Kreg Tool – known for their pocket hole jigs – has announced a new line of 20V Max cordless power tools.
The new Kreg 20V Ionic Drive cordless power tools will be supported by their also-new 20V Blue Ion batteries and chargers.
Kreg says their new 20V Ionic Drive line will offer power tools that deliver precision and power for every project, and that the cordless tools are engineered with a deep understanding of woodworkers’ needs, workflow, and aspirations.
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Kreg Ionic Drive tools are “for woodworkers, by woodworkers.”
Shown above is the new Kreg Ionic Drive cordless drill, which looks like an average modern drill/driver.
They will also have a brushless impact driver.
Here’s a look at the new Kreg 20V Ionic Drive cordless router.
Kreg is also launching a random orbital sander, and a finish sander might also be in the works.
This gives us a closer look at the Kreg Ionic Drive cordless jig saw.
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And here’s the new Kreg Blue Ion oscillating multi-tool.
So far they’ve showed off a compact 2Ah battery and higher capacity 4Ah battery.
At this time it’s unclear as to which OEM is producing the new cordless tools and batteries for Kreg. Maybe Positec (Worx, Rockwell, CAT)?
Some of the other tools teased by Kreg include a circular saw and compact circular saw.
This looks like it could be a cordless biscuit joinery tool, and a reader pointed out in the comments that maybe it’s a cordless pocket hole machine. What does this look like to you?
Kreg advertises that their new 20V cordless power tool system is “unusually focused” and that they wanted to “remove the guesswork of choosing the right tools.”
They “purposely simplified” their lineup, so that “you know whenever you pick up an Ionic Drive tool, it does exactly what you need it to do.”
Just keep in mind that 20V Ionic Drive is for the tools, and 20V Blue Ion is for the batteries and chargers.
Kreg says their tools are “perfect for makers, creators, and woodworking enthusiasts.”
First Impressions?
Kreg isn’t the first woodworking tool brand to go cordless – Grizzly launched their own 20V cordless power tool line 6 years ago.
They advertise the Blue Ion batteries as being “advanced,” although the first compact 2Ah and higher capacity 4Ah batteries launched around 13 years ago. There’s nothing wrong with mature technology, I just wouldn’t describe such batteries as advanced.
Looking at the tools, it seems like woodworkers, makers, and creators will have one more flavor of cordless power tool lineup to choose from.
I’m thinking that the new Kreg cordless tools will be prominently featured at woodworking chains such as Woodcraft and Rockler. Kreg is unlikely to seriously compete against Ryobi, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and other such brands, but maybe the cordless tools will sell well alongside other Kreg products.
What do you think about the new Kreg cordless power tool system – will it be the perfect cordless platform for DIYers and woodworkers, or just another generic system nobody asked for?
Robert
Why?
TomD
If they really DID focus on woodworkers, I could see there being a reason (think drills with screwdriver modes, I don’t know, specific stuff).
But these look like generic tools, where’s the features that make it better for woodworking?
I’d have expected them to LEAD with a biscuit joiner, perhaps.
Given that Rockler only seems to carry Festool, maybe they’re angling to be the budget alternative there; though likely the Home Depot down the street or the Harbor Freight just beyond it will provide that …
Stuart
I think that it would have been easy to sell Kreg dealers on this. Whether they get any attention from woodworkers or makers is a completely different story.
fred
@TomD
“I’d have expected them to LEAD with a biscuit joiner, perhaps.”
That would have been nice – especially if they could offer something innovative like the Lamello Zeta P2 fastening systems. But from the looks of the tool offerings – they are aimed at low-budget rather than high end.
They do have their fan base and influencer community – so maybe these will sell OK. After all, I’m guessing that Kreg helped many novices get into woodworking and build useful pieces using pocket hole joinery and a few basic tools.
Irving
Yeah, “budget stuff.”
I’ve been jonesing forever for a cordless “budget version” of Festool’s Domino tool. Something light duty, suitable for 5 joins/week, in those situations where it would work better than biscuits.
Crickets.
Stuart, does Festool hold a patent on Domino, which is why no one else has one?
