By Greg Sitek
We had the opportunity to visit and tour one of DeWALT’s recent plant expansions in Charlotte NC where it is manufacturing hand tools hand tools. The 65,000 square-foot production facility is part of the company’s 1.2 million square-foot North Carolina/South Carolina distribution facility. The building actually does sit on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line.
This is one of several expansions as DeWALT, continues its initiative to build products in the USA. With this expansion, an additional 60 corded and cordless power tools are being built domestically with global materials. An expansion of production into an existing company-owned plant in Greenfield, Indiana brings the total number of DEWALT plants in the United States to seven, with facilities in Connecticut, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, making some of the brand’s most popular tools.
DEWALT will now produce approximately 14 million products each year in the United States. Given a choice between a product made in the United States and an identical one made abroad, 78 percent of Americans would rather buy the American product, according to a 2013 survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.
In addition to the efficiency that domestic expansion provides, DEWALT has also created new jobs for Americans across the country, adding over 500 employees to the expanded manufacturing facilities since the campaign began. This brings the total number of employees at US-based DEWALT plants to the thousands. DEWALT is also committed to hiring veterans and currently employs over 1,000 former members of the military in their manufacturing facilities alone.
“We continue to grow our domestic capabilities because the professional using our tools wants to buy products built in the USA. DEWALT is making the power tools for the contractors and builders who are themselves building America,” said Frank Mannarino, President of DeWALT Professional Products Group. “Whether it’s through our high quality tools built in the USA with global materials, convenient service repair centers, or products backed by extensive warranties, the DEWALT professional end user can expect premium power tools that are built and serviced by fellow Americans – some of whom are veterans – right here in the United States.”
With the added products, facilities, and a continued commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing, DeWALT is able to deliver products with greater efficiency, without adding cost, while keeping the same Guaranteed Tough® quality.
“DeWALT is a global brand built right here in America,” said Nick DeSimone, Vice President of Operations. “We’re choosing to invest in domestic manufacturing because it’s important that we maintain our connection with core DEWALT customers. Not only can we build quality products in the United States, but we also care deeply about making things at home and bringing jobs back to the United States.”
For more information on DeWALT’s initiative to build products in the USA using global materials, and to view a full list of product offerings, visit www.dewalt.com/americanpride or watch a video about it here.
More Cordless Power
The company has focused on improving jobsite safety by eliminating the electrical cords that often cover construction jobsites. Enter more cordless power tools. During the recent visit to the newly expanded Charlotte NC facility we were introduced to a family of cordless tools that do eliminate a lot of the cords.
Here are some of the new tools that we hand an opportunity to see and “test drive.”
This first one, while not typically found on the heavy nonresidential was more than impressive. After using it I thought of all the things you could do with it on any job site especially when you realize that it is cordless and delivers the kind of cutting power it does. Good bye chop saw.
20V MAX* Lithium Ion 7 1/4 Inch Sliding Miter Saw (DCS361) offers portability and convenience, optimized for general contractors and remodelers for various applications including trim installation, flooring work, and cutting 2x material.
The 7 1/4 Inch Sliding Miter Saw (DCS361) features a single left bevel which ranges from -3° to 48° left. With a 3 1/2 inch maximum vertical, 3 5/8 inch crown nested, and 2×8 inch horizontal cut capacity, the DCS361 will handle most of the common cuts needed. The DCS361 spins at 3750 RPM and makes, on average 183 cuts of 2×4 pine or 275 cuts of 3-1/4 inch pine base molding on a single battery charge (DCB204 4.0Ah battery). The DCS361 with a battery is lightweight at 31.6lbs and with the integrated cast-in side handles it’s easy to carry around the jobsite.
Key ease-of-use features of the DCS361 include an integrated XPS™ blade light, which casts a shadow showing where the blade will cut. A stainless steel miter detent plate makes it easy to adjust the saw. Other features include the saw’s 10 positive miter stops, a fast and easy cam lock, and rubber feet for no-slip and no-scratch grip. A high visibility bevel scale, adjustable bevel overrides, and a miter pointer on the left side of the table provides maximum visibility and versatility.
Whether the DCS361 is used for flooring, small crown work, toe molding, back splashes, base, chair rail, door or window casting, or any other woodworking application, it’s a convenient option for the professional. The DCS361 will be available as a bare unit (DCS361B) or as a kit (DCS361M1). Both units come equipped with a dust bag, hold-down clamp, and a 40 tooth blade. For the bare unit, battery and charger are sold separately.
