some – and are more affordably priced.

Shown above is the new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage cordless circular saw.

While brushed motor 6-1/2″ cordless circular saws are often left-hand-facing, 7-1/4″ brushless circular saws are right-hand-facing.

Most full-size corded 7-1/4″ circular saws are also right-facing, and so their designs make sense. But, there must be some user-centered reason why 6-1/2″ saws, introduced much earlier, are (almost?) all engineered with left-facing blades.

Then you have cordless rear-handle worm drive-like cordless circular saws that are left-facing.

Shown here is the Dewalt FlexVolt 60V Max rear-handle circular saw.

For a righty, right-facing circular saws allow you to make a cut with your entire body on the opposite side of the blade (motor-side). In theory, this is safer body positioning. Left-facing circular saws give you much better cut-line visibility, but your body faces the blade or is placed directly behind it and with a hand grip that crosses your arms over the blade line.

For a lefty, things are reversed.

Some brands gave you a choice when it came to corded circular saws (such as Milwaukee), offering both blade-right and blade-left sidewinder-style saw options.

With cordless power tools, you don’t have a choice – if you want a particular model of circular saw, you go blade-left or blade-right based on the brand’s design and engineering decisions.

So, generally these days:

• 6-1/2″ saws have left-facing blades
• 7-1/4″ saws have right-facing blades
• 7-1/4″ rear-handle saws have left-facing blades

Which do you prefer? Blade-left or blade-right cordless circular saws?

I supposed I should encourage you to vote, or remind you to ensure you are registered to vote by your state’s deadlines if you wish to vote. You can find more info at Vote.gov.

Related Posts:

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Bosch has quietly launched a new 18V cordless drill kit, model GSB18V-490B12, and it’s currently priced at just $99.

I’m calling this a “special buy,” as it seems close in design, specs, and kit configuration to Bosch’s prior Black Friday and holiday season-promoted cordless drill kits.

$99 is also the common pro-grade cordless drill kit “special buy” price point, with Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid, Metabo HPT, and other brands all in very fierce competition with each other.

Every year, pro-grade cordless power tool brands all put out $99 special-buy 18V cordless drill kits, and sometimes those kits are upgraded.

Not to mince words, Bosch has not kept up with the competition in recent years. Their 18V offering at the $99 price point was often a lower-powered brushed motor cordless drill paired with low capacity batteries. Most of Bosch’s competition has moved to $99 promo kits featuring higher performing brushless drills, some bundled with a single battery.

Last year, Bosch’s brushed motor entry-level cordless drill kit was discounted a bit further, to $79. At $79, Bosch’s Black Friday and holiday season special buy was well-priced in the face of superior competition at the $99 price point.

But, here’s what Bosch did for 2020.

First, they went brushless! This is Bosch’s cheapest 18V brushless drill kit ever.

Also, it’s a cordless hammer drill, not just a drill/driver. Dewalt had a brushless hammer drill kit special buy a few years ago, but haven’t repeated that bundle since.

Plus, Bosch also upgraded the included battery. Instead of 2 lower capacity batteries (1.3Ah or 1.5Ah), they bundle this drill with a single 2.0Ah compact Li-ion battery.

What’s the catch?!

The specs, right? Nope.

Bosch USA has not yet made any announcements or issued any press releases, but this is what we gathered from their website and retailers’ product listings:

• Brushless motor
• 1/2″ chuck
• 490 in-lbs
• 0-600/0-1900 RPM
• 0-22,000 BPM
• 7.44″ length
• Weighs 2.4 lbs
• LED worklight
• All-metal chuck
• Ergonomic grip zone
• Removable belt clip

The kit comes with a charger, Bosch 18V 2.0Ah SlimPack battery, and tool bag.

Bosch says that the drill:

is made to tackle demanding materials and applications (such as metal or masonry) anywhere on a worksite.

Amazon has it for $99 (via CPO, an authorized dealer), and so does CPO directly. Others have the kit priced at $149, and it’ll surely be discounted to $99 as Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2020 get closer.

