A couple of readers wrote in, telling us about Mac’s new Dewalt-powered 12V and 20V Max Li-ion cordless power tools. The new power tools will of course be focused towards automotive technicians and other such users.
Mac has added a total of 7 new cordless tools to their lineup:
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- 20V Max 1/2″ impact wrench (BWP050-L2), $600
- 20V Max drill (BDP050-L2), $380
- 12V Max 1/2″ compact impact wrench (BWP050C-S2), $300
- 12V Max 3/8″ impact wrench (BWP038-S2), $300
- 12V Max 3/8″ ratchet (BRS038-S2), $350
- 12V Max 1/4″ ratchet (BRS025-S2), $350
- 12V Max drill (BDP038-S2), $250
There isn’t much information available yet, but we do know for sure that the Mac “powered by Dewalt” 12V and 20V Max tools and battery packs will be completely interchangeable with Dewalt 12V and 20V Max tools and batteries.
Impact Wrench Specs
(Taken from Mac’s December 2013 flyer.)
20V Max 1/2″ impact wrench (BWP050)
- Breakaway torque: 725 ft-lbs
- Free speed: 1800 RPM
- Blow rate: 2400 RPM
- Weight: 5.2 lbs
- Hog-ring anvil
12V Max 3/8″ impact wrench (BPW038)
- Breakaway torque: 150 ft-lbs
- Free speed: 1700 RPM
- Blow rate: 1900 RPM
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Hog-ring anvil
(This might be an image of the 1/2″ wrench, as Mac Tools used the same photo for their 1/2″ and 3/8″ impact wrench product listings online.)
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Drill/Driver Specs
(Taken from Mac’s Jan 2014 flyer.)
- 3/8″ metal chuck (12V); 1/2″ metal chuck (20V)
- 0-400/0-1500 RPM (20V); 0-600/0-2000 RPM (20V)
- LED work light
- Variable speed trigger
- Electronic brake
Mac advises that you ask your distributor for more information.
Thanks to Cody and Matthew for the tips!
First Impression
I was hard on Ingersoll Rand for not drumming up enough excitement about their new IQV12 12V-class cordless automotive power tools, and so I won’t be any easier on Mac.
What makes these tools Mac tools and not Dewalt? Cast aluminum gear cases on the impacts and red plastic housings all around? Is that it?
Certain Mac tools are rebranded versions of other Stanley Black & Decker products. In a lot of cases that’s okay. For instance, there’s no harm in rebranding a Stanley drilling hammer as a Mac. But are these true Mac products designed from the ground up, or slightly tweaked Dewalt products? It makes a difference.
These tools look the part, but what makes them suitable for automotive users? I have been very deeply impressed with IR’s 12V lineup, but remain open minded.
Overall I am optimistic, but there needs to be more information out there.
We’ll dig up more details for a follow-up.
fred
I always chuckled a bit when I saw the SnapOn, Matco and Mac trucks rolling through the industrial areas around our shops. they seemed to concentrate on the auto, truck and construction machinery businesses and left those of us who focused on cabinet making, plumbing etc. pretty much alone. I’m guessing that their business model of bringing the tools to the workplace and letting mechanics buy tools on an installment plan works out OK for them.
Clayton
They make them red so they can sell them for twice the price as their Dewalt equivalents to the mechanics who they can swing by and conveniently offer them on credit plans. These guys also carry some real crap on their trucks that, because they bear the MAC or Snap On name, they charge full MSRP for. I’m not saying that their hand tools aren’t any good (they’re generally quite nice), but I am not impressed with some of the extras that they carry and shill out to unsuspecting customers.
Clayton
If you already have the Dewalt system it’s cool to find a MAC impact to go along with it used on eBay for cheaper than the Dewalts. It’s nice to have a MAC branded product.
Randy Sabettini
You don’t know what your talking about when it comes to snap-on. MY 1/2 inch drill has 500 ft lb not inch pounds even if you 1200 inch lb thats only 80ft.lb. I had my cordless stuff going on 10 years never even had to replace a battery.
John
I’m just amazed that the Stanley/B&D/DeWalt/Mac higher ups actually let two separate lines share a common battery platform. Definitely broadens the range of the DeWalt 12V and 20V platform to customers who say big yellow hasn’t introduced enough tools for the battery platform. The prices posted mean that the tools are aimed at a professional user instead of the average DIYer so that will limit the appeal.
