A reader has been shopping around for a new cordless angle grinder and came across a new Dewalt 20V Max brushless grinder.
Ryan said:
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Haven’t seen this yet…found it on Lowes……not for sale yet obviously. I’m researching my future grinder purchase. Hope you can let me know more about or dig up some info on it thanks!
From what I can tell, it’s a completely new design. It doesn’t look like their original 20V Max 4-1/2″ grinder (DCG412), not does it strongly resemble the FlexVolt 4-1/2″ to 6″ angle grinder (DCG414).
This is the first I’m seeing of the new Dewalt DCG413 20V Max cordless brushless 20V angle grinder. Lowes has some specs for it:
- 4-1/2″ wheel size
- 9000 RPM
- 2-position side handle
- Weighs 3.75 lbs
- Comes with side handle, Type 27 guard
- Paddle switch
- Blade brake
Compared to the brushed motor version, you get a higher top speed, and what looks to be a more compact design. The ergonomics might have improved, it’s hard to say just based on the look of the handle.
There’s no telling when the new grinder is coming out. If you’re researching for a future purchase, like Ryan is, this could be one to keep at the top of your list. If you need something right now, don’t hold your breath.
I’ll see what I can dig up, but based on the Lowes listing, I think this is a very appealing model, based on its brushless motor, RPM improvements compared to the brushed motor model, and compact-looking size.
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Lowes first listed a new Bosch Colt router back in November 2015, and it still hasn’t been released yet.
Price: $159 (bare tool)
Update: It’s now up on Amazon too.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Lowes) – Not available for purchase as of the time of this posting, check back another time.
Compare(Brushed version via Amazon)
Compare(FlexVolt Grinder via Amazon)
If you need something NOW, the Dewalt FlexVolt 60V Max grinder is quite good, but it’s a physically larger grinder (based on an image comparison). It’s also capable of going up to a 6″ wheel size if needed.
I think this is a logical progression of Dewalt’s 20V Max roadmap. It complements (or can potentially replace) their brushed motor model, and appears to be designed to stand next to their 60V Max FlexVolt model.
A few years ago, some users weren’t quite happy with Dewalt’s cordless tool progress. It’s now 2-1/2 years later, and I don’t remember the last time anyone complained about Dewalt lagging behind competitors. Sure, users have specific wants (e.g. brushless jig saws in D-handle and barrel grip configurations), but I think that Dewalt has push forward with impressive momentum.
And I’m not just talking about Dewalt’s FlexVolt lineup, but their overall cordless expansion including 20V Max progress. There are some nice specialty tools (threaded rod cutter), metalworking tools (metal shears), and new nailers on the way.
Nathan
An angle grinder isn’t something I think I want in cordless. But I looked hard at the flex volt model. Would like to know the useable runtime on something like that.
IE – cuts in rebar, or cuts of 3 inch iron pipe – etc.
DEWALT Fan
126 cuts in 1/2″ rebar using the 60V 2.0Ah battery. Additionally a 60V 3.0Ah battery is now available as well offering additional run time.
David Funk
The runtime is not a problem I have even ground concrete with my flexvolt grinder.
jtr165
I don’t own a grinder at all yet, and to my understanding most labeled the current 20v option as a ‘cut off tool’, as it was a bit lacking for sustained grinding.
There is a custom bike shop just a few blocks from my house, and they do a lot of metal recycling. I found some old cam shafts, crank pulleys, etc. stored in my garage, and took them over last week. 5 guys in there all holding flexvolt grinders, and the owner claimed they’re ridiculously great. He jokingly said he’s waiting for a cordless welder, and then he could call the electric company to shut the power off, and just charge the batteries at his home overnight.
I’ve only barely started with metal working, but do a lot of automotive stuff. Been intimidated with body work because I don’t own any of the tools yet really, and prefer cordless as run time is never really that much of an issue (tons of 20v batteries, not a ton of extension cords and outdoor outlets). I was very close to getting the FV model, and finally dipping into FV batteries, but this may make me willing to wait. I’ve read mixed things on the current brushed model, especially when it comes to grinding welds and doing things outside of cutting fence pipe, rebar, etc.
ca
I believe DeWalt used to sell a rebranded cordless welder.
Garden hose
They sure do. It’s like 4 grand. Fronius OEM. It’s actually very inexpensive compared to some of their other welders, like their $15000+ MIGs.
Raoul
Just get the Flexvolt. Sure this new brushless version is probably tons betted than the old brushed one, but 20V just doesn’t have the oomph.
I would like to see future Flexvolt tools with the option to choose voltage vs runtime based on what the job is. Perhaps a bluetooth version where you can really dial it in sort of like how one key works except the voltage can be adjusted. The Flexvolt string trimmer sort of has this feature with a high/low setting though I’m not sure exactly what the mechanics are being accomplished to do it.
