Bosch just announced a new compact and lightweight 18V rotary hammer (RHS181) that is said to be the most powerful compact SDS-Plus model on the market. Whether or not this is true and stays true for long is at the back of my mind – I just can’t get over the diminutive size of the tool!

The new rotary hammer was also designed with improved ergonomics and handling in mind. It features a variable speed trigger, 2 drilling modes: hammer-on and hammer-off, increased power, extended tool lifetime, amplified stall torque, and an LED work light.

Runtime is rated at 100+ 1/4″ x 1-1/2″ holes per battery charger. No-load speed is 0-1050 RPM and 0-4950 BPM. With battery the rotary hammer is 10.9″ long and weighs 4.6 lbs.

The kit (RHS181-01) includes a charger and single 18V fat-pack lithium ion HC battery with integrated fuel gauge, and is priced at $285. A bare-tool version will also be available.

And should a rotary hammer prove to be too much for your needs, don’t forget that Bosch’s PS130 12V hammer drill will soon be released as well.

More Info (via Bosch)

Like Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel hammer drill, their new cordless drill (2603-22) will also feature a brushless motor. There’s more fancy new tech designed into this drill, most of which you can read about in our Milwaukee Fuel preview. Official details and specifications have just been made available, and from what we can tell thus far, the drill is remarkably powerful for its size.

Milwaukee Brushless Drill/Driver Specs

• 7.9″ length
• 4.4 lbs with compact battery, 4.9 lbs with XC pack
• 1/2″ metal single sleeve ratcheting chuck
• 2-speed gearbox: 0-550/0-1850 RPM
• torque: 650 in-lbs with compact battery, 725 in-lbs with XC battery

(Tool-Tech 101: Power tool brushless motors.)

The new drill will be available in two kits – with a multi-voltage charger and either 2 compact batteries (2603-22CT) or 2 extended capacity batteries (2603-22). Bare add-on tools will possibly be available as well.

It is interesting to see that using the extended capacity battery pack results in a 11.5% boost in maximum torque delivery. It seems to us that the lower max-torque that comes with using the compact batteries is attributed to a desire to extend the runtime of the smaller batteries.

The new Fuel drill/drivers are expected to be released soon, perhaps as early as next month.

Right now you can purchase the highly regarded Porter Cable 12V ClampSaw for $110 via Amazon. This kit includes 2 12V battery packs, a 30-minute charger, starter reciprocating saw blades, and a carrying case.

OR you can spend $5 more and buy the the above-pictured reciprocating saw and 3/8″ drill driver combo kit. $115 for the two tools, 2 batteries, a charger, and kit bag is a pretty good deal.

Buy Now(via Lowes)

We briefly reviewed Porter Cable’s 12V drill/driver, and were pretty pleased with it. It’s not the lightest, shortest, most feature-rich, or most powerful 12V drill on the market, but it’s solidly built and delivers great performance.

This combo doesn’t appear to be listed anywhere else, so we assume it was a special Lowes-specific holiday combo that they’re now trying to clear off the shelves.

If you’re more a fan of Dewalt’s 12V Max platform, you’ll be interested to know that the Pivot Saw is currently in production.

DC Brushed Motors

Dewalt Brushed Motor

A basic brushed motor has an armature (rotor), commutator, brushes, axle and permanent magnets. Current is applied through the brushes, which are in physical and electrical contact with the commutator. Current then passes through the coiled armature, creating a magnetic field.

The created magnetic fields interact with those of the permanent magnets that surround the armature, causing the armature to rotate around the axle. If you apply greater current, such as when you squeeze the trigger of a cordless power tool harder, you will create stronger magnetic fields in the armature, resulting in greater interaction forces and thus faster rotation.

As you can see in the diagram, highlighted in red, the brushes are in contact with the commutator. Friction between the brushes and the commutator results in a slight drop in speed and thermal energy losses. In addition, the brushes may need to be replaced periodically as they wear out over time with use.

DC Brushless Motors

Dewalt Brushless Motor

In a brushless motor, there are no brushes, and thus no physical contact that could lead to frictional energy losses. Instead of the armature being located on the rotor with permanent magnets fixed to the surrounding shell (stator), permanent magnets are located on the brushless rotor with the armature’s electromagnetic coils in fixed positions surrounding it.

In a brushed motor, the commutator reverses the current flow through the armature coils, flipping the magnetic fields so that the rotor continues to spin. In a brushless motor, an electronic control switches the phase of current through the armature windings at precise timings to accomplish the rotational response.