Stuart
Yep. My understanding is that everyone is waiting for Domino patents to expire.
fred
If you had been in the market when Lamello held the patent on the biscuit (aka plate) joiner , or Fein held theirs on OMT’s you would have been out of luck in finding budget friendly versions of those tools.
Once the Festool patents expire on the Domino machine we may see some copies or even some new innovation. But this may not be as simple a tool to construct even with reverse engineering. The oscillating motion of the cutters and tolerances needed to hog out a precise-fitting mortise for a floating tenon – is probably more complicated than cutting a biscuit slot with a plunging saw blade. Even in that case there were lots of early biscuit joiner copies that cut sloppy slots – and Lamello still remains the one to try to match as far as precision is concerned. The Lamello Zeta P2 which cuts slots to hold Clamex connectors fixed in mechanically without glue has yet to be copied – perhaps also because of patent protection.
So, while expect that we’ll see competition once the Domino machine goes off-patent – we may not see a lot of cheapo copies that are any good.
The budget alternative to dominos – may be a dual-doweling machine. The precise one is a Mafell that sells for more than the Festool Domino machine. But Amazon sells knock offs made in China that may work. I say “may” because my experience with a Freud FDW710K back in 2009 was that you could not get it to repeatedly produce dowel holes that would align in 2 mating pieces.
Here’s one of the ones that Amazon sells – but I’m more inclined to look at its negative reviews than trust the 5-star ratings.
https://www.amazon.com/AONLLEN-DJ710-Spindle-Jointer-applicable/dp/B0BDF4K95Q
Levdidit
I agree, they should of started with tool’s specific to woodworking and not one’s that are common for both woodworking and construction. Still cool to have the kreg name on the tool! If it’s kreg, they aren’t selling you junk. They think into the product and make it right! My track saw wasn’t working properly. I called kreg, the guy told me it’s an exacting tool and is therefore sensitive to dust, I cleaned out the dust from the area of the saw blade and it started working!
Mopar
Looks like they are leading with a pocket hole joiner. Currently the only 20v tool I see on their website (not available yet though).
https://www.kregtool.com/shop/power-tools/joining-systems/kreg-rebel-20v-ionic-drive-pocket-hole-joiner-tool-only/KPTRB100A.html
CMF
I don’t know if anyone else has a pocket hole power tool, but I like this. Provided it works well, this is a perfect tool to enter the cordless tool forum and have a few other tools to go with it.
Not cheap, but not crazy price either. (Had Festool come out with this it would have been double the price)
LeavingLasVegas
I agree, the initial impression of their new product line doesn’t look like it offers anything new that’s not in my shop.
But Kreg products are well made and they have a cult following.
I actually see them doing very well with this launch. Surprisingly, their pocket hole platform is in most high school wood shops, which gives them a continual younger buyer for newbie craftsmen who aren’t married to the big box brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee that I grew up with.
As to your question of why, i think they’ve done all they can in the pocket hole and accessories market, they need to grow or slowly become extinct.
The Kreg work bench and clamping table I have are amazing and will last me a lifetime, which isn’t to much longer at my age.
Kentucky fan
I can’t fathom why these brands do this.
LGonToolGuy'd
Concurred. These are likely badge engineered or pick and choose spec’d with white label models.
I’d like a kreg workbench before the already amazing power tools that are already out there.
Joe H
I can only see it being any bit profitable if it’s like a budget Festool line of tools. Needs track saws and planers and stuff. If they had bigger batteries and they offer miter saws, table saws, drill presses, sanders, and stuff that can be powered via a cord or battery that didn’t have bases but instead were designed to quickly mount to a portable Kreg woodworking table or universal stand then that could be something. Some people don’t have the space to have drill presses, sanders, bench grinders and other stationary shop tools that stay in one place forever. Being able to only have to store the business ends of tools and they can be pulled out and mounted to a portable woodworking table can mean for a portable or temporary woodworking shop can come out when needed and brought to a site and put away when not needed, especially when one has limited garage space and more time is spent working on things like cars or other things but woodworking projects do come up.
CMF
They have a track saw, had one for many years now.