Stuart
I’m not sure this can be done; motor performance is going to be determined by a voltage and current draw profile.
But there are also “work done” considerations.
Let’s say you have 4x 15 pound iron weights on a wooden board. You can move them all at once, or you can move them one by one, or in pairs Moving them in more than one trip will be easier it take longer.
With tools, sometimes speed is what gets things done. Slower speeds might lead to more friction or other losses to efficiency or perhaps accuracy.
I do like your thinking, though. Maybe there is a way to do what you proposed, I just can’t see it.
Raoul
I would think it could be done but would probably need a different interface between the battery and tool. They could have the 3 banks of batteries within the battery connect individually to the tool and the switching between voltages could be done in the tool instead of the battery. You could actually have have 3 choices. I’m sure it would involve a lot more electrical engineering than I’m capable of comprehending but the process is already happening within the battery depending on what tool you put into. If the tool itself had the ability to adjust what voltage you want, that would be true FlexVolt.
Raoul
I understand what you mean about speed and work done, so it would also need different circuitry, mosfets, etc for the different voltages, or adjustable if possible (where bluetooth would come in for programming).
Stuart
I can see what you’re getting at.
My car has a 6-cylinder engine, but can selectively turn off 2 cylinders to improve gas mileage when the added power isn’t needed.
You can’t do this within a battery pack – everything must be balanced. Whether the load is high or load, the batteries should all be taxed equally.
As for multiple voltages, you just can’t do that. Motor have performance profiles – voltage ranges and torque ratings at specific voltages and current draw.
Under-volt a motor, and it’ll under-perform. Over-volt a motor, and it’ll perform higher than spec, briefly, before suffering from early or accelerated failure.
Consider a drill with a 2-speed range gearbox. At higher RPM you get faster applications speeds for drilling and tasks where you need speed but not a lot of torque. The lower RPMs are useful for when you need more power, with speed as the lesser dependency.
It has to balance out.
A motor spec’ed for 18V WILL burn up at 54V. A motor spec’ed for 54V might not even turn at 18V.
Stuart
Consider an impact driver which has multiple speed and torque settings.
You can drive smaller fasteners at the lower setting, and larger fasteners at the higher setting.
You can drive smaller fasteners at the higher settings if you’re careful.
But you can’t drive larger fasteners at the lower setting. You can try to, but it’ll be inefficient and wasteful.
Work done can be short and hard, or long and easy. There’s no escaping that there’s a minimum amount of work that needs to be done. If the work is done at less than ideal settings, there could be energy losses that actually reduce runtime.
With some cordless power tools, say a circular saw, runtime is dependent on the load, which usually depends on what you’re cutting.
That all said, I’d like to remind you about Hitachi’s grinder and band saw:
https://toolguyd.com/hitachi-brushless-angle-grinder/
https://toolguyd.com/hitachi-18v-brushless-band-saw/
These tools have “auto” modes that reduce noise and battery output when they are on but not actively cutting anything.
Chad Brink
I first tried a cordless angle grinder back in the 18v days and was shocked at how useful it is. I’ve taken it to the steel suppler to do my own cuts rather then wait in line. I’ve cut 20 foot rebar down in the lumber yard to fit my trailer. I sold my 18v and upgraded to a 20v when I switched to 20v. The mechanic who bought my used one had never used a cordless grinder before and he loves it too.
As a woodworker I love the grinder for fixing nails that blow through… just grind them off.
I will be upgrading to this new brushless and giving my current one to my new son in law.
fred
A detective once told me that the cordless angle grinder has become an essential tool in a burglar’s backpack.
All that aside – not the tool we chose in the metal/pipe fabrication shop for production work – but handy in the field for quick jobs.
Kevin
I actually do enjoy having a cordless grinder. I still have corded models, including a 9″ Hitachi, but the Milwaukee Fuel brushless I have certainly gets the most use. It is very convenient to not be stepping on the cord as you move around a piece. I have not had trouble with power or runtime using 5.0ah batteries. I fitted it with a diamond wheel, and that works great with it.
mike douglas
The model number in Europe is
DCG405
available on several web sites
there seems to be a second variant
Dewalt DCG405NF 18V Cordless XR Brushless Flathead Angle Grinder
nopics showing yet
releaseaccording to some vendors : 1. August 17
David Funk
Any word on DCS577?
Stuart
Not that I’ve seen.
tuaofb
DCS577 is a “Worm Drive” Circular Saw but not using worm drive
Stuart
Yes, but there’s still nothing public or private to draw from yet. I’ve heard of it, haven’t seen a real image of it yet.
JoeM
No Bluetooth? So this won’t be one of their new Bluetooth Enabled line? Interesting. Maybe this is one of those opportunities for the Bluetooth Connect device?