Three 20V MAX* Brushless High Torque Impact Wrenchesare available in 1/2 Inch (DCF899) hog ring or detent pin anvils, 3/4 Inch (DCF898) hog ring with retention pin hole anvil and a 7/16 Inch (DCF897) quick release chuck specifically designed for utility applications.
These high-torque impact wrenches feature efficient, brushless motors and with the 5Ah 20V MAX* XR lithium ion battery pack they deliver the power, speed, and extreme runtime required by the professional. The 1/2 Inch (DCF899) hog ring or detent pin anvil impact wrench delivers 700 ft-lbs of max torque and 1200 ft-lbs of max breakaway torque.
With 3 speeds for application-specific control these impact wrenches offer the convenience of cordless technology and save time by eliminating cords and hoses of electric and pneumatic impact wrenches. At 8.9 inches long and just 7lbs each, the impact wrenches get into tight spaces easily and are comfortable to use over extended periods of time on the worksite. These impact wrenches feature LED work lights and provide the durability to stand up to jobsite environments.
Whether it’s automotive, farm, or heavy machinery repair, concrete fastening, road or bridge crews, or elevator and ironworkers – on the job, power and portability allow for productivity. You will be amazed by the power and speed these tools deliver without cords and/or hoses.
DEWALT’s First Cordless Portable Stick & TIG Welder (DCW100K) can be operated in cordless mode for maximum convenience or easily plugged into a 20 Amp circuit or generator. I definitely want one…
With an internal lithium ion battery, the DCW100K recharges while it’s plugged in. The external 4.4lb 50 minute charger keeps the DCW100K ready to use remotely at any time. Weighing less than 25lbs, the welder itself is easy to move around a job site whether it’s for mechanical, fleet field or jobsite repair and install, or stair and railing work.
At 140 Amps Max Stick and 150 Amps Max TIG, the DCW100K offers pro-grade performance for a majority of job site and construction applications. The unit features a digital display which indicates the amperage and control values, manipulated via adjustment dial. Other displays include a Stick/TIG Welder Type Selector and a Hot Start/Soft Start setting which allows the DCW100K to start easily and maintain a stable arc at low amperage. Additionally, an Arc Force Dynamic setting increases the amperage, helping to prevent the weld pool from solidifying. A battery status bar shows the remaining charge. Finally, the DCW100K includes a 13-ft. stick electrode lead as well as a 10-ft. grounding lead.
Ward Smith, DEWALT product manager said, “DEWALT continues to push the boundaries of cordless innovation on the jobsite delivering a portable power solution for the welding professional. The DCW100K Cordless Welder delivers premium performance in a lightweight and portable package.”
On the job, portability is productivity – the DCW100K Portable Stick & TIG Welder is designed for welding professionals and Guaranteed Tough® by DEWALT.
20V MAX* XR™ Brushless SDS Hammer is the first brushless rotary hammer available from this professional power tool brand.
Ideal for use in concrete drilling applications, the 1” 20V MAX* XR™ Brushless SDS Hammer is powered by a DEWALT-built brushless motor that provides 2.1 Joules of Impact Energy**, and is optimized for chipping work and drilling diameters of 1/2” or less. With only 6.6 m/s² vibration felt by the user at the handle, this lightweight, SHOCKS™ equipped rotary hammer is designed for comfortable use.
The 1” 20V MAX* XR™ Brushless SDS Hammer comes kitted with a 5.0 Amp hour lithium ion battery and is compatible with DEWALT’s onboard cordless HEPA dust extractor (D25303DH sold separately). The rotary hammer also includes a retractable utility hook that allows it to be hung not only from a belt but also lifts, ladders, carts, etc. The hammer also features an LED with a 20 second delay that provides visibility in dimly lit spaces.
The 1” 20V MAX* XR™ Brushless SDS Hammer is part of the DEWALT Perform & Protect™ line of power tools. DEWALT Perform & Protect™ tools are designed to provide a high level of one or more of the following: control, dust containment or low vibration, without sacrificing performance.
The tool will come standard with a three-year limited warranty, two-year free service contract and 90-day money-back guarantee.
