Dewalt 20V

[slopjock78]

So i'm looking at moving a new direction from my current Ridgid 18V tools.  I have no issue with these tools, except the limited range of different tools that they offer. 

As of now i'm heavily leading towards the 20V Dewalts.  I like their selection of tools in their range, and think they feel the best in my hands.  Outside of the typical drills/impacts/saws, I really like their oscillating tool and cordless miter saw.  I'm looking to stay with one line of batteries, so that is why Festool is immediately removed from the discussion for me.  I am extremely happy with every festool i have up to this point.  But for what i'm looking for right now, I really want every cordless tool I have to run off the same battery. So this limits me down to a few lines of tools. I'm not a full time contractor, but use my tools a lot.  I do a decent amount of side work, as well as I have rental property that I maintain, and also a small family farm.  So they will be used almost as much as a full time contractor.

So I'm looking for anyone with first hand experience (or reliable 2nd hand experience) with the Dewalt 20V tools.  Good and bad (actually, especially the bad).  Specifically, anyone with experience with the brushless impact, oscillating tool, and miter saw. 

 

[slopjock78]

anyone have any experience with the Dewalt 20volt lineupe?

 

[irishman]

I have the 20v dewalt lineup.  I love it.  As far as I've seen, it's as good as milwaukee (I consider these two the best for a one-battery system in the US).

I have:

Impact driver (3-speed brushless)
Hammer Drill (brushless)
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw
LED lights
Radio
and some others I can't think of.

I haven't had any problems with them so far.  I used my impact driver last week taking apart a deck that was screwed togehter with 3" screws.  Worked the whole time on one 5 amp hour battery.  Probably a 7 hour day.

That said, you can't buy the cheapy ones they offer as specials.

I don't consider myself biased.  I purchase all milwaukee for the office for various reasons.  For one, they have more tools in the line-up.  For our 20 or so drills on the production floor, we've only destroyed one of the 18v milwaukees in 4 years.  That one the gearbox stripped out.  I'm not convinced that someone didn't abuse it.

What else do you want to know?

 

[slopjock78]

thanks for the reply irishman.  I guess first i wanted to make sure there werent any known big issues with the battery platform as a whole.  I really wanted to go brushless on the hammer drill and impact.  Sounds like you have both and good with them.  I have been reading the battery life with the brushless impact is phenominal.  Seems like you are backing up what I have been hearing.

I am planning on starting out with exactly what you have: brushless hammer drill, brushless 3speed impact, circular saw and recip saw.  I then want to get the high torque 1/2" impact and miter saw.  The miter saw is one of the big reasons i want to move to this platform over a couple of the others.  I do a lot of small one off jobs, and a smaller lightweight battery powered miter saw, that still has a relatively high level of accuracy, would be very beneficial to me.  I have also heard some decent things about the 20v nail guns, and will def be looking at those for the same reason as the miter saw.  not having to drag a compressor/hoses in to nail on two pieces of trim would be fantastic.

 

[#Tee]

I have the 20v line up of
2x4.0ah
2x2.0ah
brushless
DCD790 compact drill
DCF886 impact
DCD995 hammer drill
flashlight
radio
circular saw
compact recip saw

everything held up great as i use them mostly for rustic pieces lol or outdoor work or loaner tools. im transitioning to festool battery platform as we speak mostly due to the centrotec and more precision. youre right about the handle as i think it feels the best in my hand out of all the brands out there.

 

[blaszcsj]

I agree with what was stated above. You cant go wrong with either Dewalt or Milwaukee.

I have the following in the Dewalt 20v lineup. Battery performance 2 years later is still phenomenal.

Brushless Impact
Brushed Impact
Brushless hammer drill
Sawzaw
Brushless Framing nailer (their finish nailer has just been announced for sale....finally!)

 

[slopjock78]

I have the 20v line up of
2x4.0ah
2x2.0ah
brushless
DCD790 compact drill
DCF886 impact
DCD995 hammer drill
flashlight
radio
circular saw
compact recip saw

everything held up great as i use them mostly for rustic pieces lol or outdoor work or loaner tools. im transitioning to festool battery platform as we speak mostly due to the centrotec and more precision. youre right about the handle as i think it feels the best in my hand out of all the brands out there.

