DeWalt Tool Connect Just Got Better – And One-Key Isn’t Alone Anymore
DeWalt Tool Connect is the name of DeWalt’s smart tool connection that started with more of a fizzle than an explosion like Milwaukee’s One-Key system. The reason for the lackluster beginning is that it was all attached to a Bluetooth battery. Because you can easily remove the battery from the tool, any security considerations aren’t terribly effective. And because there is no customization option, we all kind of sat around wondering how best to use it.
But DeWalt promised us that their system was far from fully developed and this battery was simply the first step in a longer journey of smart tools. The next generation of DeWalt Tool Connect is here – and it’s promising to give Milwaukee One-Key a run for its money.
DeWalt Tool Connect Capabilities
With four products to choose from, the list of DeWalt Tool Connect capabilities just got a lot longer. Inventory management is a big key here. Using the app and a web-based portal, you can see the last known location of tools along with managing and assigning specific tools to specific job sites. Checkout, check-in, and tracking processes are easier with the system upgrades.
For DeWalt Tool Connect drills and drivers, you’ll be able to customize speed and torque settings. Even the LED light has some customizable settings. Several diagnostic measurements are also available. On the DCD997 Hammerdrill, there’s a Bind-Up Control mode and the DCF888 Impact Driver gains a PrecisionDrive mode.
You can control DeWalt’s lighting solutions using the app. With the new Tool Connect Laser Measure, you can store measurements, transfer them to a photo and then use the app to mark up the photo for later reference.
And of course, you still have the standard disable command if the tool gets out of range of your app. That function gets an extension from the battery with the new Tool Connect tools and 20V Max Connector.
DeWalt Tool Connect Capabilities at a Glance
- Inventory Management
- Customize Speed and Torque (drills and drivers)
- Run Diagnostics
- Adjust Brightness and Delay Settings (lighting, drills, and drivers)
- Bind-Up Control (DCD997)
- PrecisionDrive (DCF888)
- Store Measurements (laser measure)
- Mark Up Photos (via app)
- Disable When Out of Range
One Giant Leap?
The first question is how well the DeWalt Tool Connect system will work now that it has all these new capabilities. On paper, it looks pretty darn good, but we’ll withhold judgment until we get a chance to use them.
The second question that quickly follows is how deep the DeWalt Tool Connect line will go. The standard tools are there, but will we see a reciprocating saw? What about some of the tools Milwaukee hasn’t hit yet?
What we do know is that DeWalt has taken a very basic smart tool system and turned it into one of the most modern available. Bosch announced their intentions at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year and Makita has been quiet on this front so far. Ridgid and Ryobi have some things waiting in the wings that could also follow this development path. With all the whispers running around and the products we already see, I’ll place a bet that the smart tool scene is about to explode with exciting new innovations!
DeWalt Tool Connect Products
The original DeWalt Tool Connect batteries are still on the table along with the limits on their capability. However, new tools, connectors, and tags are joining the system to create this more comprehensive leap forward. We’ll take a look at each of the products in greater detail in the coming weeks, but until then, here’s the breakdown.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Tool Connect Compact Hammerdrill
- DCD797B – $167 (bare)
- DCD797D2 – $249 (kitted with two 2Ah batteries)
- Chuck: 1/2 in.
- Clutch settings: 13
- Power: 460 UWO
- Speeds: 3
- Length: 7.4 in.
- Weight: 3.6 lbs.