This seems like Bosch’s best 18V $99 cordless drill promo kit yet. Without obvious “gotchas” or compromises, this looks like it could be a good deal.

Sale Price: $99

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO

Discussion

Here’s our earlier post about Bosch’s main-line 18V brushless hammer drill. Referring to the specs, the Bosch GSB18V-535C hammer drill is rated at 535 in-lbs max torque, has a 0-600/0-1900 RPM 2-speed gearbox, and impacts at 28.500 BPM. It weighs 2.7 lbs.

This new Bosch 18V brushless hammer drill, GSB18V-490B12, is a little lighter and delivers lower max torque, but matches the speed of Bosch’s more premium brushless hammer drill. This $99 kit hammer drill has a lower hammer-mode impact speed.

With the $99 special-buy hammer drill, you get an LED worklight, and it’s placed near the base by the battery. And, the drill comes with a belt clip.

A belt clip might sound minor, but it’s an area where some brands cheap out in order to minimize the costs of their special-buy kits and combo kits. It’s better to have one included with a kit and not need it, than to need one and have to source one separately.

The more premium Bosch brushless hammer drill kit comes with a Core18V 4.0Ah battery, this kit comes with a compact 2.0Ah battery.

You don’t get Bluetooth-connectivity, but you’d be hard pressed to find that for $99 – if it’s even something you want.

Frankly, I thought that Bosch gave up on competing with the other big brands at the $99 price point. A few years ago, they had a compelling kit, but not so much in more recent years after Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee all went brushless. With last year’s $79 kit, I thought that Bosch was throwing in the towel.

On paper, the specs look good, the all-metal chuck is reassuring, and the features seem very competitive.

It’s always possible for there to be compromises below the surface. We haven’t tried any of Bosch’s recent brushless drills, but I can’t imagine this one disappointing.

It might also not be a “special buy,” as there’s a bare tool part number, GSB18V-490N. If this will be a main-line inclusion in Bosch’s 18V cordless power tool lineup, and it’s very possible given the hammer drill’s specs and features, that would serve to make the special buy kit even more compelling.

We haven’t seen if other brands have upgraded their special buy cordless drill kit for Black Friday 2020 or the winter holiday shopping season, but there’s not much for improvement. Meaning, with this new brushless hammer drill kit, Bosch looks to be once again punching in the pro-grade weight class.

Sale Price: $99

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO

Related Posts:

New Upgraded Bosch 18V Brushless “Freak 2.0” Impact Driver/Wrench Sneak Peek: New Bosch 18V Brushless Impact Driver is “Connected-Ready” New Bosch “Bluetooth-Connected” Brushless Drill and Hammer Drill

For reasons I can’t pinpoint – naivety? affiliate link spammage? – mass media sites have been promoting several Dewalt cordless power tool deals on Amazon. If you ask me, the deals they’ve been promoting range from lackluster to plain awful.

Here, the Dewalt DCD771C2 cordless drill kit is not a good deal in 2020. Sure, this was once a reasonable mass-market Dewalt-branded drill kit for holiday season shoppers. But, 2015 was the last year this was true, as Dewalt’s first brushless motor cordless drill kit special buy came out in 2016 and there was no reason to look back.

This DCD771 cordless drill kit is larger and weaker than their more recent brushless and Atomic brushless motor drill kit offerings, and those same better cordless drill kits are about to be on sale. Like clockwork, Dewalt’s entry-level brushless drill kits go on sale for $99 every year, so why buy this larger, weaker, and less energy efficient brushed motor model for the same price?

Sure, this drill kit is presently being discounted, but that doesn’t make it a good deal.

If you want a Dewalt brushless cordless drill for $99, check out their 12V Max kit. I love using that compact brushless drill, and like Dewalt’s 20V Max kits, it’s also bundled with 2 Li-ion batteries.

I guess the DCD771C2 kit is an acceptable buy if you want a Dewalt 20V Max cordless drill kit for $99 right now, or if for reasons I don’t understand you prefer this particular model and want another one. But if you can wait 4-6 weeks, there will be better drills on sale for the same price, maybe even sooner.