Joe Hanson
But cordless? This article is about cordless tools. I’m talking about cordless kreg tools and stationary tools, drill presses and bench grinders and such that also accept cords. Dual power on stationary tools.
BobH
Yea, why? I am not seeing anything that isn’t available from many other brands, nor anything woodworking specific. Might create some channel conflict, as some places that sell Kreg, also sell Milwaukee, Dewalt, etc.
I wonder if they are going to do a cordless integrated pocket hole drill/machine?
MM
I think there’s a chance we might be seeing that in the image here. Stuart described one tool as looking like a biscuit joiner but when I first saw it I thought it was a cordless pocket hole drill. If that’s what it is then that really changes what I wrote in reply to Jared below. That would be an innovation that nobody else has and would give a reason for people to buy into Kreg.
Plain+grainy
My thoughts exactly. A cordless pocket hole drill seems like the logical direction.
MM
It answers the question of “Why” perfectly. I don’t own any Kreg products, but I think of the company as “the one who makes all those pocket hole jigs”. I know they make other things too but the pocket-hole fixtures are what I think of when I hear Kreg. A pocket-hole power tool would be a perfect fit for their brand.
Stuart
Ooh – I think you could be right. My first thought was that it would be silly for a pocket hole jig company to launch a biscuit joinery tool. A cordless portable version of the Foreman jig would be interesting.
Rog
How long until they launch their own line of storage boxes to go with it?
fred
They used to sell some. About 13 or 14 years ago, I bought a large batch of Kreg stuff for a big cabinet project at one of the kids houses. Rather than a discount for the large purchase, I settled for the local dealer throwing in this box:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kreg-Organizational-Tool-Box/3747631
Rog
Well I’ll be…
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/kreg-toolboxx-pocket-hole-jig-screw-kits/
Jared
I’m a hobbyist woodworker with a garage full of Kreg jigs, most of which I love. But it would be tough for me to buy into a battery platform with so few tools. I get a lot of value out of the random $40 power tools Ryobi offers – the inflators, usb charger, portable lights, dustvac, etc.
MM
I wonder that exact same thing. Someone wants value-oriented cordless tools? Makes total sense. But why buy Kreg? There are established brands with much bigger platforms like Ryobi. Milwaukee and Dewalt always have value priced drills, impacts, saws, etc. I’m sure the tools are fine, but I don’t see any compelling reason to pick Kreg over existing brands. So far this feels like just another me-too product. But maybe they will offer something more innovative later on?
Jared
It’s obvious these days that you don’t need to a cordless tool manufacturer to be a cordless tool brand. It makes me wonder who comes up with these pairings?
E.g. was Kreg brainstorming new market segments they could enter, or is it Postitec, Chervon, or somebody else that goes around convincing tool brands to produce a new line? The latter almost makes MORE sense to me, since the cordless tool manufacturer is guaranteed more business out of the deal. Doesn’t matter if the new lineup is successful or not, the manufacturer still gets an initial contract, presumably some design fees – and they get to reap a little benefit from someone else’s brand.
P.s. I’m a different “Jared” than the imposter above. 😛
Bonnie
I think the drive to always be showing something “new” (even if it’s not actually a new idea) is strong for these companies. Particularly given the threat of consolidation pushing entrenched brands out of their niche markets. Dewalt doesn’t yet make a pocket-hole jig… But they could at any moment.
That said I think your instinct that this was driven by the OEM coming to them feels the most likely.
fred
Porter Cable (that late lamented other SBD brand) did make one – that had some nice features (like auto adjust for stock thickness). But it probably cost too much to sell well – so it never got rebadged as Dewalt.
Jared P
I added an initial since the only other option was a fight to the death.
Jim Felt
How ToolGuyd of you. Bravo.
Dave
I can’t imagine this doing very well. I could have seen them having success with some specialty tools and using the ampshare platform, but who exactly is going to buy these? This seems like the crazy idea of some delusional executives who have no grasp of the market.
PW
My first thought was, “do these interchange with a different battery platform? If so, maybe I’ll get some when they inevitably clearance”.
The suggestion above to use the AMPShare platform was on point. If I can’t use it with some kind of existing battery system, why would I be interested in yet another 4th string cordless platform doomed to market failure.
