I already gave you guys a sneak peek at Dewalt’s latest cordless tools, and a look at Dewalt’s latest mechanics and hand tools. There are some other new tools you might be interested in hearing about, including corded power tool developments, nailers, and drill bits.
There’s not too much going on in the corded tool world these days, as brands place more and more emphasis on cordless tools. The same is true in the air nailer arena. If a particular tool or product category catches your interest, let me know and I’ll keep in mind to take a closer look once the tools hit the market.
And as before, I’m interested in hearing about which tools you might be most excited about. For me, it’s a tie between the angle grinder cut-off wheel guard and new drill bits.
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Random Orbit Sander
There are going to be two new sanders coming out – a variable speed model shown here, and I believe a single speed model. It’s designed to mate with Dewalt’s dust collection vac, and I’m sure you can use other vacs with it as well.
Dewalt made claims of low vibration, and I found this to be quite true.
They also said it has a low profile design, but if you follow the asterisk, it’s just lower in profile than their current model.
Dewalt once offered a truly low-profile sander that’s based on a Porter Cable sander design, but it has been discontinued. I asked about why that sander is no longer available, and was told that they used a very specific motor for that model, and they can no longer buy that motor.
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Pilot Point Drill Bits
First-off, Dewalt showed off some new cobalt Pilot Point drill bits. As I mentioned (has it really been) 5 years ago, Pilot Point drill bits are a favorite of mine for general purpose drilling. These new cobalt ones should work better for use on harder steel materials.
You can’t really tell here, but the tip has a different hue than the rest of the drill bit, indicating a slightly different alloy composition. Or something like that; Dewalt was a little quick with details and I didn’t have a chance to go back and ask questions.
There will also be new one-piece hex-shank Pilot Point drill bits.
Here’s another somewhat blurry shot. Sorry. The product manager kept waving it around and I didn’t have the best lens for photographing drill bits.
Oh, and here’s a photo of me taking a photo of the drill bit. Haha. Dewalt took a video of us from above.
We had to wear safety glasses on the factory floor. And since I wear corrective lenses for my nearsightedness, I brought my own safety goggles. Gotta practice proper PPE, no matter what.
SDS Rotary Hammer
New SDS rotary hammers follow with Dewalt’s Perform and Protect safety mantra. I’m going to have to try one out at some point – it looked decent and had anti-vibe handles.
Full Line of Air Nailers
That’s right, Dewalt has launched a new full line of air nailers.
The new DW325PL framing nailer is said to be a lot more compact than other other models. I briefly looked into this claim, and it seems to be true. Sorry, I’m not a framing nailer kind of guy.
There will be several new Dewalt Precision Point nailers, mainly brad and finish nailers.
These are similar to Bostitch Smart Point nailers, which we previewed and then reviewed here. The narrow and tapered points allow for greater nail-placement precision.
There’s also a new single drive and sequential drive mode selection switch on many if not all of these new air nailers. I liked the idea of it, but found the knob to be a little tough to grab, but how often are you going to change driving modes? Maybe the strong retention is a good thing.
To change modes, you’re supposed to pull, rotate, and set. If I recall correctly, it has spring retention so that you don’t have to push back to set the mode, simply release the knob.
Grinders and Accessories
Dewalt is coming out with a new adjustable cut-off wheel guard that provides greater protection than the 180° coverage typical guards provide. This might further reduce the chance of injury should a cut-off wheel fail and shatter during use.
I’m going to be honest here – I wasn’t paying full attention and was eager to move on and get to the drill-building station. I can’t tell you if this is a drop-in accessory for 4-1/2″ grinders, 5″ grinders, or a specific model of grinder.
I also don’t have a press release to draw such details from yet, but I know that more details will come with an official announcement. Or maybe someone at Dewalt will read this and send more details without my asking. It’s one of many dozens of questions I have about the new products, but as mentioned sometime in the past week, I’m sitting on them until the press releases and official fact sheets and info is made available.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison with a standard guard that provides 180° coverage. And if you notice the black lever on the yellow adjustable guard piece, that’s how you adjust the guard tool-free.
This new grinder has a built-in safety tether.
And here it is, hanging from something by a safety tether and carabiner.
The new small angle grinder has a more powerful motor, flush edge surfacing shroud and dust collection port, and a “Twist & Click” universal hose connection.
SPARKS!
A Dewalt product manager wanted to show how much better their new cut-off wheels are, compared to leading 3M product. We were pretty tired at that point, and the group was moved to the next station (drill-building!) while he was still making cut after cut with the first wheel.
But everyone enjoyed the sparks.
The takeaway is that there are new higher-performing cut-off wheels and consumable grinder accessories coming out.
