DeWalt 20V, I need your opnion

[Shipfittin]

Presently I have the Ridgid 18-V Lithium Ion Drill/Impact Driver kit. I have no problems with it, really I believe this tool to be underrated by a lot of people. The only thing I don't like about it is it seems like if I want any accessories for it I have to order them. Not to mention compatible accessories seem very limited compared to what DeWalt puts out in their line of power tools.

So I was walking through Home Depot and saw the 20-Volt Max (3 Ah) Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill and Impact Combo Kit (2-Tool) and I played with it a bit. It seemed to have good power and ontop of it is a hammer drill. I don't have a hammer drill and I really want to get one. So I have been thinking of replacing my Ridgid with the DeWalt because I want a Hammer Drill and there are so many available accessories.

I'm really just curious to hear any of your opinions on this DeWalt 20V tools though. I was looking at how the battery attached to the drill and impact and it seems to have a good amount of slop when they are mated together. That just doesn't come off to me as high quality. I am worried about investing $300 into a drill and driver just to find out I spent more on the name then the tool.

 

[shampoop]

I'm really just curious to hear any of your opinions on this DeWalt 20V tools though. I was looking at how the battery attached to the drill and impact and it seems to have a good amount of slop when they are mated together. That just doesn't come off to me as high quality. I am worried about investing $300 into a drill and driver just to find out I spent more on the name then the tool.

I've been using the dewalt 20v stuff at work recently and own makita 18v stuff at home. It's funny you mention the battery attachment mechanism, I actually too just the other day in fact noticed that it's the same design as makita's, except it's a smaller button and the slides aren't as wide. The makita does not have this slop. Aside from that to me the makita 18v and dewalt 20v line of tools both seem pretty equal to me. I really like them both they both seem to be great, no real complaints about either. That being said, milwaukee is definitely the king right now, and they have a much larger variety of cordless tools than the other brands and it's all very high quality.

If I were buying a new brand and the price for an equivalent version of a tool in each brand were the same price, I would buy milwaukee. But I bet dewalt and makita tools are probably cheaper and are still really good stuff.

 

[royesses]

I have the Dewalt 20vmax 1/2" drill. It is small compared to my craftsman drills, but is more powerful. I really enjoy using it. I have not had any problems with it and would recommend it.

 

[itguy08]

IMHO Dewalt=Yellow Black and Decker. You can do much better.

Their 20v is really 18v. All the LiIons come off the charger at 20v. Immediately after you pull the trigger it goes to 18v. DeWalt/B&D rates them fresh off the charger vs in use like everyone else.

You may want to look into the Fuel Combo kit:
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-...-Impact-Driver-XC-Combo-Kit-2797-22/203639295

If you can get this deal
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4400918&postcount=805
jump on it and don't look back!!!!

It's a little more but the drill is top of the line in power and runtime. As is the impacter.

Milwaukee also has the best warranty and the largest 18v system other than Ryobi...

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have dewalt 20 V at work and at home and it has been great. No complaints at all.

 

[kctyphoon]

Let me save you 5 pages of "mine is better than yours". Any of the major tool brands are good enough to do anything you want. Pick out what you like, for whatever reason - the way it fits your hand, the prices, how many tools in the lineup, or even the color. Everyone seemed to manage when the 9.6v was the big man on campus, so any premium brand you buy today will be fine. I have Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch kits.. They all cut wood, drill holes, and drive screws just fine.. Unless you need to drag race against every other tool you come across - just buy what you like. There is no such thing as a bad premium brand. Milwaukee , dewalt, makita, bosch - you won't go wrong with any of those..

 

[HotFry]

Sorry I cant comment on the 20v but do some research before you buy.

IMHO Dewalt quality has gone down hill. I have a 12v I bought back around 1997ish. That thing will still snap the shank of a 1/4" nut driver and one of the batteries will still hold a charge.

I have three 18v drills, two were bought with the circular saw/reciprocating saw set. Of the drills the oldest I got around 1998 I think and the chuck was horrible. The second drill came in the first combo set I bought around 2001 and of all three 18v drills its the best all around. The third I got in 2011 and it just doesnt seem to have the power or torque of either of my older drills. The latter two are both hammer drills as well.

