New DEWALT XR Compact 20V Max Tools

2013 DEWALT XR - Extreme Runtime!

We just returned from the DeWalt XR Media Event in Towson, Maryland. Two days at Stanley Black & Decker University (DeWalt's parent company's testing grounds) were devoted to learning about these and other tools that will be coming to a retailer near you over the next few months.  While we had plenty of hands-on time with the tools, we're having some sent to the shop to torture and test.  The articles and videos you'll see over the next few days and weeks will give you an idea of what's to come and you can see more about what DEWALT says about them.

DeWalt Brushed vs Brushless Drill Test

On the day of our arrival, DEWALT wasted no time putting the tools in our hands, and we got to see and feel how they worked right away.  The first tool that my group used was the new brushless DEWALT DCD790D2 compact drill driver using the XR 2.oAH battery, up against the existing brushed DEWALT DCD780C2 compact drill driver using the 1.5AH battery. The test?  Drill holes into 2x wood using 3/8" twist bits.  The winner?  The tool that drilled the most holes on a single battery charge.  Hands down, the brushless DEWALT DCD790D2 compact drill driver/XR 2.0Ah battery was the winner.  In DEWALT's testing, they claim that the new brushless drill and high capacity battery drills an average of 300 holes while the older brushed version drills an average of 124.  In our tests, I didn't personally count, but our group drilled at least twice as many holes using the new brushless DEWALT DCD790D2.

DeWalt Brushless Impact Driver Test

Our next test station took us to the sheet metal set-up to drive 3/4" #10 self-tapping screws into 18 gauge steel using the new brushless DEWALT DCF886 M2 impact driver using the XR 4.0AH battery.  Each one of the editors took turns driving the screws and by the end of the test period, it totaled 1,289 screws and there was still life left on the battery.  According to DEWALT, this is an average of about 470 more than DEWALT's Brushed version (DCF885M2) using the same battery.

DeWalt Compact Impact Driver

For the final test of the day: drive some lag bolts.  The test?  Drive 3/8"Lag 3" into 4"x4" material.  We took turns using DEWALT's existing brushed compact impact driver and then we broke out the new DEWALT Brushless XR Compact Impact Driver (DCF886M2), and again the winner hands down was the new brushless technology.

What is XR? What does XR mean?

XR is Extreme Runtime.  How does DEWALT achieve it? Answer: Brushless motors combined with high-capacity batteries.  According to DEWALT, "These new tools feature a brushless motor delivering up to 57% more runtime versus standard brushed motors and high-capacity XR battery packs with 33% more capacity than the standard DEWALT 20V Max batteries."

DeWalt XR Testing Facility Overview

Tool Skool contractors will soon get their dirty hands on these tools and we'll let you know what they say.

For now, only the XR batteries are available on Amazon.com, but other tools will be added soon.

For more info: CLICK HERE