Stanley FatMax V20 Cordless Tools

Stanley Power Tools?

Thanks in no small part to the ubiquitous Stanley knife, Stanley are very much a household name – and in fact most households are probably going to have at least one Stanley knife or tape measure tucked away in a drawer or tool box somewhere. However, what may not be common knowledge is that Stanley don’t only manufacture hand tools but they also make cordless power tools as well. If this is news to you, well don’t worry as this blog post will fill you in with everything you need to know about the Stanley FatMax V20 battery system.

The V20 Battery

The Stanley FatMax V20 platform is based around the FatMax V20 lithium ion battery. One thing to be aware of here is that there was a previous generation of Stanley cordless tools which look quite similar on the outside, but these used a different battery and aren’t compatible with this current system. If you’re not sure, just look for the V20 icon which will signify that you’re looking at something which is designed to work within the FatMax V20 ecosystem.

These batteries are an 18v lithium ion type and are currently available in two capacities: 2.0ah and 4.0ah. The main difference between these two options is that the 4.0ah version can hold twice as much charge and will therefore need recharging less frequently, but the most important thing to note is that any battery will work in any tool. That is, once you have a battery and charger, you’ll be able to use them with any of the tools in the system. The only slight deviation from this rule is that in the case of larger tools like the 36v V20 lawnmowers, you’ll need two batteries to power them.

Lithium ion has become the standard battery chemistry for portable electronic devices and this is primarily because it is a bit more user friendly compared to previous types of rechargeable battery. As well as having a low self discharge rate, which means that the battery remains charged even during long periods of storage, the cells don’t suffer from memory effect and this means they don’t have to be recharged at specific times. To keep older types of batteries from detereorating prematurely, it was advisable to only ever recharge them once they had reached a certain point in their discharge cycle. Lithium ion is not affected by these problems and can be simply be recharged whenever is convenient.

To help you keep track of how much charge you’ve got left at any time, the Stanley FatMax V20 batteries also have handy push button fuel gauges built into them. Simply press the button and the gauge lights up to indicate how much charge is left in the battery.

As is common to most power tool battery platforms these days, the FatMax V20 range encompasses two main categories: classic “power tools” such as drills, sanders or angle grinders, and what would be called Garden tools, or Outdoor Power Equipment: that is, grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, lawnmowers and similar machines. While the V20 range is small compared to the really big cordless platforms out there that boast literally hundreds of different tools, it’s got all the basics covered and as its still relatively new to the market we can expect Stanley to broaden the range as time goes by. So on that note, let’s take a dive in and see what there is on offer right now.

Stanley FatMax V20 Drills and Impact Drivers

Stanley have an option of either a brushed or brushless combi drill, as well as a brushed or brushless impact driver, and these are available as two complete twin packs as well. These tools will easily handle most day-to-day drilling and screwdriving tasks, and you have the choice of upgrading to the more advanced brushless versions if you feel like spending a bit more money (not a great deal more to be fair).

For tackling bigger drilling jobs in masonry, there’s also a Stanley FatMax V20 SDS Plus drill. This three mode machine has a hammer only setting which additionally enables it to be used with SDS Plus chisels for light demolition jobs like stripping plaster or tiles from walls.

Stanley FatMax V20 Saws

Currently Stanley offer a 165mm circular saw and a D handle jigsaw, which when combined will allow you to take on a variety of straight and curved cuts when working on building projects. The jigsaw is notable for the fact that it has been designed to take either T shank or U shank blades, meaning that just about any jigsaw blade you can find on the market today will work in it.

For less precise cutting work, Stanley also make a FatMax V20 reciprocating saw. Compatible with standard reciprocating saw blades, it has a compact and lightweight design which makes it comfortable to use when working in awkward spaces .

