DEWALT

DEWALT announces the TOOL CONNECT™ Chip (DCE042), a Bluetooth® beacon add-on, that allows tools to easily and wirelessly work with the Tool Connect™ System. The TOOL CONNECT™ System is designed to seamlessly track, assign and manage jobsite inventory to optimize productivity, saving time and budget. Integrating the Chip adds tracking capabilities that are compatible with TOOL CONNECT™ Site Manager software, available for web and mobile, which adds, manages, and tracks inventory for jobsite visibility. The TOOL CONNECT™ Chip can be installed in the designated pocket of Chip-Ready products to protect it from damage and is equipped with a blue identification light which helps locate and differentiate among identical tools.

The TOOL CONNECT™ Chip is currently compatible with the following products that are available now, with plans to expand to 15 additional DEWALT power tools within the next year.

• ATOMIC Compact Series™ 20V MAX* Brushless Cordless 1-3/4-In. Bandsaw (DCS377)
• 20V MAX* Brushless Hammer Drill with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE™ Technology (DCD999)
• 20V MAX* Brushless 4-1/2-In.-5-In. Cordless Grinder with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE™ Technology (DCG416)
• 20V MAX* Brushless Reciprocating Saw with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE™ Technology (DCS386)
• 20V MAX* Brushless 7-1/4-In. Circular Saw with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE™ Technology (DCS573)
• Select units within the ToughSystem® 2.0 Storage System

DEWALT also offers the TOOL CONNECT Tag (DCE041) which seamlessly integrates with 31 Tag-ready tools that are currently available, with several more in development.  The TOOL CONNECT™ Tag (DCE041) also attaches to jobsite assets regardless of brand, make, or model, using screws, zip-ties, industrial tape, glue and new corded tool tags held in place by security screws.

The TOOL CONNECT™ Chip will be available where DEWALT products are sold mid-year 2021 for $15 MSRP.  The TOOL CONNECT™ Tag is available now for $39 MSRP.

It’s been two months since I took delivery of the Dewalt DCE200 press tool and I’ve had the opportunity to put it to work on a handful of jobs now. This is a feature-packed tool unlike many on the market today. With capabilities of handling any and all press systems common in North America and Europe team Black & Yellow pulled out all the stops in engineering their first at what I’m guessing will be a team of press tools to come.

First off I’d like to cover the important specs.

• Capable of pressing ½”-2” copper & stainless steel V-groove fittings
• Compatible with competitor jaw sets for Iron Pipe [Mega-Press]
• Compatible with competitor jaw sets for PEX press [Viega/Nibco]
• 4-ton pressing force
• Current online pricing searches average $1999.00

I first learned of this tool back in July/August of 2016 at the annual new tool event hosted by Dewalt. When I first put my hands on it I admit I was a little surprised of the physical size overall but after using it for both boiler and tankless water heater installations now I can honestly say the size of the tool has not proved to be an issue at all. Weighing in at 7.16lbs without a jaw it is lighter than other comparable tools common on the job today. Ergonomics may be a slightly different story and I do carry a bias toward in-line design press tools. This tool is front-end heavy, loaded with anything over 1″ jaws and it will not stand on it’s own. That may be partially due to the small footprint of the 20V battery or the handle angle and placement. Either way its a strain on the wrist and requires two hands to steady the tool most of the time.

Features

This pistol-grip press tool is packed with some new innovation to the market that should prove useful to many contractors working on commercial & residential projects alike. Notably, Dewalt’s proprietary software system Crimp Connect. This free software download allows the owner/user to connect the press tool via the onboard mini USB port providing ability to print detailed reports of the date, time, force, and successfully completed cycles of the presses completed by the tool as well as the tools calibration and service history.

Located on the top rear of the tool you’ll find a somewhat familiar interactive panel where the tool’s power is controlled along with LED light indicators showing the successful completion of a single press, battery indicator, low & high temperature warnings. There’s even a “service required” indicator light telling the user that the tool has reached the cycle limitations.

While the power panel is not unique to press tools of this caliber, the Crimp connect feature is. An added feature I found interesting is the double trigger.

