Dewalt Max cordless tools

I don't have Dewalt cordless power tools but had Black & Decker 12 volt cordless drill. The cost of a new battery for my B & D drill was around $40.00 so I retired it, as I could buy a new drill kit for a few dollars more.

Lee Fritz

When I was doing scenery work for our local theater they had DeWalt cordless drills and it sure sold me. There were several brands. I might have to look for this.  Thanks

I have a Milwaukee set with the drill and impact driver.  It's been great, and that turned me around on cordless tools.  While Lithium batteries are blowing up in phones, they're really making cordless tools work much better.

Last year I bought the cordless Dremel 8220 set, I rarely dig out the Dremel 4000 now, I love the cordless convenience!

The case for each is a great.  (4) batteries even better. One always charging.  Recycle those spent batteries properly.   Older Dewalt/Black and Decker tools.   These tools are repair-able.  Good quality replacement parts are available.  May be one(two) of the best carry-cases I have.

Drill/Driver/Hammer Drill pictured.  The black adjustment knob with Yellow strips near the chuck sets the Driver clutch-out function of the drill and has a setting for Hammer Drill.  It is a forward/reverse drill and has a variable speed trigger. 

After several year, using these tools, the only issue I've had is related to the very strong permanent magnets, that make these power tools possible. The open areas to the rear of the drill and the driver allow for small metal turning to enter the drill, especially if using over head. The metal filings attach to the permanent magnets and without some time consuming maintenance/dis-assembly and removal of the filings, you can damage the drills/drivers.

Basic additional items.

The hole saw kit is a maybe.

Safety meeting of the Day.  Be careful with these tools.  They are just as powerful as anything with a cord/may be more so.  The New 20 volt DC batteries can be a shock hazard.   As we ramp-up DC voltage, it needs to be treated with respect.  Some of my original battery tools were a mere 9.2 volts.  I mentioned that the batteries need to be handled and treated properly, including proper disposal. 

 Mike CT.    

Regarding Dewalt XRP batteries: I was curious about what type of batteries the Dewalt XRP series uses. Apparently the batteries are available in both NiCad and Li-Ion. You must have the correct charger to match whichever battery you have.
I don't think I'd buy a tool with NiCad batteries. Maybe there is an advantage to them that I am missing.

I bought NiCad batteries because of lower initial cost and I figured I woudn't be a heavy user. With an extra battery It has worked out well.  I use one and recharge the other.  I would have preferred Lithium but at the time my budget said "NiCad". 

My son won a nice top end DeWalt drill set from the NASCAR race team. When I used it I was very impressed. I borrow it often!!

Just looked at my ad- no dewalt in my ad

Here is the Ace ad. Maybe only select stores participate?

Most relatively new Dewalt batteries say Lithium Ion (XRP pictured above).   I haven't seen Ni Cad.  in some time.  There is a distinction/difference to be noted.  Pretty good chance the Lithium Ion is not Lithium Polymer.  Lithium Polymer, (LiPo), seen in cell phones, cameras, lap top computers, and a lot of electronic wizard-try, today.  A Lithium Polymer battery would never take the abuse/mis-use that my Lithium Ion batteries have seen. 

That is a very good price on the 20v DeWalts, IMO. I have the DeWalt 12v Max set (drill & impact driver). I liked it so well I bought a second set. Home Depot had them for around $129 a couple of years ago, but they seem to have gone up some in price since then. I really like the small size and light weight of the 12v sets, very handy for tight spots.

Personally I prefer the Ridgid brand, as replacement batteries are free (at least they used to be). Before I retired from a rebuild shop, we went thru a LOT of cordless electric drills, including DeWalts. Whenever the rechargeable batteries finally bit the dust, the price of replacement batteries was darned near as much as a new drill "kit". We then went with the Ridgid brand, and got free replacement batteries every time one crapped out. Well worth the price of the Ridgid, in my opinion.

Edited to change Milwaukee to Ridgid. My error.

I have had the Dewalt 18v drill, circular saw for 15+ years.  One of the original batteries is still running.  They still sell replacement batteries, usually $100 for two XRP which have higher capacity nicad cells than the original batteries.  I use mine a lot in changing tires on the car as well as other normal assignments.  You best use both hands when it is in low gear.  I have a Milwaukee 12v lithium right angle drill I got at a flea market and it is very good.  My favorites are the Tek4 Ryobi line of tools that Home Depot used to carry.  Same 4v battery fits all the tools; drill, scissors, multimeter, flashlight, USB charger, noise cancelling headphones, etc.  Very small tools with good power for the right job (not tire changing).   The scissors are surprising useful in cutting cardboard, plastic and small gauge wire. 

I have had other brands of cordless tools that were not robust, dependable, etc.  Especially ones that were black and red in color or were blue and yellow in color.  Okay for a little while but not long term durable like Dewalt or Milwaukee.

P.S. lifetime warranties are only as good as they stay in business with their current owner.  Learned that lesson the hard way.  So lifetime warranty doesn't sway me in most cases.

I have a Milwaukee work light that is dual powered. It can run on a Lithium battery or plug-in. It is very handy, bright and compact. I received it as a gift and used it to improve the illumination in a poorly lit storage unit I was renting. It would be great for under layout use.

Here is a link: Milwaukee Light

As far as I know, Dewalt does not make anything similar.

For me the only down side is that I needed a separate battery and charger for it. I do not have any other cordless Milwaukee tools......... yet.

Tom Tee posted:

The most expensive thing about any cordless tool is the replacement battery.

If you are going to use a tool more than once consider Ridgid tools, available at HD.

They have a FREE LIFETIME BATTERY REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE!

