Dewalt has finally launched their new lineup of cordless 12V Max lithium ion power tools. When I first previewed these new compact tools, it was love at first touch. We currently have the full range of tools in-hand for review, and will start off the series by discussing the tools’ common handle and battery design.
Handle Comfort & Ergonomics
My initial impression upon seeing Dewalt’s new compact handle for the first time was “oh, isn’t that a little… skimpy?” Luckily it doesn’t really matter how the handle looks, as long as it feels good. Let me tell you, the handle is downright comfortable. I would even go as far to say that Dewalt’s 12V Max handle is one of the most comfortable and ergonomic compact drill/driver handles in the market today.
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Dewalt spent a lot of time and effort optimizing the handle’s design, and it shows. I have medium sized hands, and holding the drill and drivers just feels… natural. No strain, only comfort.
The handle is nearly completely covered with a rubber grip of varying texture and geometry. Critical palm-gripping zones are defined by a rough-textured rubber, and the finger-tip zones are covered by what I can only describe as inverse ribbing. A raised smooth-rubber edge contours between the distinct zones.
Stand it Up, Lay it Down, or Let it Hang
Dewalt decided to go with a sliding-style battery that allows the tool to stand upright when placed on a flat level surface. This feature by itself does not make a huge difference to me, but when Dewalt polled contractors, this is what many of them asked for. The flat-bottom design allows the drill to be set down quickly without the risk of it tipping over and damaging a delicate or finished surface.
In addition, the battery configuration gives these 12V Max tools a very comfortable balance. The center of mass, at least for the 3/8″ drill/driver is located right about where the trigger is. In comparison, many other compact 12V tools on the market today are somewhat top-heavy.
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Positioned on both sides of the tools at the top and bottom, rubber bumpers ensure that the their hard plastic bodies won’t mar work delicate surfaces if a tool is put down on its side.
Finally, the 12V Max handle features a removable belt hook. The hook can be positioned on either the left or right side of the tools, and is included with most of the drill/driver models. Unlike some other belt hooks I’ve tried, these allow the lightweight 12V Max tools to rest close to the body, greatly reducing the amount of tugging felt on belts and pants. A built-in notch in the belt hook allows the tools to be hung from nails, screws, hooks or other such mounting points.
Battery Installation & Removal
The battery slides into the handle quickly and easily. A very audible click lets you know that it’s properly seated. Removal is just was easy. Simply unlock the battery and pull it out.
Conclusion
The handle design is superb, and has quickly becoming one of my favorites!
Check out our additional reviews of and posts about the Dewalt 12V Max cordless tool lineup.
Check out this thread for model number breakdowns and shopping links.
fred
Maybe coming late to the party will be a good thing for Dewalt – but we never seem to buy much of the “yellow line” – maybe beacuse of timing issues like this. For a 12V tool line we’ve already extensively invested in the Milwaukee M12 platform – so even if Dewalt has great features we’re unlikely to change. That’s not to say we’re Milawaukee fanatics ( the Makita LXT line is what we have for 18V tools. ) Some also think it funny that we mount our Bosch and Makita Miter Saws on Dewalt stands
Stuart
I’m of the camp that there’s nothing wrong with having a colorful toolbag. A little yellow here, blue there, red and white, maybe some green…
Our reviews of the other tools will be posted as soon as they’re ready. I can already tell you – a few of these offerings are definitely worth it even for some users already invested in another brand’s 12V cordless tools.
I toyed with the idea of doing a large 12V cordless comparison between as many different brands as we could get our hands on. But, I have yet to find a 12V platform that I didn’t like. One brand’s drill might perform better than the others but provide fewer user-friendly features, another’s might be more powerful and more compact but more expensive and less ergonomic, and yet another brand’s offering may be reasonably well rounded but at a more affordable price.
I’m asked for recommendations fairly often, and these days I’m not sure what to say. The major brands are all in fierce competition with one another in the 12V max compact cordless tool market, and it’s harder than ever to determine who offers the “best” tool(s).
fred
If I were buying cordless tools for myself – a colorful toolbag would be fine – but buy 20 or so drills, plus the same number of cordless recip saws, and circular saws at a clip – throw in batteries bought 10 at a time (as in Makita BL1830-10) to save a buck or two – and then get concerned about how many chargers you want to plug in at a jobsite – and you decide to standardize. This was much less true when all our tools had cords attached. Our mixed bag (Knaack boxes and Trucks) had Skil 77 Saws, B&D Super Sawcats, PC routers, Betterley trimmers, Milwaukee Sawzalls and Band saws, PC sanders, Kango breakers, PC power planes, Milwaukee and Makita screw guns, Milwaukee Hole Hawgs and grinders etc. All the power cords were more or less standard. Non-standard batteries have changed all of that.