I do like how LI batteries power tools but if for some reason I'm ever in need of another cordless drill I can't say I'd buy Dewalt again.

 

[HotFry]

Let me save you 5 pages of "mine is better than yours". Any of the major tool brands are good enough to do anything you want. Pick out what you like, for whatever reason - the way it fits your hand, the prices, how many tools in the lineup, or even the color. Everyone seemed to manage when the 9.6v was the big man on campus, so any premium brand you buy today will be fine. I have Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch kits.. They all cut wood, drill holes, and drive screws just fine.. Unless you need to drag race against every other tool you come across - just buy what you like. There is no such thing as a bad premium brand. Milwaukee , dewalt, makita, bosch - you won't go wrong with any of those..

This is actually the best advice I've seen in a while.

 

[cheechi]

What accessories were you looking at? I would not change platforms over any accessory unless it is literally the best thing and nobody else has it or an equivalent.

 

[Halfdawg]

I have that set, I think. The smaller 20volt battery?

Driver has been great, the drill is great except for the chuck. Don't know why but chuck a drill bit, drill a hole, then the drill bit falls to the floor. Everytime!

Now that I expect it I have learned to catch it and tighten the chuck, then it's good to go.

 

[Scott r c]

DeWalt drill is probably ok, but if your going to expand to an entire system, their sawzall's are POS compared to Milwaukee.

 

[77thor]

Everybody has a different opinion on this....

But I've been using DeWalt 20V MAX power tools; impact driver, compact drill/driver, & reciprocating saw and I am happy with all of them. Good power and the batteries seems to run pretty long before discharging. A+ IMO.

(NOTE: I do some work for Habitat and they have all new Milwaukee power tools. Their new Milwaukee Sawzall lasted all of 2 weeks before the lever mechanism for the blade release broke. Needless to say, I was unimpressed.)

 

[Waggoner72]

I have this kit and I love mine. Mine came with the smaller 1.5 batteries though and they last a long time! I've dropped both of my drills countless times and they haven't missed a beat. I'd like to try the bigger batteries, but the smaller ones make it so easy to handle.

 

[CJM8515]

While at home depot I felt up (lol you guys have sick minds I bet) all of them. My buddy has the makita 18v and honestly I wasnt impressed but I do like makita stuff, the dewalt I didnt like the feel or and to me they felt cheap as well, the milwaukee stuff I actually bought in the end and they are WAY more powerful than my old porter cable drill/driver set.

I didnt buy the fuel version b/c it was alot more money at the time, but Im very happy. The drill makes me wish I did buy the fuel version only b/c I thought it would be more powerful, but i works fine. I guess I was expecting corded drill out of a cordless and the set I bought wasnt that. The impact driver is VERY powerful and I use it all the time, I stopped using my air impact so much as its replaced it pretty much.

I dont think you can really go wrong with any of the top brands like makita, dewalt or milwaukee. But I will say I think dewalt quality isnt what it used to be.

 

[BK13]

Let me save you 5 pages of "mine is better than yours". Any of the major tool brands are good enough to do anything you want. Pick out what you like, for whatever reason - the way it fits your hand, the prices, how many tools in the lineup, or even the color. Everyone seemed to manage when the 9.6v was the big man on campus, so any premium brand you buy today will be fine. I have Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch kits.. They all cut wood, drill holes, and drive screws just fine.. Unless you need to drag race against every other tool you come across - just buy what you like. There is no such thing as a bad premium brand. Milwaukee , dewalt, makita, bosch - you won't go wrong with any of those..

Hey, man, don't be bringing that sensible stuff around here, we're tool nerds who have to agonize over decisions like this!

