Thanks to a tip by Albert, over at our Facebook page, we learned that Klein has partnered with Dewalt to release a new line of cordless power tools.
That’s right, Klein has launched a new line of “Powered by Dewalt” battery-operated cordless tools.
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The new Klein 20V Max cordless power tool lineup seems to be aimed specifically at linemen. They say:
This new line of battery-operated cable cutters, crimpers and impact wrench are engineered to help linemen work more efficiently by reducing time and effort on the job.
All with the performance and durability professionals expect from Klein.
The first wave of tools includes:
- High-Torque Impact Wrench (7/16″)
- 7-ton Combination Cable Cutters/Crimpers with 6 Heads
- Gear-Driven Cable Cutters
- 12-ton Crimper
There are different configurations and kit options available. If you’re interested, this Klein PDF has tables of the purchasing options and part numbers.
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The Klein power tools work with off-the-shelf Dewalt 20V Max battery packs.
Dewalt came out with electrical trades-specific tools nearly 2 years ago, and several more were launched in late 2017.
Looking at some of the tools, there are similarities between Dewalt and Klein offerings, but enough differences that they seem to be distinct tools. Take the high-torque impact wrench, for example.
I’m willing to guess that Dewalt and Klein are design and manufacturing partners. Looking at the shape of the tools’ handles, trigger switches, direction selection switches, chucks, and overall motor casing geometry, I can’t imagine that these are made by anyone besides Dewalt.
Some of the kits come with Klein kit bags.
Compare(Dewalt DCF898B Impact Wrench via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Pricing information isn’t available yet. Looking at the impact wrench, the specs look comparable between Klein and Dewalt tools, but with the Klein being a little difference. For instance, the Dewalt DCF898B, which came out in 2015, has a brushless motor, 3 speed options, and a base-mounted LED worklight.
The Klein doesn’t mention the motor style, but is said to have comparable speed and torque specs, up to 500 ft-lbs of max torque and 0-1900 RPM.
We don’t know if the Klein tools are brushless, but they might not be. If that is true, then I would expect for their pricing to be a little lower than Dewalt’s.
Klein has been reaching into new markets in recent years. Some of their new products have surprised me, others make sense. New pliers? Of course. A 17 quart jobsite cooler? Wireless speaker? I wasn’t expecting Klein to be interested in releasing products like that.
This partnership looks to be a good idea for both brands. Klein has faced increased competition from other tool makers looking to win over electricians and linemen, and this looks to be a strong countermeasure.
Klein is one of the most highly regarded electrical hand tool and equipment brands, and Dewalt is among the most well regarded cordless power tool brands.
Klein wouldn’t need their own know-how and factories to launch a brand new power tool line. But launching a new line of tools that is inherently cross-compatible with batteries and tools from another popular brand? It makes the tools much more competitive.
I would think that Dewalt and Klein worked hard to avoid too much overlap, in order to avoid unnecessary competition between them.
I’ll start asking around for pricing details, and am also interested in learning how the Klein offerings might differ from similar Dewalt tools.
This new Klein cordless power tool lineup definitely makes for interesting news, but it also makes me very curious to see what else Klein and Dewalt might be working together on. The two brands have much to offer each other, and without stepping on each other’s toes too much.
ALSO, keep in mind that Stanley Black & Decker has pledged to bring Craftsman tool production back to the USA, at least as much as they can. Perhaps they’re considering Klein as a hand tool manufacturing partner, at least initially?
There’s also the possibility that Klein and Dewalt’s partnership is only as deep as we can see it. But where’s the fun in thinking that?
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Thank you to Albert for the heads-up!
jec6613
Very good for Dewalt, as it’ll bring new users into their platform. Surprising, but cool.
Julian
Graco is another brand “powered by Dewalt” for their line of cordless sprayers.
That’s good, as the Graco batteries were pretty bad.
Here’s an interesting note though, the Dewalt 2.0 batts that came with my sprayer were made in Japan. Every other Dewalt battery I own was made in either Korea or Malaysia.
I guess Graco had enough unhappy customers from their batteries, they had Dewalt supply them with the very best batteries they make.
Anyone else spot a made in Japan Dewalt 20v battery ?
jec6613
I believe that my 2.0 XR’s that came in my kit last year were. Japan does a lot of Li-Ion battery manufacturing though, so I wasn’t surprised. I believe the cells are still made in China/Taiwan though.
Raoul
I have the XR 2.0s is both Japan and Korea. All my
Jimmy stath
My 3 year old Dewalt 3.0 batteries are made in Japan,excellent quality and still working fine.
Julian
I’ve got batteries from a 4 year old drill kit, 2 year old mitersaw, brand new USA Brushless drill as well as three different Brushless nailgun kits – all Korea or Malaysia.
Chris
They look great! They would look even better if they had a matching battery pack. Orange and yellow looks awful.
Steve Fedor
No kidding at least do like they did with the Mac tools powered by Dewalt .I actually like the Mac batteries better because they have a rubber bumper guard like the Milwaukee battery packs
Gary
The orange and yellow color schemes look awful together … I wonder why they didn’t make the batteries black and orange with a much more subdued “Powered By Dewalt” like they did with Mac’s power tools.
Jim Felt
Everything’s negotiable when two brands “collaborate”…
Bet they even did focus groups to figure what was most acceptable and most advantageous to each partner.
