Love restore

[bluedog225]

I don’t have any DeWalt tools. And I wouldn’t change platforms from Milwaukee and Ryobi on my own. But there was a large pile of tools behind a display case. How much for that pile of tools? $125. Sounds fair.

It’s the older 18 V stuff. Came with a couple of batteries and chargers. Most of it is unused. Looks like a gift to someone’s grandpa before they passed. I went ahead and bought the 18V to 20V adapter in a couple of 20 V batteries and a charger. And an LED for the worklight. So I’m into the pile for about $325.

It’ll be nice to have a set of tools for home. All my other stuff is up at the workshop/cabin. Or in the jeep. It’s been a real pain needing something to have it be somewhere else.

 

[Old tool guy]

If that’s the condition you bought it in, looks like a good deal for cabin tools.

 

[Old Man Roger]

The 1/2 inch drive impact is a nice bonus.

 

[cody1325]

Nice! I've been meaning on getting Granddad's old 18V set back up and running. Tried Craftsman 20V stuff and the basic stuff tends to be some of the worst performing stuff I've got--brushless--my impact though is awesome--I'm sure it's just red DeWalt.

Been looking into batteries, as poor storage (batteries left in tools in hot closet) resulted in the two batteries wearing out a little prematurely. I hear that the Ceenr batteries tend to be a little bit better than the generic brands--and DeWalt's official kit is a little pricey--but may look into others. However, the official kit opens me up to buying modern 20V stuff while still being able to use the old tools.


PS: I really like that vacuum!

 

[bluedog225]

Nice! I've been meaning on getting Granddad's old 18V set back up and running. Tried Craftsman 20V stuff and the basic stuff tends to be some of the worst performing stuff I've got--brushless--my impact though is awesome--I'm sure it's just red DeWalt.

Been looking into batteries, as poor storage (batteries left in tools in hot closet) resulted in the two batteries wearing out a little prematurely. I hear that the Ceenr batteries tend to be a little bit better than the generic brands--and DeWalt's official kit is a little pricey--but may look into others. However, the official kit opens me up to buying modern 20V stuff while still being able to use the old tools.


PS: I really like that vacuum!

Amazon had much better deals on the 20V charger, adapter, and batteries than home depot.

 

[Fixr]

Nice deal on decent quality tools. But DeWalt 18v batteries are unobtanium. The 20 volt adapters have to be disconnected before the tools are stored, otherwise they will permanently kill the 20v batteries very quickly.

In my unpopular opinion, DeWalt 18 volt tools only make sense if you can feed them OEM DeWalt 18volt batteries. Sadly, I still have a bunch of old DeWalt 18 volt tools, and zero OEM quality 18 volt batteries.

Let me know if you find a solution.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, DeWalt made their name with the Radial Arm Saw, anything other than the Radial Arm Saw is an average quality product trading on the name and reputation of the Radial Arm Saw.

 

[bluedog225]

I’m new to dewalt. Except for my corded chop saw I’ve had for probably 25 years. I understand moving to a higher voltage (though such a small jump seems weird).

But I’m really surprised they would abandon the 18V base customers. Would have expected them to keep making the batteries for years. Seems pretty lame.

 

[Firebrick43]

I’m new to dewalt. Except for my corded chop saw I’ve had for probably 25 years. I understand moving to a higher voltage (though such a small jump seems weird).

Dewalt 20v tool batteries are not higher voltage than the old 18v stuff. 20 v is a marketing lie to differentiate it from the old battery system, overseas its sold as an 18v system because of laws there for truth in marketing. They have the same number of cells (5) in series, and therefore exact same voltage as a comparable milwaukee/bosch/ect 18v tool.

The new lithium ion batteries are much higher power density than the old nicad batteries.

But I’m really surprised they would abandon the 18V base customers. Would have expected them to keep making the batteries for years. Seems pretty lame.

They did support it for years, over a decade. The 18v tools as a line has been defunct since 2011 although the sold replacement tools out of stock for some years for people already heavily invested in the 18v system.

