This battery changes everything when it comes to tools. (Buy from Amazon)
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT is a revolutionary battery system that automatically changes voltage according to the tool that you’re using. Each battery can provide up to 60-volts of power while safely powering your 20V DEWALT tools. And, if that wasn’t enough, some tools, like the FLEXVOLT miter saw, uses two batteries in parallel, providing 120V of power.
It’s not magic, it’s the result of years of research and a commitment to creating tools that people like you actually need.
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT basically replaces all of your corded power tools by giving you the freedom and flexibility to work how and where you want to. We go in-depth and cover the FLEXVOLT system from all angles, including reviewing many of DEWALT’s FLEXVOLT power tools in the series.
Wonderfully Designed Cordless Flexvolt Miter Saw
Runtime – Up to 289 cross cuts in 31/4″ base molding. 56 LBS. Corded or cordless.
Here’s a quick overview of the FLEXVOLT tools we cover later in the article:
- DHS790AT2 — 120V MAX Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw
- DCBL770X1 — 60V MAX Handheld Blower
- DCCS670X1 — 60V MAX Brushless Chainsaw
- DCS7485T1 — 60V MAX 8-1/4 Table Saw
- DCB1800B — Portable Power Station
- DCS575T1 — 60V MAX 7-1/4 Circular Saw With Brake
- DCD460T2 — 60V MAX VSR Stud And Joist Drill
Introduction | DEWALT FLEXVOLT
If you spend your days using power tools on a constant basis, it’s easy to get jealous of people in other industries. They get to take advantage of the new innovative products being released every year. Some of the stuff they have access to these days looks like the kinds of things you wouldn’t have thought would ever exist in your lifetime.
Then your mind drifts towards the tools you have to use every day. It feels like they’re the same tools you’ve been using since you left school. Do you ever ask yourself if they’ll ever come out with something so innovative it will blow everything else in the construction industry away? Well you don’t need to use your imagination any longer because they’ve finally done it.
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT is a complete game changer. It’s going to change the way you work every day in an extremely positive way. Congratulations, your job is now officially going to be much easier. Even if you’re just a DIY addict it’s going to help you too, so let’s take a quick look at how the new technology works and some big reasons why it’s so special.
NOTE : In the second half of this article we review the DEWALT FLEXVOLT tool lineup.
How DEWALT FLEXVOLT Works
The DEWALT FLEXVOLT is a unique battery system that works with DEWALT power tools, but there are three amazing things about the technology. You’ll definitely not have seen a couple of them before because no other brand can achieve the same heights as DEWALT. Let’s have an in-depth look at exactly what they are:
- The Battery Can Change Between Two Voltages
- It Can Give Cordless Power Tools Corded Power
- Each Battery Can Be Used On Any Power Tool
Watch this Video | DEWALT FLEXVOLT
— The Battery Can Change Between Two Voltages
If you’ve used the latest DEWALT power tools you’ll know they had a 20V MAX lineup. The new DEWALT FLEXVOLT technology will be offered up in 60V MAX batteries. Thankfully, you will still be able to use them on your 20V MAX tools, but you’ll probably be wondering how everything actually works. It’s because your FLEXVOLT battery will be able to swap between two voltages depending on the tool it’s sitting on.
Take yourself back to science class for a moment. In a circuit batteries can either run in series or parallel. The FLEXVOLT battery has 15 cells and its split up into 3 separate rows with 5 cells in each one. If you plug your 60V MAX battery into a 20V MAX power tool it will turn into a parallel circuit so it’s only using one row of batteries at the same time.
In other words, it’s only using batteries totaling 20 volts. If you’ve used the 20V MAX power tools before you’ll know one of the reasons they’re so popular is because they last a long time. If you use a DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX battery on a 20V MAX tool it will last up to 4x as long, so you’ll be able to work a lot longer before you have to swap the battery out for another one. This is a big enough reason on its own to use a FLEXVOLT battery.
