DeWalt: 36 Volt Tools!!

[Gabe]

Ran across DeWalt's new 36V line of cordless tools. Click Here (http://www.dewalt.com/36v/) .

That is a heck of a lot of battery power. I use their 18V tools, and have tried their 24V line. My only reaction was disbelief. Hard to imagine having more voltage.

I dunno...would you buy these tools?

And, any robotic applications you can think of for high-power DeWalts?

[sanddrag]

I dunno...would you buy these tools?
Absolutely not. I'm sure they are way overpriced and the average user like me has absolutely nothing to gain from them. My several year old 18V Ryobi tools serve me quite nicely.

[Morgan Gillespie]

I was looking through their very nice website for the 36v line, and i was rather disappointed no rock video showing the extreme use of the flashlight.

[miketwalker]

Forget electric-car research, the way DeWalt is going they will be able to make their own all-electric cars soon. Lol. I think these tools could be very useful. However, I'd imagine it's main market will be construction (since these things are way heavy duty) and battery life is always an issue with stuff like this being used in the field for extended periods. I think something like this could be a nice addition to many workshops though (for DIYers and FIRSTers alike) because it allows you to easily work on things out in the yard or away from other things without the issue of power cables. These things are at the point where they can efficiently power these massive tools that you would want to plug in in the past (i.e. circular saws). If I did more DIY work (considering I'm in an apartment I don't tend to go building things that require tools like that lol) I think something like this would be a nice thing to have if the price was right.

[inflamedmormont]

My greatest disapointment is DeWalt's marketing with this stuff. A123Systems claims it can recharge these batteries to 90% in only 5 minutes, with 10X the longivity of other types of batteries. I think that DeWalt should either mention this, or should have delayed release until it was actually possible. Their one hour charger isn't that special, many batteries can charge in half that time.

Also, these cordless devises are getting quite heavy, though that's really not an avoidable problem at this point.

[Greg Needel]

Also, these cordless devises are getting quite heavy, though that's really not an avoidable problem at this point.

yes but the 36 volt batteries are lithium not nickel, which will make them considerably lighter.

personally i think just holding on to one of the drills and not breaking your wrist will be a challenge with that much power.

[KenWittlief]

the battery voltage is irrelavant

the real question is the HP of the motor with the trigger pulled in all the way?

A 1 HP drill is a 1HP drill, whether its designed to run on 36V or 3V, or 120 VAC.

This sounds like a engineering decision driven by the sales and marketing guys "36 VOLTS sounds way better than 24V!"

And, any robotic applications you can think of for high-power DeWalts?

from the Dewalt 36V website it looks like maybe building a new headquarters for FIRST?

[Rick TYler]

Absolutely not. I'm sure they are way overpriced and the average user like me has absolutely nothing to gain from them. My several year old 18V Ryobi tools serve me quite nicely.

The right tool for the job. If you were an electrician drilling 1-1/2 holes through 2x4 studs or a carpenter cutting rafters all day long you might appreciate the torque and battery life of a 36-volt tool. I agree that they look like overkill for robot construction.

[Rick TYler]

the battery voltage is irrelavant

Well, not exactly. It's easier to move power around wires at higher voltages. I agree, of course, that the bottom line is the power of the motor, the design of the transmission, and the battery life. At the right price...

I still wouldn't mind having one of those new cordless circular saws...

[Conor Ryan]

Ok lets look at this from the practical standpoint, 36 volts is definetly useful sometimes, but it's way tooooo heavy to use on your average task, 18 volts are often too heavy for your average robot work. If your drilling and screwing, and doing basic fabrication like that, get a 14.4 volt drill, it's lighter and cheaper, which will lead to less fatigue and more productivity. If you are worried about battery life, take the money you saved and buy another battery! The 36 volts does give you some good applications, like with the Impact Wrench and Rotary Hammer, but come on people, what are we drilling that requires a 36 volt Drill?

What's next? They give you a car battery, with a Cim straped to a DeWalt Transmission? 18 Amps baby! It even shifts on the fly! Take that Makita!

Two things I would like to get my hands on though, are the Transmission that they got on the 36 Volt Drill and the Impact Wrench, that could lead to some good fun.

