Upgrading From the Dewalt 18V Platform

[MasseyFerg231]

I had 18volt dewalt before. Now have the rigid tools. Going on 5 years now and no complaints. Price was main influence. Cordless multi tool and the drill/drivers are most frequently used of the bunch.

if I was buying today, I would look at other brands that offer chainsaws/weed eaters too.

 

[fidowanttobe]

so, i've tested most and came up with the surprise when i encountered a deliberate design feature prohibiting me from connecting the adapter to the band saw. I've googled and can't find an answer, so does anyone have any idea why this might be? the nominal battery voltage for these batteries is 18v, so what could the difference be that they don't want you to use the adapter, and also, to aftermarket adapters all have this limitation too?

If it was me, I would notch the tool or adapter with a Dremel or open the case to modify it to accept the adapter. My guess it is because of a limit that they don't want that saw running on 20V for a long period of time.

 

[Grumpycat]

Maybe this is common, but do any of the companies offer a Lithium battery pack to directly replace the older Ni battery pack?

DeWalt sells an expensive adapter to use current 20v lithium on classic 18v. The adapter slowly drains the battery if one leaves it connected.

 

[DaveMueller]

In theory, the adapter should allow any 20V battery on any 18V tool, I don't know why there would be restrictions.
I'm in the same boat. I bought 4 non-Dewalt batteries from Amazon, 2 Li-Ion and 2 NiMh. So far so good, but I have doubts if they'll last 20 years like the Dewalt NiCds did.

Dave

 

[WM75Guy]

I use the Dewalt 20V Max tools. I have one 18V that when it dies I will replace it with the 20V model. My newest is the 4 1/2" circular saw. My wife loves that one for cutting plywood.

 

[4570Man]

If it was me, I would notch the tool or adapter with a Dremel or open the case to modify it to accept the adapter. My guess it is because of a limit that they don't want that saw running on 20V for a long period of time.

The 18 and 20 volt batteries are really the same voltage but if somehow you did end up burning up an obsolete tool nothing was lost. And I don’t see how the 18 volt tool was intentionally designed to not work with the adapter since the flat top batteries and the adapter was designed after the 18 volt tools were built.

 

[crashz]

I haven't looked at all but know that my M28 Milwaukees can't last forever. The problem is that none of the newer tools are built half so well.

Maybe this is common, but do any of the companies offer a Lithium battery pack to directly replace the older Ni battery pack?

I know that the old NiCad Ryobi tools share the same platform as the new Lithium battery's and the tools work great with them. In fact they perform better than original. I know they aren't the contractors tool of choice, but for most homeowners they are fine.

However the 1/2" impact gun that Milwaukee sells has converted me. That tool is the ultimate. I love that thing. Since I bought it I have slowly transitioned over.

 

[chim]

For the "won't work" list, add 18V Vacuum because of physical fit problem.

I bought an adaptor and kept a couple 18V Dewalt tools, but replaced most of them with their 20V Max series. As 4570Man said, there's no real difference in voltage between 18 and 20V. A couple of us from our company were invited to a preview of the new platform before it was unveiled and the engineers said DeWalt wanted to be able to differentiate between the NiCad and LIon platforms (plus it occurred to them it wouldn't be bad marketing to make them sound 2V more powerful).

There's a big difference between the 18V and 20V tools with regard to cold weather performance, Batteries not discharging when not in use and run time - especially with the brushless tools.

I do have an M18 Milwaukee drill and light that were a freebie and like them both. The drill seems to have a slightly better speed regulation than my Dewalts, but torque seems the same. We did a head-to head test taking lugnuts off a Gradall and the Milwaukee tied with my DeWalt 899 impact.

 

[deezler]

Just start with some 20V batteries, and the adapter maybe?

Amazon.com

I bought a knockoff version of this battery adapter for like twelve bucks. Works GREAT! Some tools dont' need updating, like the circular saw, sawzall, etc. But for the rest, the new brushless motor stuff is incredible. Half the weight and more power and run time.

 

[Williy]

Many many years ago I purchased some
black & decker tools. skil saw had 1/2 inch
slop in the blade ruined a 3/4X4X8 sheet of
plywood returned it. Had a black & decker drill
1/2 inch total crap gears you could push over
with your thumb went in trash heard that black
& decker purchased dewalt so never purchased
anything by dewalt. Roybi have had drills from
them over 20 years still working and have a
Milwaukee tool bag full of tools over 10 years ago
still working fine.
I had one battery that would not charge but I pulled
the plug and plug jin and out 4 or 5 times now battery
works fine.

willy