The bottom trigger controls the start and completion of the press cycle. Dewalt went with a “manual” cycle operation here. You’ll need to depress the trigger completely for the duration to complete the press cycle. Cycle time is anywhere between 4-6 seconds depending on the diameter and type of material being pressed. The unique second trigger, the top trigger can be used to release the press cycle at any point. This is useful when a cycle has started but the operator decides [far various reasons] to stop the press. When pressed fully, the top trigger will release the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder and allow the ram to retract quickly. This would allow for repositioning of the tool or fitting when needed, potentially saving a fitting from incorrect attachment to the piping.

A shoulder strap and ring attachment point are included with the tool. Dewalt states in the manual that it should be used for transporting the tool on the jobsite. Some feedback I have received from other plumbers is the strap may be useful when working on a ladder, a situation that often lends to the possibility of dropping a tool like this….I’ve done that and it wasn’t pretty.

The tool is made in France but the jaw set is delivered to Dewalt from Germany. Dewalt is offering a 3 year limited warranty, 1 year service and 90 day money back guarantee. You’ll most likely have to order this tool from specialty tool suppliers offering the whole Dewalt lineup. You can also look to plumbing and mechanical supply houses for stock as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVIlalA-Abs

The lightweight 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake (DCD200) provides a cordless, powered solution for cleaning clogged drains. This allows service plumbers to get in and out quickly without the hassle of cords or tedious manual options. The 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake comes with a 5/16” x 25’ cable that is coated with black oxide to help prevent corrosion and a steel inner core for rigidity to feed the snake down the drain. Compatible with replacement cables from a variety of leading manufacturers, the versatile 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake accepts 1/4” and 5/16” cables up to 50 ft. long and 3/8”cables up to 35 ft. long with an assortment of different ends for various applications (sold separately).

The Drain Snake has a partially sealed inner drum that makes it easy to remove and change out cables. It also helps retain the water and material that it collects, preventing the spread of debris around the work area. A fixed outer housing is separate from the inner drum. This helps prevent a spinning drum from coming in contact with other surfaces such as the user or a finished vanity. Other features of the 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake include a variable speed trigger, brushless motor, and three-mode, pivoting LEDs to enhance visibility when under sinks or in other dimly lit areas.

The DEWALT 20V MAX* 1″ PEX Expander (DCE400) can expand 3/8” to 1” PEX-A Tubing. A popular alternative to copper pipe, PEX-A (Polyethylene Cross Fiber Pipe) is commonly used in commercial and residential installation of pipework for potable drinking water, radiant heating, and residential fire sprinklers. Five interchangeable PEX expander heads in 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8” 3/4”, and 1” are available. The tool rotates each of these heads evenly to ensure consistent expansion around the diameter of the pipe. The 20V MAX* 1” PEX Expander features a dual-sided, heavy-duty hang hook and belt hook that can be mounted on either side of the tool. A bright LED light helps to illuminate the work area. In addition, the long trigger can be actuated at any point, making it easy to use in a variety of orientations between joists or under sinks.

The lightweight 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake (DCD200) provides a cordless, powered solution for cleaning clogged drains. This allows service plumbers to get in and out quickly without the hassle of cords or tedious manual options. The 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake comes with a 5/16” x 25’ cable that is coated with black oxide to help prevent corrosion and a steel inner core for rigidity to feed the snake down the drain. Compatible with replacement cables from a variety of leading manufacturers, the versatile 20V MAX* XR® Brushless Drain Snake accepts 1/4” and 5/16” cables up to 50 ft. long and 3/8”cables up to 35 ft. long with an assortment of different ends for various applications (sold separately).

20V MAX* 1” PEX Expander

-DCE400D2: MSRP $459 – Kitted with (2) DCB203 Batteries, Charger, 3 PEX Expansion Heads (1/2”, 3/4”, 1”), and PEX Expander Grease

-DCE400B: MSRP $299, Bare tool comes with 3 PEX Expansion Heads (1/2”, 3/4”, 1”), and PEX Expander Grease (no battery or charger included)

-Attachments (sold separately)

• DCE40038: 3/8” PEX Expander Head
• DCE40012: 1/2” PEX Expander Head
• DCE40058: 5/8” PEX Expander Head
• DCE40034: 3/4” PEX Expander Head
• DCE4001: 1” PEX Expander Head
• DCE400GR: PEX Expander Grease