Champs
I’m open to changing my mind when I see prices that compete feature-for-feature with established names or a nicely integrated router-and-table package, but until then I’m not very interested in a newcomer’s battery platform. AmpShare would have been nice.
frobo
I’d love to see the ROI calculations on this project, and the market research in support of them.
Crutch
My thoughts exactly!! If Kreg was publicly traded I would be shorting it so hard after this announcement. They are way too niche of a company to expect serious brand loyalty for products completely out of their small segment. I would have serious concerns for a company like Powermatic or Rikon doing this and they are brands that have a long history of making a multitude of power tools for woodworkers and other trades.
Stuart
Rikon does have some cordless power tools, but too few to pay much attention.
Mike
We need to see some reviews on them to see what they r made of before anyone can say anything they might be great tools for all we no
Mark S
The notion of ANOTHER cordless tool line is wild to me. But the blue light shown in the picture sure looks kinda cool.
I don’t see this lasting too long….
Is it me or are the batteries at least partially similar to Craftsman V20s? They seem quite close. Im sure it’s different than anything else, but who knows! If these work with Craftsman or another existing battery I might consider IF the price was right.
Who owns Kreg? Im guessing a company that doesn’t have much else going on….
fred
I read that it is 20% employee-owned (via a stock ownership plan) with the rest of the stock owned by the Sommerfield family.
OldDominionDIYer
Are there not already enough? Nothing special about them either, likely a failed experiment.
Cando
Do these marketing terms work on anyone? Is anyone in a store holding a Milwaukee drill in one hand a Kreg in the other trying to weigh the pros and cons of red lithium versus blue ion?
“Well this one has a Powerstate(tm) motor but this one has Ionic Drive. Hmm…”
John
Usually the marketing bs has at least some truth to it. “This drill is 20% faster than another random drill we’re comparing it to.” It might be meaningless but it is technically true. There is nothing truthful in kreg’s marketing. ‘Ionic drive’ is made up and has no meaning. Their motor is just an off-the-shelf design used in several other products made by whatever white-label manufacturer is making these. The only concrete fact they advertise is the 4-led charge indicator on the batteries, which would be more impressive if every other tool brand didn’t also offer that.
And fundamentally there is nothing to advertise because these aren’t new tools. What an embarrassing mess.
Jim Felt
But wait! What if they indeed offer the world’s first “ionic” drive? Maybe it’s optionally an ionic disrupter too? Or an actual ionic cannon when properly arrayed?
Just trying to be …
Katie
Though I’ve used their pocket hole jigs and been happy with them. Their face clamps are super, high quality and work well with their system. However some of their other products just seem weak and shoddy. They worked with Jessem to make something like their mortise mill.
I have a square of theirs that is horrible. The circular saw base and the track. Why not get a cleaper tracksaw, like Wen. They seem to make copies of better tools but make them too cheaply so they don’t do well. They have developed a mortise mill based on Jessem’s design. But it looks cheaply made.
Also, it will be tough to sell people on a new battery powered line when there are established tools like Ryobi that we expect will be around longer.
PW
Ha! It’s funny you mention their circular saw base/track, and recommend a Wen track saw instead. I literally tried their circular saw base, got frustrated, and bought the Wen. And you are correct! The Wen track saw is an infinitely better solution for basically the same money.
It’s too bad, because the problems with the Kreg circular saw base are all in the base/track interface, and could have been fixed with better engineering.
Bob
Kreg has sold a corded track saw for several years. It gets good reviews and works well with a table system sort of like MFT. The big issue with it is the track is completely proprietary and the saw won’t work with the standard Festool/Makita tracks. It’s complete lock-in.
Frustration with that jig might just be an upsell opportunity for the track saw.
Katie
The individual economics of making a track that is not compatible with Festool-capable track is not in their favor even if the system is good. I started with a corded Festool kit and when I saw the cordless track saws in various brands, I made sure the one I got was compatible. Now I have more track, which is an advantage for both saws.
John
Props to them for offering a barrel-grip jigsaw in their initial rollout. Love barrel grips.