Do you have any experience with the Paslode gas framing gun, and how it compares with the Dewalt battery framer?  With the obvious of not needing gas aside

 

[irishman]

thanks for the reply irishman.  I guess first i wanted to make sure there werent any known big issues with the battery platform as a whole.  I really wanted to go brushless on the hammer drill and impact.  Sounds like you have both and good with them.  I have been reading the battery life with the brushless impact is phenominal.  Seems like you are backing up what I have been hearing.

I am planning on starting out with exactly what you have: brushless hammer drill, brushless 3speed impact, circular saw and recip saw.  I then want to get the high torque 1/2" impact and miter saw.  The miter saw is one of the big reasons i want to move to this platform over a couple of the others.  I do a lot of small one off jobs, and a smaller lightweight battery powered miter saw, that still has a relatively high level of accuracy, would be very beneficial to me.  I have also heard some decent things about the 20v nail guns, and will def be looking at those for the same reason as the miter saw.  not having to drag a compressor/hoses in to nail on two pieces of trim would be fantastic.

I have had zero issues with the batteries.  Love the 5 amp hour batteries for longevity, but even in those, you'll need a couple for the saws if you use them all day.  That said, they're on par with everybody else in this department.

The LED light has been used on almost all my recent projects, and I can't say it enough, it's freaking bright.  Try one and you won't be disappointed.  Here's the link.  http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless-lighting-worklights_2-dcl043.aspx
It's the DCL043.  It'll light up the side of your house bright enough for work to get done at night.  Haven't tried the other lights.

As others have said, I'm interested in the nailers.  I really want a brushless 18ga nailer...but i'm not holding my breath.

One of the reasons I got the dewalt setup was that the radio will charge the batteries, and with the longer run time you basically only need that one charger capability on site.  I always bring the radio anyway, so it made sense to me.

I might need to check out that nifty new screw gun soon.

As much as I talk up Dewalt, I really do like the Milwaukee stuff we have at the office, and I have been impressed with their battery life too.  I think battery life is on par with Dewalt when comparing same spec batteries.

 

[blaszcsj]

Do you have any experience with the Paslode gas framing gun, and how it compares with the Dewalt battery framer?  With the obvious of not needing gas aside

I just framed out my whole shop with the cordless nailer. I had no issues with any misdriven nails or heads not driven entirely. Zero complaints.

 

[DB10]

I also have no complaints with the Dewalt Framing nailer. If like me you don't use a framing nailer every day or even every week then you can't go wrong with the Dewalt. I swapped over from an old Paslode and have no regrets.
I also like the Dewalt batteries seem to last for ages, only downside is they are a bit slow to charge up compared to the Makita and Metabo batteries.
I'm also waiting for the new Dewalt 16 gauge 2nd fix nailer to come out down here, I've been told we will get it in November. Hoping that someone in NA or Europe will have posted a review on here before then.

 

[Jaybolishes]

The 20v dewalts I have are

Angle grinder
The radio
Brushless impact
Non brushless impact
Sawsall
Hammer drill
Oscilating tool
Skillsaw
90 degree drill
Jigsaw
Light
5 batteries

I can't praise the oscillating tool enough.  With the brushless motor it screams through wood.  I use it for so many things it's just a really great tool.

The grips on all the tools are very comfortable and exactly the perfect  shape in my opinion and the grippy rubber is perfect for no slipping in the hand.  The batteries are definitely long lasting.  It's the best set I've had, and having so many tools with the same batteries is the only way to go. This set can't be beat in my eyes.  I use these things every day, they fall, they get used hard and I haven't had a single issue.  You won't be unhappy you get them.

 

[richy3333]

I assuming your 20V is our UK 18V line up. I've loads of Dewalt 18V tools that are used daily. Generally speaking they are fine, but I don't see the quality of the tools any better or worse than any of the other usual makes. In the UK if your cordless bias is towards woodworking then Makita and Bosch have a wider product range  - e.g. Planer etc.

I killed 2 brushed Dewalt drills last year. They weren't abused, just worked hard - used every day. The batteries take a while to recharge but that hasn't ever bothered me, I just have a good number of batteries. The framing Nailer is good, works better than the Paslode, particularly in the cold. The belt hook on mine is stuck and won't work, but that's a small gripe. The U.K. Multitool has no variable speed dial. The speed is controlled by squeezing the trigger. It's impossible to hold this a repeatable point when I'm working in the reall world. The trigger lock to hold the speed only works at full oscillation/speed on the uk unit.

Hope that helps.

 

[slopjock78]

I can't praise the oscillating tool enough.  With the brushless motor it screams through wood.  I use it for so many things it's just a really great tool.

