DeWalt 18V Drill Smoking...Replace Drill or System?

[Matt M PA]

Last year, my 18V DeWalt HammerDrill started to die quickly during use. Some friends suggested trying Batteries + Bulbs to rebuilt the battery packs.

Now...the drill slows down...smokes out the back....then runs fine.

Last night while at Lowes, I saw a sale on some different deWalt kits. Or, I can buy the bare tool modern replacement of my 18v hammer drill for $129.

Alternatively, a new 20v set with hammer drill and 1/4 impact is $299.

I"m not set on deWalt, but I have an 18V vacuum and impact in addition to the smoking hammer drill.

My gut reaction is to buy the newer kit and get the updated, arguably better new design. The cheap-skate in me says to just buy the bare replacement drill.

Glad for your thoughts!

 

[bcradio]

I just sold off my whole DeWalt 18 volt collection and upgraded to Milwaukee M18 tools. The main problem I had with 18 volt Dewalt was the fact that the nicad batteries would discharge on their own just sitting there after about 2 to 3 weeks. Where lithium batteries will last over a year and still have almost full charge on them.

My recommendation would be to buy the 20 volt Dewalt system for $299, and then go by the adapter to use your old tools with the new battery.

 

[gdocktor3]

.

My recommendation would be to buy the 20 volt Dewalt system for $299, and then go by the adapter to use your old tools with the new battery.

My exact thought as well.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thank you....I didn't realize there was such an adapter....

 

[jobo1004]

Thank you....I didn't realize there was such an adapter....

Here's a link to the adapter.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-MAX-Battery-Adapter-for-18-Volt-Tools-DCA1820/206525714

 

[Stevenn1]

I still got 18v Dewalt Li-Ion batteries stamped 2012 and still going strong. But their 18v line is slowly going away. Being replaced by 20v Max.

 

[Gila Monster]

Last year, my 18V DeWalt HammerDrill started to die quickly during use. Some friends suggested trying Batteries + Bulbs to rebuilt the battery packs.

Now...the drill slows down...smokes out the back....then runs fine.



I"m not set on deWalt, but I have an 18V vacuum and impact in addition to the smoking hammer drill.

My gut reaction is to buy the newer kit and get the updated, arguably better new design. The cheap-skate in me says to just buy the bare replacement drill.

Glad for your thoughts!

Maybe this is "dangerous" but if you suspect the battery, couldn't you try the questionable rebuilt battery on your other 18v DeWalt tool and see if that is the culprit?

Then you'd know it's either the battery or the tool.

 

[PelicanPines]

I dumped my 18v stuff... I still have a few things like the right angle drill and angle grinder... I want that adapter...

Went with the 20v dewalt system. I also have the Ridgid 18v LithIon batteries for a cool portable vacuum I got... I might go with some Ridgid stuff in the future but for now... its 20v dewalt all the way.

 

[rnscustom]

If the batteries are lithium ion batteries and bulbs won't rebuild , too unstable ( last I checked ) . Sounds like a new set might be the way to go . Milwaukee is really offering some good deals to take the market .

 

[Matt M PA]

Gila Monster...it's definitely the drill. Regardless of the battery I use...the back end of the drill smokes and slows to almost a stop...then after smoking...runs OK. (Well, better) I suspect oil or something gets onto the brushes and burns off. The odor of the smoke reminds me of electric model train smoke odor...

I'm gonna get the new set with the hammer drill and 1/4 impact.

 

[fourjeepin]

I dumped all of my Dewalt 18v stuff after getting a Ridgid impact. Much smaller and lighter plus it has the lights to tell you the amount of charge on the battery. Oh, and the belt clip and a light at the end of the chuck. Prices were much better than Dewalt when buying clearance sets. The Black Friday sets clearance a month or two after and go for the prices of the batteries alone.

 

[PugetDude]

...the drill slows down...smokes out the back....

Better not use it within 15' of a building entrance:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=359088

 

[skruft]

If I had only one or two 18v tools I would upgrade. I have several so will stay with them longer. Adapter seems to make sense.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks for all the thoughts, guys. An update.

I took the drill apart and found the armature it pretty ugly. I cleaned it up as best I can, but it has some deeper scratches, etc so I figure it;s done. The brushes looked good. I put it back together and while it doesn't smoke...it still has their weird odor.

I also looked at the batteries. They were rebuilt by Batteries+Bulbs about 18 months ago with NiCd batteries. They've been used very little since, but I'm not sure what their life will be.

I can buy a new motor for about $45, shipped.

Not sure if this all adds up to fix what I got or replace....

 

[csp]

Having many 18v tools and having a couple of bad batteries I opted for the conversion kit that includes two 20v batteries, a charger and the adapter. As tools die I'll replace them with 20v Li tools.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K1UEPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20