Stanley FatMax V20 Angle Grinders

The Stanley FatMax V20 Angle Grinder is designed for use with 125mm (5″) discs and is ideal for cutting harder materials like masonry or tiles, and for cutting and grinding metal. Besides this, it can also be used with a wide variety of additional angle grinder accessories like wire brushes and wire wheels for heavy duty cleaning and surface preparation.

Stanley FatMax V20 Nail Guns

The current FatMax V20 nailer is a 16 gauge type which is designed for second fix applications like fastening skirting boards and for light duty construction work. Being completely battery powered, it is a convenient alternative to designs which require a separate air compressor or which need regular topping up with gas cartridges. It is also one of the most affordable cordless 16 gauge nailers on the market, being around half the price of similar competitors.

Stanley FatMax V20 Oscillating Multi Tools

The oscillating multi tool is a staple fixture of every cordless power tool range these days, and the FatMax V20 version shares a few similarities with existing designs from Dewalt and Black & Decker (both of which are part of the Stanley Black & Decker group). Suitable for a wide range of cutting, sanding and scraping applications, this compact tool will work with lots of common accessories and benefits from an LED worklight and variable speed control.

The quick release tool holder is designed to work best with the type of accessories pictured, and you can find these made by Stanley (among other others): however, like most oscillating multi tools there is a fair amount of compatibility between all common designs on the market and most of them will still work one way or another. Stanley also make an adaptor which enables use with other types that won’t fit straight into place.

Stanley FatMax V20 Sanders and Polishers

Stanley make a V20 cordless random orbit sander and detail sander for preparing or finishing surfaces, and together they can get into just about any space you’ll need to use a sander in (you’ll also be able to use the oscillating tool as a detail sander as well). For getting a renewed gleaming finish on vehicle bodywork and similar surfaces, there’s also a cordless random orbit polisher with a 254mm foam backing pad.

Stanley FatMax V20 Vacuum Cleaners

The FatMax V20 cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner makes a handy tool for jobsite cleanup tasks as well as for use as a dust extractor when connected directly to a power tool. Equipped with a 7.5 litre tank, this compact vaccum has an integrated carry handle for transport and can be used on wet or dry materials. It comes with a HEPA filter pre-installed and includes a floor tool and crevice nozzle.

Stanley FatMax V20 Lighting

Rechargeable power tool batteries are also really handy for providing portable lighting when you need it, and Stanley make a handheld torch and a work light which can both be powered from a V20 battery. The work light has a stable adjustable base and can be set up in a variety of positions to cast light into the required area, while the hand torch is perfect for quick inspection tasks and for mobile use.

Stanley FatMax V20 Garden Tools

Last but not least, we also have a whole range of outdoor power equipment which is suitable for maintaining a standard domestic garden or for tackling overgrown jobsite conditions. This is where you’ll find the larger 36v cordless rotary lawnmowers which run on two V20 batteries simultaneously, and for tidying up lawn edges and hard to reach areas there’s a choice of a brushed or brushless grass trimmer.

For getting green foliage trimmed into shape, the V20 range features a cordless power pruner which is suitable for more precise work and a 550mm hedge trimmer for tackling the bigger stuff. And if that’s not quite big enough there’s also a long reach pole hedge trimmer which allows taller hedges to be neatened up without having to find a way to get yourself hoisted off the ground first.

For pruning more substantial branches, or for cutting up larger timbers and offcuts, the Stanley V20 chainsaw makes a convenient alternative to a corded electric or petrol powered machine. Equipped with a 300mm bar and an automatic oiling system, the tool is compact, lightweight, and designed with user safety as a top priority, featuring a rapid action chain brake designed to stop the chain in less than one second as soon as it is activated.

Available Now at Tooled-Up

We have a dedicated range page over on Tooled-Up.com where you can find view all Stanley FatMax V20 cordless tools, batteries and chargers in one place. We’ll continuously update this with new products as and when they get released so it’s sure to keep expanding into the future. For more information on the Stanley FatMax V20 system, and Stanley tools in general, why not also take a look at the Stanley website here.