Any power tool consists of a power system — a drive motor, essentially — and a series of mechanical devices that interconnect that drive to some kind of spinning or reciprocating tool: a drill, saw, or driver. So why not just make the motor and handle detachable from the rest of the mess (interconnect and tool) and sell the latter separately so you can just swap them onto the tool when you need them?
Well, we can think of three or four reasons why it might not work. But Black & Decker decided to give it a try. They’re calling it the “Matrix” system: a battery/motor/trigger in a drill/driver form factor along with a series of attachments, currently a drill/driver, oscillating tool impact driver, jigsaw, detail sander, trim saw, and router.
Until we see one in person, we won’t throw any stones. But we have a couple of concerns:
First, we’ve talked to scores of product engineers over the years who’ve put long hours of soul-searching and number-crunching into finding the perfect combination of mechanical transfer system, gearing ratios, and even details like saw blade/drill specs to come up with the right balance of power, utility, and battery life to make a tool useful. And we fully believe in the importance of this task. Seriously, if you’ve ever wondered why one cordless drill, saw, or whatever just seems to work night-and-day better than another, you want to look to this balance for the answer. So the idea of using the same motor and battery assembly for every tool gives us pause. If Black & Decker optimized it for the drill, will it make a poor saw? Or jigsaw? Even if they change the gearing — and it does appear that the gearbox is included in the accessory rather than the power unit — how much utility will we lose over a properly-matched motor power curve and gearbox?
Looking quickly at the specs, it seems to us that B&D cut the middle. It’s a single-speed drill/driver, running at 0-800 RPM. Homeowners (likely the prime target for this product) probably won’t live and die for that high-speed (up to 1,500-2,000 RPM) setting. But anyone working in steel, for example, will lament not having it.
Next, we’re a bit concerned with ergonomics. As a drill, the Matrix is a little chunky for its size and power, but it doesn’t look too bad. But stick a trim saw on the end of it, and it looks wonky as hell. It also doesn’t look like it’ll make a very comfortable jigsaw or oscillating tool, especially for anyone who’s used the standard (or standard cordless) versions of those tools.
But let’s not skip out on the pluses of this new system, either: it’s based on the new 20V battery platform. While the batteries certainly won’t be interchangeable, the cells themselves are likely similar to those you’ll find in DeWalt, Porter*Cable, and other Stanley Black & Decker brands. That’s a good thing. The new batteries represent a pretty significant jump over previous Black & Decker battery quality.
At least in drill/driver form, the B&D looks a lot more comfortable to hold than previous models. Actually, it seems inspired quite a bit by the DeWalt and Porter*Cable models, which is also a good thing.
Let’s assume that B&D imagines this as a homeowner solution — a tool for those folks who do a project from time to time, but who don’t need a full-on kit of tools. That kind of makes sense, at least until you look at the pricing. The drill/driver itself MSRPs for $70, which isn’t bad for a half-decent li-ion drill. Attachments, however, run $30/$40 each, so by the time you’ve built up a four or five piece kit, you’re pushing $200 — which is in range of the venerable Ryobi 18V One+ li-ion combo kit.
Then again, you’re looking at different tools. Most combo kits, like the Ryobi, are going to give you a trim saw, drill, and maybe an impact driver. While Ryobi does offer a One+ jigsaw, it’s of the old style and runs around $90. So if you were trying to built a kit of, say, a trim saw, jig saw, sander, router, and drill, the Matrix system is pretty much the only way you’ll do it for this price.
Or, you could just buy a good cordless drill and spring for a cheap corded jigsaw, a cheap (but decent, as they’re available cheap) corded trim saw, and a nice palm router — which might prove a better all-round solution.
Anyway, they’re all available now online and in some stores, though the online offerings look a bit spotty. Watch out for those folks asking significantly more than retail.
BDCDMT120 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google]
Product Set (and Similar) Via Amazon [What’s This?]
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10 Responses to Black & Decker’s Matrix Swappable Power Tool
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Hi.
Someone bought the tool and attachments from Canadian Tire and had a lot to say about them (some good, some bad). Here’s the summary: The Matrix is a good drill and impact driver, but it’s poorly balanced and “tail heavy” when it’s sander, jigsaw, and trim saw. In the case of the sander and jigsaw attachments, the awkward ergonmics make it hard to closely follow the cut line. In the case of the trim saw, the poor balance is dangerous. The tail-heavy handle pulls the blade out of the wood and it’s not very safe to use.
