When I started out as a diesel tech a couple years ago, I was pressed to make a decision on what direction I wanted to go for power tools.
Everyone was telling me to go with Milwaukee. However I always preferred dewalt.
My dad used many different dewalt tools when he was a general contractor for several years.
I always remember that they were good, solid tools. Every so often he would just buy a new drill set with 2 new batteries to rotate out the old ones that didn't hold a charge for long anymore(expected with old, 18v nicad). Plus I much prefer the tool design of the dewalts. Very rigid ergonomics with generous rubber padding/coating to help with drop shock.
I started out with a 20v brushless drill and screwdriver with absolutely no complaints for the first couple years. I slowly added to it with a couple more batteries, stick lights, 1/2" and 3/8" impacts, the tough system radio, plus a couple more drills and drivers for home use.
I've been invested into this platform for about 2 and a half years now. For the most part the tools have proven to be work great with no hiccups. Except for the stick light I use regularly. The button on it works intermittently anytime it's even remotely around water, the pivot is starting to get worn out and I've had to take it apart twice to fix the retractable hanging hook.
The batteries, though are my main complaint. It seems right when their warranty was up, they started dropping like flies. I had 2 2AH batteries quit on me by not taking a charge. 1 flex volt battery lasts about 3/4 of the total runtime that a newer 4ah battery lasts, and it itself is only about 1 1/2 years old. And most of my batteries have started cracking around the cases. Whether it be screws backing out and the section they're threaded into stripping, or hairline cracks all around the case. They all seem to be falling apart to some extent.
I'm sure there are quite a few dewalt AND Milwaukee users on this forum. What are your experiences with these batteries? Is about 2 years the expected threshold where their performance suffers?
Almost everyone in my shop uses Milwaukee and I've only heard of one battery failing. And that was because the case on it split apart. Never any power-related issues.
Everyone was telling me to go with Milwaukee. However I always preferred dewalt.
My dad used many different dewalt tools when he was a general contractor for several years.
I always remember that they were good, solid tools. Every so often he would just buy a new drill set with 2 new batteries to rotate out the old ones that didn't hold a charge for long anymore(expected with old, 18v nicad). Plus I much prefer the tool design of the dewalts. Very rigid ergonomics with generous rubber padding/coating to help with drop shock.
I started out with a 20v brushless drill and screwdriver with absolutely no complaints for the first couple years. I slowly added to it with a couple more batteries, stick lights, 1/2" and 3/8" impacts, the tough system radio, plus a couple more drills and drivers for home use.
I've been invested into this platform for about 2 and a half years now. For the most part the tools have proven to be work great with no hiccups. Except for the stick light I use regularly. The button on it works intermittently anytime it's even remotely around water, the pivot is starting to get worn out and I've had to take it apart twice to fix the retractable hanging hook.
The batteries, though are my main complaint. It seems right when their warranty was up, they started dropping like flies. I had 2 2AH batteries quit on me by not taking a charge. 1 flex volt battery lasts about 3/4 of the total runtime that a newer 4ah battery lasts, and it itself is only about 1 1/2 years old. And most of my batteries have started cracking around the cases. Whether it be screws backing out and the section they're threaded into stripping, or hairline cracks all around the case. They all seem to be falling apart to some extent.
I'm sure there are quite a few dewalt AND Milwaukee users on this forum. What are your experiences with these batteries? Is about 2 years the expected threshold where their performance suffers?
Almost everyone in my shop uses Milwaukee and I've only heard of one battery failing. And that was because the case on it split apart. Never any power-related issues.
