Dewalt has announced that they will be expanding their 20V Max cordless power tool lineup with new trade-focused tools. There will be 5 new tools that can tackle a variety of cutting, crimping, and pressing applications.
We knew about one of these new tools – the threaded rod cutter – but news of the others came as a complete but welcome surprise.
Why a welcome surprise? I don’t have use for any of these new electrical or plumbing tools, but I am happy to see Dewalt taking their 20V Max lineup into new territory. I don’t think anyone would disagree with this, except maybe for their competitors.
Before we start talking about the tools, I wanted to share a short message included in the press release:
Users who had previously needed to switch tools from their DEWALT drills to their industry-specific tools will benefit from the convenience and performance of the 20V MAX* system, now available for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, MRO, and HVAC professionals.
A Milwaukee product manager once said that they want to “own the application,” from start to finish, meaning they want pros to use Milwaukee tools for every aspect of a job. It sounds like Dewalt is looking to adopt the same philosophy as they branch out into new waters.
Here are the 5 new tools:
- Cable Cutter (DCE150)
- U-Type Died Crimper (DCE300)
- Dieless Crimper (DCE350)
- Press Tool (DCE200)
- Threaded Rod Cutter (DCS350)
ETA: June 2016
New Dewalt 20V Max Electrical Tools
Cable Cutter (DCE150)
We don’t have an image of the new cordless cable cutter yet, so for the time being you’ll have to use your imagination.
The new large cable cutter is capable of cutting a range of cable sizes, up to 750 MCM copper or 1000 MCM aluminum cables. It features long-lasting hardened steel cutting blades that can be self-serviced or replaced.
Additional features include an LED worklight and inline forward/reverse switch.
U-Type Died Crimper (DCE300)
Dewalt has come out with 2 new crimpers, a U-type died crimper (DCE300), and a dieless crimper (DCE350). Both will feature Dewalt’s new Crimp Connect System, a built-in reporting system that can report the date, time, and force of each successful crimp, as well as the number of successful crimp cycles completed by the tool. It can also report the tool’s calibration and service history.
Going by the small graphic included in the press release, it looks like the new Dewalt cordless crimpers will provide reporting via USB connection to laptop or desktop computers.
There’s an electronic control panel at the top of the crimpers, complete with on/off switch, LED indicators that show battery state of charge, cycle completion, and if recalibration or servicing is needed.
Each tool also comes with a shoulder strap for easier carrying.
The died crimper, model DCE300, can deliver the 12-ton crimping force that most manufacturers’ connectors require for UL-classified crimps. It accepts most brands’ U-Type dies, and can be used on cables #8 to 750 MCM copper or 1000 MCM aluminum.
The head pivots 270° for maneuvering in tight spaces, and separate forward and reverse trigger switches allow for one-handed operation of the crimper.
Dieless Crimper (DCE350)
There will also be a dieless crimper, model DCD350.
The Dewalt cordless dieless crimper features a 4 pusher design, and can crimp cables #8 to 750 MCM copper or 1000 MCM aluminum.
It has an innovative head design that helps to reduce user error when crimping smaller cables. The head pivots 360°, allowing the crimper to maneuver in tight spaces. Like the died crimper, this one also has separate forward and reverse triggers, for one-handed operation.
New Dewalt 20V Max Plumbing Tools
Press Tool (DCE200)
There is also a new press tool for plumbing applications. It can press pipe fittings from 1/2″ to 4″ in copper and stainless steel pipe. The press tool is compatible with a wide range of crimping heads and attachments, for use on different materials.
Its head pivots 320°, for maneuvering in tight spaces. To protect against corrosion, the crimping jaws are finished with a black galvanized coating.
The cable cutter will also feature Dewalt’s built-in Crimp Connect reporting system. And as with the crimpers, it too will have an electronic control panel for powering the tool on and off, and LED indicators for battery state of charge, cycle completion, and to let you know when recalibration or servicing is needed.
It will also feature an LED worklight and will come with a shoulder strap.
New Dewalt 20V Max Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Tools
Threaded Rod Cutter (DCS350)
Finally, there’s the new DCS350 threaded rod cutter, which is capable of cutting threaded rod in the following sizes: 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ mild steel, and 1/4″ and 3/8″ stainless steel.
It features a 4-sided rotatable cutting die that allows users to cut each of the different threaded rod sizes with the same tool. All you need to do is rotate the cutting dies to the desired size.
The Dewalt cordless threaded rod cutter works without creating chips or sparks, and also creates a burr-free cut that can be threaded onto fasteners without needing additional finishing.
The new threaded rod cutter seems to be designed as a safer alternative to other cutting tools which have fast-moving, chip-flying, or spark-spraying wheels or cutting blades. Additionally, it’s not possible for the threaded rod cutter to bind when trimming rod, which cannot be said about cutting blades or wheels.
Features include an LED worklight, forward/reverse/lock off switch, and a hanging hook. There will be a full line of replacement dies available.
Here are some more photos of the prototype, which you might have already seen in our new Dewalt cordless tools preview post:
There’s also a belt hook.