You must register the tool  at time of purchase, but they stand behind FREE tool repair and FREE battery replacement for LIFE!!

The purchase price means nothing when you consider having to buy your own replacement batteries!

Tom, long before I reach the price of the Ridgid tool with it's lifetime battery replacing a "lesser" brand battery a couple of times, I'll probably be worm food!  I have no doubt they're quality tools, but there's only so much "quality" I can afford.

C W Burfle posted:

I have a Milwaukee work light that is dual powered. It can run on a Lithium battery or plug-in. It is very handy, bright and compact. I received it as a gift and used it to improve the illumination in a poorly lit storage unit I was renting. It would be great for under layout use.

Here is a link: Milwaukee Light

As far as I know, Dewalt does not make anything similar.

For me the only down side is that I needed a separate battery and charger for it. I do not have any other cordless Milwaukee tools......... yet.

 

Dewalt has several flash lights.  Usually as part of the more expensive/multi tool kits.

Dewalt has several flash lights.  Usually as part of the more expensive/multi tool kits.

Thanks Mike!
But the Milwaukee work light is more of a work light that lights up a whole area. Very different than a flash light.

I am a huge fan of dewalt tools in terms of durability. I work offshore on ships and have had only one drill out of probably two dozen different tools fail. That includes exposure to constant salt air and new guys who have never held a power tool before. 

The batteries seems to hold up fairly well. I've had to replace several over the course of 5 years on my ship. I am still on my originals for my home set of 18V and I have had that for about 5 yrs.

Mike CT posted:

The case for each is a great.  (4) batteries even better. One always charging.  Recycle those spent batteries properly.   Older Dewalt/Black and Decker tools.   These tools are repair-able.  Good quality replacement parts are available.  May be one(two) of the best carry-cases I have.

Drill/Driver/Hammer Drill pictured.  The black adjustment knob with Yellow strips near the chuck sets the Driver clutch-out function of the drill and has a setting for Hammer Drill.  It is a forward/reverse drill and has a variable speed trigger. 

After several year, using these tools, the only issue I've had is related to the very strong permanent magnets, that make these power tools possible. The open areas to the rear of the drill and the driver allow for small metal turning to enter the drill, especially if using over head. The metal filings attach to the permanent magnets and without some time consuming maintenance/dis-assembly and removal of the filings, you can damage the drills/drivers.

Basic additional items.

The hole saw kit is a maybe.

Safety meeting of the Day.  Be careful with these tools.  They are just as powerful as anything with a cord/may be more so.  The New 20 volt DC batteries can be a shock hazard.   As we ramp-up DC voltage, it needs to be treated with respect.  Some of my original battery tools were a mere 9.2 volts.  I mentioned that the batteries need to be handled and treated properly, including proper disposal. 

 Mike CT.    

 

MAN these look great I own the exact set and they will give you a lifetime of service.You can get two replacement XRP batteries at Home Depot for 99 bucks.Nick

I was in Lowes yesterday and noticed that Dewalt has an adaptor available that converts an 18 volt XRP tool to use their Max battery. There was a kit that included the adaptor, two batteries, and a charger. Here it is.

A little pricey, but if you have several XRP tools maybe it would be worthwhile.

I like the compact size and weight of the Max tools.

Looks like it comes with two batteries, so it's not that out of reason.

Yes there are two batteries.

Folks getting into Dewalt Max stuff should be aware that the company makes a number of different capacity batteries. The ones that come in the bargain priced kits are small ones, but that has never been a problem for me. We recently purchased a Dewalt 20V Max leaf blower that came with two batteries. One is a 4 amp. It lasts a long time, but is big and heavy.

I think I mentioned earlier that lithium based replacement XRP batteries are available too, but you need to buy a matching charger.

Boy, over the past few days I've learned more about Dewalt cordless tool batteries than I ever thought I'd need to know.

Out yesterday.  Leaf removal. My 86 year old neighbor the other 74. We managed to move a lot of leaves.   Interesting to note the Ryobi Leaf blower, (purchased yesterday), had power packs Lithium Ion 40 volts. 

Yes, there are a number of cordless electric yard tool systems with 40 volt batteries. I went with the Dewalt 20 volt max because they use the same battery system as my larger drill and 1/4 inch impact driver. Next spring I plan to get the string trimmer and the hedge trimmer. I think all three yard tools use brushless motors.

C W Burfle posted:

Yes, there are a number of cordless electric yard tool systems with 40 volt batteries. I went with the Dewalt 20 volt max because they use the same battery system as my larger drill and 1/4 inch impact driver. Next spring I plan to get the string trimmer and the hedge trimmer. I think all three yard tools use brushless motors.

That is correct Brushless.  I had the Dewalt leaf blower in my cart, and was approach by a sales person, other that Home Depot, who had Ryobi on his shirt.  Very good salesman, IMO.  I would think 40 volts DC to have some electrical shock hazard potential.  It took a fair amount of time to charge the two 40 volt power cells. 

I can't help it I have to throw this in the pile.Who doesn't love talking about our cordless toys??I recently invested in a proffessional Bosch drill driver set equipped with Bosch wireless charging.No its not cheap,but it made sense for me because I also do contracting work not just my trains or home projects.It literally eliminates the need for multiple spare batteries.When the tool is not in use simply set it on the flat charging surface.Nick

have to admit i used to be a Makita fan, but currently in the market for a portable saw, i noticed too many construction workers using Dewalt, and after asking around, found it to be their preferred brand.  have yet to pick one up, but i'm sold on the idea.

cheers...gary

good timing.  just got notice this morning of a Dewalt deal in an email message from ToolUp...

http://www.toolup.com/cyoa-dewalt-build-a-kit