Walmart is introducing a new and exclusive tool brand, Hart Tools. The new Hart Tools will be launching hand tools, power tools, accessories, tool storage, and even outdoor power tools.
You might already know the Hart name, as the brand previously offered hammers, tiling tools, and several other hand tools.
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As you might know, Hart Tools is a TTI brand, with some of their sibling companies including Milwaukee Tool, Ryobi (in most of the world), Ridgid power tools, Empire Level, Stiletto, and AEG.
In other words, Hart is launching with a well-developed and well-experienced supply network, and with much corporate know-how about how to design and produce good tools.
See Also: Tool Brands: Who Owns What? A Guide to Corporate Affiliations
The Hart cordless power tools will be engineered around a new 20V Max Li-ion battery platform. There are a couple of kits and combo kit options to start, and even a brushless drill/driver kit option.
Information is limited at this time, but from what I can tell, Walmart and Hart did their homework and the new line of DIY-focused tools, accessories, and equipment looks to be off to a great start.
Many tool swill tools will be available in-store as Walmart refreshes their tool departments, and the full selection will be available online.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Speaking of which, I’m really liking the color scheme, which looks to give the tools a modern look, at least in my opinion.
With this much effort being put into the initial launch, I am very curious and eager to see what comes next.
Thom says
Ryobi quality at Walmart prices.. Could be a good thing.
Kenneth Stephens says
Prices aren’t great. $100 for a pretty flimsy string trimmer. Ryobi cheaper. All hand tools made in China and kind of expensive compared to other brands. That mechanics set sitting on the table in the garage shot is all China and $150. Both craftsman and kobalt have similar sets for $99 right now. I work at a Walmart putting out these displays. Wasn’t too impressed
Thom says
The drill impact combo kit is a deal at$94
Patrick says
You can find Ryobi sets of the same for the same price easily, and sometimes better. I was happy, though, to see in the postings that some of Ryobi’s more odd/original offerings like the rotary tool will be making their way to market under the brand.
They’re going to have an uphill battle since Walmart has never committed much shelf space to power tools and the “Hyper Tough” line barely got a chance to exist. They have to establish a good value AND give consumers the feeling that it’s around for the future.
Kinda hope that Walmart offering these will encourage some folks to enter the DIY world. The people that don’t go into a Lowes or Home Depot. Most of us here won’t care much for the tools, because we’ve established collections. But getting new people interested in fixing and building things is always a good thing.
Eric says
I am all for Walmart having a better in-store tool selection for the sole reason that they already have the best tool selection in my area among retailers open 24/7.
I would not imagine making any planned tool buys there, but I am all for them having more options.
Jared says
Interesting. The lineup appears surprisingly comprehensive considering it’s new. Looks like a number of tools are Ryobi tools modified for a slide pack – but that’s not a criticism. Ryobi tempts me constantly with their unique portfolio and cheap prices.
Just FYI, third paragraph from the bottom start with: “Many tool swill be available”.
Jared says
Ha. I noticed my typo correction contains a typo. Egg on my face.
Stuart says
Thanks! Sorry, our proofreading department head will receive a good talking to.
Flotsam says
Brand engineering at its best. I always knew of Hart for their hammers (have one great!) & their now discontinued tile working tools (Quick-tach)
Do we know which other tools in TTI’s portfolio these are similar to? I guess since Ryobi is mostly captive to Home Depot then stuff like this happens.
Could we ever hope for any battery interchangeability (talking about the power tools here)?
PETE says
battery interchangeability- look for adapters on amazon or ebay. 3d printers make that very easy now.
My kids power wheel is now powered by a m18 battery with a slide adapter that was 3d printed and it cost me $18.
Jared says
When you use batteries like that, are you concerned about over-depleting them? I understood that, at least for Dewalt, the battery protection was wired in the tool. So using them with an adapter might pose a risk of ruining them.
I’d be interested in doing some battery swapping if I could convince myself it was moderately safe.
Flotsam says
I would challenge that perception that battery protection is in the tool . After all even DeWalt makes an adapter so you can use their old NiCd tools with newer LiOn batteries. None of the older NiCd tools had any protection for LiOn batteries since they were not designed for them.
Xrh07 says
That’s because the same protection module you find in (brushed) 20v tools is in the stem of the 18v adapter.