It Can Give Cordless Power Tools Corded Power
In a while we’re going to look at some wonderful DEWALT FLEXVOLT products, so let’s forget about the old 20V MAX lineup. Why in the world would you need a 60V MAX battery if it wasn’t to give you a longer runtime? When the battery switches so the cells are working in series you’ll be able to use all of its power at the same time. No cordless power tool in existence has ever been so good.
It will essentially turn your cordless power tool into a corded model without a cord, because you won’t be able to tell the difference. I’m sure you’ll be able to think of tons of reasons why it will be great to get rid of cords, but we’ll touch on some of the benefits later. Another thing we need to speak about is combining the batteries together, because you’ll know even a 60V MAX one won’t always work on huge tools.
When you’re working with bigger tools you’ll need a lot more power. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT line will let you combine two 60V MAX batteries together so you’re left with 120V MAX. Even if you do have 20V MAX power tools at the moment, the ability to access so much power without cords lying around the place might still tempt you to look into products in the FLEXVOLT lineup.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V Blower — DCBL770X1
The Flexvolt blower has two different nozzles for varying blowing speeds.
Each Battery Can Be Used On Any Power Tool
This was one of the reasons why the DEWALT 20V MAX power tool lineup was such a great hit. People loved the fact you could take a battery off any product and slip it onto the next one you needed to use. You’ll be able to do the exact same thing with the FLEXVOLT 60V MAX batteries, but they’ll also work on the 20V MAX tools like we’ve already mentioned. They’ll automatically know what voltage they should be using.
You might be wondering whether or not the weight will affect you if you’re switching the battery onto a tool you’ll have to hold in your hand. The old 20V MAX batteries were 1.4 pounds and the new 60V MAX ones are only 2.2 pounds, so even if you are using one on a handheld tool you’ll not notice a big difference. You’ll be able to work comfortably until it runs out of juice.
That is actually the last thing we need to talk about in regards to using your DEWALT FLEXVOLT battery on all of your power tools. If you’re constantly using 120V MAX tools you will need a couple of spare batteries if you always want two 60V Max batteries ready and waiting to go. Also, you won’t have to buy any new chargers if you have 20V MAX tools as you’ll be able to charge your FLEXVOLT batteries on the old ones as a nice little bonus.
Special Features | DEWALT FLEXVOLT Batteries
For those who have never used DEWALT batteries before they might not have a clue what other features they’ll get once they start using them. These features might not be unique to the DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries, but you’ll not find them on many others no matter how hard you look:
- They Can Be Charged Within One Hour
- You’ll Get A Revolutionary Fuel Gauge
- There Is Virtually No Self-Discharge
- The Battery Doesn’t Have Any Memory
They Can Be Charged Within One Hour
Some batteries can take a very long time to recharge, which doesn’t go down well on the job if you don’t have a lot of spares. Under normal circumstances your FLEXVOLT battery would take a couple of hours to recharge, but there is a way to knock the time down to one hour. It will involve picking up an additional charger, but the DEWALT DCB118 Fast Charger is definitely worth it if you want to be more productive.
You’ll Get A Revolutionary Fuel Gauge
Back in the good old days you didn’t have a clue how much charge a battery had left. You would keep going until whatever it was powering stopped working. Recently new technology came around that let people see exactly how much charge their batteries had left, but the fuel gauge on the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX looks almost futuristic. It’s something you’ll always notice, which means you’ll know when it needs replaced.
There Is Virtually No Self-Discharge
Batteries are known for discharging on their own. You’ll have seen it before on your smartphone. Even though it’s completely switched off and the electrodes aren’t touching, magical internal chemical reactions will cause the charge to fall. DEWALT have tried their hardest to tackle this and it’s still not perfect, but you’ll find out there is hardly any self-discharge on the FLEXVOLT.
The Battery Doesn’t Have Any Memory
Older batteries often suffered from something known as the memory effect. The reason it was called this was because batteries behaved like they had a memory. They would basically ‘remember’ a smaller capacity when you charged them up, which meant they would never be fully charged. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries are made from lithium-ion and they have no memory at all. You can always be confident your FLEXVOLT battery will be fully charged.