Brushless vs. Brushed Motors

Brushless motors are more expensive to design and manufacture, but they are typically more efficient than brushed motors. This leads to:

• less maintenance and longer life
• more power
• longer runtime

Brushless Cordless Power Tools

Several brands already offer a couple of cordless power tools with brushless motors. With Dewalt and Milwaukee joining the club, we predict that others brands are going to follow the trend, if not in 2012 then most certainly in 2013. Initially, brushless motors will only be found in drills, drivers, and impact wrenches, but we anticipate that saws and other tool types may be redesigned to accommodate the new tech as well.

Additional Considerations

A brushless vs. brushed motor comparison is not exactly as black and white as described. For example, moving the armature from the rotor to the stator also results in a decrease in mass and radial mass distribution of the rotor. In other words, the rotor of a brushless motor often has a much lower moment of inertia than that of a brushed motor. This means that a brushed motor rotor is more resistant to rotation. (Visualize a spinning ice skater with their arms reaching out vs. at their sides.)

So it’s not just about boosting efficiency by reducing brush-commutator frictional energy losses. Additional fundamental advantages of brushless motors include improved heat dissipation, flatter torque, reduced electrical noise, and greater power output.

Dewalt just announced that they will releasing a new brushless impact driver this April. Although this is Dewalt’s first-ever cordless power tool built with a brushless motor, we’re sure there will be more to come.

(Tool-tech 101: brushless vs. brushed power tool motors.)

The new brushless impact driver is said to provide 57% longer runtime vs. their latest generation brushed impact drivers, and up to 150% more runtime vs. competitors’ latest impact drivers.

In addition to longer runtime, the new Dewalt brushless impact driver features a push-button 1/4″ hex chuck that accepts standard 1″ bits and can be operated with one hand. This eliminates the need for a separate one-handed self-locking bit holder.

In the photo above, do you see that yellow button right below the chuck? That’s the bit release!

3-Speed and Torque Settings

• 0-950 RPM/500 in-lbs – perfect for higher-torque applications such as driving self-tapping screws in metal
• 0-1900RPM/900 in-lbs – ideal for controlled fastening applications such as installing door hinges
• 0-2850 RPM/1500 in-lbs – best for low-torque and finish work, such as faceplate installation

Dewalt’s engineers have also managed to shave the new driver down to 5-1/4″ long, making it their shortest impact driver yet. The driver weighs 3.0 lbs when paired with a compact battery, and 3.6 lbs when paired with the extended capacity battery pack.

Three LEDs surround the chuck to provide shadow-free work area illumination, and a 20-second duration provides added convenience. There will also be a metal belt hook and on-board bit storage.

Dewalt Brushless Impact Driver Kit Configurations

• DCF895C2 - includes two 1.5Ah batteries with fuel gauges, MSRP $279
• DCF895L2 - includes two 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, MSRP $349
• DCF895B - bare tool, MSRP $169

The kits also include a fast charger, and presumably a hard-shell case. ETA is April 2012.

We know that a Milwaukee Fuel brushless impact driver is currently in development, and it will be interesting to see how the two tools compare. Sight-unseen, our vote would go for the Dewalt, given how incredibly fond we are of one-handed chucks.

Follow all of our Dewalt 20V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and related coverage.

Dual-Port Fast Charger

Dewalt really should have called this a universal charger, as it can charge any Dewalt 7.2V, 9.6V, 14.4V, 18V, 12V Max, or 20V Max battery. There are an estimated 69-million 18V batteries still on the market today, with many users adding 12V and 20V tools to their kits. The new charger supports these users as they slowly transition between platforms.

The charger is said to be able to support both slide and tower-style battery packs simultaneously, although we’re not sure if this means they will charge at the same time or sequentially.

Expect to see the new charger in April 2012, and it will be priced at about $99.

Dewalt 20V Battery Packs with Fuel Gauge

Two new battery packs – 1.5 Ah (DCB201) and 3.0Ah (DCB200) – will now feature a built-in fuel gauge to better alert users when it’s time to head to the charger or spare battery cache. The fuel gauge consists of 3 green LEDs with a push-button activator. At the press of a button, the gauge will indicate the level of charge by the number of green LEDs that are lit.

Expect to see the new batteries in June 2012 at $79 for the compact and $99 for the extended capacity packs. 2-packs of each size will also be available.

These batteries will be bundled with all of the new 20V Max tools, and all tools that currently ship with 3.0Ah battery packs will be bundled with the new version once available. Tools that currently ship with compact 1.5Ah batteries will continue to be sold with battery packs without fuel gauges.

