Dewalt 18 Volt Cordless Drill

[BillyP]

I'm in the market for an 18 volt cordless drill and found this combo set. Check out the link and tell me what you think.

Thanks

DW4kit-2r 18 Volt Xrp Super 4 Kit Cordless Combo

 

[EddieWalker]

I not positive, but I believe DeWalt, Black & Decker and Skill are all made at the same plant and are identical except for a few cosmetic issues.

Of three Dewalt tools I have, drill, saw and grinder. The grinder died after a couple years, but only a dozen hours. It was $100 and junk. I replaced it with a $30 from the local discount tool store and have 5 hours on it so far.

Everyone I know says you have to have a cordless sawzall. I really want one and that kit looks really good for the price.

A few months ago Home Depot had a deal with lifetime replacement on the batteries on there tools. I wasn't shopping then, but I know a few who bought some things and they love the Rigid brand.

I have sears, which works fine, but when you need a new battery, it's almost cheaper to buy a new kit.

 

[Junkman]

I have this same kit and purchased it for the same price at Home Depot at Christmas time for the same price. The only difference is that this is a reconditioned unit and mine was not. I have also purchased reconditioned DeWalt tools and find that there is no difference in quality or appearance with the exception of the "R" that they stamp into the case of the tool to indicate "reconditioned". I also got a free DeWalt Radio with mine. If you watch the box store sales fliers, you can usually do as well locally as by mail order. I have purchased tools from www.ToolKing.Com in the past and have been very happy with them. They also have the same deal. I have found that DeWalt tool prices are the same all over and don't fluctuate much from store to store, except for sales. Always check the model number before assuming that the tool is the same. They make a lot of items that look alike, but are different. On line vendors are almost always identical in price, but not on shipping costs.
I have been told that the Rigid Brand is now owned by Home Depot. I have no knowledge of the quality of the product to compare to. Once you pick a battery operated tool, it is best to make the decision of brand only once. It is a lot easier to use only one type of battery for all the tools. Batteries are not interchangeable between brands. Same goes for voltage of the tools... 18 volt tools are heavy, but also hold up well to long use. The 24 volt tools are too heavy to work with. Some of the tools of lesser voltage than 18 are just not powerful enough for some applications. Buy the tool that feels the most comfortable in your hand.

 

[AndyM]

I've also had good results after buying a reconditioned Dewalt reciprocating saw.

It's seen a lot of use from remodeling our old house, and when (if?) my circular saw ever gives out, I'll buy one of those as a reconditioned Dewalt model also. I've wanted to buy a new one for a while, but can't get this old Black and Decker model to die! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Junkman]

If it is an old Black & Decker, it was built to last and if you wait to buy the DeWalt when it dies, you will be waiting for a long time. It was well made and that is why it is still around today. If it was a poor product, it would have been disposed of a long time ago, and replaced by another, and another, and another.... Get my point???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hockeyhead]

I've owned a Dewalt 18volt, model dw998, 1/2", hammer drill for at least 5years and it has not come close to failing me yet.
Now I paid nearly that much for the drill and 1 battery, when 18volt was fairly new to the market. It is the only dewalt tool I own, and based on this drill I will look at dewalt first when I choose to buy any battery operated power tools

 

[EastTexFrank]

All my cordless stuff is older Dewalt 12 volts so I can't comment on the 18 volt package. I've never had a problem with it except for replacing a couple of batteries over the last 10 years or so.

I have a friend who is slowly converting from Dewalt to Rigid 18 volt tools. He is most impressed with them. I had occasion to use his 18 volt cordless drill and I must say it impressed me. That thing has a lot of torque and lasts a long time between recharges. One of his batteries failed and it was replaced free of charge at Home Depot ... nice.

 

[BillyP]

I've heard nothing but good about the Rigid brand, other than they discontinued the lifetime battery replacement warranty with a mediocre warranty.

Seems I remember Rigid has a 90 day warranty now?

Correction:

Rigid has a 3 year warranty on the tool and 1 year on the batteries.

 

[RobertN]

I've had the DeWalt "Fat Pack" Combo(drill, recip saw, light, circ saw, 2-battery, and charger) for about 4 years now, and have gotten good use out of them. I would recomend them.

