Tomorrow, Dewalt will formally announced the launch of their brand new line of 12V Max compact cordless power tools! Although Dewalt is late to the cordless Li-ion 12V power tool party, they’re arriving at full speed with tools that are sure to turn many heads!
Above is a teaser photo (sorry for the quality) of a few tools of the line. Sorry, but I just couldn’t wait until tomorrow to share this. The tools’ designs are absolutely incredible, and if they perform as well as they look and feel, Dewalt will have a few bestsellers on their hands.
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Included in the new lineup will be a 2-speed 3/8″ drill, 1/4″ hex driver (accepts insert and power bits), a 1/4″ hex shanked impact driver, a 3/8″ impact wrench, an infrared thermometer, a lighted inspection tool with wireless self-supported LCD screen, and what very well may be the BEST LED worklight I have ever seen.
Dewalt is aiming to provide professionals with a full range of products that deliver best-in-class performance. Putting the tools to the test tomorrow will sure to be an enlightening experience!
The beer can in the photo was added for scale, but it makes the tools look a bit larger in the photos than in real life. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to take plenty of photos tomorrow.
jeff_williams
Looks like they’ll have a different charger than their other tools eh? That’s one reason I’ve been saving my cash for one of their larger impact drivers; sharing battery packs and chargers.
Toolguyd Mobile
Yes, these tools will require a new charger. From what I’ve seen so far, you do lose backward compatibility with the older 12V drills, but the new lithium ion configuration offers so many more adv antages that it’ms worth it.
Even if the battery geometry remained the same, the different voltages (12V vs 10.8V nominal) and chemistries/properties make them incompatible with the older tools.
2wykd
Looking forward to reading some numbers on the 3/8 impact. Personally I feel like it’s one of the best cordless tools mechanics can have and more compact bodies help get into tight spots.
Stuart
@2wykd,
Dewalt doesn’t provide in-lbs specs, but has their own power rating system UWO (unit watts out). Direct comparison between tools based on specs wouldn’t necessarily be reliable either.
I checked out the impact wrench a bit earlier, and it seemed to perform quite decently. Obviously it won’t be as powerful as 18V or pneumatic versions, but I was a bit surprised.
I’ll have much (much, much, MUCH) more to say about the different tools in coming days. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to review them in an uncontrolled setting as well as the official release date nears.
lauver
Stuey,
Back in the old days, folks used to put their pocket knife in photos to show relative scale. I guess times have changed… now it’s Miller Time!
Stuart
Haha, well, it worked, didn’t it!!
I did bring my Leatherman Skeletool and a flashlight on the trip with me, but left them at the hotel lest they be confiscated by stadium security. I thought about using a pen, but didn’t have one on hand.
Rick
I’m in the market for a 12V Li-ion based drill and have a couple of questions:
1) Are the brushes externally accessible?
2) Are the transmission gears plastic, nylon or steel?
Thanks – Rick