If you want to read more, just search for “Matrix” on the Canadian Tire website.
As already said, this is likely to be promoted for the casual project builder and not tradespeople. However, for just casual use of any (or all) of these tools, I’d likely steer friends away if they rarely use any tools. I’d suggest corded tools for those folks – you can get a nice bunch of corded tools for the price and a casual user will not have a major issue of running a cord.
I’m sure lots will disagree and that is cool since I appreciate opinions that may, and often have, enlightened me and changed my opinion.
These are actually already available and have been since last October at Sears. B&D produced a Craftsman version that is identical in pretty much every spec and gave them 6 months exclusivity with the product before they released their own brand.
I’ve tried the Craftsman 20v Bolt On in the store and it feels pretty good in the hand. The Bolt On system also, at least at present, has 2 more tools available than listed for the B&D system: a hammer drill and an inflator.
Check them out the next time you’re in Sears. My store has a huge end cap devoted to the product and a demo station.
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/dap_10155_12602_DAP_Bolt+On
garbage….already clearance in most stores just like there VPX line
This is not the first time B&D have tried this. My grandfather gave me a similar sort of set a bit over 20 years ago which was already pretty old then. It consisted of a drill body and several attachments. IIRC the drill was single speed. I forget how they attached exactly, it might have been with the chuck but I have a feeling it was removable. There was the keyed chuck for drilling, of course. There was a jigsaw head. The drill attached to a spindle on the back of the head and was held in place by a jubilee clip/hose clamp attached to the head by a support piece. There was a circular saw head. It had quite a small blade, 6″ maybe. There was also a good sized grinding wheel and cradle for the drill. Put the drill in the cradle, clamp it down and chuck the grinding wheel and you have a bench grinder.
I’ve used all the attachments with some success. I have vague recollections of the jigsaw being frustrating and the circular saw being pretty useful. Probably used it as bench grinder most, for sharpening chisels. Haven’t used it all in ages but I do have the attachments packed away still, although I think the drill itself may have died. It was all painted blue except for the jigsaw head, which was polished metal. I have a sneaking feeling it might have been from the late 70s.
I saw this new set in a store here in NZ and immediately thought of my old set. It really is exactly the same idea, just better integration of the fittings to the power unit.
Just remembered! The set also came with a 1/3 sheet orbital sander base. The orbital motion was driven by a sort of off balance eccentric fly wheel (hey, it’s late and I’ve been laying decking all day!). The cam when in the chuck and then into a socket on the back of the baseplace. The drill body was locked into the sander base. It was a hand numbing nightmare! I think I’ve only just remember it now because I was repressing the memory…
I think your article hit on it, ergonomics. Using the same handle for various tools just won’t work, at least with me. To me it is just a gimmick. Hey some of these brands have an idea already like Ryobi 18V and the Sears 19.2 volt lines which I have some of both. I think those ideas are best. Use the same battery system NiCd/Lion. If one breaks you still have the others where as in the system described in this article if the base breaks you are sol for all of your tools. Improve the tools you have for the same battery line is a better strategy in my opinion.
Couldn’t agree with you more Russ. Them continuing to improve batteries, ergonomics and adding more tools has kept me using the craftsman C3 line of cordless tools for years now.
No need for a frankendrill here.
I own the 20V version of this, and have been using it this week to do the grunt work of renovations in my office.
Over a span of a couple of hours I toggled back and forth between the drill head, the sander, the jig saw, and the rotary saw. All four handled all the tasks that I threw at them without any problems, and plenty of battery power left over at the end.
I’ve read reviews that say this isn’t the tool for a professional contractor, but I can vouch for the fact that it suits a DIY homeowner just fine.
One other note, I read a review that said the design of this unit, when using the trim saw attachment, creates balance issues and makes it dangerous to operate. I cut through about 12 feet of inch-thick particle board (having never used a power rotary saw ever before) and never once felt like I was out of control or a danger to myself or others.
after all these reviews istill couldnt decide which is better in specs and quality
im an architect and carpentry is a hobby for me once a while i make a table or a chair just some light work to fill my time so please which is better black or craftsman