Four new SDS Rotary Hammers the 1-1/8” SDS Hammer (D25263K), the 1” SDS Hammer (D25262K), 1” Pistol Grip SDS Hammer (D25133K), and the 7/8” SDS Hammer (D25260K) were introduced and demonstrated. Each of these units provides performance, durability, and comfort for work in the plumbing, electrical, concrete forming, HVAC, and other concrete-related trades.
Leading the new Rotary Hammer collection is the 1-1/8” SDS Hammer (D25263K), which has 15% faster drilling speed, on average when compared to the Bosch Bulldog Extreme Max (RH228VC) when drilling 5/8” by 3” holes. An 8.5 amp high performance motor delivers an RPM of 0-1450 and a BPM at 0-5350 with 3.0 Joules* of impact energy.
The 1-1/8” SDS Hammer also features three internal and three external rubber seals which help protect the unit from dust and debris and provide DEWALT-level durability. At 6.8 lbs, with SHOCKS™ vibration control and a vibration-reducing side handle, this unit limits vibration felt by the user at the handle to 9.8 m/s² for optimal user comfort. The 1-1/8” SDS Hammer also features three operation modes; Hammer Drill, Drill Only, and Chipping. Each SDS Rotary Hammer features a rotating brush ring that delivers full power in Reverse mode for bit jam incidents.
Both the 1-1/8” SDS Hammer and 1” SDS Hammer are part of the DEWALT Perform & Protect™ line of power tools. DEWALT Perform & Protect™ tools are designed to provide a high level of one or more of the following: control, dust containment or low vibration, without sacrificing performance.
The full collection of new DEWALT SDS Rotary Hammers is available now where DEWALT products are sold. The 1-1/8” SDS Hammer (D25263K) and 1” SDS Hammer (D25262K) each have a 2-year service warranty. The 1” Pistol Grip SDS Hammer (D25133K) and 7/8” SDS Hammer (D25260K) each have a 1-year service warranty.
DEWALT Batteries, Now With Bluetooth® What? DeWALT’s new Tool Connect™ App allows users to pair Bluetooth® enabled batteries with compatible smartphones. Adding to its growing offering of “connected” tools, DEWALT launches its first line of premium 20V MAX* 2.0 Amp (DCB203BT) and 4.0 Amp (DCB204BT) lithium ion batteries with Bluetooth® capability.
These batteries pair with Apple and Android smart devices via the free Tool Connect™ App. This innovation gives DEWALT users the ability to control their compatible DEWALT batteries remotely via a Bluetooth device. For the early-adopter who runs a business on a jobsite, this technology allows greater control over tools in residential, MRO, and commercial work sites.
Bluetooth® enabled batteries solve a number of jobsite problems and the Tool Connect™ App takes just a few moments to set up. Users can simply connect their compatible DEWALT batteries to their Bluetooth® enabled smartphone or tablet (by initiating the pairing process) and view the inventory of paired units on the Tool Connect™ App home screen. This home screen allows users to remotely turn all compatible DEWALT Bluetooth® batteries on or off at once, monitor battery charge level, view Bluetooth signal strength, and pair additional batteries.
From the Tool Connect™ App home screen, users can select an individual battery to view its diagnostics and change settings by tabbing through four pages: Diagnostics, Actions, Info, and Alerts. The Diagnostics screen indicates an individual battery’s state of charge, temperature, and connection to Bluetooth®. This screen also allows users to enable and disable a particular battery. By disabling a battery, the user prevents it from being used until re-enabled. This feature makes it easy to shut down equipment at the end of the day to conserve battery life and deter theft.
The Actions screen allows the user to customize their alert preferences depending on what information they need and when they need it. These options include Alert if Out of Range, Disable if Out of Range, Alert at Low Battery Charge, Alert at High Temperature, and Alert at Charge Completion. In addition, this screen offers a Lending Button, which allows for sharing of batteries. The user can select an amount of time for the tool (with battery) to be lent and when the time is exceeded, the battery shuts down and the owner receives an alert.
Finally, the Alerts screen provides a comprehensive list of all of the alerts that have been generated by the Tool Connect™ App and the compatible DEWALT Bluetooth® batteries. From here, users can select an alert to view more details or clear some or all alerts in the log.
More than ever before, DEWALT is connecting the professional to their tools. By integrating Bluetooth® Technology into batteries and as a leading tool brand, DEWALT continues to advance technology in the industrial space.
* – Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.
** – According to EPTA-procedure 05/2009