It’s all case by case depending on what you’re DIY adapting to though.
Ex: a Dewalt, Milwaukee and Makita battery all behave the exact same on Ryobi tools. Tool shuts down when a specific voltage threshhold is met. The glue gun is ~16.5V and the wet/dry vacuum is around 14V.
The real problem with battery mods is overheat protection. Don’t adapt to angle grinders or circular saws and expect good results.
Low-med current devices are fine. Like radios, lights and at the upper end, vacuums.
Flotsam says
No i understand that they are available. I am referring to this as a design objective. I thought at one point Metabo might have been working on a universal design with a number of companies.
I already have an adapter for DeWalt battery to Ryobi tools. I now have 5 Ryobi tools so I may want to consider getting a Ryobi battery to avoid having that extra .75 in on the battery pack. The adapter works fine btw.
Jared says
Interesting! Thanks for the info.
I was looking for 3D models as suggested above (I have a small printer I got as a gift last year and never used), then that led me to Surebonder’s adapters; then I tried to find a retailer in Canada – couldn’t find any; then I searched for other adapters; which led me to ebay… where I found a cheap Black&Decker/Porter Cable to Ryobi adapter. Hurray!
I have a number of batteries for Dewalt, PC, Bosch 18v/20v so I didn’t much care what I was getting the adapter for. Just was not going to get into yet another battery platform if I could avoid it. It would make me happier if I could figure out a way to monitor the voltage, but I’m going ahead with my experiment anyway.
ktash says
I’ve gotten Ryobi batteries very cheaply, during and after the holidays. Sometimes the older generation on their clearance shelf. Cheapest was 3 or 4ah for $25 each, a pack of four. Usually $50 for a largish battery around the holidays, pack of 2. I use many ryobi tools with these batteries, like leaf blower, trimmer, light, fan, as well as nailers, etc. Though I like some tools in higher end brands, like drills, sanders , I think you can’t go wrong with Ryobi for many things. So, using your higher end tool battery might not be cost-effective.
Frank Campbell says
very cool
Matthew says
Wal-Mart had to replace the Stanley tools with something. This feels like another cheapening of an established brand but I’ve come to expect that from TTI and SBD. Tools look like the lower tier Ryobi which can still be good (especially given the times I’m in Wal-Mart looking for a tool there are no other options).
Andrew says
I’ve used Hart for trowels over the years. Definitely 2nd tier stuff. I’d see a DYer using this line but no pros. The Hart Line had some good ideas but never withstood the rigors of day to day use.
Boggsy says
They feel so chintsy. The directional switch is like some oversized fisher price toy. I mean, I get the price-point. But it kinda makes me want to urinate on my awesome Hart hammer/hatchet (which I snagged for $6 ea. when they were swapping designs).
Jim Felt says
I’m so pleased to see this “tool swill” blog post! Both I and the far more eminent Alfred E. Neuman.
This is just like an Easter egg in the MCU world. Next the death of Li-Ion!
(Stuart. Please don’t change it).
Stuart says
I fixed it, but crossed it out instead of removing it entirely. =)
John Brady says
Truly looks like they just changed the Ryobi color scheme and made them slide packs. Prices appear on par with Ryobi too. Maybe TTI is considering ending its agreement with Ryobi? Or they are just reaching out to places where Home Depot is not; like me, closest HD is over an hour away, but I passed 2 Wal-Marts getting to the office today.
Brian A says
Across the full spectrum there are already too many power tool brands.
What happened with the B&D tools Walmart was carrying?
XRH07 says
BnD is bad and SBD wasn’t really building on the brand.
Walmart going to TTI for a more comprehensive line of tools makes a lot of sense.
Brian A says
I never said it was good LOL, just seemed good enough for customers buying power tools from Walmart
Ken says
Does the world really need another “value-oriented” tool brand? These will not be big sellers.
MarylandUSA says
No, the world doesn’t need another value brand…especially now that Skil has revamped its 12V and 20V lines and SBD Craftsman is offering aggressively priced 20V and 56V outdoor power equipment.
Big Richard says
A TTI brand that uses the 20v moniker? Fan boys will not be happy.