LOL

 

[Beemer533]

Let me save you 5 pages of "mine is better than yours". Any of the major tool brands are good enough to do anything you want. Pick out what you like, for whatever reason - the way it fits your hand, the prices, how many tools in the lineup, or even the color. Everyone seemed to manage when the 9.6v was the big man on campus, so any premium brand you buy today will be fine. I have Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch kits.. They all cut wood, drill holes, and drive screws just fine.. Unless you need to drag race against every other tool you come across - just buy what you like. There is no such thing as a bad premium brand. Milwaukee , dewalt, makita, bosch - you won't go wrong with any of those..

+1...
This some good advice. Buy what works for you and is readily available.

Personally, I've been using Dewalt since I my first power tool and I have been very happy. Over the year or so I have been slowly switching over to their 20v (and 12v as well, I like that I can charge the 12V in the 20v chargers) and have been very happy with the ergonomics, power and durability.

All that said, I won't hate you if you decide to go with Milwaukee

 

[Scott r c]

Everybody has a different opinion on this....

But I've been using DeWalt 20V MAX power tools; impact driver, compact drill/driver, & reciprocating saw and I am happy with all of them. Good power and the batteries seems to run pretty long before discharging. A+ IMO.

(NOTE: I do some work for Habitat and they have all new Milwaukee power tools. Their new Milwaukee Sawzall lasted all of 2 weeks before the lever mechanism for the blade release broke. Needless to say, I was unimpressed.)

Not sure what model they have but all my sawzalls have a twist knob to release blade, no lever.

 

[shanny19]

Everyone seemed to manage when the 9.6v was the big man on campus, so any premium brand you buy today will be fine. .

Man it's about time somebody around here said this.

 

[kctyphoon]

Man it's about time somebody around here said this.

And if you notice, the 9.6v makita stick packs that are what, 20yrs old??? And they are STILL for sale on the shelf at Home Depot...

I bought dewalt 18v nicad stuff cause it was some of the best and most widely sold tools around. They work great.

I bought the dewalt 12v max stuff to get lithium tools to use around the house cause I don't need a hammer drill and huge sawzall to hang shelves. May not be the most powerful set, but I think they are the most comfortable to hold and they work great.

I have 18v nicad bosch stuff, it's just as good as the dewalt, and vice versa. One set does NOT allow me to do more than the other.

I have the m18 fuel hammer drill and impact driver. I managed to get it from CPO Outlets, refurb, with the 4.0 batteries, free shipping - for $209 how do u say no to that? To be fair though, this kit does allow to the user to do more over my nicad stuff or 12v lithium - as it should, but will be comparable to any other 18v lithium brushless set, as it should...

Buy what you like, or what offers more for YOU.

 

[itguy08]

When we were at sub 18v, were there really any tools available besides very limited drills? I had a 9.6V drill and it was OK for light stuff but it was slow and really not good for drilling larger holes. There were no impactors, angle grinders, jigsaws, circular saws, etc. at anything less than 18v that actually worked well.

You sure wouldn't slap a 1 3/8" diamond hole saw on it and drill through brick. (did that yesterday with the M18 Fuel)
You sure wouldn't slap a 1" paddle bit on it and go to town on the joist (M12 did that yesterday).
You wouldn't drill 30-40 3/8" holes in a 4x4 (wife's art project) with a 9.6v drill (did that with the M18 and a Craftsman C3)

I think we did get along but we also brought out the cord a lot more often. I love the freedom of no cord now!

 

[blakjak220]

I've got the circ saw, recip saw, compact drill, 1/4" impact driver all in the DeWalt 20V Max line. They're all great tools - I just tore out a bathroom with the recip saw and cut through a ton of metal mesh backed tile with it and it worked like a champ. I really haven't had a problem with any of them except one - I had a bolt that I needed to remove from concrete and it just didn't have the oomph.

If I had to do it over again I'd get the M18 FUEL Brushless set - metal chucks and all. But the Dewalts are a little cheaper and for homeowner use, even heavy homeowner use they are great. One more thing about the DeWalts - both the driver and impact are light and easy to hold for a long time.

 

[77thor]

Not sure what model they have but all my sawzalls have a twist knob to release blade, no lever.

Not sure of the model, but it was brand new.