I like hearing this.  My oscillating tool right now is the ridgid 12V. Its a decent enough tool, but looking for a step up.  hoping the Dewalt 20V is just that.

I assuming your 20V is our UK 18V line up. I've loads of Dewalt 18V tools that are used daily. Generally speaking they are fine, but I don't see the quality of the tools any better or worse than any of the other usual makes. In the UK if your cordless bias is towards woodworking then Makita and Bosch have a wider product range  - e.g. Planer etc.

I killed 2 brushed Dewalt drills last year. They weren't abused, just worked hard - used every day. The batteries take a while to recharge but that hasn't ever bothered me, I just have a good number of batteries. The framing Nailer is good, works better than the Paslode, particularly in the cold. The belt hook on mine is stuck and won't work, but that's a small gripe. The U.K. Multitool has no variable speed dial. The speed is controlled by squeezing the trigger. It's impossible to hold this a repeatable point when I'm working in the reall world. The trigger lock to hold the speed only works at full oscillation/speed on the uk unit.

Hope that helps.

Well, we have both the older, stem style battery, 18V Dewalts, and the new, slide style battery, LION 20V Dewalts.  It looks like a lot of the tools are the same, but the batteries are totally different.  Also, the new 20V are available in brushless models for several of the tools.

Interesting to hear your comparison to the Paslode nailer.  I've been a big fan of Paslode for many years, nice to hear that the Dewalt may be even better

 

[jmbfestool]

I personally don't think Milwueakee are all that to be honest especially their impact drill isn't the best.

My mate is heavy on milwuakee and agrees  it's okay but not brilliant.  Another mate has couple milwuakee tools and thinks it's okay also.

I've been looking at metabo my self. I don't own any cordless metabo tools but my plan is once all my milwuakee cordless tools need replacing they are being replaced by metabo.

My milwuakee cordless grinder has stopped working couple weeks ago so I have been looking at the metabo grinder.  However I have two Bosch corded grinders so I'm making do for now but it is annoying using corded.

I hope metabo are good!!!

 

[DB10]

[member=5671]jmbfestool[/member] 
  I've been getting into the Metabo 18v tools in the last 12 months, replacing a lot of my old Makita 18's. No complaints so far from me. The cordless mitre saw is running on the 5.2 battery and I can't say enough good things about this saw. Light to carry around, accurate cuts and battery lasts well.
  The 18v site light is also excellent. Really well made and also last along time on one battery.
Just waiting to purchase the new Brushless braked angle grinder with the new Li-HD 6.2 battery as my Makita cordless isn't all that and I prefer an angle grinder to be cordless but with the same power as a corded.

 

[sae]

[member=5671]jmbfestool[/member] 
  I've been getting into the Metabo 18v tools in the last 12 months, replacing a lot of my old Makita 18's. No complaints so far from me. The cordless mitre saw is running on the 5.2 battery and I can't say enough good things about this saw. Light to carry around, accurate cuts and battery lasts well.
  The 18v site light is also excellent. Really well made and also last along time on one battery.
Just waiting to purchase the new Brushless braked angle grinder with the new Li-HD 6.2 battery as my Makita cordless isn't all that and I prefer an angle grinder to be cordless but with the same power as a corded.

[member=42735]DB10[/member] This might interest you.

http://www.coptool.com/brushless-grinder-showdown-2015-milwaukee-makita-metabo/

 

[DB10]

Thanks [member=38144]sae[/member]  Interesting, I had not seen that before.

 

[TheTrooper]

DCD 985 Hammer Drill
2x DCF 885 Impact Driver (brushed)
4x 4.0 Ah batteries
2x 1.5 Ah batteries
Sawzall
Grinder
Circular saw

Had the drill and impact driver since they've been released (3 years I think). The Hammer Drill i use daily to mix thinset mortar, self leveling cement, and to drill holes in concrete. Never had any problems.
The impact is used on a daily basis and I beat the piss out of it. Use it to fasten #10 x 2 ½ screws,  ⅜" x 4" lags, dura rock screws, drywall screws and so on. Ive literally fastened hundreds of thousands of screws and have even tossed it off a 2nd floor balcony on to a gravel driveway. I use it for a hammer to move 2x4's into place and Advantech sheeting. Still no problems ever. The frequency of the impact driver has taken a back seat and i now use the C18 as my go to drill. As for the Hammer Drill, Im going to give the PDC a go at mixing Thinset mortar and probably switch the rest of the system over.