Dewalt 20V Metal Cutting Circular Saw

The new saw has a cutting capacity of 1-11/16″, meaning that it can easily cut steel materials such as uni-strut, threaded rod, conduit, cold rolled pipe, and sheet metal and plates in a single pass.

The saw features a 460 UWO and 3700 RPM motor, and comes with a 30T 5-1/2″ carbide-tipped metal-cutting blade. An LED provides cut-line illumination, with a 20-second delay providing added convenience. Dewalt’s Multi-Coated Sight-Line window is abrasive-resistant and provides a clear view of the cut. A high-strength steel shoe is resistant to chip build-up, and a magnesium upper guard offers durable protection.

The saw will be available in July 2012 as part of a kit that includes two 20V Max 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, a charger, and kit box, for $359. A bare-tool add-on (DCS373B) will be priced at $199.

Dewalt 20V Cut-Off Tool

Dewalt also announced a new cut-off tool, designed for construction, maintenance, and automotive applications. It features a 4-1/2″ disc size, 6500 RPM motor, quick-change wrench-free wheel release, tool-free adjustable guard, and 2-position side handle. It also has a low-profile gear case that allows for access in tight spaces.

The new cut-off wheel will be available in May 2012 as part of a kit that includes two 20V 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, a charger, wrench, Type 1 cutting guard, side handle, and contractor bag, for $299. A bare-tool version, DCG412B, will be available for $119.

Follow all of our Dewalt 20V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and related coverage.

Compact Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil

The new compact impact wrench has a 5.7″ length and is fairly lightweight at 3.4 lbs. It’s designed to offer increased speed and extended durability in a compact and comfortable profile. The 3/8″ impact wrench is rated at 1560 in-lbs of torque and can deliver 2700 impacts per minute.

It also features a frameless motor, magnesium gear case, all-metal transmission, and heavy-duty impact mechanism. Three LEDs are arranged around the front of the tool for shadow-less illumination, and a 20-second delay keeps the light on after trigger release.

The release is scheduled for April 2012, and MSRP is $269 for the kit, which includes two 20V Max 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, a fast charger, and kit box. The bare-tool add-on (DCF883B) will be priced at $129.

Premium Impact Wrenches with Pin Detent and Hog Ring Anvils

These premium 1/2″ drive models deliver 300 ft-lbs of torque, meeting the challenge of a wide range of heavy-duty fastening applications. Both wrenches feature a variable speed trigger with electric brakes, 1650 RPM and 2600 IPM motor, LED work light, magnesium gear case, and all-metal transmission.

Users who prefer easier impact socket changes will usually benefit most from the hog ring anvil, and users looking for a more secure socket grip will benefit most from the detent pin anvil.

The kits will be available in June 2012 through industrial distributors, and will include two 20V Max lithium ion batteries with fuel gauge, a fast charger, and kit box, for $329. Bare tools, DCF889B and DCF889HB, will be available separately for $169.

Dewalt just announced a new 20V Max lithium-ion cordless jig saw, DCS331L1, that’s said to provides longer runtime, improved ergonomics, and greater efficiency. The jig saw is designed to offer accuracy and versatility to tackle a variety of cuts in different materials.

The new jig saw features an all-metal lever-action keyless blade change, variable-speed 0-3000 SPM motor, and 4-position orbital action. An adjustable blower keeps the cut-line clear of chips, dust, and debris, and an anti-slip comfort grip allows for improved control. The all-metal keyless shoe bevels, with detents at common angles – 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°.

Included in the kit will be one 3.0Ah battery with fuel gauge, a fast-charger, starter jig saw blade (T-shank), and a kit box. The saw will also be available separately as a bare-tool add-on (DCS331B). MSRP is $279 for the kit and $149 for the bare tool. ETA is April 2012.

Follow all of our Dewalt 20V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and related coverage.

Dewalt has announced that they will be adding a new pivoting reciprocating saw (DCS310) to their 12V Max li-ion compact cordless tool lineup. The reciprocating saw is designed to be compact and lightweight, and features a 3-position handle for added versatility and maneuverability in confined spaces.

The 12V Max saw also features a pivoting shoe and keyless lever-action blade clamp. Stroke length is 9/16″, and speed is 0-2700 strokes per minute. An LED work light helps illuminate dark work areas.

Dewalt 12V Recip Saw Configurations

• DSC310S1 – recip saw, one 12V 1.5Ah lithium ion battery pack, 30-min charger, 4″ 6 TPI wood-cutting blade, 4″ 18 TPI metal-cutting blade, kit bag. MSRP $149.
• DCK212S2 – 2-tool combo with DCD710 3/8″ drill driver. MSRP $199.
• DCK413 – 4-tool kit with DCD710 drill driver, DCF813 impact wrench, and DCL510 LED work light. MSRP $279.