The 18v recip saw works better than my older Milwaukee 110v-ac Sawzall. I am not sure if it is because it is newer with bigger motor, or if having 18vdc has some advantage over an AC motor.

Two things I picked up that are handy... First, an extra battery. When I got the setup, I only used it at home, and two batteries were fine. Now I use it out and about, and like the third battery. Of note though, they are expensive! I thought I'd get a better price at the DeWalt store, but it was still $80.

I also got the 12v-dc charger for the truck. Whereever I go I can always have a low battery charging if necessary. It was about $80 too.

I am not sure how that works... I wonder if it has a charge pump in it to boost to 18v,, or? I know some of the older memory chips in cell phones had charge pumps to boost voltage from the 2.8v battery to the 12v needed internal to the memory chip for the programming of the chips(store phone numbers, ect).

 

[JerryG]

Billy,
That is a good price. Like one of the other said, make sure you look at the product number. They will look the same and not be. I have had a rebuilt Dewalt 18volt, model DW998 hammer drill that I bought from one of the traveling tool sales. I have had it for 3-4 year and have had not problems with it. I use it a lot it drill and also to raise water lines in my poultry houses at sale time. If that is what you are wanting a cordless drill for, the DW998 is good for that.

 

[BillyP]

Jerry,

That's what I had in mind, rolling up the water lines. I'll probably order the combo from MaxTool but I'll look around Home Depot today.

To All,

Thanks for all the replies and your knowledge.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

I've had the DW958 drill for about 4 years, pleased with the performance and power, however I agree with Junkman that it'll get heavy if you use it long enough.

Caught the 18v circular saw w/ XR nicad on sale at big orange and picked it up a while back. One of my drill batteries wasn't holding a charge very well so got an extra nicad at the same time. Don't know if the performance of my old batteries had slowly deteriorated without me detecting or if there is really that much difference, but pop an XR in the old drill and Katie Bar the Door if you don't have a good grip.

 

[BillyP]

Jerry,

Can you roll up 32 water lines on one battery/charge?

 

[JerryG]

I have 48 water lines. It usually takes one battery for 10-12 water lines. I can recharge by the time they are ready for the next house if needed.

 

[bebster]

I've had the same set and it's worked great. I actually got a sabre saw in the kit as well from Costco when they were carrying it. The 18v has plenty of power.

 

[ScottAR]

That looks like a good combo. I've got several new, used, and reconditioned dewalt tools and they are a really good value. I've had a 12v drill for several years that is unstoppable. As an aside, the 24v tools aren't that heavy in my experience, It's just a matter of using the proper size for the job. I have a few 12v drills to drive screws and drill small holes. The 24v gets to run the big spade bits, hole saws, and masonry bits.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

HD has 2 packs of DeWalt 18v batteries for around $100 now.

 

[RichZ]

What I heard is that Black and Decker bought Dewalt quite a few years ago, and that many Black and Decker tools are identical to Dewalt. I have an 18 volt Black and Decker Fire Storm Cordless Drill, and I really like it. I think it is identical to the drill in that combo pack. Black and Decker and Dewalt battery packs are interchangable.

 

[johnday]

And ofcourse I have an oppossing view. The DeWalt is a nice setup if you don't use it day in and out. They're great for homeowners and handypeople, but I've given up on them. I've found the batteries are the real weak link. Since then, I've gone to Porter-Cable cordless tools and am very happy with them. I still have a handful of DeWalt corded tools, but as they wear out I'm replacing them with PC and Milwaukee tools. If it means anything to anyone, DeWalt has also stopped making tools in the USA. Ofcourse the other pro brands are not always made here either. In the world of power tools, you really do get what you pay for, for the most part. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Disclaimer; just my opinion.

 

[BillyP]

Well guys, I may have screwed up? I went to Home Depot today and came out with the Ridgid 18 Volt Combo Pac (drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw and light). It came with 2 batteries, 30 minute charger and a coupon for a free battery. Price was $404 and some change.

I have 90 days to make up my mind. If I don't like it, I can return it for a full refund. I hope I like it cause I don't like returning things.

I did notice it states that the drill has 510 in-lbs of torque. That compares to 450 for the Dewalt.