Jeff says
That caught my eye, too. TTI always used the more honest 18 V. But if you are replacing 20V B&D maybe you don’t want to “down size” in the eyes of the low information Walmart customer. I always found it strange that this issue only started with lithium ion batteries. Virtually all rechargable batteries are higher than the nominal voltage, fresh off the charger and primary batteries, too. Fresh 1.5 volt batteries are around 1.6 volts.
Steve says
I wonder if SBD counters by trying to get some Craftsman into Wally World now.
Matt says
I hope not. It would hurt any brand integrity they’ve worked to rebuild after the purchase from Sears. Seeing Craftsman in K-Mart was awful…
Keep B&D in there if anything.
RCWARD says
Only thing I’ve noticed at Walmart is that they now keep all tools under lock and key. Gotta love Walmart huh? No you don’t .
Toolfreak says
These will probably be online-only.
I don’t see Wallyworld giving up in-store shelf space to these when they already have SBD’s Black & Decker AND their own Hyper Tough branded Chervon-made power tools.
It’s also incredible that TTi found more manufacturing capacity to make this stuff, not just the tools but all the new color casings and everything that went along with designing and making those as well.
Seems to me the customer would be better served by brands expanding their existing lineups rather than offering the same basic tools for prices that aren’t any better, using an existing brand name that has nothing to do with power tools just so they don’t use their better-known brands in walmart.
Brian M says
They’re already in-store, maybe not the whole selection but a lot of tools.
Craig says
Yea I was at Wally World today unfortunately and I walked back to the tool section while the girlfriend did some Christmas shopping. They had a double-sided center aisle Hart display that had not only the hand tools but also the drill/driver combo and the trimmer. I only glanced quickly and didn’t actually touch any but it looked like next to nothing had been sold.
MarylandUSA says
Walmart loves these exclusive brands because if bargain hunters find a tool there that you like, they can’t go online and buy it elsewhere for a dollar less.
Aaron says
The pro tool reviews article says these will change the diy landscape. But will they change it as much as skil’s new cordless line did just months ago?
Does anyone even own those? Value innovation is weird. I actually feel like Ryobi and Skil have done a great job of building the tools that people should own instead of the tools that people will brag about, but then nobody brags about owning them…
SBD should have locked this down.
Stuart says
I feel that Skil doesn’t have any more visibility with DIYers than a year ago.
Hart tools in every Walmart store and online? I don’t think it’s going to automatically “change the DIY landscape.” But it will certainly make some waves, and if TTI and Walmart continue to push forward together, Hart has almost endless potential for growth.
Brian M says
Exactly. If it’s not in-front of their target audience, it’s not going to sell. Hart is already in the runway, can’t miss it. I don’t even know where I can find the new Skil stuff locally and I’m an informed tool guy…
These Hart (on the other hand) are in valuable floor space in Walmart just before Thanksgiving. I bet they sell a lot more product than people are expecting. This is like a HF section in a Walmart, in front of people that probably don’t even know what a HF is but might need some tools for the house.
Brandon says
Well this has piqued my curiosity enough that I may break tradition and set foot into a Wal-Mart just to take a look at these. Not that I need new tools (blasphemy!), but like many others, I am curious to see what these are like first-hand. To me the models shown in the picture look like the old style of Craftsman C3 tools but with the lower handle portion designed for a lower end slide-pack battery.
What does have me a bit concerned is the lack of torque specs listed on the website for the drill but I suppose that isn’t much of a concern for the masses although I will say that 2,200 in-lbs of torque for the impact driver is pretty darn good for the price.
It will be interesting to see how these pan out…
MarylandUSA says
Their largest 20-volt battery is just 4.0 amp-hours and costs $88! They’re playing naive shoppers for suckers.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HART-20-Volt-Lithium-Ion-1-5Ah-Battery/666936100
Brandon says
Add $34 for the “fast” charger to that list! Holy over priced!
Beaux says
I love Hart tools! Their hammers and pry bars are DA BOMB! I think I like their hammer more than my Titanium. I’ll be checking our Wal-Mart soon!
Steve says
Now that I think about this it’s not surprising. Walmart needed a tool line and TTI needed more share in the Homeowner/DIY category.
