Friday, June 10, 2011

DEWALT to Launch New 20 Volt MAX Cordless Line!

DEWALT has announced the launch of its new 20 Volt MAX Lithium Ion system, which includes a compact drill/driver (DCD780c2), premium drill/driver (DCD980L2), two impact drivers (DCF885C2 and DCF885L2), compact hammer drill (DCD785C2), premium hammer drill (DCD985L2), reciprocating saw (DCS380L1), circular saw (DCS391L1), SDS rotary hammer (DCH213L2), right angle drill (DCD740C1) and work light (DCL040). The 20 Volt MAX Lithium Ion line was designed with innovations for high performing, long-lasting and comfortable tools professionals demand.

The Dewalt 20V cordless tools are ideal for professionals tasked with heavy-duty applications, including remodelers, carpenters, woodworkers, cabinet installers, electricians, mechanical contractors, plumbers and maintenance professionals.


The new 20 Volt MAX system features compact and premium tools that offer 1.5 Amp Hour (Ah), and 3.0 Ah Lithium Ion batteries which provide up to 35 percent more runtime than existing 18 Volt Lithium Ion battery technology, so that professionals can select the tool and battery power that is more appropriate for the application at hand.


The tools in the 20 Volt MAX system feature a slim handle design that is more comfortable for extensive use based on significant field testing. In addition, the engineering and design team adjusted the product footprint and weight allocation for ideal balance and a lightweight feel. The 3.0 Ah 20 Volt MAX battery is 38 percent lighter than DEWALT’s existing DC9180 18 Volt Lithium Ion battery. These improvements are essential to contractors who are using the tools all day long on the jobsite.


Each item in the 20 Volt MAX Lithium Ion line includes innovative features that allow for productivity and ease of use on the jobsite. For example, the impact drivers (DCF885C2 and DCF885L2) feature a ¼-inch hex chuck capable of one-handed bit loading and each tool accepts one-inch bit tips directly into the chuck to minimize front to back length of the tool.


The new impact drivers also include three LED lights positioned in a circle around the chuck. With a 20-second delay, these lights provide visibility and help to eliminate shadows in dimly lit spaces. The remaining fastening and drilling tools in the line feature an LED light above the trigger to provide visibility that also includes the 20-second delay.

DEWALT also has included innovation in the battery chargers themselves, as they feature dual voltage charging capabilities, making them compatible with 12 Volt MAX and 20 Volt MAX DEWALT Lithium Ion batteries. The new 12 Volt MAX – 20 Volt MAX Lithium Ion heavy duty chargers, DCB101 and vehicle charger DCB119, offer high-visibility LEDs in the same blink patterns as existing DEWALT offerings, molded cord wrap for optimal storage, and quick charge time of 30 minutes for the 1.5 Ah and 60 minutes for the 3.0 Ah Lithium Ion batteries. The DCB119 vehicle charger offers a 90-minute charge time.

DEWALT-designed electronics are built into the switches of all 20 Volt MAX Lithium Ion tools and lights. These electronics provide maximum life for the tools and batteries by helping to protect them from overheating, overloading and deep discharge during use. All premium drill models in the new 20 Volt MAX line (DCD985L2, DCD980L2) feature a three-speed setting which is proprietary to DEWALT. The three-speed settings give professionals the option to select the most appropriate speed for a given task.


The new 20 Volt MAX Lithium Ion system will be available in September 2011 at BurnsTools.com.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Tool-Activated Dust Extractor Vacuums

Although it may sound like a small thing, there is a huge benefit to using a tool activated vac. It has probably happened to you - You have the vacuum or dust collector plugged into your sander. You turn it on, begin your sanding, and before you realize it, you're pushing dust all over the workpiece. You forgot to turn on the vacuum system…again. Defeats even having a vacuum system attached to the power tool! How many times has this happened to you?

We at Burns Tools are big proponents of Festool Vacuums. They all have the auto-start system. But if you have an older dust extractor without the auto-on, we do have a solution: The i-Socket!

The i-Socket Autoswitch was designed by a woodworker for woodworkers. The i-Socket Autoswitch is the ONLY intelligent switch that can control the in-rush of current on startup to eliminate circuit overload with a 7 second delay off.

Connect a vacuum hose to the dust collection port of the tool. Plug the i-Socket Autoswitch into any standard 15A/120V house outlet. Tool plugs into the "TOOL" outlet. Vacuum plugs into the "VAC" outlet. The vacuum switch must be in the ON position for auto-startup.