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I'd be a lot more excited if it was Makita or Bosch announcing this, but Black & Decker has announced they'll soon launch a line of modular power tools. Their Matrix tool system consists of main unit containing a handle, motor and battery, to which the user connects one of seven accessories: drill, impact driver, oscillating multi-tool, jigsaw, sander, router and circular saw. (Before you get too excited, these appear to be smaller versions of the real deal—the router's for 1/4” shank bits and the circ saw runs a tiny 3-3/8” blade.)
For the non-power-tool initiated, my opening comment refers to Black & Decker's quality and target market. When it comes to power tools, Festool and Hilti are the cream of the crop, and they're what you'd find in a high-end contractor's truck. Below that you've got Makita, Hitachi and Bosch, who make decent stuff that us mere mortals can actually afford. Black & Decker's stuff is more aimed at, say, a new homeowner who's never owned power tools but figures he oughta pick some up for light repair work around the house. If you hired a professional carpenter and he showed up with a Black & Decker drill, it would be like, to paraphrase Adam Carolla, hiring an exterminator and he shows up with a flip flop.
Nevertheless, the modular concept is interesting, and I'll be looking out for reviews from the major tool sites once the Matrix is launched. I'm most curious about how the ergonomics will work out, given that different tools require different types of grips at different angles. Ridgid has a similar line of modular power tools they released a couple of years ago, but to be honest I'm skeptical of some of the glowing reviews I've read due to that particular company's parentage.
The Matrix system will hit store shelves in October.
Comments
They already have a modular tool set like this. My dad owns one and it came in handy when we had to do some lite renovation work (putting up walls and installing attic stairs). Unfortunately I don't know the model name/number but it is Black & Decker. It is set up the same way, with a motor base/handle and the modular components snap on the to the front. As far as I know it has a jigsaw, sander, driver and circular saw attachment.
Doesn't it just make sense though that to the everyday consumer, one do-all tool is going to be a reasonable solution whereas a contractor, or individual seeking more expensive high-end tools, would want to invest in discrete tools to do the jobs at hand?
Festool releasing a modular drill would be cool, but I don't think anyone in their target market would even consider such an 'abomination' unless it could perform as good or better than the range of tools the single one would replace.
They would need to open up to a new target-market: The consumer who dreams about one of those top-tier tools but could only afford maybe one; it could be a case made that the one multi-tool is worth the big-boy dollars.
But those brands probably don't want to put the time and effort to cater to that market: it's already served by B&D, Craftsman, etc.
I noticed that it looks like they've changed their battery format yet again. I'd hoped that they would stick with the new 20v LiIon packs for a while longer.
Festools drill is already modular - its 4 drills in one. They are more about making the ordinary tools better - they would never bastardize into something like this. They have router table coming out, which they are marketing and making all of the components - unlike most professional table systems are made up of a bunch of brands and some are high quality and others not.
Its definitely going to cost a lot.
It will have the 20 volt lithium version as well as 12 volt, and a 4 amp AC version due in Jan.
@Michael,
Shown above is the 12V model. There will also be a 20V model and later a corded model. So they're not abandoning the current 20V packs at all.
@Scott,
There are advantages to a system like this, but disadvantages as well. The main selling point is the lower cost of entry for DIYers and how you can change tool heads and handles for the jobs at hand. Main disadvantage is how you're stuck with the same form factor which may or may not work well for all tool heads.
You should check out the power 8 workshop.
The released a set like this back in 2004 (MT1405B-2) which I bought. The tools are all compromised versions of the individual tools. The drill/driver is good, the Jigsaw is usable if you're roughing something out, the circular saw was handy for chopping up some scraps but useless for any kind of straight cut as the blade is really thin and prone to twisting. The sander is unusable, as it's positioning is terrible, and there is no trigger lock so you have to constantly apply pressure. Also, there was a really annoying safety button that was impossible to release one-handed.