If you’re a bargain shopper, now’s not the time to buy a cordless drill kit. If you can wait, pass on this drill kit deal – it’s just not a very good value compared to what Dewalt and other brands typically stock the store shelves with for the winter holiday shopping season.

I mean, it’s a usable drill, but larger, weaker, and slower compared to price-point competition, and also bundled with the cheapest and lowest capacity 20V Max batteries Dewalt still makes.

This is simply not a good deal. Yes, I know I’m repeating myself, but I really want to get the point across. There’s a reason Dewalt keeps making this model – people keep buying it! I can understand its inclusion in Dewalt’s budget-focused 20V Max cordless power tool combo kits, but the drill kit isn’t competitive at the $99 price point anymore.

It could be argued that this is the best Dewalt cordless drill kit right now, and that might be true. But being the best deal that’s available right now isn’t saying much given the far better deals that we have seen and will be seeing again later this month and in November.

Some of the mass media and tech websites boasting this as a fantastic deal correctly point out that you can use the charger and batteries with Dewalt’s other 20V Max cordless power tools, but the batteries are less than ideal entry into the Dewalt 20V Max cordless lineup, too low in charge capacity to be of much use for anything beyond this drill.

This is Amazon’s 2nd best-selling cordless drill kit right now.

Buy Now via Amazon

If you can’t wait and need to buy something right now, encouraging you for the upcoming holiday season promos and special buys isn’t good advice. But perhaps you could at least consider some of the better options currently available.

I really like Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme Subcompact brushless drill kit.

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools

OR, also consider Metabo HPT’s $89 18V cordless kit deal. I’d buy that over the Dewalt without hesitation, although it’s also not as well-featured or bundled as the drill kits that are just a few weeks away.

See Also: Metabo HPT via Amazon

Wait a second – THIS Bosch 18V brushless hammer drill kit is what I’d recommend at the $99 price point right now.

I haven’t tried this Bosch drill kit promo yet, but on paper it’s far better than the Dewalt DCD771C2 kit.

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools – will surely be discounted soon
Buy Now via CPO

To be fair, the Dewalt DCD771C2 cordless drill kit is not without merit.

If you look at Amazon’s user reviews, it – and some bundles that feature it – currently has nearly 9,800 ratings, and with an above-average ratio of 5-star ratings. At the time of this posting, there are 85% 5-star ratings and 9% 4-star ratings, and just 6% 1-3 star ratings combined.

It’s a very popular seller and users seem happy with it.

My opinion isn’t about whether this is a good product or not, but that at $99, there are better drill kits and also better bargains.

If this is truly what you want, go for it. At least now, you’re hopefully more informed.

Buy Now via Amazon

Seasonal Dewalt Cordless Drill Kit Deals

Both of the following Dewalt cordless drill kits usually sell around the $99 price point during holiday shopping seasons.

The Dewalt DCD777C2 brushless drill kit is a common holiday season special-buy at $99. It is not on sale yet.

A few years ago, there was a similar brushless hammer drill kit deal, bundled with a compact 3.0Ah battery for the same $99, but that promo has not yet been repeated/

See it at Amazon

The Dewalt 20V Max Atomic cordless drill kit, DCD708C2, is also seasonally on sale for $99.

This drill is 25% more compact and 13% more compact compared to the DCD771 featured in this post. It has a brushless motor, which is more efficient, and also comes with a belt clip, a small but appreciated addition.

See it at Acme Tools

Related Posts:

New Dewalt Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench with Tool Connect (DCF896) First Look: New Dewalt ATOMIC 20V Max Compact Cordless Power Tools Dewalt Officially Announces 6 New ATOMIC Cordless Power Tools

Over at Amazon, they have the Bosch 12V Max PS21-2A cordless screwdriver kit on sale for $69. This deal is $10 lower than the sale price from two years ago at around the same time.

