We happened across what looks to be a Spring 2021 sneak peek – a new Dewalt FlexVolt modular cordless outdoor power tool system.
Tool Nut has a listing for the Dewalt DCST972X1 FlexVolt brushless string trimmer kit, and it’s described as being “attachment capable.”
Advertisement
Then, in the optionally add accessories listing, there are 5 new compatible attachments that you can swap with the string trimmer head.
Here are all of the attachments that are launching as part of this system – that we know about so far:
- DCST972X1 FlexVolt power handle and string trimmer attachment kit
- 15″/17″ adaptable swath
- 0.080″ dual line (also works with Dewalt 0.095 line)
- Quick-load spool
- DWOAS8HT articulating hedge trimmer attachment
- Trim at different angles with 135° articulating head
- 22″ dual-action blade
- Cuts branches with 3/4″ blade gap
- DWOAS6PS pole saw attachment
- 8″ bar and chain
- Auto-oiling
- DWOAS5BC brush cutter attachment
- 8″ 4-tooth blade
- DWOAS4ED edger attachment
- 7-1/2″ hardened steel blade
- up to 2-1/2″ adjustable cutting depth
- DWOAS7BL blower attachment
- Axial fan design
- Angled concentrator nozzle
Dewalt has not provided any press materials about these new tools yet, and so we’re limited by the details available in the product listings.
And yes, we also know that Dewalt has new mowers coming and also a new cordless washer. Press and media information is not yet available, but I was told to expect details early this year.
The FlexVolt “attachment capable” power handle is said to be highly adaptable in that it has a universal attachment capability to accept additional tool pieces.
Advertisement
Buy Now via Tool Nut:
Starter Kit + String Trimmer ($299, comes with charger and 1x 3.0Ah battery)
Attachments
- Hedge Trimmer ($100)
- Pole Saw ($100)
- Brush Cutter ($70)
- Edger ($79)
- Blower ($80)
Discussion
Dewalt joint several other professional cordless power tool makers in offering a new line of modular outdoor power tool attachments.
That this system is part of the FlexVolt cordless lineup makes sense, as it means there’s no compromise on power that might have been true for the 20V Max lineup, although you’re still limited to the same watt-hour battery sizes as in other brands’ 18V cordless systems.
Thoughts?
IJK
Will be interesting to see how it compares to EGO’s lineup.
Nathan
wondered how long it would take. Glad to see it, now I have another option.
The Echo 58V cordless lineup has died as the parent company moved to market the Milwaukee 18V hd system. Honestly makes a bit of sense.
So My 2 concerns here are 1) who makes this for SBD? and 2) are the attachments cross compatible with other systems?
Big Richard
MDT. DeWalt has been offering a gas version of this powerhead for a while now.
DEWALT 10 in. 27 cc 2-Cycle Gas Pole Saw with Attachment Capability
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-10-in-27-cc-2-Cycle-Gas-Pole-Saw-with-Attachment-Capability-DXGP210/311756831
The attachments are compatible with TrimmerPlus and Expand-It attachments.
Tim E.
The power head options were why I went with Makita’s couple shaft, though I also retained my regular 18v x2 string trimmer because the motor at the trimmer head rather than in the back makes for better balance in my opinion. I use the 18V x2 power head for the couple shaft most of the time, one reason being the 3 speeds is convenient to use stuff like the edger that does better at a slower speed than full blast. The MM4 power head is also awesome, works great with the cultivator if I know I’m going to hit rocks that’ll bind up the attachment and activate the motor protection on the battery unit, also useful if I’m doing a lot of work and just want longer runtime. Or if I’m going between multiple things (like the hedge trimmer and pole saw), or multiple people are working at the same time, I can put one on one of the power heads, and one on the other. I have enough batteries I could probably have done just two of the 18v x2 power heads, but the gas option is nice when you’re going to be running a tool for a long time.
Makita also has a single-battery 18V power head they just released for the couple shaft, which I have on the way. It should shave some weight off the x2 one, it loses some of the features of the x2 battery head, but I figure it might be good for the lighter-power-requirement attachments so again if both of us are out doing yard work, we can both use battery powered heads if desired, rather than the MM4.
Big Richard
Oops, meant MTD, not MDT.