Please Note: Everything we’ve talked about so far is related to the DEWALT DCB606 6A FLEXVOLT batteries offering 120 Watt-hours of energy. In the future they’ll be releasing the DEWALT DCB609 9A batteries offering you 180 Watt-hours of energy.
Main Benefits Of Cordless Power Tools
If you don’t own any cordless power tools at the moment, you’ll probably be interested in the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX and 120V MAX lineup. The only thing stopping you might be the fact you don’t know the benefits that come with saying goodbye to corded tools. Let’s look at the main benefits now before we focus on the specific tools available to you:
- They’re A Lot More Convenient
- Your Productivity Will Increase
- Less Reliant On Other People
- Cordless Tools Are Safer To Use
- Offers You Increased Flexibility
- Much Easier To Transport Around
They’re A Lot More Convenient
As you’ll know, some power tools can be extremely heavy. You certainly don’t want to move them around throughout the day once they’re set up. In most cases you’ll try to set a tool up close to a plug outlet when you’re on a building site, but sometimes you’ll have to move everything for reasons you can’t control. When you’re using a cordless tool you can set everything up well out of the way right from the start of the day.
Your Productivity Will Increase
Once you start using cordless power tools you’ll find it refreshing that you don’t have to locate an outlet again. You’ll be able to pick up any tool you have and get to work in a matter of seconds. You can also take them anywhere with you without worrying about looking for an extension cord. If you’re using the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX batteries you won’t even need to worry about running out of juice because the LED light will tell you when it needs replaced.
Less Reliant On Other People
One big thing that gets in a lot of people’s way is the lack of an outlet. Maybe you’ve turned up to work on someone’s home and they’re not in. Normally you would be in trouble if they didn’t have an outdoor outlet, but it doesn’t matter when you use cordless power tools. You won’t have to fight for a place to plug in your tools on worksites either, so instead of waiting for someone to finish what they’re doing you’ll be able to get on with your work.
Cordless Tools Are Safer To Use
You can look at this in a couple of different ways. Cordless equals more safety for you because the power tool isn’t attached to anything. You won’t have to worry about it being pulled out of your hand when you’re walking around with it. It’s a lot safer for other people too, because they won’t trip up on a cable they don’t see lying on the floor. I’m sure we’ve all been in one of those situations where we were lucky to walk away in one piece.
Offers You Increased Flexibility
When using smaller power tools you’ll need to turn into a ninja. There will be holes you’ll need to access or different ways you’ll need to bend your body to get somewhere. Having a cord dangling around will take away a lot of the flexibility you might need every now and again. You’ll always find a way to carry out the same job with a corded tool, but there is no doubt it’s going to be a lot more awkward.
Much Easier To Transport Around
It’s easy to think a cordless power tool would be harder to transport around because you have extra DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries with you. It’s true a cordless power tool will require you to carry an extra box around, but the big difference is the cord. You’ll have to pack your corded tools away very carefully to ensure the cord doesn’t get damaged if it’s not sitting right, plus you’ll need to make sure nothing falls on it.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT | Power Tools
If you’re into power tools you’ll be well aware of the DEWALT brand. They have been producing the best tools in the business for nearly 100 years and they can be found in workshops and worksites all around the country. Their new DEWALT FLEXVOLT lineup is the best they’ve ever manufactured, so we’re going to look at some of the main features in case you’re interested in picking up a few new excellent power tools:
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DHS790AT2
- 120V MAX Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCBL770X1
- 60V MAX Handheld Blower
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCCS670X1
- 60V MAX Brushless Chainsaw
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCS7485T1
- 60V MAX 8-1/4 Table Saw
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCB1800B
- Portable Power Station
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCS575T1
- 60V MAX 7-1/4 Circular Saw With Brake
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT DCD460T2
- 60V MAX VSR Stud And Joist Drill
Please Note: If you’re interested in finding out more about these products, please click on the links to access information about all of their features.
120V Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw
DHS790AT2 — DEWALT FLEXVOLT
You’ll be impressed at how effortless it cuts and feels like a traditional saw.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT Miter Saw Blades – The old 12 inch blades you had access to on the old miter saws were superb, but the FLEXVOLT miter saw blades takes things to the next level. They’ve been specially designed to maximize runtime while giving you cuts so smooth you’ll be able to run your finger across them without getting cut.