I think this is a good deal. The Bosch cordless screwdriver delivers 265 in-lbs max torque, has a 2-speed gearbox (0-350/0-1300 RPM), and weighs 1.4 lbs.

Whenever we talk about cordless screwdrivers, some commentors will always say: but I don’t need this, I already have a cordless drill and a cordless impact driver.

That might be true, but cordless screwdrivers are a sort of cross between a drill and an impact driver. You get the compactness of an impact driver, with the adjustable torque clutch of a drill.

I presume you can also still drill with this Bosch PS21 model, although only with 1/4″ hex-shank drill bits. I should mention that while I’ve used cordless drills and impact drivers with hex-shank impact-rated drill bits in recent years, I still have yet to use any cordless screwdriver for drilling tasks.

This tool, and others like it, are great for light duty assembly and fastening tasks. Bosch’s adjustable torque clutch dial usually offers great precision at the low end, and repeatability throughout.

If you’re up for waiting, you might be able to find a deal on Bosch’s or another brand’s brushless model. But, if you’re not sure you need a cordless screwdriver in the first place, this is the deal to buy.

At $69 for the tool, carrying case, charger, and (2) Li-ion batteries, it’s a good deal, and at lower risk than if you were to buy a brushless kit even on sale.

I’d recommending buying a more modern and perhaps higher performance brushless model if this is a tool you plan to use often. But for less frequent use, or if you’re not up to a greater drain on your wallet, this a good buy.

Sale Price: $69

Buy Now via Amazon
Compare: Dewalt Kit via Acme Tools

Related Posts:

Dear Bosch: Thanks for the 12V Brushless Drill/Driver! Bosch’s New 12V Cordless Power Tool Battery Charger is Smaller and Faster Bosch’s Brushless 12V Max FlexiClick Drill/Driver Kit Now Available

I have really grown to like Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme cordless screwdriver kit (DCF601F2). There’s a lot to like about this cordless driver – it’s powered by a brushless motor, it’s compact, it’s comfortable to use, it’s bundled with (2) 2Ah batteries, and it’s reasonably powerful.

I used this little cordless screwdriver to punch above its weight class this weekend, removing lag screws holding a customized pallet together, and was surprised that it worked. I grabbed a 1/4″ to 1/4″ square adapter, a 13mm socket, and went to work.

I didn’t really expect it to get the job done, but it did.

Today, I used it to remove a couple of screws from a wooden planter box.

Last week, I used it to assemble a small fixture with way too many machine screws.

Over time, I’ve learned a lot more about this compact cordless screwdriver, and the more I use it, the more indispensable it becomes.

It sits between a cordless drill and a cordless impact driver, delivering repeatable results with its clutch dial, and it’s more compact even with bit adapters than a drill with typical 3/8″ or 1/2″ chuck.

What’s different about this Dewalt Xtreme brushless screwdriver is that it’s a rare single-speed tool.

That’s right, it has a 0-1100 RPM gearbox. There’s no gear selection switch, which I’d think was done to make it more compact. What this means is that it’s not quite just a cordless drill with a different front end, it’s a distinctly different tool.

Frankly, this is perfect. If I need lower speeds I ease up on the trigger. If I need faster speeds, I can pull the trigger switch at full throttle. Cordless drills are a bit faster, and sometimes too slow in one setting and too fast in the other, at least when it comes to lighter duty or more delicate fastening tasks.

Repeatability and control is the name of the game here. For drilling, reach for a drill. For higher power, reach for an impact driver.

I posted about Bosch’s brushed motor cordless screwdriver kit earlier today, on sale for $69.

If I had to choose between the two, I’d probably spend more for the Dewalt. This is a big deal, given my affinity for Bosch’s 12V Max cordless power tools. But in a direct comparison, the Dewalt is a slightly more comfortable package while the Bosch is a little long in the tooth. The Bosch is more affordable for new users, but the Dewalt is a more modernized tool and I’d consider it better for more frequent use. Plus, the Dewalt has its flat-resting base, which is more important than it seems.

Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme cordless power tool ecosystem hasn’t grown much since their revamp, but Bosch hasn’t paid much attention to expanding their 12V Max lineup either.

I had expected to see $89 pricing on this Dewalt Xtreme cordless screwdriver kit again, but not so soon.

The difficult thing about cordless screwdrivers is that some users definitely need and benefit them, but for many it’s an optional tool that overlaps with what their drill and impact driver can do. This driver and others like it aren’t well-suited for drilling, nor can they handle the higher power tasks of cordless impacts.

But it makes up for being an in-between tool by handling smaller fasteners with greater ease, precision, and comfort, at least in my experiences.

Cordless screwdrivers have their places in a lot of tool kits, and this Dewalt Xtreme model is one of the best I’ve ever used. At $89 for a complete kit with two batteries, this is also one of the best values, too.

Sale Price: $89

Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO Tools
Buy Now via Amazon – not on sale right now
See Also: Dewalt Drill Kit via Amazon
Compare: Bosch Brushed Kit

Read More:

Dewalt Xtreme 12V Max Cordless Screwdriver Deserves More Love

Best Cordless Screwdriver: Dewalt vs. Milwaukee? (2020)

Related Posts:

Dewalt Xtreme 12V Max Cordless Screwdriver Deserves More Love Dewalt Officially Announces New XTREME Subcompact Series of Cordless Power Tools First Look: New Dewalt 12V Brushless Drills and Drivers (EU Launch)

Milwaukee has come out with a new M12 Rover LED worklight, 2367-20.

The new Milwaukee Rover worklight, officially called the M12 Rover Service and Repair Flood Light with USB Charging, also carries the slogan Grip it, Stick it, Pivot, describing the different ways you could use it.

At maximum brightness, 700 lumens, the Rover will provide up to 8 hours of runtime with an M12 XC 4.0Ah battery. At its low brightness mode, 250 lumens, it will provide up to 24 hours of runtime with an XC 4.0Ah battery.

The new Milwaukee M12 Rover flood light is advertised as providing users with a flexible source of light designed for service and repair applications across the trades.

You can use it handheld or magnetically mounted to steel surfaces, and the LED light head can pivot with a range of 110°.

Milwaukee designed the new M12 Rover LED light for handheld or stationary use.

From the product photos, it looks to be better suited for handheld use when paired with a compact M12 Li-ion battery, and an XC flat-bottom battery increases its versatility for stationary use, not to mention the longer runtime that comes with greater charge capacity.

The M12 Rover worklight can be magnetically mounted to steel studs, I-beams, job boxes, and other such steel surfaces.

And, as mentioned, the light head can be pivoted so that you can angle the flood light where you need it most.

From the product images, the new worklight looks to have a powerful magnet and small enough size to be fixed to curved and coated surfaces such as water heater tanks.

On the back, there’s a screw slot, giving you one more way to mount the worklight for hands-free illumination.

You could also place the light down on a horizontal surface, and aim the light head where you need it.

Don’t forget, this is the new Milwaukee M12 Rover Service and Repair Flood Light with USB Charging. Milwaukee added a 2.1A USB charger on the top of the worklight, so you can use some of your battery capacity to recharge your smartphone or other devices.

A pivoting flood light head, magnetic mounting option, keyhole slot, and USB charging – what more could you ask for?

The worklight is IP54 rated for dust and water resistance, impact-resistant lens, and is said to be able to withstands drops of up to 9 feet. Sounds durable.

Milwaukee says the new Rover flood light is built to go anywhere and withstand the toughest jobsite conditions.

Features & Specs

• 700 lumens max brightness
• 250 lumens low brightness mode
• Runtime of up to 8 hours (high), 24 hours (low) w/ 4.0Ah battery
• TrueView “high definition” output (what’s that about?)
• 110° pivoting range
• Built-in magnets
• Screw keyhole mounting
• IP54 dust and water resistance
• 9ft drop rating
• Weighs 0.7 lbs (without battery)
• 6.6″ x 2.5″ x 3.6″

Price: $59 (bare tool)
ETA: November 2020

Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via Tool Nut
Buy Now via Home Depot (coming soon)

Discussion

You get multiple support options – handheld, standing up, laying down, magnetic, keyhole, a pivoting head, decent lumen specs, water and dust resistance, strong impact resistance, and on top of all that, a 2.1A USB charging port. All that for $59.