Adam
WTH? The Dewalt will work with Ryobi Expand-It, but Milwaukee is stuck in the mud with 3 attachments that are proprietary? geeze, what a kick in groin
I’ll I want is the cultivator attachment to get rid of the Ryobi 40v power head. It’s isn’t like they are”inventing” any attachments. Just make what everyone else has available. If nothing is announced in the next 90 days as far as attachments, I’ll sell the Milwaukee. Should have just kept my gen1 & Ryobi Pole saw at this point.
Jared
Neat.
Also – cordless washer? I didn’t know about that. That’s one I might buy.
Big Richard
Power cleaner to be exact, not a full on pressure washer, but still should be pretty handy.
https://www.acmetools.com/blog/dewalt-20v-max-cordless-power-cleaner/
Jared
That’s neat. I bought the 20v Worx version recently on clearance. It’s winter, I haven’t even opened the box yet. The Dewalt looks better! And to be honest, it’s not as expensive as I feared it would be.
Tim E.
For comparison, the similar Ryobi cleaner is rated at 320 psi and 1.2 GPM. Worx’s Hydroshot is rated at 320 psi and 0.53 GPM for the 20V brushed version, 350 psi and 0.92 GPM for the brushless 20V. The new 40V Hydroshot is 725psi at 1.1 GPM. DeWalt’s is rated at 550psi and 1.0 GPM.
I have the Ryobi one and use it all over the place, car wheels / tires / fender wells, patio furniture, light washing on walkways and brick, the sides of the house, etc. It won’t replace a higher powered pressure washer for deep cleaning of concrete and brick and such, but it does better enough than the hose for like maintenance type washing. Or things where I don’t necessarily want the higher pressure, like the cars.
The DeWalt may perform for some of that stuff even better with the higher pressure rating. Maybe DeWalt heard the folks with possibly unrealistic expectations with the Ryobi saying “not powerful enough”, and balanced the specs to be more of a pressure increase over a garden hose to try to avoid that feedback.
Jared
Thanks. Those specs are helpful.
My Hydroshot is a limited-use tool for me. I have a proper full-size gas pressure washer I will use most of the time around the house. The Hydroshot purchase was almost exclusively driven by the desire to have something quick and portable to wash my dirt bike after a race – though I’m sure I’ll think of lots of other uses now that I have it.
King duck
That is so sweet Milwaukee needs to copy that ASAP
Philip Proctor
The 20V washer is something I’ve been wanting since I saw the Work one.
JoeM
*Destroy This Note After Reading, Stuart* 2 Typos in “Discussion” section.
Dewalt *joints* several other professional cordless power tool makers > joins
power that might have* true for > have been
CORRECTION GREMLIN, OUT!! *Hides in the Bushes*
Stuart
Thank you! *fixed*
Louie Orama
Stuart, where can I learn more about the new lawnmowers? I’ve been dying for this to happen. It’d be great if they came out with a 120V model. I was thinking of getting the 20V x 2 version, then at the end of the summer Lowe’s discounted the Kobalt 80V down from $600 to $250. Came with the 6 amp battery. What an EXCELLENT mower, by the way. I have a sizeable yard (front/side/back) and that battery covered it no problem-even using the self-propelled option. I wish Kobalt would get the credit they deserve. But even their XTR line is starting to drop in price. Just hope they hold on because they are still introducing new tools to their 24V lineup.
Big Richard
Louie, they are available at HD right now.
DCMWSP244U2 self propelled – https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-21-5-in-20-Volt-MAX-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Battery-Walk-Behind-Self-Propelled-Mower-DCMWSP244U2/314297685?NCNI-5
DCMWP233U2 push – https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-21-5-in-20-Volt-MAX-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Battery-Walk-Behind-Push-Mower-DCMWP233U2/314269627?NCNI-5
They are still 2x20v, but both utilize DeWalt’s also new 10Ah batteries, DCB210. What else do you want to know?
Robm
Dewalt 10 ah battery? I haven’t seen or heard anything about those yet.
Louie Orama
Big Richard, thanks a lot! Can you tell me what other FlexVolt tools are in the near future, if any? I have 19 of the 23 (that I am aware of) and love the line. The only one I wouldn’t purchase again is the Recip due to the XR being so strong for a much lesser size. Plus the XR has the 4-position blade change. I even have the Alligator Saw (haven’t put it to use yet) which isn’t in production or sold here in the states. I can’t thank you enough for reaching out, friend. Means a lot.
