Speculation has been ongoing for weeks about DeWalt’s impending “World’s First” announcement that they’ve been teasing and today was the day the announcement was made. In an effort to give cordless tools the same power of corded, the tool giant announced the release of 20V/60V flexible voltage batteries and a new line of cordless 60V and 120V tools. The best part? The new ultra-powerful batteries are compatible with your favorite 20V tools that you already own.
FLEXVOLT, touted by DeWalt as the “World’s first battery that automatically changes voltage when you change tools,” will bring unprecedented power to cordless tools, especially workhorse tools like miter saws and circular saws. Perhaps most importantly, two 60-volt batteries ($149 to $199 on Amazon) can be used in tandem to extend the life and the power of the batteries. This system will be used in 120V tools, the first of which to be released is the 120V cordless/corded miter saw. The exciting new line of tools includes:
120V Cordless/Corded Sliding Miter Saw ($499-$799 on Amazon)
All tools will incorporate the brushless motor technology that has made many tools so much more efficient in recent years. With the brushless motor technology combined with the new batteries and FLEXVOLT accessories that were also announced today, you can expect up to twice the run time vs. standard DeWalt tools. The accessories that DeWalt will release so far include circular saw blades engineered for low vibration, reciprocating saw blades with a finish that helps to reduce heat, and a self-feed pilot bit for faster cuts.
DeWalt had Twitter abuzz today due to the major announcement, which was in conjunction with the DeWalt media day. Several other tools and accessories were announced as well, like this new DeWalt Toughbox for safe jobsite storage.
Coming soon, a new place to store your #dewalt tools on the job #worldsfirst pic.twitter.com/KpA9YUQiaR
— Electrical Business (@EBMag) June 21, 2016
And this 60V chainsaw…
@BIM2theBone @JamesMBenham Check out this 60V cordless chainsaw from @DEWALTtough #flexvolt #worldsfirst pic.twitter.com/OCiPYkTmLX
— Rob McKinney (@conappguru) June 21, 2016
And this cordless dust extractor vacuum:
So THIS is how you make a #cordless dust extractor vac @DEWALTtough #worldsfirst #flexvolt #vacuums pic.twitter.com/QJCufS9rS3
— Pro Tool Reviews (@ProToolReviews) June 21, 2016
It was certainly an exciting day for DeWalt tool lovers. It’s even more exciting that you won’t have to replace your existing 20V tools to upgrade to the new batteries, unlike the last time DeWalt upgraded their batteries from 18V to 20V MAX.
FLEXVOLT will be made available to the public in the fall of 2016. To find out more about FLEXVOLT, visit flexvolt.dewalt.com.
Those that follow tool news may have heard about a new Makita tool platform that launched in several other countries a few months ago and have been waiting for the news of it finally being released in the United States. Well, the wait is over, as the teal tool brand has finally announced the release of their 40V and 80V XGT system in the US.