Dewalt 20v 8 tool kit vs piece it together

[dlefty]

Experiences and opinions please!

This 8pc. Dewalt 20v Max cordless kit at HD for $499:
http://https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-MAX-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Combo-Kit-8-Tool-w-2-2Ah-and-1-4Ah-20-Volt-MAX-Batteries-and-ToughSystem-Box-DCKTS882D2M1/305585076

Mainly features older tools with brushed motors. I will NOT be using daily, few random garage shelving, car detailing orginization, storage fabrication, and basement projects. Just need it to work, but work well.

So, should I just roll with this kit as it was a great gift as I am starting from scratch replacing some antiques, or should I piece it together over time when I need something with the better XR line of Dewalt product? The 3-4 immediate things of need are the drill, impact wrench for quicker lug removal, maybe impact drill, cordless circular, although my corded Dewalt is just fine, I can use all 7 tools included over time.

I can get the same case as the above kit, but instead get XR hammer drill, XR 3-speed impact drill, with 4ah and 2ah and Charger, and add XR 1/2” (vs the kits 3/8”) impact wrench for the same $499 cost....I would be giving up 1 2ah battery, the flashlight, the circular, the multi tool, and the recip saw if I go this way.

Upgrade it as needed and keep the 8pc, or return it and start from scratch with XR?!!? Oh the tough choices!

 

[ChrisLS8]

For intermittent use the max tools will be just fine, we even use some at work. But if you always like having the best features or ergos or power etc then you'll end up upgrading from the older versions anyways

 

[Bessy]

I've been happy enough with my non-XR 20v set. The circ saw lacks power compared to the newer saws, but one does have to remember that it's only a 6" blade. Works well enough for the weekend warrior, plus it's light enough weightwise to use one handed without issue.

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[jgromada]

Some of the tools in the bundle may not be best in class. I would think it might depend on how much you use some of those. On the flip side there is a significant amount of savings buying a bundle.

 

[Robinson1]

I've got a mix of brushed and brushless dewalt in daily use. It all does the job and running XR drills along side thencheapest $99 drill they make I can see a difference but for most people probably not worth the extra cost.

I'm still using the old brushed 6 1/2" circular saw and brushed recip saw pretty much daily. They wont replace corded but for quick projects are nice and have earned their keep.

In the end it all comes down to what you are wanting to do

 

[TailGunner3000]

I purchased a similiar set a couple of years ago. You're link doesn't seem to be working, so I can't tell how similiar, but my set did not come with an impact wrench. Of the 8 tools (really 7 plus a light) in my set, only 3 have seen heavy usage. The impact driver, the drill/driver, and the recip saw. The others have seen only moderate use. All have held up very well.

Some things to keep in mind: Some of the tools in my set didn't seem to be available as stand alone tools, based on model numbers. They might have been made for combo sets only. Whether that makes them inferior is beyond my scope. My set came with 2 1.5 ampH batteries. If that's the case, you'll want to add larger batteries, especially for the saws and likely the impact wrench. That will add to your cost.

I have had good luck with Dewalt as a brand in general. But as always, YMMV.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

I pieced my set together but wish I had just started with a larger kit. The "freebies" that the larger set come with (circular, recip, light) are expensive to buy on their own if you end up wanting them.

 

[kctyphoon]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...es-and-ToughSystem-Box-DCKTS882D2M1/305585076

Just figure out what you want for your core (most used) tools.. if you WANT a hammer drill - then you have your answer. I think the biggest decider for the kit is the drill. Do you have any need for a hammer drill? Do you WANT a hammer drill? Cause it makes no sense to say YES, and then buy another drill in a week and keep that one.. A bigger impact wrench you can always get if you really want one, but that 3/8 I’d hope would at least do car lugs. Even if you got the big 1/2” impact later, its not like youre “replacing” a tool. Thats just buying a different tool and adding to what you have.

