A couple of months ago we wrote about the new Stanley FatMax cordless tools, including 12V Max and 20V Max platforms, which were supposedly exclusive to the Canadian market. It seems that Stanley Black & Decker execs have changed their minds, because the tools have recently appeared in US stores.
Tyler left a comment on our Stanley FatMax power tool preview post, saying that he spotted the 20V Max hammer drill for $70 at a local Walmart.
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We checked into this, and found a listing for the Stanley FatMax 20V Max hammerdrill on Walmart’s site. According to the listing, the drill/driver is $100 and is available in our area in limited quantities.
Hammer Drill Features:
- 424 in-lb max torque
- 2-speed gearbox (0-350/0-1500 RPM)
- 25,500 BPM
- 1/2″ all-metal chuck
It looks like the $100 kit only comes with one Li-ion battery, with a spare priced at $70.
Our Thoughts
First, there’s no mention that the drill/driver is “20V Max” anywhere in the product description or listing; it’s simply described as “20-Volt Lithium Cordless.” False advertising?
Second, does this mean that additional Stanley FatMax power tools will soon be available in the USA? Or is it a holiday-timed sales push? It’ll be interested to see.
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But just thinking about the drill/driver, it’s a 400+ in-lb hammer drill that comes with a Li-ion battery pack. $100 seems like a decent deal for DIYers.
If anyone else spots Stanley FatMax power tools in the USA, please let us know with a comment or email!
jeff_williams
If this becomes a regular product on the shelves it seems to further muddy the B&D, Stanley, and PC spectrum of cordless tool offerings. About 8 Walmarts in my area have it on the shelf.
Stuart
Maybe, perhaps not. There’s definitely room for the brand in Stanley Black & Decker’s power tool tiers.
B&D, FatMax, Porter Cable, Dewalt. Seems reasonable if FatMax is strictly positioned as heavy-duty DIY and Porter Cable as price-conscious professional.
jeff_williams
If the brands stayed true to those designations maybe but we know the pricing is definitely muddy especially around holiday time. A great example is the $99 Dewalt drill/driver that shows up every holiday season. Even with normal prices, offerings will only be about $20-30 apart.
rob
I wonder/would think this would be a great brand to keep exclusive to someone like Wal Mart. Now if they do that who knows, but at the price point it would seem to fit the Wal Mart style of pricing. Could be Wal Mart’s answer to Ryobi/Porter Cable (lower end), and Craftsman.
I have been into Wal Mart a few times lately and their staff has told me more than once their Layaway program as been a huge success and they had a lot of layways already in the system in September. At that point it was mostly computers/iPads/TVs but I could see people putting higher $$ tools on layaway for the Holidays as well.
Tyler M.
Here’s a question. Saw this tonight in Walmart. They had a B&D 20v Max drill (Matrix or some such) right next to it. The battery slide looks identical between the two when comparing batteries. Does anyone know if they’re interchangeable? As a DIY home owner, this could be a great deal if you need extra batteries on the cheap. I had hoped when they released the Porter Cable 18v tools to replace the Firestorm line that the batteries would be interchangeable but B&D never got the memo.
paul c
Ii got this drill at walmart today for $100 it came with 2 20v max batteries it seems to be a good drill about as good as makita or porter cable. I will post a video of it soon the link is in the website box to my youtube.
Maximus
I too recently bought this drill. It has worked out so far so good. I am with Tyler though, curious if the batteries are interchangeable? I am looking at one of these B&D cordless trimmers that appear to use the same B&D battery and will be the determining factor whether I get it or not.
John Culbertson
As a licensed HVAC professional a cordless drill is a necessity. I’ve been through the gauntlet of cordless drills of various brands and sizes I recently purchased the fat max 20 volt and I must say it gives the competition a run for the money. The battery seems to out last the ryobi Li n series as well as the ridged the balance is perfect the light is good. I’m waiting for the reciprocating saw ( sawz all) the drill is solid and well built. I for one feel good about the drill I purchased in Cleburne Texas at Walmart.
dlandry
the Stanley 20v battery and b&d batterys are not interchangeable with each other. it looks like there is a tab on the slide that stop them from changing with each other
Brian
If you look at the 20 Volt Max B&D battery where it slides into the charger/drill, it has one little spot of plastic removed.
This is to keep the B&D battery from fitting into the 20 Volt Max FatMax FMC-620.
For sh!t’s & giggles, i removed some of the plastic from the B&D 20v battery to see if it will fit in the FatMax 20 Volt Max charger.
It does fit…. how ever, The Stanely/B&D company must have wired the polarity different on either the battery or the charger. Because when the B&D battery is put into the FatMax charger, You get a red blinking light.
I assume this is a safety light that is blinking,
Tim Young
I am an I.T./Alarm technician, so I needed a hammer drill to install alarm systems. I picked my Fatmax up at walmart for $79, finding out later I could get the 2 battery combo for $100 if I ordered it online. I too wondered about the battery compatibility situation as the Stanley batteries are expensive and harder to come by. Take a look at the Porter Cable battery. It looks like the closest match. The slide looks the same. Wondering…hmmm.
shane r
I bought the 20v hammer drill from Wal-Mart its the best one I’ve had so I emailed Stanley to find out when the rest of the cordless tools will be available in the u.s they said to be looking for the on the shelf’s in the fall
jeff j
I saw this drill included in a kit with the 1/2 inch hammer drill,1/4 inch impact driver, led flashlight, two batteries,35 minute charger,belt clips and storage bag for $129.00,while supplies last!! I can’t tell you where until I get mine. After reading the revues, I think it sounds like a safe buy.
jeff j
I just purchased the 20 VMAX 3 tool combo kit for $129, on sale, regular price of $199 at Menards. Sale ends 4/27/14 . I,ve been looking for a cordless 1/2 inch hammer drill to replace my Ryobi. It was probably cheaper than replacing my charger and batteries, plus a lot more power. I have not used it yet, but it looks like just what I need for around the house and occasional side job.Very light weight and nicely balanced. I hate when I buy a tool and don’t need it yet, I guess I’ll grab my flash light and go up in the attic and check for vermin!
jeff j
the number for the kit is FMCK604L3
drill -FMC620
impact driver -FMC640
flashlight -FMC700
Tommy Allen
I bought the Stanley FatMax 20 volt cordless hammer drill at walmart i have had it between 4 to 6 months walmart in Russellville , Kentucky said that they only warranty it for 90 days . Sometimes when I pull the trigger it doesn’t work and when it does it has a grinding noise. So what can and do or need to do I bought it and need it to do my work. Thanks you your consideration in this matter.
Stuart
Your best best bet would be to contact Stanley customer service. Their FatMax power tools should have 1 year of free service and a 3-year warranty.
http://www.stanleytools.com/fmpowertools/
Wolfgang P.
Just last week I spotted two of these Fat-Max drills in the clearance section, un-opened, at Walmart with a 25% markdown. It was right after Christmas and I typically don’t buy my tools there but at $48.00 plus tax I couldn’t turn it down! The cheapest I found a battery for it was about $54.00 on Amazon. I have a Kobalt that I have had for a couple of years and a Hitachi as well and the Stanley ranks right up there with them if you ask me.
Dave
This appears to be a rebranded Porter Cable PC18CHD. Identical specs with small design differences.
Jason
SBD uses some of their names to sell tools in lower budget stores like Stanley and Bostich.