Big Richard
Louie, I wish I knew. FlexVolt is coming up on 5 years old now, so I would think a few more gen II updates are on the way? But I haven’t heard anything yet. I’d still like to see the 10″ 60v (54v) DCS727 miter saw come to NA, but I don’t know if that is happening. I almost bought that and the alligator saw from a UK vendor pre covid, but shipping was a little to pricey for my blood.
I do think the 12v Xtreme line will get some new tools, I know there is a new 5Ah 12v battery, DCB126, coming out soon which is a good sign of expanding the line.
Louie Orama
Big Richard, that’s great to know about the 5AH 12V battery. The highest I have right now is the 2, but I have the entire set minus the impact wrench. Really kicking myself for not grabbing it during the holidays when I think it was $69 WITH a 3 amp. I would really like to know how the Xtreme drill would fare against an older 20V brushed drill. As far as the 10”, it does look like a work of art and would like to see it come to NA as well. But I lucked out on the Alligator. Got that (bare) and 6 blades (2 apiece for wood, insulation and block) for like $370 on eBay from a guy in CA. And I get the 60/54V thing, but to clear any doubts, our batteries slap on those 54V branded tools just fine.
Again Big Richard… thanks.
Louie Orama
Big Richard, I don’t want to come across as a stray cat, but I do have a question that minimally (at best) pertains to our discussion, if at all. Not even sure if I’m crossing a line here. I’ve been trying to purchase DeWalt (and Ridgid) pallets with intent of selling (keeping anything I don’t have already). I have failed miserably, almost tantamount to it being the 80s and having no such luxury of the internet. Tried Home Depot, who sent me to the Pro Desk, who in turn advised me to call their 800 number, who told me to call DeWalt which ultimately turned into “I have no idea, sir.” Yet I see vendors on selling sites (eBay/OfferUp/Mercari) all of the time (asked them as well-no response) doing exactly what I want to do. Any idea? Again, if I crossed a line, please accept my sense of atonement for doing so.
JoeM
*Again… Destroy after reading…*
“Joints” is now “Joint” instead of “Joins” …Editing tool is not being kind to you right now.
Dunno what to say here. No need to keep these comments on the page, feel free to delete after done editing.
Matt
Milwaukee’s M18 OPE including the Quik-Lock has been a real lifesaver for me, so much so that I’ve sold off all but 2 gas-powered machines and I was glad to see them go. But as with all this stuff there are yellow battery guys who are unwilling to make the leap into another ecosystem. So if these provide the DeWalt users the same utility the red ones have given me, y’all are in for a treat.
Tom D
I just need big red to release the lawnmower already!
Louie Orama
Stuart, on ToolNut they have that power washer for preorder. The model number is DCPW550.
Louie Orama
That’s great news to me. A couple of years ago, when Sears just started to roll downhill, they still had quite the Craftsman inventory. And they started to go crazy with their deals. This was right around when SBD bought them out. I bought every trimmer attachment that they had-OTHER than the power broom which I STILL keep an eye out for on sites like OfferUp and Mercari. I have the Husqvarna 128D which is great, but it’s gas and love my current FlexVolt trimmer too much. I’m hoping that the 972 is compatible with these.
TimL
Man, I love my FV trimmer, but this set up looks sweet.
Eric
I am heavily into the DeWalt system and am thrilled to learn about all of this.
It is not exactly peak grass cutting season here, but I cannot wait to get one of those two mowers (will wait for reviews to see if I care for self-propelled).
I already have the Flexvolt trimmer and blower, and the 20v pole saw and pole hedge trimmer. That said, I will still the power head trimmer with the edger and brush cutter attachments.
Frank D
I am all for systems that leverage a manufacturers existing 18v or 20v battery system, if needed with dual slots to make them 36v or 40v respectively.
Having been orphaned multiple times by companies that went the way of the dodo within 2 – 3 years … or who simply ditched the battery voltage & connector … causing consumers to have $$$$ of equipment they can no longer use; I have refused to buy into any new / niche 56 60 64 72 80 whatever ## voltage battery system. And I will continue to sit on the sideline, as long as possible.
I will buy new vacuums, table saw, chop saw, … when they are dual power.
Let me slot in 2x 18v. batteries for a quick job or something off the grid.
But don’t require me to run a new unit on batteries only, just blowing through the 500 battery cycles, when I have it at home or am next to a wall socket. I will pay the extra $50 or $100 to have the unit with dual power built-in.
Steve
I think the Dewalt 60V FlexVolt is pretty safe from being discontinued any time soon. Dewalt is throwing a ton of resources into it, constantly coming out with new tools for it, and it has backwards compatibility for the batteries powering the 20V stuff.