That kit will do anything a homeowner would need it for, except drill into concrete or brick. Brushed tools have been working for people for decades. If its gonna bother you that another tool exists that will drill a hole faster, or drive screws in a little quicker, then get something else. If you arent going to obsess over “there are better tools out there” then I’d just keep it and move on. The biggest question is if you wanna be invested into the dewalt platform for 15 years - cause thats likely the reality of it. If your fine with that, and youre fine with the drill, then just start using them.

Even worst case - its not the end of the world to buy a bare tool hammer drill if you need it in the future.. you could always just sell the one in that kit on ebay now while its new, and buy a better drill bare tool if the drill is the only tool in the kit that has you wondering.

If the option is keep it, or return it and get half the tools - and its gonna take you 2 years to buy everything slowly - then just keep it. If money is no object then knock yourself out and buy the best of everything. Nobody can answer these questions but you. Its your money, do what you want.

Everyone has different wants. I’m at a point in my life where I’d rather spend the money and get what i want. So for those rare cases when I have a project at home and dont wanna get annoyed, I buy more powerful 18v tools AND small 12v stuff for the little things. That said - Like 12 years ago i renovated like 80% of my house when i bought it without a single brushless tool. I drywalled most of my house and relocated almost every outlet box with a 7.2v screwdriver and it worked great. I vaulted the ceiling in my living room and i dont even think i owned an impact driver back then. The difference now is almost every corded tool I HAD to use back then, now has a cordless replacement that is just as powerful.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd just keep the kit and then add to it as needed (if need be). If a tool breaks in the future, buy the newer brushless version to replace it. I think having each tool category represented is more important than getting the absolute beast/best version of each tool.

I have brushed Makita and brushed Ryobi, and I beat them up and they take the pounding and never fail. I am a DIYer but do work for relatives/friends on side.

It's pretty cheap to add to a platform if you shop on ebay, CPO, etc..

 

[dlefty]

Thanks for all the thoughts and feedback all! Going to keep it and roll with it, and upgrade/build it out in future as needed. It will be a great foundation the more I think about it.

 

[56Safari]

I’d go XR just for the brushless. I got the XR DCK684D2 kit and have zero complaints. I already had 2 5ah batteries on hand so the lack of good batteries wasn’t an issues. The 7 1/4 saw is awesome and has tons of power. My dad used my kit once and liked it so much he upgraded all his tools to XR. I don’t use mine every day either, but I found my kit for $500 NIB; so I’d just keep an eye out for a good deal on an XR kit:


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[finn]

You will need a bigger, and more expensive driver to do lug nuts. Other than that, and a bigger battery, those tools should work out.

The brushless is a noticeable step up, though.

In the end, it’s a personal decision, though. I would step up to brushless, simply because of where I am at in my tool inventory. I would recommend a kit like that for my BIL who currently makes do with old, marginal tools. For him, it’s a quantum leap forward.

 

[jd_1138]

You will need a bigger, and more expensive driver to do lug nuts. Other than that, and a bigger battery, those tools should work out.

The brushless is a noticeable step up, though.

In the end, it’s a personal decision, though. I would step up to brushless, simply because of where I am at in my tool inventory. I would recommend a kit like that for my BIL who currently makes do with old, marginal tools. For him, it’s a quantum leap forward.

Sounds like my idiot BIL. lol. We had to take down an old shed at my mom's new place, and he brought over an old corded circular saw. I said "we need a reciprocating saw". I was 2,000 miles from my tools. He spent 1 hour with his circular saw and got like 1 percent of the demo done.

Meanwhile I drove 2 miles to the local Ace Hardware and bought a corded reciprocating saw (Porter Cable) for $60 because I actually value my time and safety. It made quick work of the demo. After 20 minutes, it was so apparent the recip saw was superior for this task, that he left and went home -- leaving the work to me. Gee thanks.

I later offered the saw to him for free, but he refused it. I ended up selling it to a local guy there for $50. It was still in new shape, but I don't return tools after using them.