What to do... exchanging the 20v Dewalt for another brand or keeping it?

Fredartic · Jan 13, 2017

Here is the question. I have 18v nicd Dewalt tools. I won a combo kit in 2006. The batteries are still good. I didn't use them a lot because they are so heavy. I usually use my Ryobi that I love so much for most of the job and take my Dewalt when I need more power. I have also Milwaukee drill 12v that I love so much and a 12v Hitachi combo for light uses. Three yars ago, I have bought a new comb kit of Dewalt that was on big promotion. On Christmas, my wife bought me a new impact/driver Dewalt 20v that is still in the boxe. The 20v Dewalt are less weight but I'm not sure of their battery attachment that looks less solid in my opinion... Yesterday, I had plugged one of my two 18v charger to charge one 18v battery and before I put the battery in, the charger fumes and it smelled something heated... ???? I was not sure because my tools are very clean, not very used and they are stored in my heated garage so... I tried to plug it again and I noticed again the heated smells... I said to myself: "what is Dewalt junk comparing my old Ryobi blue model and my new green ones that I have for a while and never have problem with them while many think that the junk is not yellow but Ryobi????" I went to Home Depot and noticed the price for a new charger 18v ($139. can) !!! I was shocked with the price... Am I wrong or Dewalt don't produce the 18v tools anymore? So, I look my new Dewalt 20v and I'm wondering if it's time to consider another brand for the future, like Ridgid or Makita or Milwaukee, while my Dewalt 18v will continue their life till the battery dies... (I have 4 and one charger)... so any suggestion? thanks

jd_1138 · Jan 13, 2017

The DeWalt Ni-Cad charger died? Not the lithium DeWalt charger for the 20V DeWalt? Probably can go on ebay and get another DeWalt Ni-Cad charger for like $20.

Why are you still using the Ni-Cad DeWalt if you have newer DeWalt and other newer tools? I wouldn't give up on DeWalt. I've seen their tools fall 10-15 feet and not break. But Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch are all good too.

WWheeler · Jan 13, 2017

A new Dewalt 18v battery charger will run you ~$35-40 on Amazon or ebay.

Not sure Dewalt is still making them, but my Lowes sure is still selling Dewalt 18v tools right alongside their 20v lineup.

Dewalt also sells an 20v-to-18v adapter to be able to use their newer 20v Li-ion batteries in their 18v tools that currently costs ~$35-40. If your 18v tools still work good the adapter can breathe new life into them and no real sense in replacing them.

Fredartic · Jan 13, 2017

jd_1138 said:
The DeWalt Ni-Cad charger died? Not the lithium DeWalt charger for the 20V DeWalt? Probably can go on ebay and get another DeWalt Ni-Cad charger for like $20.

Not the lithium charger died; it's still in the boxe.

Why are you still using the Ni-Cad DeWalt if you have newer DeWalt and other newer tools? I wouldn't give up on DeWalt. I've seen their tools fall 10-15 feet and not break. But Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch are all good too.

Because they are still brand new and I just have the impact driver in 20v but have 18v circular saw, jig saw, hammer drill, lamps and impact driver also...

jd_1138 · Jan 13, 2017

Fredartic said:
Because they are still brand new and I just have the impact driver in 20v but have 18v circular saw, jig saw, hammer drill, lamps and impact driver also...

Oh ok. Yeah I'd definitely check ebay/Amazon. Should be much cheaper than at the store.

sierradmax · Jan 13, 2017

Sometimes Milwaukee has deals where they offer $100 credit towards the purchase of a M18 product by bringing in a used (working or non-working) cordless tool.

https://www.fastenal.com/content/documents/2016/08/Milwaukee100TradeIn.pdf

I don't know if this promotion will happen again but keep an eye out.

Local · Jan 13, 2017

Nothing wrong with the 20v dewalt battery connection. I used mine daily at one job and never had a problem. Now it might get used occasionally but still works like new and battery is great.

gdocktor3 · Jan 13, 2017

I'm really confused. Why are you considering offing the new 20v Dewalt if the old 18v failed??

Local · Jan 13, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
I'm really confused. Why are you considering offing the new 20v Dewalt if the old 18v failed??

He already has a nib 20v.