The new saw kits will be available in April 2012.

And yes, Dewalt’s Pivot Saw looks remarkably like Porter Cable ClampSaw, which we reviewed a while back. The specs, housing, and ergonomics between tools are slightly different, but the link is undeniable. We were pleased with the performance of the PC version and have high expectations for the new Dewalt.

Follow all of our Dewalt 12V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and related coverage.

When Dewalt launched their new 20V Max cordless tool platform a couple of months ago, they promised that an expanded selection was already in the works. The first wave included quite a few drills, hammer drills, and an impact driver, a reciprocating saw, wood-cutting circular saw, rotary hammer, and an LED work light. The new additions fill in some of the blanks and introduce a few new technologies.

New Dewalt 20V Max Tools

• DCF895C2/L2/B Brushless Impact Driver
• DCF883L2 Compact Impact Wrench
• DCF889L2 Premium Impact Wrench
• DCG412L2 Cut-Off Tool
• DCS331L1 Jig Saw
• DCS373L2 Metal-Cutting Circular Saw
• DCB103 Dual-Port Fast Charger
• DCB201/DCB200 1.5Ah and 3.0Ah 20V Max slide packs with fuel gauge

Follow all of our Dewalt 20V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and other coverage.

I have been stubbornly holding on to my large and weighty corded Bosch hammer drill, and thought that Dewalt’s compact version would be wimpy in comparison. I wasn’t entirely wrong, but the DCD785 hammer drill proved to be far more capable and comfortable to use than I anticipated.

Features & Specs

The Dewalt DCD785 hammer drill is much like the DCD780 compact drill driver that I reviewed the other day. It features a 1/2″ ratcheting chuck, 0-600/0-2000 RPM gearbox, 350 UWO torque, 34,000 max impacts, 15 clutch settings, and it weighs 3.5 lbs. (Dewalt 20V drill/driver specs comparison.)

The only visual differences between the DCD785 hammer drill and DCD780 drill driver is a thin silver-colored metal band between the chuck and adjustable clutch, and an additional hammer-mode clutch setting.

Ergonomics & Comfort

I already described this in detail in the DCD780 drill review, but some things are worth repeating. Like with Dewalt’s other new 20V Max cordless tools, the grip on the hammer drill is downright comfortable. I am a huge fan of its shape and textured grip zones, and can wield the drill around all day with less fatigue.

Performance

It is important to remember that this is a compact hammer drill not a rotary hammer. Even so, I found that it can handle most of the tasks I typically rely on a corded blue beast for. I occasionally drill 3/16″, 1/4″ or 5/16″ holes into masonry blocks for drop-in anchors or Tapcons. The DCD785 can handle these sizes without breaking a sweat. It can manage 3/8″ as well, but I wouldn’t go much larger than that.

As with the DCD780, there is a very minor wobble in the chuck – see the comments in the previous review for the discussion about this. However, this does not seem to affect the accuracy or performance of the drill. I actually missed noticing this during the tests since the slight wobble does not lead to any noticeable bit deflection or wobble. From what I can tell, this is nothing to worry about.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a compact cordless drill, the DCD780 is a great model. If you would like to be able to drill a couple of small holes in masonry and brick materials every now and then, the DCD785 is an even better choice. For frequent or larger-sized masonry drilling, a premium or full-size hammer drill with auxiliary handle would be best if you don’t mind the size and weight. And of course a rotary hammer is the next step beyond that.

The DCD785C2 hammer drill kit comes with two compact 1.5Ah batteries, a charger, and kit box. In the photos above, the drill is paired with a 3.0Ah extended capacity battery.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

Thank you to Dewalt for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or comparison purposes.

Makita is adding a new compact reciprocating saw (RJ01W) to their small but well regarded 12V cordless tool lineup. There is high demand for these types of mini-saws, which are great for lighter duty and smaller cutting tasks.

The new saw will face competition from Bosch’s PS60 reciprocating saw, Porter Cable’s ClampSaw, and the Milwaukee Hackzall. Makita claims that the new saw can cut a 1-1/2″ PVC pipe or 1″ EMT conduit 25% quicker than the leading competitor, which might be the edge they need to cut into the market.

