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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Chris I
I have absolutely zero need for this. I don’t work in construction, I’m in banking.
But I want one.
Chris
Totally justified!
Rafe
I spend a lot of time in new construction, and I can’t imagine any of the drywall crews I see on a regular basis using these. In niche small remodel applications it may be nice, but there is no way a couple of tapers are gonna haul a vac and hose around with them while they sand. Speed is of the most importance to them and the builders at that stage and it’d slow em down too much.
Steve
They could just use it without the vac portion, an extendable sander on a pole has gotta have it’s benefits.
Rafe
Tapers use mesh sanders with poles already. In drywall finishing, you don’t sand aggressively, you take down high spots and fill with topping until smooth. The weight of this combined with battery requirements for operation would be a huge turn off for your typical drywall finisher.
Troy H
As of a couple years ago OSHA changed their rules around airborne silica… Depending on how much OSHA polices the jobsite (hospitals and government work) some of them are basically required to use a vacuum sander and a HEPA dust extractor. Either that or they have to seal off each room they work in and not allow other contractors in,… its a pain in the ass.
ToolGuyDan
Not all drywall work is new construction. If someone running wire in the office’s plenum put their foot through the ceiling, or a plumbing leak made a wall bubble out, you’d better believe that I’m going to want to keep the space open during the repair, and that means the amount of dust generated by a mesh pad on a pole is simply not an option.
Rafe
” In niche small remodel applications it may be nice,” Verbatim.
Nick
I’m a taper and mostly do low rise residentual. I use my Festool Planex with the vaccum and I could never go back to the old school pole sanding. It’s faster and it actually makes sanding enjoyable. I never knew I would ever say that but the electric sander really does help…
Hopefully the cordless version can keep up with the corded version but I’m pretty happy with the current corded Festool.
Todd M Fryman
I tried a festool and it had way too hard of a backing. The foam of the Porter cable is just right. Do they make alternative pads that are softer?
Rody Resquin
Only if you look on a short term life .. silica causes cancer.. yes you can do it faster without the hose attachment.. but please start looking in a better future for all of us!!
Sean
Every drywall company I know uses wall sanders and vCcums meatball. You mist be damn near 90 years old to be talking like this. Been in New construction the last 30 years
Stephen
This biggest advantage here is the dust extractor as silica exposure continues to be cracked down on by OSHA. I’ve been a superintendent on the gc side of new apartment construction for a while now and, while speed is of huge importance to the subs, as the gc I have seen the regulations increase and have to be the one to manage enforcement on site. Most of the time drywall crews are thick in the clouds of sanding dust.
Jim Felt
Thank gawd it’s not the bad old daze of Asbestos. Though rock dust still sucks.
Rafe
True, on sites where OSHA compliance is enforced this could be much more widely used. Drywall crews aren’t running these rigs even in 100+ unit apartment complexes here in Northwest WA.
Paul K
I know its a demonstration picture, but is there a reason the vertical seems don join the horizontal ones?
Rafe
Drywall is hung horizontally. The verticals are covering screw pattern.
Tim
Any idea if it has an orbit and if so how much of an orbit?
Tony in Denver
Sorry, it is a simple rotary action… not an orbital sander.
I was hoping it would be too, but after using it for drywall work, it works quite well even without the orbital function. I’m happy with it.
fred
Porter Cable introduced this tool as their #7800 in a corded version – probably 30 years ago. It was the first of many copies that have since hit the market. Soon after the 7800 was introduced we bought one for commercial office remodel work where we would seal-off a small area to work alongside the office workers. As I recall we had mixed feelings about the tool – and I don’t remember anyone saying we should buy more. Lately they have gone cordless – with Makita also offering one.
JoeM
I would love some sort of hand-held version of this for home repair. Something scaled way down. Just grabbing an orbital sander or something, and trying to attach a dust collector isn’t what I mean… Just… one palm, vacuum hose attachment hanging off it, small one for finishing small drywall repairs.
I just hope DeWALT isn’t done with the releases right now. This is an awful tease!
John
It requires a little more elbow grease, but I use one of these for home repairs:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hyde-Dust-Free-Drywall-Hand-Sander-Kit-with-6-Foot-Hose-09165/100659771
It’s not perfect, but it’s cheap, works with any shop vac, and definitely makes drywall prep/repair A LOT less messy.
alex
Festool and Mirka have sanding block that you can attach a dust collector to.
Nathan
at home I use my 5 inch RO sander on drywall. And I hook it up to a vac.
alex
Yes I do the same and it works well.
JoeM
I mean no offense here… but I’m already bought into the DeWALT ecosystem… and I don’t want to go outside it for just one little tool. I would rather see a 4-5″ diameter version of this pole-mounted device, with the main motor on the pad, like the hand-held sander, and a hose to attach to any dust collection device of your choice (including the pathetic dust bags they make. Though I would hope you’d want a vacuum of some sort.)