Up To 289 Cuts Per Charge – You want the powerful 120V 3,800 rpm brushless motor to give you the longest amount of run-time possible before you need to swap batteries. When you have two 60V MAX batteries hooked up you’ll be able to reach up to around 289 cuts on 3-1/4 inch base molding. It should be more than enough to last you the entire day.
Base And Crown Molding Capacity – The 3-1/4 inch base molding is just used as an example to show how long the miter saw will last, but it will be able to handle much more. It has tall sliding fences with the ability to support crown molding up to 7-1/2 inches long, plus the maximum height for base molding when it’s up against the fence is 6-3/4 inches.
Video | DEWALT FLEXVOLT DHS790
It’s Very Easy To Carry Around – A double bevel sliding compound miter saw isn’t what you’d consider a light tool. In fact, I think most people would guess it’s one of those tools that would stay on a bench once it’s in position. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT DHS790AT2 model only weighs 56 pounds, so you’ll be able to carry it around with you easily.
Great Accuracy Is Guaranteed – The cutline blade positioning system on the miter saw means you’ll know exactly where the blade is going to strike. When you combine that with the highly visible bevel and miter scales you’ll be able to line up the saw perfectly before it’s even been brought down to cut your material.
60V MAX Handheld Blower — DCBL770X1
DEWALT FLEXVOLT
The best Dewalt blower you can buy. Too versatile to pass up.
Powerful Enough To Tackle Everything – The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX handheld blower is the most powerful one yet. It will be able to hit air speeds of up to 129 miles per hour when the air volume is sitting at 423 CFM. Sometimes it’s pointless having a fast blower if it doesn’t cover a lot of cubic feet per minute, because it will mean so much more work.
You’ll Get A Flat Concentrator Nozzle – On the other hand, there are times when the CFM doesn’t matter too much. It’s usually when there is something heavy you can’t get away and you need to focus all of your efforts onto it. You’ll be able to do that with this blower thanks to the concentration nozzle, which will allow the air speed to reach 175 miles per hour.
Variable Speed Trigger With Lock – When you’re using a FLEXVOLT 60V MAX tool you don’t want it to be running at full speed all the time. Thankfully, the DEWALT DCBL770X1 will let you control everything with the variable speed trigger. Once you’ve found a speed you’re happy with you’ll also be able to lock it into position to save you lots of hassle.
Video | 60V MAX Handheld Blower — DCBL770X1
It Won’t Hurt Your Ears – When you think about power tools loud noises come to mind, especially these ones with a superior FLEXVOLT battery attached. Your DEWALT handheld blower is only rated at 67 dB (decibels). To put that into perspective, it’s somewhere in between a conversation and a vacuum cleaner. It really is quieter than a household appliance.
It’s Lightweight And Has An Ergonomic Design – When you are using a power tool you’re required to hold in your hand non-stop it has to be very light. This DEWALT FLEXVOLT blower weighs less than 10 pounds. It’s also been designed to give you maximum comfort when you’re holding it. Even though it’s so light it will still be able to take a beating at work too.
60V MAX Brushless Chainsaw — DCCS670X1
DEWALT FLEXVOLT
Enough power for most homeowners & the bonus of using the Flexvolt system.
Gives You Up To 70 Cuts Per Charge – Your DEWALT FLEXVOLT brushless chainsaw will give you the power of a corded saw, but how long will it actually last? It’s been tested on treated pine wood 6 x 6 inches thick and you’ll get roughly 70 cuts per 60V MAX battery charge. For the majority of basic jobs it’s more than enough to keep you going.
You’ll Get A 16 Inch Oregon Bar – One of the big things you look for in a chainsaw is the length of the bar. If your bar isn’t long enough it makes things a lot more complicated. The Oregon bar on your DEWALT DCCS670X1 is 16 inches long, which is more than enough for the average worker who doesn’t cut down trees for a living.