Seems like a solid design choc-full of usable features.

Related Posts:

Milwaukee Cordless Power Tool Review Roundup: M12 Cut-off Tool, M12 Rocket LED Light Milwaukee Upgraded their M18 Rocket LED Worklight (2131) New Milwaukee USB-Rechargeable Hot Stick Light

Bosch has come out with a new 18V compact cordless band saw, model GCB18V-2N, and it has recently started to ship.

The new Bosch cordless band saw is said to be up to 60% lighter and 40% more compact than standard deep-cutting band saws, making it a more comfortable choice for clean and precise cuts overhead, in corners, or in tight workspaces.

It can cut materials up to 2-1/2″ in a single pass. Bosch emphasizes the benefits of cordless band saws – fewer sparks and minimal rework required for deburring or tempering colors. This band saw is well-sized for cutting conduit, uni-strut, threaded rod, copper tubing, black pipe, and other such materials.

The Bosch GCB18V-2N 18V cordless band saw features a tool-free blade guard and tool-free blade change.

Features & Specs

• Cuts up to 2-1/2″
• 28.875″ blade length
• 530 SFM cutting speed
• Center-placed auxiliary handle
• Tool-free blade guard
• Tool-free blade change
• LED worklight
• 13.5″ length x 8.0″ height x 5.5″ width
• Weighs 7.3 lbs

The band saw is sold as a bare tool and ships with (3) 18 TPI band saw blades.

Price: $199

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools – $190 at the time of this posting
Compare: Bosch BSH180B  via Amazon
See Also: Dewalt Band Saw via Amazon

Discussion

The new Bosch cordless band saw looks to be an update of their previous model, BSH180B, which was released 9 years ago.

Compared to the BSH180, the new GCB18V cordless band saw has a built-in auxiliary handle, rather than a removable threaded-stem handle.

Bosch product imagery also shows the new band saw equipped with a CORE 18V Li-ion battery. I haven’t heard of any incompatibility issues with the older model, but would assume that the new centered aux handle should allow for better user comfort.

As you might know, Bosch’s CORE 18V batteries are larger and heavier than their FatPack batteries, and it’s possible the new built-in secondary handle was designed to help provide for improved tool balance. Or it could have something to do with safety regulations, which tend to change from time to time.

This new model also has a tool-free guard tool-free blade changes.

Although the new model largely resembles Bosch’s nearly decade-old 18V compact cordless band saw, the new secondary handle design and upgraded tool-free features are enough to make it a significant update.

It is unclear how else the new Bosch 18V cordless band saw improves upon the older model.

Press materials don’t reference it, talking about the new model as if it didn’t have a predecessor:

The new band saw adds to Bosch’s successful 18V cordless portfolio, which is building a strong ecosystem based around its industry-leading 18V battery packs and technology.

We are continuing to expand our 18V cordless portfolio and we’re confident this compact band saw will be an asset to professionals seeking a lightweight option that does not compromise precise cutting capabilities even in tight, constrictive areas.

With a new lightweight design, this cutting-edge power tool is only 7.3 pounds, yet built to deliver an impressive cut rate of 530 surface feet per minute.

The older model weighed 7.7 lbs with a FatPack battery, and the new bare-tool saw is said to weigh 7.3 lbs. A 7.3 lbs bare tool weight compared to a 7.7 lbs with-battery weight suggests that Bosch didn’t actually make the tool appreciably lighter than their older model.

However, looking at bare tool specs for the Bosch BSH180B model, that model has a published weight of 7.1 lbs, meaning the new model is actually 0.2 lbs heavier.

But, 0.2 lbs for a centered auxiliary handle and tool-free guard and blade changes seems like a worthy tradeoff.

