TheHistoryOf.net

Over the past several decades, Dewalt has become synonymous with quality woodworking tools made at reasonable prices.   Their company is known around the world as the “go to guy” for everyone from professional carpenters and craftsmen to weekend Do-It-Yourselfers.  For instance, the Dewalt Table Saw 745 is a real boon to anyone renovating a house.  However, it also works well for those wanting to add fancy trim to a craft’s project.

Humble Beginnings

Raymond Dewalt was both an engineer and an optimist.  During the early 1930s he found himself continually tinkering with new types of saw that would allow carpenters to make easier and cleaner cuts.  He patented his idea in 1935, calling it the radial arm saw.  Then, the following year, he founded a company to market his new invention.  The problem was it was 1936 during a time when many other small businessmen were closing their offices and manufacturing plants due to the worldwide depression gripping developed nations.  Though many thought he was crazy, Dewalt knew what he was about.  After all, he had already invented the saw; he was simply looking for a business to market it.

His persistence paid off, though many of his original business plans were interrupted by World War II.  During the war years, his manufacturing company was pressed into service producing items for the war effort.  He still managed to expand on his ideas, adding other woodworking machines to the radial saw during the late 1940s.

Change and Expansion

In 1949, the American Machine & Foundry Company bought out Dewalt and continued to develop the brand until 1960, when they sold the company to Black & Decker.  Black & Decker developed the brand even more and sold off the radial arm saw branch in 1989 to what is now known as the Original Saw Company.

Building Name Recognition

By this time, Dewalt became the quality, high end part of the Black & Decker Company.  Then, in 1994, Dewalt absorbed the ELU, a German company specializing in wood working power tools favored by professional contractors.  Ten years later they bought out Porter-Cable, a rival company located in the American South.

Dewalt Today

Today Dewalt produces more than 200 different types of power hand held tools along with 800 accessories designed to be used with them.  The Dewalt miter saw reviews are consistently high, boosting its popularity even more.  Dewalt also manufactures three types of cordless drills:  lithium ion, compact and XRP.  One of their most popular features is that the same battery pact can be used to run more than 40 different powered hand tools.  Not only is this development kind to the environment, but it also saves a lot of time and space in one garage and home.

The NASCAR Scene

Prior to the current economic downturn, Dewalt sponsored one of NASCAR’s most famous drivers, Matt Kenseth.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron loves woodworking tools and has an entire garage full of them.  However, her favorite brand has always been Dewalt because of its consistent quality and easily seen bright yellow color.