Dewalt Kits at HD.

[Bunchgrass]

I'm seeing some kits for Dewalt cordless tools at Home Depot right now. Was looking to score a recip saw and a cutoff saw. Noticed they have a 4 tool (drill, driver, recip and cutoff) w 2 4ah batteries plus charger AND a circ saw "thrown in" for $449. Would the tools in these kits be a lower quality than the regular tool of the same type? It's sort of a pain to try and sort out the actual item numbers to cross check.
Also - there was a kit that provided a flex volt 60 battery as part of the deal instead of the circ saw. Is the Flex worth it?

EDIT - so I got things mixed up.
$449 - 4 tools mentioned, 2 4ah batteries, circ saw
$449 - 4 tools mentioned, 2 4ah batteries, 1 flex 20v/60v 6ah battery.
So 1) do the saws use up batteries pretty fast to a the 6ah battery would be worth considering?
2) Does the Flex need a special charger and take a long time to recharge? I'm unfamiliar with it.

 

[subroc]

If I was picking that set I would go with the 2 4ah and the circular saw.

The set is all brushless. Generally, the kit saw (DCS566) are a dumbed down version, stamped steel shoe, no rafter hook. This set has a DCS565 which is the better saw,

Also, the kit comes with a good charger, DCB1104 which is the new 4a 2 stage charger. That replaces the DCB115 and the DCB101 that were the older 4a models.

You can find runtime tests for that saw on YouTube. Several years ago as battery technology was improving and the brushless tools were being introduced lots of guys were doing runtime and cut tests on YouTube. I know that saw was reviewed several times. Worth a look if you are worrying about draining batteries.

 

[Rodango]

I can’t answer for the price, esp. as I already have most of those tools — Dewalt, too. I’d stay away from the ‘Atomic’ line unless you never ‘put it to’ any of your tools (like strictly a home-gamer, on Sundays, wearing white gloves.) For 4 good tools, that you need, plus a saw - 7 1/4 “? - (I prefer the blade on the left side), not such a bad price, w/ 2x 4Ah batterias. My battery collection bottoms out at 4Ah.

I recommend that you get the model #’s of the tools in the kits and check out the other similar tools available and see where they place, and check a few reviews: not for only absolute truths, but for the many useful tidbits strewn along the way. At the time I bought my first cordless impact wrench, all I knew was that I wanted 1/2“ drive for use with sockets, and enough power to break loose stubborn auto lugnuts. I think it’s DCF894, at the time it was under $150. Been using it for a coupla years, it still works great!

I prefer the 60V/20V Flex batteries thinking that someday I’ll actually get a 60V tool. Have come close lately, looking at a 60V Flex 7” to 9” grinder, well until I scored a new GA7021. You hear people saying “that tool’s a beast!” They’re deluded — you’ll know I mean the very first time you press the trigger of one of these Makita grinders: they are BEASTS! Though they are corded….

 

[whateg01]

I have the 60v angle grinder. Imo it performs much better than any 20v grinder I've used. For told that you pull the trigger and hold it for awhile, like saw and grinder, I think the higher voltage tools just work better.

I thought I had seen where the atomic line used lesser parts internally but no idea where I saw that. Might have been the fact that they are always priced lower than a non atomic.

 

[finn]

I can’t answer for the price, esp. as I already have most of those tools — Dewalt, too. I’d stay away from the ‘Atomic’ line unless you never ‘put it to’ any of your tools (like strictly a home-gamer, on Sundays, wearing white gloves.) For 4 good tools, that you need, plus a saw - 7 1/4 “? - (I prefer the blade on the left side), not such a bad price, w/ 2x 4Ah batterias. My battery collection bottoms out at 4Ah.

I recommend that you get the model #’s of the tools in the kits and check out the other similar tools available and see where they place, and check a few reviews: not for only absolute truths, but for the many useful tidbits strewn along the way. At the time I bought my first cordless impact wrench, all I knew was that I wanted 1/2“ drive for use with sockets, and enough power to break loose stubborn auto lugnuts. I think it’s DCF894, at the time it was under $150. Been using it for a coupla years, it still works great!