Parrothead · Jan 13, 2017

I'd get a new charger off eBay or Amazon. They can be had for less than $20. One of the nice things about DeWalt is they support their older products. The 18v Nicad tools could take the 18v lithium batteries when they started making that switch, which was nice. Then when the 20v DeWalt tools came out, they made an adapter that lets you use those batteries too. I'm pretty sure Milwaukee, Makita and others didn't do that with their new tools. That's a BIG reason to stick with the line. The only other company that does that to my knowledge is Ryobi.

jeeper46 · Jan 13, 2017

I was just wondering about those 18v/20v adapters for Dewalts-I have the heavy-duty impact driver, but the batteries have long since gone dead. I also have an 18v drill driver, so I have just been using the battery from that. This 20v adapter sounds like just what I've been looking for

gdocktor3 · Jan 13, 2017

Local said:
He already has a nib 20v.

Exactly. He had issues with his old 18v not charging. What does that have to do with the 20v Dewalt? The logic just doesn't make sense to me. All batteries fail eventually. The problem I had with the old style 18v batteries, Dewalt and Ryobi, is that the locking mechanism wears out, preventing the batteries from seating properly in the tool. All that weight being pulled downward doesn't help either. The new Dewalt batteries slide and lock in. I haven't had any issue with my 20v Dewalt and am actually going today to pick up my new DCD996B hammerdrill. With that said, I have had problems with my 18v Ridgid batteries seating in a few of my tools which share the similar design as my 20v Dewalt and 18v Milwaukee, but those Ridgid tools have been worked/beat up hard for years.

sonoronos · Jan 13, 2017

Slow down, man.

Keep calm, and DCA1820 on.

Fredartic · Jan 13, 2017

gdocktor3 said:
I'm really confused. Why are you considering offing the new 20v Dewalt if the old 18v failed??

Because as I complaint about their weight on the 18v but was happy that I had Dewalt, what happen with the charger let me suspicious with their quality... and I'm not sure about their new connection on the 20v, if it's solid...

woody6904 · Jan 13, 2017

Fredartic said:
Because as I complaint about their weight on the 18v but was happy that I had Dewalt, what happen with the charger let me suspicious with their quality... and I'm not sure about their new connection on the 20v, if it's solid...

How old is the charger in question?

Fredartic · Jan 13, 2017

Parrothead said:
I'd get a new charger off eBay or Amazon. They can be had for less than $20. One of the nice things about DeWalt is they support their older products. The 18v Nicad tools could take the 18v lithium batteries when they started making that switch, which was nice. Then when the 20v DeWalt tools came out, they made an adapter that lets you use those batteries too. I'm pretty sure Milwaukee, Makita and others didn't do that with their new tools. That's a BIG reason to stick with the line. The only other company that does that to my knowledge is Ryobi.

You're right, Ryobi did it simple, because you don't need an adaptor to use the lithium battery on the old nicad ones... and the color matches as well... Why Dewalt made it more complicated with adding an adaptor? Doesn't make it heavier or embarassing to add that thickness to those tools?

sonoronos · Jan 13, 2017

Fredartic said:
Why Dewalt made it more complicated with adding an adaptor? Doesn't make it heavier or embarassing to add that thickness to those tools?

I thought this was Garage Journal and there were dudes who like....worked on here. I must be in the wrong place.

If we can't handle 6.7 oz of additional weight or 1" of extra length, we may have to consider switching to make-up tutorials and handbag reviews

Dewalt has been making cordless tools so long - so much longer than the other manufacturers - that they had to create the adapters. I'm glad they did. My 18V grinder, impact driver, and 1/2" impact wrench are awesome and they will be useful for years into the future - and now I can use 6Ah 60V batteries on them. I can grind for ages. And my 20V DCD996B likes hanging out with the older 18V tools as well.

WWheeler · Jan 13, 2017

Fredartic said:
... Why Dewalt made it more complicated with adding an adaptor? Doesn't make it heavier or embarassing to add that thickness to those tools?

The 20v Dewalt Li-Ion batteries are slimmer and lighter than the old NiCads. Using the adapter doesn't "make it heavier or embarrassing to add that thickness". It just helps breathe new life into your old 18v as you transition to some of the newer 20v.

I personally wouldn't trade one of my ~20 year old 18v Dewalts for one of every Ryobi cordless tool they make. I'll more than happily stay on the yellow side. About half of my Dewalt tools were bought in the mid-90s, and none has ever let me down yet. All still kicking.

What to do... exchanging the 20v Dewalt for another brand or keeping it?

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