New Dewalt Cordless Impacts

[Stuey]

I know some of you are fans of Dewalt cordless tools, so here's a brief rundown of the latest releases. (links are to detailed TG previews)

20V 3/8" and 1/2" Impact Wrenches
Premium versions offer choice of hog ring or pin detent anvils. Torque is 300 ft lbs. Compact is 3/8" hog ring anvil, 1560 in-lbs.

Dewalt Brushless Impact Driver - brushless motor provides greater runtime. Button bit release and 3 speed settings for torque limiting.

There are a slew of other new tools announced today, let me know if you want more details.

 

[Robbie UK]

If the little 3/8ths compact can really pull 1560 in-lbs (170Nm+) that would be a pretty impressive compact tool. That would put into the lug nut pulling category in a package that actually fits into modern engine bays.

Neat.

 

[ishiboo]

If the little 3/8ths compact can really pull 1560 in-lbs (170Nm+) that would be a pretty impressive compact tool. That would put into the lug nut pulling category in a package that actually fits into modern engine bays.

Neat.

Bosch's 18v impactor put out 1600 in-lbs in 3/8", or 2000 in-lbs in 1/2".

It's not specifically written that it's a "compact", but it's pretty short.

 

[Stuey]

I double checked on the 300 ft-lbs. Specs look right, and are in line with the recent 18V version.

I don't use an impact wrench a lot, so I'm much more excited over the brushless driver.

 

[Greatbear]

I really thought DeWalt would update the 1/2 inch impact instead of just putting the 20V pack on what essentially is the same tool as the original 18V version I have. Aside from the battery change, the only worthwhile difference is adding the variable speed with traditional trigger. It's still the same overly long tool with a lackluster 300 lb/ft. It's not a bad tool per se, but there are newcomers like the Bosch and Snap On that have considerably more torque.

I am glad to see that DW is finally putting a "fuel gauge" on the batteries. I also like this arrangement more than having the gauge on the tool. Bosch just upgraded the 18V slim and fat packs with a similar gauge as well as upped the capacity. It's handy to check the batteries themselves to see if they are ready to go or need a charge. The only downside is it might increase the cost of the batteries by a small amount.

The new snub-nose driver looks pretty cool, and the pushbutton bit release is a nice feature. I can see most of the higher-end tools from the big names moving to brushless technology in a few years.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

I'm really excited that you posted this. It would have taken me a while to find this news myself.
I recently purchased the new 20V Hammerdrill/Impact Driver to replace my 14.4 Volt Drill. I was hoping that they would introduce more 20V cordless tools reasonable soon, do you have anymore information on the tools they may have introduced? Maybe a 20V Radio??

 

[Stuey]

I really thought DeWalt would update the 1/2 inch impact instead of just putting the 20V pack on what essentially is the same tool as the original 18V version I have. Aside from the battery change, the only worthwhile difference is adding the variable speed with traditional trigger. It's still the same overly long tool with a lackluster 300 lb/ft. It's not a bad tool per se, but there are newcomers like the Bosch and Snap On that have considerably more torque.

I am glad to see that DW is finally putting a "fuel gauge" on the batteries. I also like this arrangement more than having the gauge on the tool. Bosch just upgraded the 18V slim and fat packs with a similar gauge as well as upped the capacity. It's handy to check the batteries themselves to see if they are ready to go or need a charge. The only downside is it might increase the cost of the batteries by a small amount.

The new snub-nose driver looks pretty cool, and the pushbutton bit release is a nice feature. I can see most of the higher-end tools from the big names moving to brushless technology in a few years.

What I'm thinking is that there is too little demand to justify the R&D expenses to upgrade the impact wrenches further. How many mechanics use cordless impact wrenches in the shop, let alone Dewalt models?

The battery fuel gauge is definitely a welcome feature. I was a bit surprised that they didn't release such a feature at launch. Maybe they were trying to keep costs down?

I'm really excited that you posted this. It would have taken me a while to find this news myself.
I recently purchased the new 20V Hammerdrill/Impact Driver to replace my 14.4 Volt Drill. I was hoping that they would introduce more 20V cordless tools reasonable soon, do you have anymore information on the tools they may have introduced? Maybe a 20V Radio??

Here's a link to my coverage of the Dewalt 20V Max power tools, but you can currently see all the posts about the new tools on the ToolGuyd front page.