Derek
Seems like an odd offering. Usually the first power tool people get is a cordless drill. By the time they get deep enough into woodworking to hear about Kreg they already have a battery platform.
Chris
Well. They look nice but not sure they’ll be a huge hit unless they can provide something none of the other brands can. And that’s the big problem with brands riding off their names trying to get into new markets. Yes we’re getting more options but nothing really competitive. Or innovative. Basically, Dewalt and Milwaukee for example probably won’t be concerned that they’re going to loose market space.
Will
Really like the blue, but I’m already deeply invested in brand XHrtZo from Amazon. Now if Channel lock or Crescent release a cordless platform, I’m all over it.
TomD
Maybe it’s blue for people who don’t want to go to Lowe’s.
My son would love blue power tools, but he’s five.
Blane
The only people who will be attracted to these tools will be people who already are familiar with and use Kreg tools. Kreg’s best selling and most used tools are their pocket hole jigs. If those people are already using Kreg pocket hole jigs, don’t they already have drills and impact drivers from another brand with an established battery system? I wish Kreg luck, but I don’t see these tools selling extremely well.
Nathan
So kreg branded grizzly or Bauer? Or triton as they do look like some of the triton 20v stuff that uses to be at rockler and others. And it was probably positec. Don’t know.
Cordless pocket hole machine I don’t know.
Ron
I cannot see Kreg gravitating towards outdoor power equipment but I can see them producing miter saws, drill presses, portable table saws…etc….if they’re a serious competitor.
MFC
They’d have to have something special to make buying into their lineup worth it. And if they do make something special, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, etc. will replicate it.
Al
Honestly would be shocked if they sell a single one
Rey
Oh good , another battery platform to add to my collection of Milwuakee , Default, Bosch , Ryobi ,Flex, Makita, Kobalt battery powered tools, i swear my wife going to kick me to the curb!
Adam
I’m guessing they were really only interested in producing the cordless Foreman but their manufacturing partner and/or accountant wouldn’t go for it unless they released a full lineup to help convince people to invest in yet another 18v battery platform. You can kind of tell just in the huge gap in innovation evident between the pocket hole machine and the rest of the generic tools that could just as easily belong to Kobalt or HFT. Honestly though, I think they would have been better off releasing just the single battery operated Foreman, as I think it’s a tool useful and unique enough to warrant its own battery and charger. And I think it would have put out a much better message to potential customers that they’re serious about what they know best. Instead, they just look like they’re jumping on a bandwagon about 15 years too late and the negative image could end up bringing the cordless Foreman down with a sinking ship.
Put another way, let’s assume they would price a set that includes the cordless Foreman, a single 4ah battery and charger for the same $399 the corded Foreman goes for – I think it would be a hit. Or at least could potentially bring in sales from people who do enough pocket hole joinery to justify a specialized tool to speed up production, but who don’t want the size and tether of the corded Foreman. But all the rest of that stuff just muddies the water IMO.
Roger
Pocket hole cordless driller is my guess. The batteries look a lot like blue Bauer. Actually the whole line looks like blue Bauer. My curiosity is on the PHDriller.
ColeTrain
I don’t get why either? I don’t understand the people whose job it is in a board meeting to weigh the risk/reward finding more reward than risk in this. Even if they are good tools I feel like they have to be cheaper than HART, better than Skil and marketed like Ryobi. On top of that they would need a pretty big end cap space to advertise. Obviously that’s not happening at Walmart or home Depot and I certainly wouldn’t count on Lowe’s for that. Hell, Lowe’s just dumped the already underrated Skil 20v and 40v OPE stuff was far better than the Craftsman crap. Remember when Lowe’s carried Greenworks and Worx power tools?…. Yes, I barely do too. I love Kreg stuff, their crosscut jig is the best thing to happen to a circular saw but this just feels like a flop coming. If Amazon can’t succeed with Denali I don’t see this going well. Speaking of, weren’t Denali tools powered by Skil batteries? Do we know what the charger looks like? Maybe these are just overstock 20 volt Denali batteries made by Skil…lol
MattT
How soon before all the woodworking YouTubers start falling all over themselves praising these tools? (“Amazon links below”)
Stuart
99% of woodworkers don’t know about this GAME CHANGER!