I prefer the 60V/20V Flex batteries thinking that someday I’ll actually get a 60V tool. Have come close lately, looking at a 60V Flex 7” to 9” grinder, well until I scored a new GA7021. You hear people saying “that tool’s a beast!” They’re deluded — you’ll know I mean the very first time you press the trigger of one of these Makita grinders: they are BEASTS! Though they are corded….

The Atomic, as far as I can tell, is the Compact line. I have two atomic impacts, the 3/8” and 1/2”. They’re both as capable, or even more capable than my Milwaukee Fuel M18 compact and mid torque impacts. In fact I prefer the Atomics. I really like the light weight and small size of the Atomics.

That said, I have mostly XR tools among my Dewalt inventory, ie drills, saw, driver, oscillating tool, etc.

Dewalt often includes tools simply labeled “Brushless“ in their packaged kits. While better than their old brushed tools, they’re more of a homeowner grade tool, slotted and performing well below the premium “XR” grade tools. Some of the more expensive packages include some or all XR tools.

I also have a couple Flexvolt tools, namely a grinder and an SDS drill. The jury’s still out as to do I buy more. The grinder is my only battery grinder so I have nothing to compare. Same with the drill. I’ve been considering picking up a 20v XR grinder to establish what benefit the Flexvolt has, if any. My main issue with the Flexvolt is the battery size and weight. I do occasionally use the Flexvolt batteries in XR tools, like the circular saw.

 

[JohnX14]

No reason to go with the 60/20V battery unless you have 60V tools. ( I do have multiple so I'd but the kit with the 60-V battery...it's worth more than the circular saw, when yoyu compare deals)

 

[whateg01]

The Atomic, as far as I can tell, is the Compact line. I have two atomic impacts, the 3/8” and 1/2”. They’re both as capable, or even more capable than my Milwaukee Fuel M18 compact and mid torque impacts. In fact I prefer the Atomics. I really like the light weight and small size of the Atomics.

That said, I have mostly XR tools among my Dewalt inventory, ie drills, saw, driver, oscillating tool, etc.

Dewalt often includes tools simply labeled “Brushless“ in their packaged kits. While better than their old brushed tools, they’re more of a homeowner grade tool, slotted and performing well below the premium “XR” grade tools. Some of the more expensive packages include some or all XR tools.

I also have a couple Flexvolt tools, namely a grinder and an SDS drill. The jury’s still out as to do I buy more. The grinder is my only battery grinder so I have nothing to compare. Same with the drill. I’ve been considering picking up a 20v XR grinder to establish what benefit the Flexvolt has, if any. My main issue with the Flexvolt is the battery size and weight. I do occasionally use the Flexvolt batteries in XR tools, like the circular saw.

Maybe I misunderstand their documentation, but I didn't think there was any benefit to using the 60v battery on a 20v tool. Like, it doesn't go from 60v/5ah to 20v/15ah. So it's just extra weight. Still better than not being able to work because all of your batteries are dead. But if a 20v battery is available, that's the one to use.

 

[finn]

Maybe I misunderstand their documentation, but I didn't think there was any benefit to using the 60v battery on a 20v tool. Like, it doesn't go from 60v/5ah to 20v/15ah. So it's just extra weight. Still better than not being able to work because all of your batteries are dead. But if a 20v battery is available, that's the one to use.

Agreed. I generally use the smallest battery I have , within reason, for ergonomic and balance reasons. except for things like the circular saw, blower, and the little chain saw.. These take a lot of energy. Not sure how many of these fit the Flexvolt battery though.

My friend bought a new Milwaukee M18 nailer with a large battery. What an uncomfortable, overweight, oversized pig of a tool to operate!

 

[Bunchgrass]

Maybe I misunderstand their documentation, but I didn't think there was any benefit to using the 60v battery on a 20v tool. Like, it doesn't go from 60v/5ah to 20v/15ah. So it's just extra weight. Still better than not being able to work because all of your batteries are dead. But if a 20v battery is available, that's the one to use.

