Dewalt 20v - 18v adapter question.

[Ram Hemi]

Looking at buying one as I have an 18v sawsall and drill but only 1 good 18v battery left. Started to buy 20v stuff but don't want to get rid of my 18v sawsall and buy a 20v one. Anyways I would like to know of the adapter is compatable with the 4.0 + batteries? HD's website says the compact batteries but quite a few ads on amazon show it in a package with batteries up to 6.0, if it isn't compatable witht the larger capacity batteries then what is the reason? . THanks in advance.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

It will work on all batteries. However, you need to cut the little plastic protrusions off of the front to make it fit onto the flexvolt batteries. I haven't used a new 6.0 battery, but I see no reason it won't fit. I use it on my 18v grinder with a Flexvolt battery all the time.

 

[95vette]

Hello, I have the adapter and it works with 5.0 batteries I have, the only problem I have had with it is that it is hard to get out of the tool it is in. The 20 volt batteries last much longer than 18 volt, and are lighter in weight. Jim

 

[decableguy2000]

Just picked one up today, have it in one of my hammer drills. I cant justify buying new tools because I need batteries. The 5.0 batteries are the same price as the 18 2 pack at Home Depot. I have not tried in any of my other tools yet. I wish I could find the 18v lithium batteries for that price.

 

[Ram Hemi]

Thanks for the comments! I am going to order the adapter

 

[kctyphoon]

Edit - I posted all this assuming you were gonna buy the adapter "kit", and not just the $40 adapter. I'll leave it up anyway for other people since sales are posted, and someone else might be in a similar situation..



just putting this out there, but for the cost of the batteries, adapter, and charger, - you are not far away from a new drill kit, with batteries and charger, or maybe even a drill impact combo kit on sale. A new sawzall bare tool would be under $100 I think.

The adapter kit you're looking at is $129 with the small batteries..

This 4 tool kit is on sale, $100 off, for $249. You can sell what you have on eBay to put towards it. Even sold for $40 for each tool, you won't be far away from the money you'd spend out of pocket anyway - but with new tools and an impact driver and flashlight too.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...-Cordless-Combo-Kit-4-Tool-DCK420D2/205089392

MOST people use the opportunity to upgrade into a new system. IMO, The adapter kit only makes sense for people that have a large collection of older Dewalt tools. I was in the same boat, and upgraded to the Milwaukee m18 system.

Just making the point, you have options here. If there is ever gonna be a time to upgrade tools and get the most for your money spent, this is it.

A bare tool 20v Dewalt saw should be cheaper than the adapter kit if you already have 20v stuff and batteries. Just doesn't seem to make sense to lay out the money on the adapter kit to keep 1 tool going that you can replace for less money. There may be more to your situation, but just off what you posted, buying new seems like more for your money.

Yea, the bare tool saw is only $99 right now.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-DCS380B/203164237

Another option, on sale for only $20 more than your adapter kit - you can get the new 20v saw, with charger, 5.0 battery, and soft case.. your getting less batteries, but more battery power with the 5.0, so another amp hour of runtime if the adapter set comes with 2.0 batteries. This would actually save you money if you sold the old saw.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...-XR-Battery-Starter-Kit-DCB205CK380/301943595

 

[fourjeepin]

I built an adapter to use my old Dewalt nicad tools. It worked great but I kept getting new tools on clearance and ended up selling all of my old Dewalt on eBay.

 

[decableguy2000]

It is hard to justify the new batteries, but I have 12 different 18v tools. That would add up quick to replace even on sale. The plus side with the adapter kit I have option in the future to get either 18 or 20v bare tools.

 

[BK13]

My work has DeWalt 18v rotary hammers. One of them died and was replaced with a 20v and battery size/power aside the new one is a far superior tool.


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[rk_tek]

No problem running the bigger batteries in the adapter. The lithiums last so much longer. I just built new deck stairs this weekend. One 5ah lithium in the hammer drill did 14 1/4x2-3/4" tapcons, bored 10 1/2" holes through wet tripled 2x, then finished driving all the 3" screws after my 18v impact went through 2 nicads.