Hans
Chinese factory has extra capacity to create some cordless power tools. Kreg purchases the tools and brands them. Their pan head screws and cheap plastic jigs are a well enough established core brand that they could sell Kreg branded faulty fire extinguishers and do themselves no harm.
David
I could see some “influencers” making videos with these. I always like 5 star reviews. Great product haven’t taken it out of the box yet.
TZ
Would have liked to see them to go 12v instead. There’s a lack of options available for 12v in the US, especially with Bosch not bringing a lot of their stuff over. And Dewalt basically gave up in that segment. Plus, with woodworking, you don’t need the heavy-duty construction tools that need 20v and higher anyway.
Peter
What additional 12V tool would you like to see from Bosch here?
Stuart
There are reasons there’s a scarcity of modern 12V options in the USA.
Rog
Because MURRICA BIGGERRR = BETTER
Peter
I understand that I just can think about much more tools as a hobby woodworker the Bosch 12V line has to offer.
I think they have it covered and getting some tools not offered here is just a few clicks away.
Milwaukee also has a good 12V line.
LE
Specialty tools on an established platform (like ampshare) would have been the way to go. I think maybe these might have some success at the woodworking stores like rockler/woodcraft/etc. As a “cheaper” option but I agree with the sentiment that by the time most people learn about those stores, or the brands sold by them, they more then likely are already invested in a battery platform. How many exclusively shop at those stores and not where other brands are sold? How many people are willing to buy into this over something like Kobalt, Ridgid, or Hercules? Even Craftsman, Skil, Ryobi, or Bauer? Not to mention Dewalt, Milwauke, Bosch, Makita, Metabo HPT, etc. The tools could be good, they look like Chervon OEM to me, of course I could be wrong, but I’m also struggling to see the point of another generic cordless power tool line.
PowerToolMike
Speaking as someone who’s been involved in this project, I can categorically say these tools have been designed and developed by Kreg. It’s not a brand slap or some generic OEM factory line. The team involved are very experienced power tool and woodworking people, who genuinely understand the end user and the realities of retail.
The spec, performance will shake up retail to some extent when it lands, and will build into an awesome woodworking platform. Of course everything takes time to build momentum and credibility, and there are many pre-existing and fully justified Brand loyalties – but Kreg have done everything right here and it’s to their credit.
No shortage of haters online as always, and theyre very much entitled to feel that way but the proof is in the real product, and it’s very, very good.
Stuart
Thank you for sharing these insights!
Consider the recent cabinet hardware jig https://www.amazon.com/Kreg-KHI-XLPULL-Cabinet-Hardware-Jig/dp/B0CPTHH4VF/?tag=toolguyd-20 . Kreg advertises it as being “ingenius” (sic) and a “unique solution,” but it seems to simply be an imported copycat of the USA-made True Positions Tools jig https://www.amazon.com/Original-Cabinet-Hardware-Jig-Tool/dp/B003E46SVO/?tag=toolguyd-20 .
Kreg will need to show why their new cordless power tools are better choices than the many other capable options that are available at similar or better pricing.
I am skeptical but trying to remain open-minded. The 18V-class cordless power tool market is very mature and crowded, and many competent tools and systems have faltered. Even if Kreg’s new tools deliver on-par (or better) features and performance at comparable (or better) pricing, and will be easily accessible, there’s no guarantee it will grow steadily over the next few years. The new tools will have to deliver a LOT of advantage to succeed, and this is something that Kreg will have to show.
norhco
These look like blue Dewalt’s. Are they made by SBD as well?
That random orbital sander looks exactly like my DeWalt in my garage.
I agree with the others…why? I guess you gotta start somewhere if you’re going to do it but I don’t see this lasting long.
Stuart
SBD has made tools for other brands before, but I very highly doubt they’re involved here.
Rog
Stuart, have you ever tested the Grizzly power tools before? I’d be tempted to try those before these or any of the other alphabet soup offerings online.
Stuart
I have not. I don’t have a media relationship with Grizzly, there’s not enough reader interest to justify the expense, and I see zero appeal in the line as a tool user or consumer.