Jason
I’m surprised they put out Torque figures SBD likes to use that UWO formula for rating power tools.
Jerry
I’m guessing the 20v max 1/2 drive impact should read 725 ft lb, and not in lb?
On the other hand I applaud the use of common battery platforms, between brands. With any luck at all, this trend may continue.
What baffles me, is that the same parent company owns DeWalt, Porter Cable, as well as Black and Decker (and probably something I am missing) yet each brand has a separate battery platform. If B&D would see fit to make me supreme commander of the company, one thing I would do, would be to phase in a universal battery platform. All batteries of the same voltage would fit any tool in the family. B&D tools could come with a 1.5 or 2 ah battery, the PC could come with a 2 or 3 ah battery, and DW would come with a 3 or 4 ah battery, the smaller one the compact, the larger, the extra runtime one. Replacement batteries could be sold as universal fit, just get the ah you prefer. I would think it would have to be more economical, as well as practical, to do it that way, just making 4 different batteries, total, instead of 2 or 3 different ones, for each line.
As to MAC cordless tools, I think they will sell. The convenience of having tools delivered to mechanic shops seems to guarantee at least some business, even at higher prices. The ability to source DW batteries from wherever, should only be a plus, as many shops already use things like impact drive to run bolts up snug, to save time over hand wrenching, and may already have a DW charger on the shelf.
Stuart
Yup, thanks for the correction!
I’m sure there are good reasons why Black & Decker, Bostitch, Dewalt, Porter Cable, and Stanley FatMax tools and batteries are not interchangeable. It probably comes down to the quality and capabilities of the Li-ion cells and electronic circuitry in the battery packs.
Altan
Bostitch batteries are interchangeable with DeWALT and Facom as well.
Stuart
Which Bostitch batteries?
R.Lfield
I think it’s sill that batts arent interchangeable at least on brands like dewalt, black n decker, n Stanley. Seeing as they’re all the same company
KelMaster Constuction
There was a time when Black and Decker Batteries (which were 40% less $$) were almost identical in shape to the original DeWalt 9.6v, 12v, 14.4v & the 18v batteries. The only real difference was either a little nub on the battery or a small nub in the drills that kept them from being interchangeable. I found, that by removing these nubs, they were interchangeable with each-other . I discovered that by using similar techniques, you could get different voltage batteries to operate in an individual tool. This may not be the best solution, as the motors of singular voltage tools may not blend well with other voltages, but I figured if a 18v tool can still run when it’s battery drops in voltage, why not try the lesser voltage batteries; Of coarse, the B&D batteries were not as powerful as DeWalt’s were, so the price difference was somewhat negated by the lack of performance. I used the B&D batteries as a cheap third back-up battery to use while the better DeWalt Batteries were charging.
mnoswad1
Wow, this will be a major development IF the batteries are actually interchangeable and universal with DeWalt cordless. Hope this trend continues.
Veto
Oh man looks like DeWALT is going big into the high tier hand tool brands.
The 20V Max 1/2″ impact wrench (BWP050) looks to be an exact replica of the Facom CL3.C18S 18V 1/2″ Impact Wrench which came out earlier, but the Facom has 800 ft lbs :/
Jesse
Am I missing something? Didn’t milwaukee recently release an 18 volt 1/2″ impact with like 1200ft lb breakaway torque? Are they just hoping for brand recognition to compete with units that considerably out torque theirs?
Chris
You probably won’t see much Milwaukee in mechanic’s toolbox or at a dealership with all licensed tech’s… Your more then likely going to see Mac, Snap On or IR so by releasing these tools and able to pick them up on the local Mac truck and get them on payments etc… It’s a no brainer for SB&D to do this. It wouldn’t much as much sense to release them under the Dewalt name because they are not targeted toward mechanic’s in the automotive/heavy truck field like Mac would be
matt
plenty of mechanics are using milwaukee products. when comes to cordless tools techs are a little more open minded.
JV Myers
Most of the techs in our diesel shop have the Milwaukee 12v driver and/or 3/8 wrench. I see a few of their drills around too.
Porter (Chadd) Parr
I Have a wide variety of Milwaukee tools in my shop. Also, the Cornwell truck carries and pushes the Milwaukee cordless tools. I have put the Milwaukee head to head with Snap On and Dewalt Milwaukee wins in power.