Makita 12V Reciprocating Saw Features

• variable speed 0-3300 strokes/minute
• 1/2″ stroke length
• “Makita-exclusive” dual-position on/off switch for paddle and trigger switch options
• tool-free blade change
• 14″ length and 2.6 lbs weight
• built-in LED work light
• rubberized soft grip
• 2″ pipe and wood cutting capacity

The kit comes with 2x 12V batteries, a charger, and two 4″ reciprocating saw blades. Early sales pages indicate a price of about $150 for the kit. There will also be a combo kit (FD02W) that bundles a 3/8″ drill driver with the saw.

More Info via Makita
Makita 12V Saws via Amazon

Dewalt’s new 20V Max compact cordless drill (DCD780C2) is powerful enough to tackle most common drilling and driving tasks without being weighty and tiring to use. Dewalt designed this bad boy to be compact and lightweight, and it looks like they’ve done a great job.

Features & Specifications

Full specs are listed in our Dewalt 20V Max drill comparison, but here they are again in summary: 1/2″ ratcheting chuck, 0-600/0-2000 RPM, 350 UWO torque, 3.4 lb weight, includes 1.5Ah batteries.

There are only 16 clutch settings – 15+1 – and they seem to match well with the drill’s torque delivery. 20-24 settings would offer finer control, but there’s no real need for it here. We were actually surprised as to how smooth the clutch adjustment turns. The knob has rounded detents, which make it as easy to grip with a gloved hand as the bumpy knob on the 12V DCD710S2 drill we reviewed last year.

The ratcheting chuck locks beautifully with a satisfying click-click-click, and doesn’t loosen up at all, even when holding thinner drill bits. We were slightly concerned about how much we’d like the speed selection switch, but it toggles easily with a thumb or 1-2 fingers.

Rubber bumpers protect your work surface should you place the drill on its side, and a removable belt hook and bit holder can be fixed to the drill just above the battery. Also, the
LED work light stays on for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger. This isn’t an earth-shattering feature, but it’s a thoughtful tweak.

Ergonomics & Comfort

If you recall, we gushed about the ergonomics of Dewalt’s 12V Max tools. The pistol-grip on the 20V Max drill is ever so slightly scaled up and lengthened, but it more or less retains the same great grip profile. The pistol grip is pushed further back on the drill than we’re used to, but if anything this improved the grip’s comfort and balance even further.

The drill/driver is balanced just right when paired with a 1.5Ah compact battery. It does not quite approach the lightness of a 12V drill, but it’s as light as we could ask for.

Performance

This is a compact drill, not a heavy-duty powerhouse. As such, it runs into a little trouble drilling very large holes and driving large/long lag bolts. Overload-current protection does not seem to be as sensitive as with other brands’ compact offerings, allowing us to push it a little bit further.

One thing that we definitely appreciated was the higher 2000 RPM capabilities of the motor since we often work with smaller drill bits. This leads to better performance and drill bit longevity.

Conclusion

We can’t find anything to complain about – the DCD780C2 is just a phenomenal compact drill kit. If we had to sum it up, we’d say that the drill is powerful enough for most medium-duty tasks and comfortable enough to use all day.

The compact drill/driver is best suited for DIYers and Pros looking for a compact 18-20V that can deliver more power than 12V models. It is not optimized for those looking for a heavy-duty drill-through-anything and drive-any-bolt model.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

The DCD780C2 kit comes with the drill, 2x 1.5Ah batteries, a quick charger, and carrying case. You can also find the DCD780 drill bundled in a 2-tool combo kit with the new 20V Max impact driver.

Thank you to Dewalt for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or comparison purposes.

One of the new cordless tools we’ve been most pumped-up about is Bosch’s 12V compact hammer drill driver. We’ve just learned that the hammer drill, announced in Europe late last year as the GSB 10.8-2-LI Combi-Hammer, will soon be released in the USA as the 12V Max PS130-2A.

As mentioned in our preview of the EU-version, the PS130/Combi-Hammer drill driver is said to be the lightest and shortest in its class. This sounds impressive, but the message is softened once you remember that there’s only one classmate – the Milwaukee M12 hammer drill. Even so, we were quite impressed with the PS21 and PS31 drill/drivers that we reviewed some time ago, and have very high expectations for the PS130.

Bosch PS130-2A Hammer Drill Specifications

• 0-380/0-1300 RPM gearbox
• 265/124 in-lbs torque
• 0-19500 bpm
• 20+ clutch settings
• 3/8″ auto chuck
• LED work light
• 2.3 lbs weight
• battery fuel gauge
• max drilling: 3/4″ (19mm) in wood, ~3/8″ (10mm) in metal or masonry
• electronic battery cell protection

MSRP and a release date have not been announced yet.

More Info via Bosch
Thanks to Ash for the heads-up!