It Has A Chain Brake For Kick Back Protection – You don’t want your chainsaw kicking back when you’re in the middle of a job because it’s extremely dangerous. This FLEXVOLT 60V MAX chainsaw has a chain brake to stop it from happening. The chain will also tighten without you needing to use tools to give you extra clamping force.
The Chainsaw Only Weighs Around 12 Pounds – When you are cutting into thick wood you’d expect the chainsaw you’re using to be heavy. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX cordless chainsaw only weighs 12.2 pounds, which goes to show just how powerful it is. It’s also been designed to keep you safe and comfortable at the same time.
Auto Oiling Gives You Continuous Lubrication – It doesn’t really matter how sharp the chainsaw teeth are if they’re not lubricated enough. This chainsaw will make things too easy by providing the bar with constant lubrication. There is also a little quarter-turn oil cap you’ll be able to access quickly when you need to refill it with oil.
60V MAX 8¼ Table Saw — DCS7485T1
DEWALT FLEXVOLT
You won’t know you’re using a battery powered table saw. Impressive indeed1
Up To 302 Linear Feet Per Charge – The DEWALT FLEXVOLT battery will give you around 302 linear feet per charge when you’re working with 3/4 inch OSB. If you want even better results you’ll also be able to use a special FLEXVOLT table saw blade that has been engineered to extend the runtime while giving you smoother cuts.
You’ll Get 24 Inches Of Rip Capacity – When you’re cutting you want the ability to handle large pieces of wood and the DEWALT DCS7485T1 delivers. With 24 inches of rip capacity you’ll be able to blast through plywood and OSB sheets 4 x 8 inches in size. It’s not too bad for a machine that weighs less than 50 pounds.
A Site-Pro Modular Guarding System – When you’re hard at work you want everything to run as smoothly as possible, which includes being able to alter things without tools. The Site-Pro Modular Guarding System on the FLEXVOLT table saw will allow you to adjust the guarding on the machine without reaching into your toolbox.
Video | 60V MAX 8¼ Table Saw — DCS7485T1
It Will Give You Smooth And Accurate Cuts – There are a couple of reasons why the FLEXVOLT table saw will offer you smoother and accurate cuts. One of them is the table coating designed to reduce friction. The other one is the rack and pinion telescoping fence rails, which will allow for smoother and more accurate rail adjustments.
The Power-Loss Reset Will Prevent Accidents – In an ideal world all the power tools you use will have safety features built into them, especially the most dangerous ones. This table saw has a Power-Loss Reset feature, so if you lose power and it’s still switched on it’s not going to automatically start when you’ve got your fingers somewhere dangerous.
Portable Power Station — DCB1800B
DEWALT FLEXVOLT
Your Tools Will Last A Lot Longer – If you plug DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries into the portable power station they’re going to help keep your 20V MAX power tools working nearly all day. You already know how much extra runtime they give you and the DEWALT DCB1800B will offer you enough room to charge four of them up.
It Will Work With Almost Any Corded Power Tool – The beauty of the portable power station is the fact some of your tools might not be made by DEWALT. That doesn’t mean the FLEXVOLT system won’t be able to give them power. Nearly all corded power tools you can think of will be able to work once you’ve plugged them into the power station.
You Can Take The Portable Power Station Anywhere – Another huge bonus is the weight of the station itself. It only weighs 22 pounds, so if you were working in the middle of nowhere you could carry it around with you. It’s around 13 inches in length and 11 inches in height, so it’s very easy to store away in your vehicle too.
High Running Watts And Starting Watts – Once you’ve got your corded tools hooked up it will give you 1,800 Running watts (15 amps). If certain tools need a little kick to get started it has a maximum Starting watts of 3,600. The temperature controlled cooling fan will help to keep it running smoothly all the time while extending its life.
It’s Perfect When You’re On The Worksite – You’ll love using a portable power station on worksites. It’s ideal when you can’t make too much noise and a gas-powered generator will be far too loud. It will allow you to use it anywhere without worrying about carbon monoxide poisoning too, so it won’t need to be kept outside to get battered by the elements.