Doesn't that fly in the face of V*A=W? Seems sort of weird as the 60V is just more batteries stacked in there as far as I can tell.

 

[jar944]

Doesn't that fly in the face of V*A=W? Seems sort of weird as the 60V is just more batteries stacked in there as far as I can tell.

It's not more batteries, it's just wired differently. You could have 3 sets of 5 cells wired in series for 18v or 15 cells wired in series for 54v. You need the extra switching components to allow both in the same cell pack.

 

[whateg01]

Maybe I misunderstand their documentation, but I didn't think there was any benefit to using the 60v battery on a 20v tool. Like, it doesn't go from 60v/5ah to 20v/15ah. So it's just extra weight. Still better than not being able to work because all of your batteries are dead. But if a 20v battery is available, that's the one to use.

ok, this got me thinking. I don't recall where I read that in the past, but reading today seems to indicate that in 20v mode, the battery does use all of the cells, so the amp*hour rating triples. my bad. I think I'm smarter now.

Additionally, since the introduction of the flexvolt battery, other improvements have been made. One such improvement apparently optimizes the tool to make better use of the battery that's plugged into it, so in the case of the flexvolt battery, the tool will get the most out of it instead of treating it like a regular 20v battery, whatever that means.

 

[subroc]

I don't understand the disdain of the Atomic line. Not every job needs a 3 speed hammer drill. Sometimes you just need to drill a few pilot holes and drive a few screws. A light weight drill is the better tool for that kind of job. I have XR, Atomic, 12v Max, M12 and M18 tools brushed and brushless tools. My brushed M12 screwdriver gets used often and that is a light weight tool.

OP, I did want to add one more point on the battery life of that saw. In the cut tests I watched comparing that DCS565 brushless saw to the saw it replaced the DCS391 brushed more than one showed the DCS565 was the better saw as far as efficient battery use. The 391 was a bit more powerful or at least it was a faster cutting saw. Could be the blade speed. They slowed the speed of the blade down in the 565 to 4950rpm while thee 391 is 5150rpm. The difference wasn't significant but when the 391 had used up its battery the 565 was still cutting.

 

[Rodango]

I don’t disdain the Atomics; I’m answering for that as I did say I wouldn’t choose them, and here’s why. I’m pocket-loyal. Most of the time when I reach for a cordless tool, I want the same effort out of it that I’d expect from a similar corded tool. A drill should DRILL. A hammer drill should be skookum! And either of them should do the job intended and not let me down, not run out of steam orlet the magic smoke escape. From discussions in the past, and many reviews, I’ve coagulated the impression that the Atomic line competes below the price of the XR tools, and this line as a whole is built to lesser standards*.

If I want a tool that won’t live through some tough jobs, I don’t want to pay nearly as much, have the lesser (assumed) tool(s) hiding in the same livery (ie yellow&black with Dewalt on the side) in my pile of tools, and have it wind up being less dependable/less long lived as the (assumed) higher end tools. If shopping for a smaller, lighter, cheaper tool, maybe I’ll pick one that says it’s from china and costs ⅓ as much instead of one that was made in china but says Dewalt on it.

It’s reverse prejudice combined with pocket loyalty. If lots of reviewers I respect start saying Atomic tools are better than XR, lighter, cost less and have mighty pretty lips, well then….

From another part of the thread, Watts are conserved: so a 6Ah @ ~20V FLEX battery can give ~120 Watts. The same battery shows at ~60V 1/3 of the Amps, 2Amps, but nets ~120Watts and the difference is in the tool. The way I understand it is the FLEX batteries have two contact configurations built in, one for the 20V tools, or when connected to a 60V tools, at least one different connection is made to allow use of the battery in this configuration.

20V cells typically hole 18Volts when fully charged, and the 60V side is wx that — 54V. Assuming the same quality motors and bearings and gears/gearing, and electronics, so having extremely similar designs, which tool will run longer, do more work, and be stronger? By stronger I mean like for a drill, have more measurable rotational force)


* the line as a whole: could you cherrypick two tools and say, “this one’s about as good”? Maybe, but would it be the same for the lines as a whole?