Andrew
Yeah I can’t seem to make up my mind. I want to invest in a 12V line for my Dad for xmas.
I was thinking the craftsman nextec series might be nice but I’m worried about the quality even though the price is low and replacement batteries are relatively cheap.
So it’s a toss up between that, bosch, milwaukee, or the new dewalt. I keep reading that the bosch stuff drains batteries really quickly… but who knows with user reviews!
Stuart
Fred, I can definitely see that it would be a hassle when dealing with such quantities of tools! I suppose that one, two maybe even four cross-branded tools mixed in might not be too bad. But 10? 20? I can see how mixing in different platforms could get out of hand real fast.
Andrew, it depends on exactly what you’re looking for. Milwaukee has the widest selection of tools; Bosch offers power, speed, and compact size; Craftsman offers reasonable quality at value prices; and Dewalt offers greater user-friendly features. There’s also Porter Cable, Makita, Ridgid, Rockwell, Hitachi, and probably a few other brands that I missed.
Your best bet is to determine what your top priorities are and work from there. I do have to say, I do especially like the Dewalt tools. But, they’re not perfect. I was using the 1/4″ screwdriver to drive lag bolts for the upcoming review, and the motor smoked up a bit. Granted I set the clutch to maximum (drill mode), and used the tool in an application in absolutely wasn’t desired for, and then pushed it well beyond reasonable expectations.
Then again, people complain about other brands’ tools shutting down too quickly at the slightest chance of the tool being pushed too far.
I’m trying to settle on a single recommendation, but I am absolutely torn between the many choices! That’s what happens when you give a man like me too many options. I end up wanting to try them all.
Greg
I had to pick one of these up the day it came out to compliment my 18 volt dewalt tools and I must say I am impressed. The rubber padding on the sides to protect whatever you set it down on is a great idea. The power is more than I expected out of a 12 volt tool. And the comfort and handling of the tool is great. Plus as an added bonus I got the flashlight for free and I must say, it has to be my favorite flashlight ever, it has more uses than i can even begin to list at 1am haha.
Stuart
Glad to hear that I’m not the only one incredibly impressed with the flashlight add-on!
Cordless Tools
Dewalt 12V tools are the best in their line, they hold the charge for long and have enough power in them to literally go through anything!
M3
I’m rather impressed with the handling and power of the new MAX line. DeWalt finally incorporated the nice Makita LXT features like bumpers on the body and the very comfortably-sized and shaped grip. I much prefer the sliding battery to the competitors “bulky” and not-as-comfortable 12V battery-in-handle lineups.
The 3-LED lighting on the Impact Driver is awesome! Just wish DeWalt could have “copied” the ability of the Makita LXT to turn on the LED by pulling the trigger when the switch is in the locked position. You can sorta do it on the DeWalt, but you have to pull quite hard on the trigger. Also would have liked a “delayed off” on the LED lighting as found on the LXT.
Wonder what’s in-store for the MAX line? A simple bit holder that screws into the other unused belt-clip holder (like the Makita LXT) would be fantastic! How many oscillating or rotary tool would be sold for every inspection camera?
Stuart
The LED of the Dewalt 12V Max screwdriver, impact driver and impact wrench truly are impressive. They do blunt the front of the tool slightly, a design feature a few people have criticized, but I think they did a great job with the illumination pattern.
I’m not sure what’s in store for the lineup in the future, and I doubt they’d tell me. Back in June it was suggested that new tools were not yet in the works, but I’m sure that’s what they would have said in any case.
I would dare to imagine that Dewalt is working on some type of cordless cutting tool – perhaps a multipurpose or reciprocating saw, a multifunction oscillating tool, or a mini circular saw.
Charles Rouse
Bought the Impact/ Driver combo from Lowes. Got them to throw in a Free
Batt. Have not used it yet, and thinking the kit with the screwdriver might be
the better option. Size, And lighting. Your thoughts?
Stuart
Free batteries are always a good deal!
It’s a tough choice. Both kits come with an impact driver, so the choice is between the screwdriver or 3/8″ drill/driver.
We reviewed the drill a few days ago. It’s a great compact drill, but compact drills aren’t for everyone.
Think about which tool you would get the most out of. If you own a compact 18V drill, you might be better off with the screwdriver, saving the impact for higher-torque driving. If you have bulky drills, you might be better off with the drill + impact combo that you bought.
The impact driver and screwdriver overlap in function a bit, with the distinctions being the screwdriver’s adjustable clutch and the impact’s greater torque. In contrast, there’s not much overlap between the 3/8″ drill and the impact driver.
Jesse
What ever happen to the dewalt expanding this line.
Stuart
*Shrug*
To put things simply, I guess they looked at 12V Max sales and 20V Max sales and decided to focus their R&D efforts on products of higher demand.