Key Features
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where your compact hammerdrill was last in range of your Tool Connect enabled device
- Easily and quickly assign tools to jobsites and users on the Tool Connect Inventory Manager software, increasing accountability and reducing lost tools
- Receive diagnostics on the tool like internal coin cell battery life, temperature, number of trigger pulls, and how long the tool has been running
- Set “Disable when out of range” alerts to help deter unauthorized use or theft
- Once you’ve downloaded the Tool Connect app, easily pair with the app by holding down the pair button on the tool foot for 3-5 seconds
- Program 3 customized RPM settings for precise speed of application
- Customize the brightness and delay of the integrated LED light
- Integrated blue LED light indicates when your hammerdrill is paired with your Tool Connect app
- DEWALT brushless motor delivers up to 75% more runtime vs. 18V NiCad brushed motors
- Ergonomic comfort grip handle provides ideal balance and comfort
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Tool Connect Compact Drill/Driver
- DCD792B – $159 Bare
- DCD792D2 – $239 (kitted with two 2Ah batteries)
- Chuck: 1/2 in.
- Clutch settings: 15
- Power: 460 UWO
- Speeds: 3
- Weight: 3.4 lbs.
Key Features
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where your compact drill/driver was last in range of your Tool Connect-enabled device
- Easily and quickly assign tools to job sites and users on the Tool Connect Inventory Manager software, increasing accountability and reducing lost tools
- Receive diagnostics on your compact drill/driver like internal coin cell battery life, temperature, number of trigger pulls, and how long the tool has been running
- Set “Disable when out of range” alerts to help deter unauthorized use or theft
- Once you’ve downloaded the Tool Connect app, easily pair with the app by holding down the pair button on the tool foot for 3-5 seconds
- Program 3 customized RPM settings for precise speed of application
- Customize the brightness and delay of the integrated LED light
- DEWALT brushless motor delivers up to 75% more runtime vs. 18V NiCad brushed motors
- Ergonomic comfort grip handle provides ideal balance and comfort
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Tool Connect Impact Driver
- DCF888B – $150 (bare)
- DCF888D2 – $229 (kitted with two 2Ah batteries)
- DCF888P2BT – $339 (kitted with two 5Ah batteries)
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Anvil :1/4 in. quick-release hex shank
- Speed: 3250 RPM
- Max torque: 1825 in-lbs
- Length: 5.3 in.
- Weight: 2.8 lbs
Key Features
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where your impact driver was last in range of your Tool Connect enabled device
- Easily and quickly assign tools to jobsites and users on the Tool Connect Inventory Manager software, increasing accountability and reducing lost tools
- Receive diagnostics on your impact driver like internal coin cell battery life, temperature, number of trigger pulls, and how long the tool has been running
- Set “Disable when out of range” alerts to help deter unauthorized use or theft
- Once you’ve downloaded the Tool Connect™ app, easily pair with the app by holding down the pair button on the tool foot for 3-5 seconds
- Customize your impact driver from your Tool Connect app, including speed and torque, the Precision Drive control feature and LED light brightness and delay
- DEWALT brushless motor delivers up to 75% more runtime vs. 18V NiCad brushed motors
- Compact (5.3″ front to back), lightweight (2.8 lbs without battery) design fits into tight areas
- Use Precision Drive in speed 1 for precise applications and added control
- One-handed loading 1/4″ hex chuck with easy grip sleeve, accepts 1″ bit tips
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Tool Connect Hammerdrill
- DCD997B – $179 (bare)
- DCD997P2BT – $369 (kitted with two 5Ah batteries)
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Chuck: 1/2 in.
- Clutch settings: 11
- Power: 820 UWO
- Speed: 0-2000 RPM
- Speed settings: 3
- Length: 7.9 in.
- Weight: 4.6 lbs.
Key Features
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where your premium hammerdrill was last in range of your Tool Connect-enabled device
- Easily and quickly assign tools to job sites and users on the Tool Connect Inventory Manager software, increasing accountability and reducing lost tools
- Receive diagnostics on the tool like internal coin cell battery life, temperature, number of trigger pulls, and how long the tool has been running
- Set “Disable when out of range” alerts to help deter unauthorized use or theft
- Once you’ve downloaded the Tool Connect™ app, easily pair with the app by holding down the pair button on the tool foot for 3-5 seconds
- Program 3 customized RPM settings for precise speed of application
- Customize the brightness and delay of the integrated LED light
- Integrated blue LED light indicates when your hammerdrill is paired with your Tool Connect app
- DEWALT brushless motor delivers up to 75% more runtime vs. 18V NiCad brushed motors
- Ergonomic comfort grip handle provides ideal balance and comfort
DeWalt Tool Connect Tag
- DCE041 – $29 (Single Tag)
- DCE041-4 – $99 (Tag 4-Pack)
- DCE041-10 – $177.31 (Tag 10-Pack)
- DCE041-25 – $399 (Tag 25-Pack)
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Battery life: 3 years
- IP rating: IP68
- Dimensions (HxL): 0.45 x 2.2 in.