 

[finn]

I don’t disdain the Atomics; I’m answering for that as I did say I wouldn’t choose them, and here’s why. I’m pocket-loyal. Most of the time when I reach for a cordless tool, I want the same effort out of it that I’d expect from a similar corded tool. A drill should DRILL. A hammer drill should be skookum! And either of them should do the job intended and not let me down, not run out of steam orlet the magic smoke escape. From discussions in the past, and many reviews, I’ve coagulated the impression that the Atomic line competes below the price of the XR tools, and this line as a whole is built to lesser standards*.

If I want a tool that won’t live through some tough jobs, I don’t want to pay nearly as much, have the lesser (assumed) tool(s) hiding in the same livery (ie yellow&black with Dewalt on the side) in my pile of tools, and have it wind up being less dependable/less long lived as the (assumed) higher end tools. If shopping for a smaller, lighter, cheaper tool, maybe I’ll pick one that says it’s from china and costs ⅓ as much instead of one that was made in china but says Dewalt on it.

It’s reverse prejudice combined with pocket loyalty. If lots of reviewers I respect start saying Atomic tools are better than XR, lighter, cost less and have mighty pretty lips, well then….

From another part of the thread, Watts are conserved: so a 6Ah @ ~20V FLEX battery can give ~120 Watts. The same battery shows at ~60V 1/3 of the Amps, 2Amps, but nets ~120Watts and the difference is in the tool. The way I understand it is the FLEX batteries have two contact configurations built in, one for the 20V tools, or when connected to a 60V tools, at least one different connection is made to allow use of the battery in this configuration.

20V cells typically hole 18Volts when fully charged, and the 60V side is wx that — 54V. Assuming the same quality motors and bearings and gears/gearing, and electronics, so having extremely similar designs, which tool will run longer, do more work, and be stronger? By stronger I mean like for a drill, have more measurable rotational force)


* the line as a whole: could you cherrypick two tools and say, “this one’s about as good”? Maybe, but would it be the same for the lines as a whole?

By that logic, the M12 tools are hot garbage and mechanics should only consider using the M18 high torque 2767 (or whatever the latest replacement is), preferably in 3/4” or, better yet, in 1” drive.

Maybe all 1/4” drive ratchets should be banned, and only 12 lb sledge hammers should be allowed in the shop.

You are coming off as somewhat as a bull in a China shop.

 

[Rodango]

By that logic, the M12 tools are hot garbage and mechanics should only consider using the M18 high torque 2767 (or whatever the latest replacement is), preferably in 3/4” or, better yet, in 1” drive.

Maybe all 1/4” drive ratchets should be banned, and only 12 lb sledge hammers should be allowed in the shop.

You are coming off as somewhat as a bull in a China shop.

I’m saying if I want lesser tools — you overspend all you want — I’ll want to pay a lot less for them.

Should I use smaller words?

 

[finn]

I’m saying if I want lesser tools — you overspend all you want — I’ll want to pay a lot less for them.

Should I use smaller words?

Well, your ramble was pretty incoherent.

And WTF is a skookum, anyway? (Don’t worry. I looked it up. It’s some sort of archaic regional dialect )

 

[JSutter]

321

 

[tomshep]

I bought that set probably 3-4 years ago and use it often. It didn't have the circular saw promotion. The batteries are more than adequate for the tools. Charge time is pretty fast. I'd get it again.

Tom

 

[mike93lx]

From another part of the thread, Watts are conserved: so a 6Ah @ ~20V FLEX battery can give ~120 Watts. The same battery shows at ~60V 1/3 of the Amps, 2Amps, but nets ~120Watts and the difference is in the tool. The way I understand it is the FLEX batteries have two contact configurations built in, one for the 20V tools, or when connected to a 60V tools, at least one different connection is made to allow use of the battery in this configuration.

Watt hours, not watts.