Jake
For a homeowner this looks ok, but I prefer Stihl products all day long
Bob
It looks like the power head will accept any standard OPE attachment head? I know the drive shafts of most OPE attachments can be a hex or square design. As long as you go with like for like power head/attachment it should work. Unless DeWalt made a propritary interface. Unlikely if the attachments are MTD in design. Im using MTD pole saw on a Troybilt power head now.
Would make it easy for a guy to just buy the batery power head and use his old attachments. Even keep the gas power head for that once a year task that would eat up too many batteries to be practical. Or ditch the dino blood burner and have an excuse to buy more 60v batteries.
Wonder if run time/power is limited due to the requirement of the driveshaft transferring power from the motor to the attachment. As I understand it, this can be about a 15 to 20% loss in power.
Impressed with a 60v line trimmer I tried last fall. Might have to try this out. Price seems reasonable.
audiovideofreak
Would have been a better marketing tool to include this in the FlexVolt Advantage line.
JoeM
Not really. These are Outdoor Power Equipment… Generally, if you cranked up the power on these, the result would still be marginal at best. What’s a string trimmer, or edger, going to do with 40% more power? Spin faster? Okay, but will you actually cut more faster, or will you cross the threshold where it’s moving so fast it loses accuracy, forcing you to go slower instead?
If the hedge trimmer has 35% more power due to the shaft… will it cut more at a time? Or will it be moving so fast at the very end, that instead of cutting it catches and shakes the bushes? The Pole Saw is relatively small, will it truly be worth the extra 0.05 seconds the extra power gives you per branch?
And the BLOWER? Okay… Fans through a duct are great under control, but boost it 50%… Do you still have control over leaves and debris, or are you sending things flying out of control? Jet powered Aircraft that have an Afterburner don’t run very well, or control very well, while under that Afterburner state. You have to assume the same is true for a ducted fan getting a power boost.
Remember, FlexVOLT Advantage increases things like TORQUE and SPEED, not Runtime. Runtime remains approximately the same.
Big Richard
I don’t think you understand 20v FlexVolt Advantage. If these tools were 20v FVA they would be LESS powerful than these 60v. The 60v tools are still quite a bit more powerful than contemporary 20v FVA tools. The perk would be that they would still work with 20v batteries if they were FVA.
I’m fairly confident that’s the point audiovideofreak was trying to make, that it would be nice if they were 20v compatible, like 20v FVA.
JoeM
No, I understood that part. I’m not sure audiovideofreak did though. These are already 60 volt tools, which means a FlexVOLT battery always makes sure they’re at their prime performance. The only variable is runtime, which is controlled by how high a FlexVOLT battery you go with. 6Ah, 9? 10? 12? However high the end up going next… 14/15/16/20Ah? These being FlexVOLT, they are tuned to perform at their optimum with EVERY battery you drop in them. Though… Maybe it’s more like “It” because they all connect to the same power base, and just lock in the end tool?
If it was a 20 Volt FlexVOLT Advantage line, first off, it would be optimized for 20 Volts, not 60. And Runtime would be controlled by the Battery size again. BUT, FlexVOLT Advantage involves a boost in power and performance when you lock in a FlexVOLT battery. It won’t JUST extend runtime, especially if you aren’t using a FlexVOLT battery with a higher Ah Rating. It will also increase the power delivered to the tool whenever it’s a FlexVOLT battery of any sort… Which pretty much means running faster speeds, and increasing torque. Because that’s what happens to the FlexVOLT Advantage Drills and Saws. There’s no direct mention of increased runtime on those tools either.
So, I reiterate… It really wouldn’t be that much better if these were FlexVOLT Advantage tools, instead of the full FlexVOLT tools they are now.
Though, I do agree with audiovideofreak in this much: The lineup of FlexVOLT Advantage tools should get an expansion. I may disagree about this particular OPE line as that expansion, but I completely agree that it would have been better for drawing people to the FlexVOLT Advantage lineup, if more of the 20 Volt Max and 20 Volt XR tools came in the FlexVOLT Advantage edition. The Grease Gun, Glue Dispensers, Die Grinder, the poor, lonely Right-Angle Drill? I think even the Cement Pencil Vibrators may be candidates for the FlexVOLT Advantage lineup. The boost to THEIR motors, for one, would be the obvious move to BRUSHLESS that they need. I think only the Grease Dispenser was an XR series.
