DeWalt History and Brand Info

As superintendent of Seabrook Farms, Raymond E DeWalt invented the radial arm saw to help improve efficiency and productivity of woodworkers.

In 1924 DeWalt Company was founded in Leola, Pennsylvania. Their first product, the DeWalt Wonder Worker was a universal electrical woodworking machine that could configure in nine different ways. The company also manufactured a hollow inch mortise and 6” jointer that wasn’t designed by DeWalt. They also acquired the rights to the Bennet Two-Way panel saw in 1960.

In 1929 DeWalt moved to a modernized plant and offices in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. During the war in 1941, DeWalt expanded into Canada and manufactured bench grinders and cutting tools for the market.

In 1947 the company was re-organized as DeWalt Inc and two years later purchased by American Machines and Foundry Company Inc., famous for producing bowling equipment and owning Harley Davidson from 1969 to 1981. During this time DeWalt rebadged Atlas Press Co. machines. In 1969 Black & Decker bought DeWalt from AMF. DeWalt functioned as a subsidiary until it became Lancaster Machinery Division in 1970.

In 1989 radial arm saws were discontinued and replaced in 1992 with a new line of electronic power tools. These portable tools with accessories were designed for woodworkers, remodelers, and residential contractors. A new revolutionary system launched over 30 new cordless power tools including the most powerful cordless tool at that time, the 14.4 Volt cordless drill/driver and the 5 3/8 inches cordless saw.

Matt Kenseth, the youngest winner in the ARTGO challenge series, joined DeWalt Racing in 1999 as their driver in the NASCAR Busch Series and in 2000 in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The same year DeWalt acquired Momentum Laser Inc and Emglo Compressor Company. In 2003 Kenseth won the NASCAR Winston Cup championship driving #17 DeWalt Ford race car and proceeded to win 18 races in the 10 years DeWalt sponsored him.

In 2010 DeWalt introduced the 12 V Max System lithium-ion tools and launched the Metal Cutting Diamond Blade line of accessories. The next year they expanded the lithium-ion tools with the 20 V Max system. The XR line of Brushless power tools hit the market in 2013.

DeWalt announced ‘Made in USA’ initiative at STAFDA 2013. They also agreed to a 3-year partnership with Wounded Warrior Project and donated over $489,000 from sales of the limited edition WWP tools.

In the same year, they expanded the existing Distribution Center with a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, NC. Two years later, the facility in Greenfield, NC was launched as the seventh manufacturing facility for DeWalt branded products.

Since 2015, Tool-Connect could track the whereabouts of tools by means of Bluetooth batteries.

In 2016 DeWalt manufactured FlexVolt, the first battery worldwide to change voltage when a user changes tools. XP tape, the toughest tape measure was launched in 2017 along with Breakaway Reciprocating saw blades that won the Power Tool Innovation award.

DeWalt tool line has over 200 electric power tools and over 800 accessories. Universal warranties (#1) include

• No-break guarantee for drill bits
• 3-year limited warranty and a 1-year free service warranty for tools purchased after January 1, 2004
• 7-year limited liability warranty for defects due to poor material or workmanship
• 30-day money back guarantee
• Full lifetime warranty if DeWalt Mechanics tools fail
• Limited lifetime warranty for DeWalt hand tools
• Limited warranty for compressors and washers

Important DEWALT Links

Atlas Pres Co machines rebadged

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=252

(1) Warranties

https://www.dewalt.com/legal/warranty/general-warranty-information