They make an adapter to use the 20v max batteries! Most want brushless tools that are lighter weight and more powerful than those old clunkers. Why would they continue to make 18v batteries??

 

[Stuart in MN]

That's the thing about battery operated tools...as time goes on and battery technology evolves, the manufacturers have to keep updating their systems to match. You'd think at some point it would level off but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[bluedog225]

My old M28 tools are still supported. I appreciate a company that doesn’t abandon an adopted system. We will see how the adapter works.

 

[KnurledNut]

Nice find! Those look to be in excellent condition!
I (and a crew) used that platform for many years secularly. The tools were built well; biggest failure was trigger switches.

Aftermarket adaptors are available to let you use Milwaukee M18 batteries on these tools. I have one that lets me use my Makita batteries.

That trim nailer is a great tool and was expensive new.
Same with the jigsaw, very well built.
The angle grinder will eat batteries but will last forever. A local scrap yard still uses those for testing metals every day and they just wont die.
I sold my right angle drill but wish I hadn’t. Again, nice.
That recip saw and drill are both strong running capable contractor grade tools.
If you use modern brushless cordless, you’ll likely find the performance of that circular saw, impact driver and impact wrench to be lacking. A newer model 18v impact driver, like a DC825, can be found very cheap on ebay and I would recommend picking one up to add.
That vacuum is a good tool, but have to keep the filter clean regularly. I still use mine and have had it for years.

I still use my florescent worklight and rotary laser. That was like a $1000 tool back in the day, works great and no reason to upgrade it when options exist to power it.

For batteries, I am still using some of the original Dewalt 9180 post style lithium nano phosphate. Date of 2010 and made in Japan! IMHO these were the greatest lithium power tool batteries ever made to date, thanks to A123 systems. Its a damn shame that venture failed prematurely.

I also have the factory Dewalt 20v adaptor. These are known to fail sometimes, but I haven’t had any issues yet.

In a nutshell, a great solid platform, especially now for occasional use. The tools were built very well and parts were available. I really wish Dewalt had continued the 18v lithium battery production. They would have sold a ton as people are still wanting that option today.

Thanks for the post and flashback OP!

 

[Firebrick43]

My old M28 tools are still supported. I appreciate a company that doesn’t abandon an adopted system. We will see how the adapter works.

While they didn't add to the M28 from 2016 ish on they just stopped making the tools in the last 2 years or so. Dont kid yourself, Milwaukee has completely abandoned the old V18 line as well.

 

[Steve_P]

IMHO, DeWalt made their name with the Radial Arm Saw, anything other than the Radial Arm Saw is an average quality product trading on the name and reputation of the Radial Arm Saw.

Ok, your opinion. The millions of people using DeWalt stuff, including me, will ignore you.

I never knew that DeWalt supposedly made their name with the radial arm saw. When was this?

 

[Steve_P]

OP, those tools look new. I had a bunch of 18V tools and switched over to 20V when the OE 18V DeWalt batteries became NLA: ~2020. I bought a few 20V tools, batteries, and the 18/20V adapter. I used the adapter for a few years on seldom used 18V tools like the reciprocating saw with no issues. Once I was fully switched over to 20V, I took the old 18V tools and the battery adapter to Habitat Restore also. But I only had ~5 pieces, nothing like that haul.

 

[Firebrick43]

Ok, your opinion. The millions of people using DeWalt stuff, including me, will ignore you.

I never knew that DeWalt supposedly made their name with the radial arm saw. When was this?

103 years ago

 

[seber]

Ok, your opinion. The millions of people using DeWalt stuff, including me, will ignore you.

I never knew that DeWalt supposedly made their name with the radial arm saw. When was this?

Dewalt made radial arm saw until the founder died. Black and Decker had destroyed what had once been a good name by selling pure junk. So they tried to upgrade by selling "Black and Decker Professional". That didn't work. The name was garbage. When Dewalt died, the name was sold and Black and Decker Professional became Dewalt.

 

[Mike007]

I'm a Bosch guy. Never been a huge Dewalt fan. That said, the Dewalt quality to me has always been competitive in the price range they fall in and the timing of the market. Thats a nice set the OP posted.