That is one thing that DeWALT is always hesitant to do. Release a FULL lineup to get into. They release a handful to see what gets demanded and whined about most, THEN they slowly release those as a trickle… like they’re afraid of the release of each tool. I disagree, whole heartedly. And I side with audiovideofreak on this issue. It’s bad marketing to act so afraid to release more at once. They figured out how to do the Staplers with the XR line… Why not just apply the FlexVOLT Advantage calibration module into the circuitry of ALL the Staplers, and just… Announce that the FlexVOLT Advantage has been added to the FULL LINE of Staplers and Nailers? Gather up the Drywall Sander, the Cutout Tool, and the Drywall Screwdriver… Maybe even the first ELECTRIC Drywall Banjo? (If I got that term wrong, it’s because I only know the tool from an episode of Home Improvement with Tim Allen… The Tape/Paste Dispenser Thing… They called it a Banjo.) Gather them all up, upgrade them with FlexVOLT Advantage, and say the ENTIRE Lineup of Drywall tools is now featuring this new function. The various Vacuum systems may well benefit from FlexVOLT Advantage, round THEM up and release new versions ALL AT ONCE. Show you’re COMMITTED to this new feature.
Because audiovideofreak isn’t wrong about DeWALT’s marketing. They are DEEPLY flawed when it comes to releasing lines of new features. And they ALWAYS start with the basic 3 or 4 tools: Drill, Recip, Circular, and Grinder. Only VERY recently have they added the Oscillating Tools to the starting lineup, and the Atomic is the very first of its type to be part of a starting lineup.
In a lot of ways, this all-in-one OPE setup is cheating that trend of theirs. They only have to risk ONE tool, and they can risk up to 5 failing, without this tool losing them money. That isn’t a strategy, and it isn’t a tie-in to any one line in particular. It’s kinda wishy-washy on the OPE lineup, and completely noncommited to the FlexVOLT OPE lineup… It’s a double down on not committing to their tools. They HAVE released both 20 Volt XR, AND FlexVOLT OPE lineups… This appears to be a non-committment to EITHER lineup. Typical overcautious move from bad marketing. The downside is… If we follow their current OTHER cowardly moves, these tools can’t fit in THERE either. They don’t make any sense anywhere else.
So, I feel the frustration from AVF here… But sadly, what he suggested doesn’t make enough sense to solve what he was going for. I agree SOMETHING has to be added to the FlexVOLT Advantage lineup to truly COMMITT to it… Just not OPE lines.
Pablo
I likes these attachments with the exception of the blower head. I’ve used a gas powered blower head by echo and it didnt work nearly as well as a dedicated blower, even a cheap electric one. I’d avoid line powered blowers.
John Fal
About time Dewalt! Atleast they are doing it right, will give them an edge over Milwaukee. And maybe a Flexvolt pressure washer? Wow! I want one.
JoeM
Milwaukee will just hold the MX Fuel lineup over DeWALT’s head. Holding Milwaukee against DeWALT is kinda silly at this point in their development. They’ve seriously parted ways, and stopped caring about competing with eachother. If anything, unlike the other brands around them, they actually have started to compliment eachother on the worksite.
If you’re starting from scratch on something: DeWALT.
If you’re crawling in a hole, or around tight spaces to do the job: Milwaukee.
Even Makita, Bosch, and Metabo HPT don’t fit in with eachother as closely as those two. They both just kinda shrug and move on at this point. DeWALT is focussed on Construction and Woodworking Crews, and Milwaukee is focussed on Tradesman Crews. They’ll pass eachother on the same sites, doing totally different jobs, and still sneer at eachother, but the companies themselves have truly diverged in where they’re going, aiming, and selling to. The One-Upmanship of… I want to say 20 years ago, but really even 5 years ago it’s true… It’s really not worth comparing anymore.
Brien
Oh man, I hope they do something similar with the 20V line. Really want a 20V edger!
Dave Schwartz
It appears Home Depot actually has some stock on this item:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-FLEXVOLT-60-Volt-MAX-Lithium-Ion-Electric-Cordless-Attachment-Capable-String-Trimmer-DCST972X1/314266332
Bradley Kornele
ego powerhead attachments compatible with new dewalt flexvolt powerhead ?
Brenda
I want this as a combo with trimmer and all attachments. Come on DeWalt.
Will
Why on earth did they get rid of the battery guard? 200. 00 flexvolt battery hangs off the back ready to be bashed into everything.