Amazon just got Skil 20v exclusive in this category. With the big Craftsman push at Lowes, Menards, F&F, ACE, and Amazon, TTI needed to fight back. Ryobi is great but only available at HD per their agreement. There’s only so much market share you can get in the category being limited to just one retail outlet. This looks exactly like TTI going, ‘hey Walmart, you’re big, want in on the tool market? We’ll make a version of Ryobi for you’. Also, they can do hand tools under Hart as they can’t with Ryobi because of HD’s Husky. Remember, Walmart is trying to compete with Amazon online too, so they need things like this as well.
John Brady says
Agreed, funny too that the color scheme matches the new Direct Tools website. Wonder if these will be available there as well? Rebranded Ryobi would not be a bad deal overall. At least now when our sisters-in-law has us over for a family dinner and needs a shelf hung, since we’re there, the tools won’t be total crap.
Nathan says
So question for the power tools are these ryobi tools with a new slide pack design. Harbinger of future Ryobi changes?
Are they last gen Ridgid tools which is sort of what I thought at first.
The hand tools are mostly the milwakuee stuffs with new colors from what I can find. Looks like they might have their own packout system. Will be interchange? If so will it be cheaper?
Meanwhile nearly every walmart but 2 in near 40 mile radius happen to be within golf ball chucking distance of a Lowes. so that might be a key play here.
I will not buy any – but I could see it being hand for some. now wonder if there will be some clearances on stanley tools at the wallmarx.
Vards Uzvards says
The small parts organizer looks like exact copy of an older Husky box, from HD.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/203329198
So I guess it’s made by Keter.
https://www.keter.com/en/deep-organizer-metal-16
Skye A Cohen says
Wow. For some reason that makes me kind of sad. Hart was such a legendary hammer brand. When I was much younger Hart hammers were the coolest hammers, all of the too shelf Carpenters had Occidental bags and Hart hammers and they were pretty hard to find. The fact that brand has come been bought by tti, nothing against tti I think they’re doing great things with milwuakee and driving innovation, but just that a legendary american brand was bought by a Chinese holding company, is now a name to sell low end tools at Walmart.. I don’t know maybe it’s not sad but just evidence of a dramatically different global economy around tools. On the bright side we have a lot of great tools and rapid innovation in today’s tool industry
Flotsam says
i hear you . I feel the same way about the status of Porter Cable as well
Ian says
I expect they will be similar quality to Ryobi, and give TTI the ability to sell at that level outside of HD. Suspect they will sell well at this time of year as people flock to Walmart for deals, and these will be picked up as gifts.
Walmart has the range online also
https://www.walmart.com/col/Introducing-HART-Tools-Starting-at-14-86/384662473
CT says
TTI made Craftsman power tools for Sears.
Sears sold the Craftsman brand to SB&D.
TTI launches Hart to displace SB&D at Walmart.
Basically, Hart is the new incarnation of Craftsman that would have replaced the C3 line. I guess we know what Craftsman would have looked like if TTI bought the brand.
J. Greene says
If there’s any room for first hand experience here I have an opinion to offer. I have been an exclusive Milwaukee power tool user for the past 15 years. I am not a building contractor so my tools are not used all day every day but I do take on very demanding diy jobs on a regular basis and I have the highest expectations of all my hand and power tools. Recently, while my family was on vacation, my shop was broken into and most of my milwaukee tools were stolen. Before i had a chance to replace them i found myself needing a cordless impac driver and circular saw for a project. It was after hours so my only choice was to see what might be available at the local walmart. I purchased the two tools i needed from the Hart line and I could not have been happier. They performed as well if not better than my milwaukee tools and were more ergonomic as well. They were more readily available from the 24 hour walmart down the street and at a slightly better price point. I have since purchased every power tool that Hart has released to date. I love them. As expected there are a few small things that i think could be improved on, but i find those things with any brand. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with Milwaukee tools, they have never let me down, but if you happen to find yourself looking for a change, give Hart a try. Thanks for your time.
Drunk247 says
I just saw this new tool line waiting for an oil change. This stuff is overpriced for what you get. Very cheap quality. Better off spending less on Ryobi with better quality and more selection. These power tool are really small….and White. Fail!!! Every category.
J. Greene says
You pay someone to change your oil but have enough spare time to post derogatory remarks about tools you have never used. You fail… every category.