Phil
You are missing something. 725 ft lbs is not the nut busting torque on the mac. It’s comparable to the Milwaukee in strength but it has brushes. The mac is lighter and slimmer.
mgeorge
Stuart, I hope you can test some of these and let us know how they performed. At those prices for the Drill /impacts,…they are in the Hilti range. Really hoping there is more then some cosmetic changes.
Stuart
Even if I can’t or won’t test ’em, I’ll at least try to find out more about how they differ from Dewalt equivalents.
Matthew Fant
You’re very welcome Stewart! Always looking out for you, and definitely a fan.
I was excited by the compatibility of these new tools with dewalt batteries. As dewalt 20/12 tools are offered my mac tools distributers, this was a no brainer. The specs on the impacts seem impressive, and so does the price. Hopefully, the internals have been majorly improved accordingly. Looking forward to more info if you can get any…
Joey Huck
I just bought the 3/8 &1/2 20volt xr cordless impacts and hands down the 1/2 impact is the strongest 1/2 impact I’ve used to this day !! And I’m a very proud owner of several Snap On ,Mac , Matco , Cornwell tools and all the dealers agree wow that’s one strong gun !! We’re talking bud nuts of a big rig no problem !! And front piñon on a 3500 Dodge same day and still had all three bars by the end of the day !! I bought it through Mac on my account with mac and its dewalt !! Mac said there gun is second maybe to that dewalt gun !! Very impressive cordless equipment that was adjust to any automotive mechanic in the industry !! The only problem I have is keeping the yellow clean !! Lol!! Hats off dewalt ! Made me a believer !!
Phil
I’m surprised it took this long, what with SBD owning MAC. It would be hard to improve upon the 12/20V DeWalt platform, and making it different just for the sake of making it different for the MAC line would only cost the company more money most likely, but only a slight tweak in the tool/battery interface would block the two from interchanging if they wanted to. DeWalt has already a lot of respect even in the automotive/mechanics field, and salting the new power tools with DW DNA would most likely drive interest in the line. It appears the impacts, especially the 1/2, is more than twice what the DW equivalent is rated for in ft/lbs, this would mean the tool was designed from the ground up for this field of use rather than just repackaged. The DW line is geared mainly to contractors, builders and prosumer DIYs that don’t encounter the same torque needs as a professional automotive tech does. Milwaukee seems to chase after so many markets with their core brand, where SBD does it via specific brands. This is their way to dive into automotive with a known brand name in the space without diluting the other brands or having them not well received in that space. Auto techs are very territorial about brands, as you are undoubtedly aware. Milwaukee is making inroads, but Snap-On still owns the space like none other.
Chris
I remember reading a test Car and Driver did before and rated the dewalt impact at about 525 breakaway torque… If it were true, the MAC/Facom version is still a substantial upgrade over the dewalt and should work well for any mechanic because 725-800 breakaway TQ is lots for just about any automotive job
Steve DGerolamo
I just got the Facom in today and it is the same. The only problem is the charger is a 230v/50hz unit. Fortunately, the 20v max DCB101 works fine for the Facom/DeWalt batteries and fits right in the factory carry case. I switch the covers on the 2 chargers so the charger would read “Facom” in red instead of DeWalt in yellow. The chargers can be purchased for around $33 online.
If you already have other Mac or DeWalt tools that use XR batteries, you can buy the Facom cordless impact without batteries or charger for $465 here in the states. Not sure what Mac gets for their impact without accessories.
SD
Joey Huck
The dewalt 1/2 cordless impact walked all over the Mac gun side by side that’s why I bought the dewalt my Mac dealer was beside himself !! The same dealer who took the loss of the Mac sale and sold me the dewalt because with his own two eyes watched his Mac product get it ass kicked by a Canary yellow Dewalt !! I love my 1/2″ and my 3/8 enough to suggest to any in the field mechanic who isn’t scared to use a yellow impact !! That works beyond any cordless impact I’ve used !!
DanG
I’d really love to own one of these power babies to get the lugs off of my tires, but right now it just does not fit into my budget. For now I will keep plugging away with my air tools. I own a 20 gallon oil less Rand compressor that my father gave to me on my birthday 26 years ago. The problem with air tools is that you have to drag a hose all over the place and constantly oil the tools. By oiling the tools all the time it creates an oil mist that gets all over everything.