Mopar
Just got the email from Kreg about the new 20v pocket hole tool, so of course I came right here and ToolGuyd did not disappoint!
I kinda dig the idea of the pocket hole tool, but it looks kinda cheaply made, and I’m not really interested in investing in another battery ecosystem for one unique tool. I’m also not interested in any of the generic power tools, and I suspect I am not alone.
Heck, while I am certainly a fan of pocket hole joinery for many things, I don’t really use it enough to NEED a $300 power tool. But wanting it may be enough.
I guess I will wait and see what it’s like when it comes out, and how long it takes for someone to come out with an adapter to use my existing batteries.
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/kreg-rebel-pocket-hole-machine/
They will also have a corded version.
Robert
I’ll wait for the corded version. Funny, how in a kind of Back to the Future sense, the older technology is the higher probability bet, versus cordless.
BTW, the competing Armor-Tool pocket hole system is no longer available. Ox tools seemed to have dissolved the Armor-Tool branch they bought. Taylor Tools bought up the remaining stock of Armor Tool pocket hole equipment, but even they no longer have the jig.
fred
McFeelys seems to have a batch or Armor items also on sale:
https://www.mcfeelys.com/mcfeelys-brands/armor-brand.html
Robert
Fred, yes. But not the pocket hole jig.
LarryB
The drill, driver and trim router look exactly like my Ryobis, as dothe batteries although you can’t see the stub connection. Perhaps Ryobi sees an opportunity to work with Kreg while still remaining “exclusive” to Home Depot.
JJ
I can’t imagine where they’re planning to sell these. Certainly not Lowes, but maybe Rockler and Woodcraft to give them a budget option?
My biggest question is are the batteries swappable with any other brand (even unofficially)
CMF
When someone else introduces something new (to them),too many people complain. I don’t get. Don’t buy it and be done with it.
Me I like when any company introduces something, new or not their core tools. Just more choice for me, or maybe better price. Flex, Hart, Klein, SK and the many others that introduces power tool, storage boxes, or anything they do not normally make, people moan too much.
I recently have been looking at getting some of the Klein KNECT mini boxes. They are well thought out, nice complete sets, and not exaggeratedly priced. If Klein had listened to all the nay-sayers, these might not have hit the market.
When I get some of the KNECT, I may be disappointed, but from reviews I have seen and read, I think they will be great.
When the Kreg 20v pocket hole power tool comes out, if it works well, I think it will be great. Not quite Domino life changing, but still quite innovative, and a great tool for Kreg to launch a 20v system.
Tdot77
Wow for one, there’s a whole lot of comments here!
It’s kinda crazy in this day and age that a brand is releasing yet another line of battery operated tool systems into the already flooded marketplace! Don’t most all woodworking people already have at least one if not several battery tools already? Like a drill is the first tool everyone would buy right after a hammer and screwdrivers! There’s like 100 different cordless tools options available nowadays, some better than others but this market is pretty flooded IMHO!
Also the blacked out tool appears to be a cordless pocket hole tool instead of a biscuit joiner(notice the angle of motor on rear). A biscuit joiner would actually be a real good tool to introduce instead of another drill and impact\screw gun! But the pocket hole tool is interesting.
I didn’t even realize Grizzly had a cordless tool line either, but I never looked for cordless tools from them either. I also just learned of the Grainger line of Klutch cordless tools brought up in post the other day. Those seem pretty decent just from reading some reviews and looking at their costs – many kits are cheaper than or equal to similar bare tool from other big brands.
It’s really kind of crazy that any company would introduce a new line of tools when there’s literally tens of dozens of tool lines available across the globe and many here in country. Besides the fact that their primary market is people who would already own the primary tools they’re selling – drill, driver, jig\circ\recip saws, OMT, & RO sanders. I do realize there is a large markup on these tools so they’re bound to make a decent profit but I wouldn’t expect to see them expand to much if at all in the future. One should consider if this cordless tool line will be around in a decade or longer?
Idk maybe they know something I don’t know.
Tojen1981
Save for a few custom tools, this looks like the Skil Power 20 line, but blue.
CK
Looks like DeWalt in blue…