DeWalt Tools

Thanks. I guess I'll stay in camp yellow.

 

We have a bunch of construction going on at work and I’ve noticed that all of the contractors (plumbing, electrical, steel workers, concrete, etc) use DeWalt almost exclusively.

 

Power is not the concern, has plenty of power, it’s the run time of the batteries

 

Lowes will have a buy 1 tool and get a free power stack and charger soon. (Saw the promo on https://instagram.com/autobahn_dan

High end torque wrench is huge and overkill.

I got the mid range with detent pin and I believe that will be on the lowes promo. That’s an older model they are phasing out (DCF894). Also recommend not running it on a 2ah battery, it won’t even break off lug nuts, gotta use at least a 4ah to get full power

 

The new atomic 921 is a 1/2 stubby impact. Has 450 break away and some cool gadgetry built into it. Home Depot has it for $200 with a 5 AH included.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...5-0-mAh-Battery-Pack-DCF921BWDCB205/318348754

 

I’ll also agree that the high end 1/2” is overkill. I have one too and it is nice but it’s large and unwieldy. That’s why I use the 1/2” 12v and when that’s not enough, I’ll bust out the big boy. If you were to only get one though, mid range would work nicely.

 

@ColoradoTJ

I own a lot of DeWalt tools. From corded to cordless. From chainsaws to grinders. They get used and abused for work on a daily basis. I also wrench on my rig a lot since I'm constantly breaking shit. I have 3 models of impacts currently in service.

1/4" DCF887
3/8" DCF890
1/2" DCF899

The DCF899 comes out the least. The 1/4" the most. I picked up the 3/8" because I was damaging the chuck on the 1/4" driving SDS screws. The 1/4" has the power to drive even a 9" SDS screw no problem but the quick-change chuck can't take the abuse for more then 6 months. Since switching over to the 3/8" for SDS driving the 1/4" has gotten repaired much less.

As others have said the 1/2" DCF899 is heavy and brutally strong. One nice feature about the DCF899 is the 3 speed setting. You can tame the tool down for less torque intensive work.

 

You may also want to cross reference prices on eBay too, but check seller ratings before purchasing.

I’m sure those power stack batteries have power, I’m just concerned about run time on them

And if you’re buying a charger separately, consider buying a higher output amperage one. See used section on Amazon link

DEWALT DCB1106 6 Amp Charger

$57 DEWALT 12V MAX*/20V MAX*/FLEXVOLT 6 Amp Charger (DCB1106)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089FMLC3H?_encoding=UTF8

 

I was under the impression they aren’t designed for run time. The powerstack are like a 1.7 ah.
Plus the power is fixed. Dewalt is 18v nominal. If I remember right the watt outs are similar to the 5 ah xr battery, but the power stack is smaller and lighter. Edit: I fact checked myself and the watt hours are similar
Dcb 201 battery. It’s safe to say the power of the power stack is similar to a 2.0 battery as advertised.

I’m thinking dewalt is waiting to see how they do before they come out with the larger AH batteries in the power stack configuration.

 

Have you used the DCB118 charger? It's the charger DeWalt ships with there FlexVolt tools. You can also buy it separately. Like most DeWalt chargers it also chargers the 20V line. It'll charge a 5AH 20V in about 20 minutes. I have 2 and they are the only ones I use. The 20V chargers have a home in a drawer that never sees daylight. lol

$109 DEWALT 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT Lithium-Ion, Fan Cooled Rapid Battery Charger (DCB118)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCB11...t=&hvlocphy=9031764&hvtargid=pla-435585941203

 

Battery tech is constantly changing but the one thing that's really important to me is run time. That's why I only own 5AH 20V batteries. I also have FlexVolt 9AH's. I need a battery to last long enough that I'm not wasting time running to the charger. For most hobby guys it's probably not that much of an issue but I want to work not walk. lol

 

Oh I know about that 8 amp charger… but I ain’t paying $90… rather pay $25 for a 6 amp

 

There’s a 12A charger now too

 

Sorry man. All I see is 4 link. lol

On a serious side you can get the parts to repair the chuck pretty easily. I've repaired my DeWalt 1/4" about 5 times now and can do it in under 10 minutes with $7 in parts. That said, having a non-quick change for heavier tasks is the way to go. When I picked up the 3/8" I also grabbed a few of these. They allow me to use 1/4" bits on my 3/8".

$12 Titan 12034 3/8" Drive to 1/4" Hex Drive Quick Change Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-12034-...9aea495ffbf&pd_rd_wg=HUb9y&pd_rd_i=B07HBHV6LV

 

Both mine came with FlexVolt tools. When DeWalt runs their Fathers Day promo you can usually pick up combo kits pretty cheap. Every other time of year I just buy the bare tools because I have plenty of batteries now and buying the bare tool is always a lot cheaper.

 

Been using dewalt cordless tools for the last 10+ yrs at work as an electrician & also at home. Never had any issues from the 18v to now the 20v’s. Been impressed with the abuse they’ve taken from drops off of 6-8’ step ladders onto concrete floors & kept on motoring! Drill, impact, rotohammer, mini bandsaw, & vac get the most use. Pretty good set home also, skill saw & pole saw get use ofeten & work great. Looking to add the jig saw, palm sander, & mini blower at some point

 

Oh for sure. Some of the tools are power drainers too. I sheeted a whole roof with a 6 ah battery on my skillsaw but it took a 6 and a 8 ah to break up a 6 sq ft slab of concrete using a sds rotary using a chisel.