Pete
Dewalt need to talk to me about innovation , theirs so much innovation available………….if I was that big Id be pumping it out
cody Robertson
Thanks for the write up.
cody Robertson
These tools also have a glass-filled nylon body that is able to withstand contact from harmful automotive chemicals.
joe
If there is such a thing a “luxury” for tools, they are mostly aimed for the pro grade folks. This means that they will last longer than your targeted average weekend mechanic or DIYer.
This is why I understand how ford has luxury cars and entry level cars and why is the same with android phones, computer, ovens, refrigerators, ect.
The specs look good to me…(if not over hyped on paper)…150 ft-lbs can loosen up any small vehicle….my 150ft-lbs 18v dewalt impact can remove my f150 lugs….if this 12v mac can…i’m impressed.
joe
“loosen up any small vehicle lug nuts”
Troy
I have the 20V drill and 1/2 inch 20V impact love the drill can take out small bolts no problem, and the impact is a little heavy but so handy not having to drag a hose around it also saves the ears its so quiet. batteries charge from dead in 45 mins and last for about six sets of tires.
Pete K.
Stanley, Porter Cable, and Black & Decker 20v Max batteries are electronically compatible (I think). I made slight physical modifications to a Stanley Fat Max 20v charger; Porter Cable and Black & Decker batteries can now be inserted onto it, and be charged in it. B & D batteries for sure took a charge in the Stanley charger.
Stuart
That’s something we cannot advise. Batteries, tools, and chargers are keyed differently for a reason.
Brad
Pete- Thanks for posting this, as I’ve been doing some digging on this topic lately, and by all reasonable accounts, the Stanley, Porter-Cable, Black&Decker, and Craftsman 20V Max product lines are all electrically compatible. The “keying” is done solely for marketing reasons. In fact, the Craftsman and B&D products are identically-keyed and fully cross-compatible out of the box. The Porter-Cable and Stanley products are keyed a second and third way.
Note, this is NOT true for the Dewalt/Mac Tools 20V Max line. They are different physically and electrically.
The question I have is which 20V Max charger to get which can then be modified to accept any of the three un-altered battery types (B&D/Craftsman, Porter-Cable, Stanley). It seems from your post Pete that the mod’ to the Stanley charger was rather simple. Perhaps though the others can be altered just as easily. I’d rather take the approach of altering the charger once rather than multiple batteries.
Disclaimer: Obviously any alteration is at your own risk and voids the warranty.
Zak
Just brought Mac impact from dealer.. been using it past week and have to say it’s a beast of a gun.. Has no problem taking off wheel nuts/ bolts from commercial vehicles… The build quality is excellent..
Dave
I had my dewalt 1/2″ impact 20v gun replaced twice. the anvil on the gun has stopped working. I am wondering if I purchased the Mac 1/2″ impact gun, would the same problem occur; cause they basically own the same design. But I consider Mac to be a more Superior brand then dewalt.
I am in the automotive trade, and have only been using the dewalt gun for 2 weeks before the anvil gave out on me and the second one for 35 day before the anvil gave out on me.
what are your thoughts on the Mac tool cordless 1/2″. also the Mac will be at a premium of 250 dollars more then the dewalt.
Brad
Interesting question. My *guess* was that the Mac version was simply a re-packaged Dewalt product, given that Mac and Dewalt are both brands owned by Black & Decker. Would be interesting to hear if there is an actual, real difference (i.e. upgrade) of the Mac product.
Mike
Are mac/snap on power tools made in the usa?
Dave
Has anybody made a note of which parts are interchangeable on the BWP050 with any and which DeWalt model?
The reason i ask is that here in the UK DeWalt parts are easier and cheaper to source.
TIA.
RJ
Dewalt doesnt make a cordless ratchet and their 899B impact is by far the leader in the industry as far as professional grade impact wrenches go. They claim 1700 ft lbs of bolt breakaway torque. Milwaukee claims 1800 ft lbs. In a side by side Dewalt wins. So I guess what I am saying is the article is poorly informed. The ratchet has to be designed with input from Mac Tools employees and even if it wasn’t Dewalt makes tools extremely well suited for automotive work anyway so who cares.
Bryan White
I have the 12;v 1/4 inches cordless ratchet recently broke the anvil and now I’ve hit a wall trying to find the part short of sending it to mac
Is there a cross over part that would fit being that it is rebranded I would think there is if anyone has onsite please email me thanks
Bryan
Iseecar
Bmw dealer all we use between cordless tools to even Milwaukee vice grips one of the best vice grips out there all Milwaukee and impact sockets