DeWalt Tools

[Sir Henry]

My mostly USA made Craftman hand tool collection is coming along fine. I have all the basic tools and now am working on getting specialty tools.

I bought a cordless DeWalt 1/4 drive impact wrench so now want a few other cordless tools. Because the the batteries are priority I need to stick with DeWalt. Man those batteries sure are expensive. But then so are the tools themselves.

This tool came with two 1.5 amp batteries. Some go as high as 18 amps

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[markiver54]

I have a Dewalt miter, (chop saw) and a Dewalt multi tool that have served me well. They seem to be quality tools.

[daytime dave]

Gene, you have made a good choice there. I have all DeWalt power tools like you have just purchased. I think over all, they offer the best variety of tools for the battery. Old Milwakee is good to, but you have to stick with the battery type.
I have outdoor products, such as a blower, weed whacker, hedge trimmer, a pole saw and a chain saw. I have a drill, impact driver, jig saw, reciprocating saw, grinder etc. All work very well. I have a DeWalt self propelled mower for the camp. The weed whacker and blower reside there too as I have Stihl gas tools for the house.
You will be surprised at how many you accumulate.

[FormerParatrooper]

I use De Walt for work. I have that same impact
DeWalt is good in my book. I use and abuse my tools for work.

[Sir Henry]

Thanks all. I didn’t do any research and just bought one. I did pass on Craftsman and Milwaukee.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

You can get batteries for Dewalt tools on Amazon or Ebay for 1/3 the price.........They are off brand but they work.

[Mags]

Take care buying off brand batteries. Many of them have no safety certification or certification lab monitoring followup. There can be risk of fire during use or charging.
Look for ETL, UL or TUV (most common) markings for batteries that have been safety lab certified.

Batteries with labels that only show CE and or FCC have not been certification lab tested, these logos are self declarations.

[markiver54]

Take care buying off brand batteries. Many of them have no safety certification or certification lab monitoring followup. There can be risk of fire during use or charging.
Look for ETL, UL or TUV (most common) markings for batteries that have been safety lab certified.

Batteries with labels that only show CE and or FCC have not been certification lab tested, these logos are self declarations.

Very valid point Mags

[Sir Henry]

I’m sticking to DeWalt brand batteries. I also just ordered a 20” chainsaw after using a neighbors for an hour.

[Headhog]

Take care buying off brand batteries. Many of them have no safety certification or certification lab monitoring followup. There can be risk of fire during use or charging.
Look for ETL, UL or TUV (most common) markings for batteries that have been safety lab certified.

Batteries with labels that only show CE and or FCC have not been certification lab tested, these logos are self declarations.

Mags is 100% on target with this answer. The off-brand batteries do not perform as well as the factory batteries nor will they last. This is certainly the situation where you get what you pay for.

Paul

[dave77]

I've not replaced batteries in any of my cordless tools (currently Metabo, which was Hitachi) with off brand batteries but have replaced the battery in my Dyson vacuum with an aftermarket battery (for about a quarter of the price of one from Dyson) over a year ago and it seems to be performing at well as the original battery.

[Mags]

I've not replaced batteries in any of my cordless tools (currently Metabo, which was Hitachi) with off brand batteries but have replaced the battery in my Dyson vacuum with an aftermarket battery (for about a quarter of the price of one from Dyson) over a year ago and it seems to be performing at well as the original battery.

A while back I went looking for a Dyson replacement battery on Amazon. Lots of them offered there. All off brand. None of the batteries that would fit my version of the Dyson had any kind of certification. When I looked through the reviews, some people said they were great, others said they had a very short service life and a few others posted pictures of burned up Dyson vacs due to a battery fire.

Rechargeable battery certification is expensive and samples are required to be recertified annually as is the factory they are manufactured in. The cost of all that is added to the battery price and the main reason they are more expensive than off brand.

[daytime dave]

Although I haven't needed it, I found that you can have the battery packs rebuilt with new cells for about half of the cost of a new battery. I believe that they were the same as the regular batteries when finished. This was done at a battery place.

On another note, I have several batteries for my DeWalt products. I even have three of the 20v / 60v batteries as I bought a portable compressor. It's handy as all get out and the batteries work with all the 20v items I have. I put one on the 12 inch chain saw and love it.
Some times there are specials where you get a 5amp 20v battery for free if you by the bare tool. That usually makes it very reasonable.

Early on, I did buy a pair of after market 5 Amp hour batteries. Afterwards, I read the same information that Mags has spoken about here. While they still function, I don't trust them with heavy duty applications. I always remain in the vicinity when they are on the charger.

[Mags]

Most of my battery operated tools are Milwaukee and Craftsman. I have one battery operated 60v huge Dewalt drill. I think it's intended use is to stir mortar and concrete in a bucket. I haven't used it for that. Instead I have a couple of auger bits for drilling holes in the ground. Holes for planting plants and post holes for a privacy fence. I was amazed at how much power it has. As for charging any of the batteries for my tools I don't trust them or the chargers. Most often I set a timer for estimated charging time and get the battery off the charger as soon as possible. I almost never leave a battery on the charger after the battery is fully charged.

[dave77]

My Metabo charger has a fan to keep the battery cool during charging, not seen that on any of my previous chargers.

[Sir Henry]

Thanks guys. Lots of good information here.

[daytime dave]

My Metabo charger has a fan to keep the battery cool during charging, not seen that on any of my previous chargers.

I have a quick charger for the 20v / 60v batteries that has a fan also. The 10 amp hour 20v batteries for the lawn mower each have a very slow charger. That packs in as much charge as possible. I don't set a timer, but I do check often and take the battery off the charger when it is done.

[Mags]

My Metabo charger has a fan to keep the battery cool during charging, not seen that on any of my previous chargers.

My Dewalt, EGO and Milwaukee chargers have fans. My Craftsmans do not.

[Luv the lever]

I needed more pipe tools than DeWalt has so it was Milwaukee for me but I did use DeWalt exclusively for years. We use these tool in real world work environments and they get abused. The drills last way longer not that they all have a small impact that really drives screws and other fasteners.

The batteries are the weak link here as in cars, phones, speakers, laptops, etc.

[dave77]

My Metabo charger has a fan to keep the battery cool during charging, not seen that on any of my previous chargers.

My Dewalt, EGO and Milwaukee chargers have fans. My Craftsmans do not.

I've only had Craftman's before splurging on some Metabo's. I'm especially impressed with the ¼" impact driver, 3 torque settings and I've never really had to use the highest setting. The circular saw is a full size 7¼" blade and requires the 36 volt battery. It will cut 2" lumber almost as easily as my corded circular saw. I've since added a oscillating saw and a small blower.