Oh hey – is that Ridgid pipe vise? It’s surprising that Dewalt or another Stanley Black & Decker brand hasn’t made one yet. Nor has Milwaukee, even though they’re really trying to push into the plumbing tools market. I guess Ridgid is just too big of a name to compete against. That, and how many ways are there to innovate in the pipe tripod vise market?
Let’s Hear Your Thoughts!
This rounds up the last of my new Dewalt tool preview coverage. Next up, I’ll be previewing and reviewing those that are of highest reader and personal interest. That’s why I keep asking about which tools you are most excited about.
Also, if you can’t decide about which tool you’re most excited about, let’s talk about the kind of tools you’d like to see Dewalt come out with in the future.
In the corded power tool, nailer, and accessory areas, I’d like to see a cordless pin nailer (12V Max?), and a benchtop drill press. C’mon, will someone PLEASE come out with a high quality 10″ or 12″ benchtop drill press already? Bosch – you’ve already got one; please bring it to the USA already!
Which of these new Dewalt tools are you most excited about? What kinds of tools are you still waiting for Dewalt to introduce or update?
Nathan
I’ve wondered when one of the big companies would leverage some better/newer corded tools and tool motors.
that grinder and cut-off device has my attention as I’m looking for a new one. Like the guard – I think.
Those drill bits I might have to get – do you think the color might be where it was hardened on purpose? they should take some abuse.
almost wished dewalt hadn’t of gone down the air tool path – I know Bostich is one of their family so why not leave it that way.
Stuart
For the cobalt still bits, I think I heard “bimetal” thrown around once or twice.
fred
The angle grinder does look likes it will be worth a try (I used to buy one new tool to [pass around – then phase in many more if the trial said that it would result in a major improvement in productivity, safety etc.
With angle grinders being used more and more for applications away from metalworking – dust collection seems like a good idea. Hopefully the uninformed will not try to use it when grinding that wrought iron railing.
pete
I like the hex shank drill bits! Anything i can use my impact for instead of my drill is good to me! (i only like to carry one tool). The tether on the grinder is cool. The rest? Eh, not excited about really. The nailers are cool but i don’t use nails.
Tad
I am most excited about the cordless miter saw and the new black tool chest….. I would like to see more info on both….keep posting in the DeWalt addiction thread…..Thanks Stuart
Paul
I just bought the current vs 5″ sander. It’s nice (although now obsolete). What I am interested in is the dust collection for the new one. Could the hose connection work with the old sanders (including the 1/4 sheet which uses the same bag a I believe) natively or with the adapter that comes with it?
I think we can expect to see more and more tools being dust friendly and part of systems. American companies have a lot of catching up to do to get up to the level of some European companies that take it to the extreme and are dust free fanatics (Festool, anyone?) but EPA regulations are encouraging that trend here too. Not only that but i feel like it is easier overall not to have to deep clean everywhere when you are done with a project.
I would love to see a dual mode sander similar to the Bosch or Festool to add to my collection. It could save me the need to have a belt sander (which coincidentally SBD no longer brands a DeWalt one in the USA). I would also love to see a small or job site joiner that could match the planners that they already offer. Wireless routers are probably a long way off but again I can wish.
Stuart
You mean a cordless router? =)
I thought of adding that to my wishlist, but I think that it’s too far from being a possibility. Woodworkers often have easy access to power cords, and trim routers might be too small to accommodate an 18V-class battery pack. 12V-class probably wouldn’t provide for enough runtime or power.
fred
The Porter Cable 9290 19.2V cordless router seems to have been a flash in the pan so to speak. I recall seeing it on Amazon – then it was gone. I think that Amazon and Home Depot are still offering a Ryobi 18V trim router (#P600 – about $50 without battery at HD
Paul
I agree but it would be really cool.
Ken
You can connect the Dewalt vac to the old sanders (D26441K, D26451, D26453) using the DWV9130 attachment.
Paul
Thank you
Bill
I will buy the hex shank drill bits. I use their pilot point bits and really like them.
I am with you on the 10″ to 12″ bench top drill press. I could find many uses for one.
Brian
so are these cobalt bits new? they have pilot point cobalt bits (DW1269). I have a set as my premium bits (for use only when not doing something stupid). They are ridiculously sharp, infact I know not to use them without a sacrificial block under or a drill press, they self feed too well to restrain a hand drill from blowing out the back side.
Stuart
I believe so, but forgot to ask. I can’t tell you if they’ll be released alongside or in replacement of the cobalt Pilot Point bits that have been out for many years now.
patrick spencer
I’m sorry…maybe i didn’t read you correctly…not a “framing nailer” kind of guy????wtf kind of guy are you???
Stuart
The kind of guy that doesn’t frame walls?
What do you want me to say, that I’ve got experience with every type of tool that one could ever possibly use? If it makes you better, I can pretend to be a framing nailer kind of guy.