On Bosch’s website, a couple of users complained about blade failure in their BSH180 band saws, to which Bosch customer support replied:

Thank you for your review and we apologize for the inconvenience that this may have caused you. Your issue with the blade will be forwarded to our product managers for future enhancement purposes as your satisfaction is important to us.

That was 2 years ago, and more recent reviews were replied to with advice on how to break in band saw blades to help prevent early failure.

It’s possible that improvements were made to the blade tracking or tensioning mechanisms to help prolong blade life, but nothing of the sort were mentioned in press materials or on Bosch’s website.

If you’ve used either of Bosch’s compact cordless band saws, what have your experiences been like? If not, how likely are you to buy this new model?

Buy Now via Amazon

If you want a compact band saw with a brushless motor or higher cutting capacity, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel model is only a little heavier but quite a bit more expensive.

Also See:

New Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Band Saw (2829)

Related Posts:

Meet the New Bosch Cordless Power Tool Posse – the MegaWatt Crew First Glimpse: Bosch “Strong Arm” Brushless Circular Saw New Makita Compact Band Saw with More Durable Blade Housing

Mass-media and tech websites have started promoting a new Dewalt cordless power tool combo kit – this 20V Max drill and impact driver combo, model DCK280C2.

This is actually a very good kit!

It comes with Dewalt’s decent DCD780 cordless drill and DCF885 impact driver.

This combo kit is “on sale” for $199.

Buy Now via Amazon

But, these are first-generation brushed-motor tools. Sure, they’re good tools and this is a good kit – I’m sure it’ll serve you well. But $199 for a long-in-the-tooth combo kit?

Here’s a better deal – the Dewalt DCK283D2 20V Max brushless drill and brushless impact driver kit.

The last time I bought this combo kit was in March 2017, for a reader giveaway, and I paid $260 plus tax. Before that, in December 2016, I spent $234 plus tax also on a reader giveaway prize, and that was after $25 off $100+ holiday season coupon.

Right now, this combo kit is on sale for $199, the same as last year’s holiday season low price.

You get the Dewalt DWS791 bruhsless drill, and DCF887 3-speed brushless impact driver. The kit is bundled with a charger, tool bag, and (2) 2.0Ah Li-ion batteries.

The brushless tools are more powerful and more compact, and should also be more energy-efficient. The drill has a better-featured LED worklight.

And, this brushless kit comes with 2.0Ah batteries instead of 1.5Ah for the first-generation brushed motor combo kit.

The DCK280C2 brushed motor kit does have one selling point over the DCK283D2 brushless model – it’s assembled in the USA.

Still, for the same $199, I’d buy the Dewalt 20V Max brushless drill and impact driver combo kit over the older brushed motor tools.

Price: $199

Buy Now via Amazon

Comparisons

DCK280C2 Pros:

Built in USA

DCK283D2 Pros: 

• Better Drill/Driver
  • More power (460 vs. 350 UWO – what’s that?)
  • More compact (6.9″ vs 7.5″)
  • Shadow-free LED positioning
  • Brushless motor
• Better Impact Driver
  • 3 torque/speed settings vs. 1
  • More power (1825 vs 1400 in-lbs max torque)
  • More compact (5.3″ vs 5.55″)
  • Brushless motor
• Batteries: 2.0Ah vs. 1.5Ah

BOTH Dewalt cordless power tool combo kits are great options, but at the same price, why not get the better one?

Buy Now: DCK283D2 via Amazon
Buy Now: DCK280C2 via Amazon

If you need help sorting out the differences between Dewalt’s various 20V max cordless drill options, check out this post:

The Best Dewalt Cordless Drills (2020 Update)

Related Posts:

First Look: New Dewalt ATOMIC 20V Max Compact Cordless Power Tools Dewalt Cordless Power Tools, UWO, and Torque – Here’s What it all Really Means Size Comparison: Dewalt Atomic Cordless Drill vs. Milwaukee M12 Fuel and Makita 12V CXT