I know there are alternatives, I figured this wasn’t some magical original idea DeWALT pulled out of thin air… But I WOULD like to see DeWALT make this attempt as a palm sander type of device, not for Drywall PREP, but for Drywall FINISHING/REPAIR.
Nathan
then use a dewalt ROS sander. They make a 5 inch ROS in corded and cordless verstions. I almost bought one. It will fit right to your dewalt dust collection too. Though not on a pole.
Kavi
Lots of folks saying they don’t need it.. I own the Makita one and I have the following uses:
– Paint prep. Why wash walls when I can improve adhesion by sanding and vacuuming at once? Excellent on cellings. Kitchen cellings with grease, too.
– Drywall patches. This makes it very easy to patch without making a hilly surface on the drywall. Don’t really pay a ton of attention to getting the mud perfect, it’ll sand flat
– Flattening veneered walls. I put topping compound over the plaster veneer then sand the whole wall. Helps a lot to reduce visible imperfections, bubble holes, and trowel marks.
– Flattening horse hair plaster walls. When painting I do a first sanding pass, skim any low spots with some compound, then a quick sanding too flatten back out. I can tell the low spots because of the different color paint layers sanding off.
– Finishing large flat wooden surfaces. Works great for furniture restoration, makes very quick work of table tops.
Bob
Looks like a nice tool. But like most vaccum connected tools why go wireless if you already have a vac hose? The power cord is not an issue especialy if the powe cord is intergrated into the vac hose like Festool or taped to the hose like the rest of us poor folk haha. The corded tool is going to be cheaper and no batteries to recharge and its brand agnostic. Now if it had a collection bag that actually worked, THAT would be game changing.
Still I am sure some will find it usefull. Remodelers, Guys under OSHA’s thumb etc. I just think there are other tools DeWalt could have brought to market that would be more popular/profitable like a cordless ratchet like Milwaukee has.
alex
Couple of use cases :
1) In new construction, you don’t always have access to power so this is nice although you’ll have to change the battery pretty often. Still better than hand sanding.
2) If you have the Dewalt cordless extractor and you are just doing a wall or two, this is much more mobile and faster to setup than a corded sander. No need to find a outlet and no tripping breaker to worry about.
Nathan
So I like the idea I don’t so much like the cordless part. I mean you’re tethered to a dust extractor right – might as well power cord it. I mean the others in industry are corded. I think Flex has a cordless one out however.
I’d love to see it have the option for a plug. Keep the cordless option it has merits no doubt but corded would pull that battery weight off the unit and have better run time – maybe.
Now – what I need them to do is make a cordless ratchet. But that’s just me.
Just a Medic
A cordless dust extractor worn as a backpack would be the natural next step…
Michael
For about $125 I got the Wen Sander. As a homeowner doing reno and not a pro. I could probably sell it and get at least half my money back and have gotten so much worth out of it. So I’m sure it’s for someone… just not sure it’s pros or homeowners.
AngryDrumGuy
Marketing these with backpack vacs as completely cordless package would be great!
Nathan
Indeed backpack vac system with say a X2 battery setup or a flexvolt setup with AC ability. (a boy can dream right)
ANd take that same design or similar and convert to an OPE device for an outdoor blower back. 2 tools with simlar design basics.
Greg
Scanning the comments I don’t see the Planex mentioned yet. We run one regularly when doing renovations. It’s an absolute monster at taking off popcorn or doing fine finish.
Our regular drywall crew also runs two of these as you can get a very flat finish if you know what you are doing.
As a cordless tool? I don’t know. These guys take a lot of power and you’re already hooked to a vacuum.
One improvement I wish they would all make is a sanding head with some lights. Light across the surface of the wall helps a lot.
Frank C.
I work a GC in the medical construction trade. I bought this tool along with the portable flexvolt dust extractor. We remodel anything from office’s inside of Medical Centers to Operating Rooms in hospitals. Adhering to OSHA/ACHA/ICRA standards and protocols, This has become my top 10 most valuable tool. I’ve found 9 inch mesh discs that work with this sander. Just a suggestion is I just think they should have a bell handle to attach.
Ben G
I just ordered this bad-boy, where can I get these 9 inch mesh disks you’ve had luck with?
Kim Harris
Thanks Frank c, good to finally read a review from somebody who has actually got one of these cordless models.do you get much dust spewing out of the sander head while using it & how much life do you get out of a battery in both the sander & the extractor.cheers
Whiskey Creek
How do I get this to work with my Dewalt dust extractor that has an automatic plug in switch? Is there a Bluetooth plug in adapter for this? That would be a nice addition.
Stuart
You cannot; the Wireless Tool Control can only wirelessly activate the FlexVolt cordless dust extractor vacuum.