Being a local company Milwaukee donates many of it's new products to Habitat for Humanity.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

Let me save you 5 pages of "mine is better than yours". Any of the major tool brands are good enough to do anything you want. Pick out what you like, for whatever reason - the way it fits your hand, the prices, how many tools in the lineup, or even the color. Everyone seemed to manage when the 9.6v was the big man on campus, so any premium brand you buy today will be fine. I have Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Bosch kits.. They all cut wood, drill holes, and drive screws just fine.. Unless you need to drag race against every other tool you come across - just buy what you like. There is no such thing as a bad premium brand. Milwaukee , dewalt, makita, bosch - you won't go wrong with any of those..

EXACTLY.
And stay away from any advice from a Milwaukee fan. Yes they have a wide platform, and yes they have great tools. But Milwaukee stuff breaks too. There are many pros but also Some cons to going with Milwaukee, just like Bosch, Makita and Dewalt. I have the premium hammerdrill from Dewalt. Model # DCD995. great drill. If you just want a good drill thstll do what you ask of it, get it. If you do want to drag race and be able to say "i have the best", get it. Watch TOOL CRAZY on you tube he performs very unbiased and surprisingly professional tool battles. Dewalt vs Milwaukee two part videos, Milwaukee won the first test, Dewalt won the second. Don't believe the hype on any one brand. All of these big brands have similar quality and most of the highlights are give and take. Get the dewalt, you won't be upset. And as far as the battery slop, my DCD995 does not have it. Nor does my DCF895, recip saw, nor circ saw. Unless you consider 1/32" slop....

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I've got the circ saw, recip saw, compact drill, 1/4" impact driver all in the DeWalt 20V Max line. They're all great tools - I just tore out a bathroom with the recip saw and cut through a ton of metal mesh backed tile with it and it worked like a champ. I really haven't had a problem with any of them except one - I had a bolt that I needed to remove from concrete and it just didn't have the oomph.

If I had to do it over again I'd get the M18 FUEL Brushless set - metal chucks and all. But the Dewalts are a little cheaper and for homeowner use, even heavy homeowner use they are great. One more thing about the DeWalts - both the driver and impact are light and easy to hold for a long time.

Lol. They are for pro use. They have metal chucks. Lol. Carbide inserts, great handles. Milwaukee's are not what they're all cracked up to be. We have a Milwaukee cemetary at my job, all the dead drills waiting to get shipped out..ill post some pics of that later maybe... Or maybe ill post it to the Milwaukee addiction page lol. They are great tools, the guys at work beat the hell out of them, but they are not as great as people think. You'd think they're talking about Hilti or something.

 

[PCO6]

.. I was looking at how the battery attached to the drill and impact and it seems to have a good amount of slop when they are mated together. That just doesn't come off to me as high quality.

All of my cordless tools (10 or so) are DeWalt 20V and I have no complaints at all. The only thing I didn't like is the radio / charger. I didn't like the sound which I didn't expect to be great any way. I returned the one I bought and stuck with my old boom box and just used a few chargers.

I haven't experienced any "slop" problems. I think the fit is quite good.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

Man it's about time somebody around here said this.

Tell me about it.

 

[Shipfittin]

Thanks guys, sorry it took me so long to respond. I had a couple of seizures back to back within 30 minutes of posting my question. I think I am going to look around a bit more. Looks like it's going to be a tough decision to make.

 

[mp23]

Pardon my Ignorance but what do you mean by accessories?

 

[Shipfittin]

Accessories would be like a circular saw, reciprocating saw, various impact drivers, work lights, radios, etc. As in items that you can add on and accessorize your kit to utilize various tools with 3 - 4 batteries.

 

[Beemer533]

Don't get me wrong, I love my Dewalt stuff, but if there is one major complaint I have, it is that they take forever to bring new stuff out... I waited for (what felt like) eons for them to release their bandsaw.. I'm also annoyed by how little effort it seems they are putting into the 12v line.. I really like what they have now, but they take their time adding to the line.. This the only real area I think Milwaukee kicks their *** in..

This post has been edited by the NSA