- Weight: 1.3 oz.
Key Features
- Track any job site asset including large tools, pallets, material, heavy equipment, job boxes and more – regardless of brand, make or model
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where the asset was last in range of your Tool Connect-enabled device
- Increase job site asset security by getting out-of-range alerts sent right to your device, alerting you of possible theft or unauthorized use
- Fast and simple pairing process that makes it easy to re-assign tags when needed. Just hold the Tag near your device and press the pair button for 3-5 seconds.
- The Identify feature makes it easy to identify which Tag you are viewing on your app, ideal for a large site with hundreds of Tags
- The Tag is designed to be small and inconspicuous so it can be easily hidden on tools and equipment and therefore helps prevent tampering.
- IP68 rating means it’s dustproof and water-resistant and built to withstand job site conditions
- Connects up to 100 ft of a Tool Connect-enabled device
DeWalt 20V MAX Tool Connect Connector
- DCE040 adapter – $39
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Battery life: 3 years
- Length: 2.2 in.
- Weight: 4.1 oz.
Key Features
- Connect your existing DEWALT 20V MAX tools
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where your connected tool was last in range of your Tool Connect-enabled device
- Easily and quickly assign tools to job sites and users on the Tool Connect Inventory Manager web portal increasing accountability and reducing lost tools
- Set “Disable when out of range” alerts to help deter unauthorized use or theft
- Internal rechargeable coin cell battery
- Blue LED indicator light that indicates pair mode and easily identifies the Connector, so you know which one you’re viewing in the app
- The rechargeable internal coin cell battery will charge once a 20V MAX battery is inserted into the Connector
- Can disable the tool if it is out of range of a device with the Tool Connect app, helping to deter theft
DeWalt Stackable Corded/Cordless LED Area Light with Tool Connect & Built-in Charger
- DCL070 – $359
- LED bulb
- Lumens: 5001-10,000
- Weight: 27 lbs.
Key Features
- LAST SEEN feature helps reduce wasted time and money by providing the street address of where the light was last in range of your Tool Connect-enabled device
- Remotely turn light on/off and program light with scheduled times using Tool Connect app
- Once you’ve downloaded the Tool Connect app, easily pair with the app by holding down the pair button for 3-5 seconds
- Compatible with any DEWALT 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT battery
- AC outlets provide flexibility and convenience to daisy chain lights or power for corded tools
- Stack lights for easy storage and convenience on the job
- On-board charger with door lock option for security
- Instant on/off with no warm-up, dimming as low as 500 lumens
- Right and left sides can be used together or separately to illuminate specific areas
DeWalt Bluetooth Enabled 100 Foot Laser Distance Measure TLM99S
- DW099S – $72, including (2) AAA Batteries
- Additional info TBA
I recently purchased 4 Bluetooth batteries (DCB205BT) and had my employees download the tool connect app on their phones. I set up the app to alert me when the battery was out of range but yet I get no alerts. I try to search the community to locate the batteries but yet it shows the batteries are still at my shop on the last seen function. I had one of my workers that had the app downloaded with his blue tooth on on his phone take the battery with him to see if the search community would work then but… Read more »
How do you program the three modes on the DCF888. I can’t seem to save the settings. When I exit the settings screen in connect the settings seem to revert back to what they were before I tried to change them. I cannot find ANY instruction on the correct way to change and save the mode settings.