I’ve used Dewalt’s cordless brushless framing nailer a bunch of times before sending it to a colleague for testing, but can’t recall ever using a pneumatic framing nailer. Maybe a couple of times at a media event, but that’s about it.
I’ve used plenty of brad and finish nailers, sanders, and occasionally use a grinder with cut-off wheel and guard. But framing nailers? Aside from knowing which end the air hose goes in, where the nails go, which aim to point at the work, and what part to squeeze for an actuation, I’m quite green.
I’m also not a mag drill kind of guy.
This week marks the first time I’ve ever used a magnetic drill with an annular cutter, and a Super Hawg to drill a large >4″ hole with a self-feeding bit instead of a hole saw.
I’m also not much of a high voltage copper cable cutter kind of guy either.
If you’re looking for bullshit, you’re in wrong place. I realize that my transparency can be jarring, but I wanted to make it clear that I don’t have experience with framing nailers, and little basis to form an opinion about that particular tool. Ask me questions about the Dewalt framing nailer shown above, and I can tell you about it, but don’t have much basis to form any sort of opinion about it.
john
Again this shows why Toolguyd is the best resource either side of the Atlantic for tool news and reviews. The net is full of people claiming to be using all tools 24/7 but its never true.
Bob Lee
Will Dewalt be coming out with a 23 ga Pin Nailer in their product line? That seems to be the one nail gun that is not included.
Stuart
I didn’t see one (I looked), but will ask.
Barri
Them dewalt brad point bits are possibly the worst bits I have ever used. They leave an awful cut and splinters in every situation I have used them and they are very hard to control at higher speeds as the bit feeds it self in too quickly. If you want nice brad point bits for wood checkout the festool ones. They are on a whole other level of quality of cut and splinter free and very easy to handle. I should have returned the dewalts but they ended up at the bottom of my junk tool pile and forgot about them.
Use these bits before wasting your money. I’m guessing the people who like them have never used decent bits and don’t have to use them day in day out.
Stuart
These aren’t brad point bits, they’re meant for general purpose use. I bought a couple of Dewalt brad point drill bits when they were on clearance at the local Home Depot or Lowes. They’re decent, but Lee Valley’s are far better.
fred
I too like the Lee Valley brad point bits. I bought their 28 piece (5/64 o 1/2 – part no. 07J01.28) back in 2004 – and they quickly became my go-to bits for most wood boring tasks. The Lee Valley website says that the bits start with “top-of-the-line American-made twist drills” that they “reshape on a state-of-the-art Swiss CNC grinder.” However, they do it – I think that these bits are excellent – better than many others I’ve tried.
BTW – for larger sizes (9/16 to 7/8 inch) – I use brad point bits from Forrest City Tool – (a subsidiary of Whiteside Machine Co.) – also USA-made.
My metric brad-point bits – are German-made from 2 different companies – Colt (Horst Miebach) and Schlagring (Heinz Nacke)- both brands are high quality.
Stuart
Thanks! I’ll keep Forrest City Tool in mind for future large size brad point drill bit needs. I have a smaller Lee Valley set, but plan to get more sizes eventually. Right now I just use spade bits or self-feeding bits for 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ sizes.
Barri
BP/PP makes no difference either way. It’s the design of the bits that make them so bad. They over feed them then self. It’s extremly hard to stop at a certain depth with these bits. On a drill press with material clamped down they don’t have this issue of course but for site use they are useless.
fred
@Barri
IMO you are absolutely correct. Brad Point bits make sense in a woodworking shop – chucked in a drill press or for through-drilling with a jig. They are not general-purpose carpentry bits.
ktash
I got a Bosch 6″ sander with the no-vibe feature during the Father’s Day promo. It has a handle and if you use that there is not any or perhaps the smallest bit of vibration. It has less vibe than the 5″ Festool sander which doesn’t have a handle.
I’m wondering how this new one by Dewalt will stack up. Because there’s no handle, I’d guess it would be about like the Festool in terms of vibration. Still, in terms of price, it looks like a winner if it comes close. The reason I bought the Festool, then the Bosch is because I have tendonitis so it’s worth the extra money to me. But if I didn’t have that I could see buying the Dewalt instead of the Bosch. Glad to see this feature included in a reasonably priced sander.
The 6″ sander is very nice for large projects, too.
Rami
I am most interested about the new sanders and angle grinders. I wonder why almost every manufacturer makes their sanders so tall. I prefer random orbits which have low profile, like the finnish Mirka, which I believe makes some of the best sanders in the world. What I would like to see from DeWalt is more 10,8V tools, but I guess they have pretty much abandoned it.
Tom
On some other pictures I saw new laser products, any more information on that one? It was a plane laser and a green line laser.
Jonathan Mayatt
What if there was an idea for something that would provide a higher or highest level of safety to power tools especially angle grinders? Is there a contest or grant program your company dose?
Stuart
No, ToolGuyd doesn’t do that.