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Executive Report: DeWalt’s determination Phil Mist suggests that new products from DeWalt show the company focusing on the hire industry’s needs. Having previously concentrated on the dealer market, DeWalt has, during the last 12 months, made a determined effort to penetrate the tool and equipment hire market as well as the construction industry. Whetting the appetite, last year it launched a 7kg SDS Max rotary hammer line-up. The top of the range D25701K has the company’s AVC internal counterbalance system and a floating rear handle to reduce vibration. When EHN tested the tool in October, the manufacturer’s vibration figures were found to be, if anything, a little too pessimistic. Recently, however, at DeWalt’s dealer conference, it launched the D25730K, a 9kg version with a similar specification, described as a breaker that can drill. Although having a 1500W motor and a single energy blow rating of 18J, it has a claimed tri-axial vibration level of only 11.4m/s2. The floating rear handle has an integral steel bar to ensure that, if the machine is abused, the rear handle rises and falls uniformly and helps dampen the effects of vibration. The AVC system is said to reduce tri-axial vibration by up to 30% and the rear handle lowers the X-axis reading by more than 70%. Cordless drilling hammers A
two-step
clutch
mechanism
is
incorporated.
The
lower
torque
setting
is
used
for
holes
of
less
than
40mm
diameter
and
the
higher
setting
for
anything
larger,
including
using
a
hammer
core
drill
up
to
150mm
maximum
diameter.
EHN
will
shortly
give
this
machine
a
heavy-duty
hands-on
assessment
as
befits
a
specialist
construction
tool.
This
will
include
both
real-life
performance
results
as
well
as
Also launched were two new SDS Plus cordless drilling hammers, one an 18V version, the other a 24V machine, both of which are supplied with nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. The smaller machine weighs only 3kg and the 24V version only 3.7kg. Both are shorter in length than similar tools because of their vertical motors and rear-mounted batteries, which also assist the balance and feel of both machines. The gearbox on the machines is mounted independently of the outer casing, which is claimed to reduce the vibration emissions by up to 50%. Available in five versions, three of which are three-mode machines, these hammers are designed to offer a great deal of performance power. Again, EHN will be thoroughly testing these tools for a future issue. Interestingly, an impromptu debate developed during the dealer conference as to which of these two hammers would be the more attractive to UK hire companies. My own feeling is that the 24V model, which is in a format already accepted by many hire fleets, will be the winner, whereas DeWalt’s marketing personnel opted for the 18V tool, on grounds of a saving in weight (0.7kg, for the record) and a reduction in size. Only time will tell. A mains powered 165mm diameter circular saw was unveiled, together with a new electric reciprocating saw, both of which are due for official launch later in the year. DeWalt also announced that the rather sophisticated wet-cutting tile saw, first unveiled in the middle of 2005, has now been officially added to its catalogue. The company has also increased its angle grinder range, with two new 115mm diameter models. Somewhat surprisingly, both are fitted with a variable speed facility and they also sport a clever dust deflection system. One model is supplied with an auto balancer system to smooth out excessive vibration emissions and a 125mm version is also available with this feature. DeWalt promises yet more angle grinder additions later in the year. Dealers were obviously impressed by the demonstration of a new cross line laser and related accessories. (It even went down extremely well with a distributor based in the north of England, who currently offers lasers from a different manufacturer). This new model more or less completes DeWalt’s laser range, and with its accuracy of 0.3mm/m, a self-levelling feature and a moulded rubber case for protection within a harsh construction site environment, it looks like a strong contender for inclusion in hire fleets. A wet/dry vacuum cleaner and a fluorescent light were also introduced to the existing 18V tool range. Whilst of some importance to power tool dealers, these are of less obvious interest to hirers, although they might appeal as retail items. They do serve, however, to show DeWalt’s continued commitment to product innovation and development, at a time when the struggle for market share between the major power tool brands continues unabated. New and sophisticated tools are now being introduced on a regular basis, and with many of them clearly intended for sale to the construction and hire industries, EHN readers will clearly have many new products to enjoy examining in the months ahead. • T
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339258 Executive Hire News › Archives › Feb/March 2006 › Executive Report › DeWalt's determination
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