But I do agree it ain’t my fav color scheme either.
Stuart
Mac’s battery packs are Mac-branded, though.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/mac-dewalt-cordless-impact-wrenches-ratchets-drills/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Here’s a look at the battery pack: LINK
I’m guessing they did that to facilitate tool truck servicing.
Klein’s tools are “powered by Dewalt,” but the battery packs are Dewalt-branded and in Dewalt colors.
I think it would come down to 2 options:
Klein-branded “powered by Dewalt” orange-colored battery packs, or Dewalt-branded battery packs in Dewalt colors.
Perhaps the decision was based on sales numbers for Mac “powered by Dewalt” tools vs. Mac-branded battery packs.
Would you pay more for Klein orange-colored battery packs? How much more? I’m guessing the decision to stick with off the shelf Dewalt battery packs was based on focus groups’ answers to this.
Raoul
I wish DeWalt would put some bumpers on their batteries.
Altan
I don’t care about colour or brand’s name, I mostly remove the name of the brand from my cloths and workwear, When I see their labels everywhere on my workwear I feel like a numbered sheep 🙂 from tools it is difficult to remove :))) I wish there would be a cordless hot stamping tool for plastic so I could use it to stamp my name on my tools! What I care about tools is durability first, then having more specifications on tools like different speed levels, led light, battery compatibility with other brands so I can use more cordless tools and with the same batteries, storage solutions for tools which no brand satisfies me about this and also being able to use my cordless tools with an adapter as a corded tool in case if I run out of the battery and I can say in general DeWALT satisfies me more than other brands, I wish DeWALT would make ToughSystem tool boxes in different colours so I could recognize the content by colour, it becomes headache when you have a lot of them, they are the best durable boxes I have ever seen, I am thinking of changing their side handles with Stanley and Facom Toughsystem ones which are in yellow and red colours, I hope SBD will make these boxes for its other brands like Porter Cable or Bostitch with different side handle colours so I can have more options.
Mr_Stop
They look FUGLY and cheap. It looks like they used leftover Black & Decker orange resin and added a cheap Klein brand decal.
Diplomatic Immunity
Maybe Klein needs to update their logo or just not have their lettering in white on these. The yellow Dewalt packs certainly don’t help either. Maybe someone makes black rubber overmold for battery packs.
Frank D.
How amateuristic or copycat do they want to look, while charging a premium, with that color scheme and dewalt charger and battery pack.
Roger
Some people are complaining about the colors forget there are other battery models that have a black or grey casing. Like the 1.5ah, 3ah and the 6ah flexvolt. If you really want colour coding then use a can of orange plastic spray paint. Simple.
fred
Meanwhile some Greenlee (a big Klein Competitor in the electrical trades) cordless power tools seem to use Makita batteries:
https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-Textron-EK1550FTLU11-Battery-Powered/dp/B00K9SQOWQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516852257&sr=8-1&keywords=B00K9SQOWQ
Altan
Thanks Fred, was interesting to know this, is there any other brand which uses Makita batteries for its cordless tools? I have seen some old photos that Rothenberger’s cordless drain snake was with Makita battery. That was the only case I knew.
Altan
Till now Mac tools, Facom, Some Bostitch, Klein Tools and Graco’s Cordless Paint Sprayers are operated with DeWALT Batteries, I hope Black and Decker, Porter Cable and Craftsman tools will join the club soon, Would be even better if this compatibility was the case between Makita, Metabo, Bosch, Festool and Milwaukee tools, I hope it doesn’t remain as a dream 🙂
Black and Decker has some good cordless tools, I wish I could use DeWALT batteries with them.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Nathan
It’s interesting to see – and glad to see they thing there is market for it. I would only be interested in the crimpers I think.
on a different front – for the MAC stuff I wish to hell they would make their ratchet in 20V instead of the 12. Not related exactly but thought I’d say it again.
I like the idea of the MAC impact wrench vs the dewalt. ONly because they took a moment to say the grips and plastics are made to be compatible with automotive fluids. Now I use my dewalt impactor on some car work today but I’ve very careful not to get oils on it. (grease, gear, engine, etc). On the MAC branded one I wouldn’t so much care.
Bob
That design looks awfully familiar!
http://www.mactools.co.uk/rate-mac-tools-products/content/images/thumbs/0001732_12-drive-18v-cordless-brushless-impact-wrench.jpeg
Has anyone tried to put their MAC battery up to the Orange MAC housing??
Christopher Wellnitz
You can use 20v Porter Cable tools with cheaper Black and Decker batteries.
Grind the edges of battery opening to 57deg angle to match top edge of B&D battery slide in limiter.
To use more durable PC batteries in b&d tools, Remove the first 1/2″ of left top groove lip(facing battery contacts); also lets you charge in B&D chargers, which has no point because they’re slower.
In essence, with identical pack electronics, grind both sides of each match one another and you can get them to fit tighter to the tool than the oem batteries do.
The plastic of PC batteries is polycarbonate, i believe, and the B&D is abs or similarly weaker, it breaks when dropped on concrete due to heavy guts while PC plastic doesn’t break.
B&D is not a hammer, sideplates of battery will eject, putting tool out of commission until epoxy dries.
PC can handle light hammering-not sinking framing nails, obviously, but it can tap things into place by the battery bottom.
bobad
Could this be a weak but meaningful start of battery standardization? One can only hope.