60V MAX 7¼ Circular Saw With Brake — DCS575T1
DEWALT FLEXVOLT
Up To 339 Cuts Per Charge – The DEWALT FLEXVOLT battery will be able to give you up to 339 cuts per charge when cutting 2 x 4 inches of SPF lumber, plus this can be improved by switching to the FLEXVOLT circular saw blade. Its patented design has been engineered for smoother cuts and a longer runtime.
Offers The Smoothest Cuts Possible – It’s not just the FLEXVOLT circular saw blades that will help give you a smoother cut. The saw itself has an extremely fast brushless motor that reaches speeds of 5,800 RPM. When a blade is moving as great speed you’re always going to walk away with a greater finish every time.
The Electronic Brake Will Stop The Blade – You’ll be holding this power tool in your hands, so it’s crucial the blade will be able to stop on its own. The electronic brake has been designed to bring the blade to a halt when the trigger is released, which makes things safer for you. You’ll also save lots of time in the long run
A Great Bevel Capacity And Bevel Stops – When you’re cutting at angles you want the maximum bevel range possible, so you’ll be happy to know the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX circular saw will tilt 57 degrees. There will also be a couple of bevel stops sitting at 22.5 and 45 degrees, which are the most common angles you’ll use.
The Depth Of Cut At 45 And 90 Degrees – The last thing you’ll want to know is the depth of cuts you’ll be able to make while holding the 7.6 pound tool in your hand. At 45 degrees the depth of cut will be 1-5/8 inches. It’s obviously going to be much better at 90 degrees and the official depth of cut will be 2-9/16 inches.
60V MAX VSR Stud And Joist Drill — DCD460T2
DEWALT FLEXVOLT
Up To 138 Holes In 2X10 SPF – The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX battery will allow you to make roughly 138 2-9/16 inch holes in 2 x 10 inch SPF on a single charge. Like a lot of the tools in the FLEXVOLT line, there is also a FLEXVOLT carbide hole saw to offer you even better results than the ones that come as standard.
There Are Two Different Speed Settings – You will be able to choose from a couple of different speed settings depending on the type of work you’re doing. They are 0-300 rpm and 0-1250 rpm. The VSR trigger will also give you the ability to dial in the correct speed for the application you’re working on.
It Has An E-Clutch Perform And Protect Feature – A dangerous tool needs a great safety feature and you’ll love the E-Clutch. It will be able to detect reactionary torque while you’re working because of a bind-up or stall. It will then slow the machine down to a manageable level until you’re fully in control again.
You’ll Have Lots Of Leverage And Control – You always want to have full control of power tools, plus it’s a bonus when you have maximum leverage too. You’ll have both of these when using the DEWALT FLEXVOLT stud and joist drill. All you need to do is play around with the adjustable bail handle and 2-position side handle until you’re satisfied.
Great Metal-Gear Housing Will Keep It Safe – When you spend a lot of money on excellent power tools you need them to be suitable for worksites. It’s tough staying focused when you’re always worried about your tools. The metal-gear housing on the DEWALT DCD460T2 will guarantee it lasts for a very long time.
Stay One Step Ahead With DEWALT FLEXVOLT Technology
If you’re reading this there is a good chance you’re already using the DEWALT 20V MAX tools. If so, you have to start using FLEXVOLT batteries right now. It will breathe new life into your current tool lineup and you won’t believe the difference. It’s amazing how much your work changes when you don’t have to think about changing your battery every few hours.
For those who don’t have any DEWALT tools yet your first choice should be the FLEXVOLT lineup. The same thing applies to anyone looking to upgrade their tools. Get one to start with and you’ll automatically know what true cordless power should feel like. You’ll also have DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries that can be used on every single other power tool you pick up going forwards.
The first thing you should do is click on any of the links to read the reviews on Amazon from those who are already using the specific DEWALT FLEXVOLT power tools. Just remember they’re extremely new and that is why they won’t have hundreds of reviews yet. You’ll be one of the lucky people to get your hands on them before anyone else.
Visit the DEWALT site to learn more about their FLEXVOLT series and all of their other tools.