Here's also a list of all the new Dewalt 20V tools. No 20V radio, sorry.

 

[darkzero]

If the little 3/8ths compact can really pull 1560 in-lbs (170Nm+) that would be a pretty impressive compact tool.

Sounds reasonable & possible. The 20V impact driver is rated for 1400 in/lbs. I used it this weekend & it can easily do some damage to nuts/bolts, screws, as well as bits & sockets. Sure did surprise me on how much power it really has.

I'm really excited that you posted this. It would have taken me a while to find this news myself.
I recently purchased the new 20V Hammerdrill/Impact Driver to replace my 14.4 Volt Drill. I was hoping that they would introduce more 20V cordless tools reasonable soon, do you have anymore information on the tools they may have introduced? Maybe a 20V Radio??

I just bought that same combo on Friday for $299 at Lowes. My motor on my 18V XRP hammer drill is tired & the the batteries took a **** so I figured it was time to replace it. The XRP felt stronger than the 20V Max lithium but I do like the 20V Max drill & driver much better.

 

[Stuey]

The 20V premium hammer drill is a beast of a tool. I believe it's heavily based on the 18V XRP version, so I'm surprised to hear you say it didn't feel as strong. But you're liking it a lot better? In what way, the ergonomics or performance?

 

[Herb]

What I'm thinking is that there is too little demand to justify the R&D expenses to upgrade the impact wrenches further. How many mechanics use cordless impact wrenches in the shop, let alone Dewalt models?The battery fuel gauge is definitely a welcome feature. I was a bit surprised that they didn't release such a feature at launch. Maybe they were trying to keep costs down?


Here's a link to my coverage of the Dewalt 20V Max power tools, but you can currently see all the posts about the new tools on the ToolGuyd front page.

Here's also a list of all the new Dewalt 20V tools. No 20V radio, sorry.

All six techs in our shop use Snap On cordless impacts all day long.

 

[Aggie]

I carry my 18V 1/2" Dewalt Impact Driver in my truck toolbox everywhere I go. Anytime I am on an Offroad trip SOMEBODY breaks and out it comes to help fix. Really a great tool.

 

[MattPersman]

i too was hoping for a modern powered dewalt impact in 1/2" drive.

 

[Stuey]

All six techs in our shop use Snap On cordless impacts all day long.

Exactly my point. A lot of techs might be reluctant to switch from Snap-on to Dewalt. My assumption is that sales of the 18V impacts weren't high enough to warrant a substantial upgrade just yet. Or maybe something's in development for release next year, there's no way to know for sure.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

My co worker traded up to a Dewalt 18v 3/8 from his snap on 3/8. Defenately stronger than the 14.4 and a lot lighter

 

[Greatbear]

What I'm thinking is that there is too little demand to justify the R&D expenses to upgrade the impact wrenches further. How many mechanics use cordless impact wrenches in the shop, let alone Dewalt models?

The battery fuel gauge is definitely a welcome feature. I was a bit surprised that they didn't release such a feature at launch. Maybe they were trying to keep costs down?


Here's a link to my coverage of the Dewalt 20V Max power tools, but you can currently see all the posts about the new tools on the ToolGuyd front page.

Here's also a list of all the new Dewalt 20V tools. No 20V radio, sorry.

It seems many of the new 20V tools are really nothing much more than the 18V line with different battery mounts. The 1/2" impact, the grinder/cutoff tools, the jigsaw, the 6 1/2" circ saw are carryovers. Thing is, all of these tools (I have all of these) are excellent in the 18V lineup and will gain the added oomph and runtime of the new batteries. I didn't expect much of a redesign, but was getting a bit spoiled by the newest drivers and drills. If DeWalt would beef up the 1/2" impact to work as well as the Bosch IHI180 that I have, or the SnapOns I use at the shop and for the price they typically charge, they'll gain some mechanics as users for sure.

At least they added the variable speed control to the 1/2" impact. The 18V (which I also have and use quite often) only had a single full speed controlled by a rocker trigger for forward and reverse. Having variable speed on an impact is essential IMO.

 

[Stuey]

That's my assessment as well, that some of the tools look to be simple 18V-> 20V platform conversions. Still, the 20V ergonomics are enough of an upgrade for some of these tools. I imagine that some of them may be in continued development, but it's tough to say since most manufacturers refuse to discuss these things.