Anyways. Someone really should hold me back when a lot of these things come up. In the span of about a minute I went from “I don’t know if I even need a Grinder/Cut-Off Tool to start with” to “It can’t be THAT different from the Brushed 412, can it?” to “I WAS WRONG, I WANT ONE.”
Don’t know why… I have the Oscillating tool, I can always get a Rasp for it, and get essentially the same tool on a smaller scale, for what I use my tools for… hence why I never knew whether I needed one or not… but the design of this one really IS drastically different, and I guess I’m a sucker for it. I’ll have to start buying those Bluetooth Connectors for my tools though. I WOULD like to use them with my Phone as a way to Inventory everything, even though they’re all pre-Bluetooth versions.
I’m a Sucker. I must be…
Mr. Gerbik
Why are there very few brushless corded tools? Is it because corded tools already draw enough power that they don’t need it? Would that suggest that the whole brushless technology thing really isn’t as cracked up as they are selling it to be?
Garden hose
I imagine it’s just not cost effective. The biggest selling point is usually runtime, which isn’t an issue for corded tools.
The cost of the magnets and circuitry vs carbon brushes is probably a decent difference.
Stuart
The biggest benefit of brushless motors is their greater efficiency, and that’s just not as big an issue with corded tools.
There are some corded brushless tools, but they’re not as common.
Cost is also a big factor. Sure, brands could come out with more brushless corded tools, but who would buy them?
jtr165
Modern brushed motors are usually rated around 75 to 80% efficient with current transfer (meaning about 3/4’s of the ‘electricity’ used turns into kinetic energy, the rest thermal)…brushless bumps that up to 90% or even a bit higher in some cases.
They’re more complicated to make, though. They need different windings, and other sensors/logics for control, so they’re more expensive. One of the other things with brushless that gets thrown around a lot is that they’re more powerful, which is misleading…they can be if designed to be, but the only automatic design benefit, like Stuart said, is higher efficiency.
Considering even ‘big’ AC power tools use relatively little electricity compared to something like an air conditioner or a dryer, there just isn’t much of a market for super efficient brushless corded tools. The expense of the additional efficiency would take a very long time to pay for itself to the user. Available power isn’t a problem, and brushed motors can still be silly strong. In a cordless tool, efficiency is a huge factor
fred
Even for some big motors for industrial process applications, I’m not sure that brushless motors are as common as are variable frequency drives to improve energy use over a range of operations. We had a big 3-phase ventilation system motor that used VFD – I believe a pulse width modulation type controller – to adjust fan speed to match ambient conditions.
Dan
Hitachi is leading the way with corded brushless technology. They have a grinder (both corded and cordless) that is brushless along with a line of rotary and demo hammers and impact wrenches. In addition to the benefits of reduced heat and more efficient energy, they can be run off of a generator or very long extension cord without causing issues in burning up the tool.
John
I really dont understand why there are not more speed controllable battery versions available. Surely speed control would be a worthwhile option to those who need it, it would increase the usage of said tool. Not only that but I would imagine you could pull out a longer runtime by turning it down when you dont need the full on speed.
Jronman
I heard from a guy who talked to a Dewalt guy that there may be 2 to 3 new 20v grinders coming. 2 will be basically the same except for the power switch type. also a new jigsaw is in the works and will be barrel style. Not sure about a new d style.
fred
Maybe the jigsaw is to compete with the Makita:
https://www.mississaugahardware.com/product/makita-djv181z-cordless-jig-saw-with-brushless-motor
pf83
This grinder seems to have the gearbox of the DWE4012, sort of how the DCG412 has the gearbox of a different corded model. One thing to consider is the DCG412 is a 5″ grinder, so a slower RPM does the same work as a faster 4 1/2″ grinder (and the DWE4012 doesn’t easily take 5″ wheels especially because of the guard).
Evadman
I have the brushed version (DCG412) and I used it extensively over this weekend. I was mostly using a cupped wire brush to remove surface rust from some tubing before I was welding it up.
I have four 4AH DCB204BT batteries (the bluetooth version with bluetooth disabled, brand new) and I was surprised just how much power the grinder eats up. The batteries would only last about 7 minutes before they were dead. The 1.5AH batteries that I also have (DCB201, brand new) last under a minute. In all 6 cases, the batteries were overheated and went into thermal shutdown mode on the the charger (DCB1800 station). It took WAY longer to do this with a corded tool than a cordless. The grinder’s grip also got so hot that I couldn’t hold it without gloves, but the thermal cutoff never turned the tool itself off.
I found the most optimal solution was to use the 4AH batteries to about half charge (3-4 min) then put them on the charger so that the charge woudn’t be thermally throttled.