[KenWittlief]

Ive thought about this all day

I could use a new cordless hammer drill

but I think I will hold off until the 37V version comes out

when you are drilling with a 36V cordless drill, and you need just a little push to get you over the top, what can you do?

nothing

but with 37V, you get 1 more

[Morgan Gillespie]

Ive thought about this all day

I could use a new cordless hammer drill

but I think I will hold off until the 37V version comes out

when you are drilling with a 36V cordless drill, and you need just a little push to get you over the top, what can you do?

nothing

but with 37V, you get 1 more
I don't know the advantages of the 37V are nice but I mean I really would hold out for the 38V, for the times when even 37V can't get it done.

[Gabe]

I really would hold out for the 38V, for the times when even 37V can't get it done.
In a couple of years DeWalt will come out with a 120V drill, I can see it already... :p

[KenWittlief]

I don't know the advantages of the 37V are nice but I mean I really would hold out for the 38V, for the times when even 37V can't get it done.

a 38Volt cordless drill?

Thats INSANE!

You'd break both wrists for sure

[Rohith Surampudi]

In a couple of years DeWalt will come out with a 120V drill, I can see it already... :p

ha ha you would essentially need to mount it like a drill press to avoid spinning in circles while trying to drill something...or to prevent yourself from breaking your wrist.

[KenWittlief]

ha ha you would essentially need to mount it like a drill press to avoid spinning in circles while trying to drill something...or to prevent yourself from breaking your wrist.

120V hand drill? Too late - Black & Decker beat them to the market

120VAC, 6AMPS! thats 0.95 HP in the palm of your hand

(maybe thats why it has two handles?)

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=6223

[miketwalker]

120V hand drill? Too late - Black & Decker beat them to the market

120VAC, 6AMPS! thats 0.95 HP in the palm of your hand

(maybe thats why it has two handles?)

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=6223

Pfft, wires are so yesterday. I think we need to pull apart my 6hp lawnmower... then we'd have no problem doing precision work!

[lukevanoort]

ha ha you would essentially need to mount it like a drill press to avoid spinning in circles while trying to drill something...or to prevent yourself from breaking your wrist.
I'd pay good money to watch someone spin around while trying to drill a hole. :D (As long as they aren't hurt in doing so)

[sanddrag]

I'd pay good money to watch someone spin around while trying to drill a hole. :D (As long as they aren't hurt in doing so)I don't believe this video satisfies the requirement (as long as they aren't hurt), but here you go anyway http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2915272836761855194&q=dewalt

[KenWittlief]

Sandrag beat me to it - you forgot to ask: how much would he pay?

[Mike AA]

What bugs me is that manufacturers keep making higher voltage drills and saws, and they all still last nearly the same time. I would rather see a company go back to a 12 volt drill but instead of the typical 2-4 amp battery they make a 6-10 amp battery. The drill would have much longer run time and could do the same task repetitively, longer.

I have used many brands and feel that higher voltage doesn't really mean better, sure the motors might be more powerful, but thats because they believe consumers would like to see bigger numbers and dont develop more powerful low voltage. For example Dewalt or anyother manufacturer should drop back down to 12 volt and redesign to more powerful motors. Look at what we do with 12 volt systems.

-Mike

[skimoose]

Pfft, wires are so yesterday.

Maybe so. I just don't want a hernia toting around a 40# battery pack. At some point battery weight cancels the hassles of dragging a tether around. Heck, even robots need a tether once in a while.

Remember,

The journey of a thousand miles begins... with a robot not on tether in the pits. :ahh:

[JC-75]

Sooo Much power...soo unnecessary

[Jay H 237]

What bugs me is that manufacturers keep making higher voltage drills and saws, and they all still last nearly the same time. I would rather see a company go back to a 12 volt drill but instead of the typical 2-4 amp battery they make a 6-10 amp battery. The drill would have much longer run time and could do the same task repetitively, longer.
That reminded me of an article I found on the web awhile back giving instructions on rebuilding battery packs with better batteries.
I don't know of anyone who's tried it but it was interesting none the less. Here's the article (http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/592A37363CD61029AC23001143E7E506/?ALLSTEPS).