![]() ![]() Use the Adapter until the tools themselves break down. If you had the whole suite, or dozens of the tools, this is a costly venture, but having power tools is costly no matter what, so accept that this price is very much a necessary evil. If that 18 Volt XRP or type (insert version here) 18 Volt tool is still functioning fine, aside from the battery? Get the adapter. ![]() Now… when I say Upgrade, I am not saying go 20 Volt system exclusively. You don’t get to complain about support for the older systems at this point, you’ve had plenty of time already, you have options made available to you still. If I can be painfully obvious here… Upgrade or Stay Quiet. I think my local ace hardware and Lowe’s still sell nicad batteries. And I wouldn’t buy any nicad batteries anyway. If you’re going to buy a tool anyway, might as well get something modern. I just wouldn’t go out and buy 18v tools if your local hardware store still has any in stock. Even if you have to go out and buy the lithium adapter kit with the batteries, there still worth holding onto in my opinion. I’d say the 18v tools (assuming the nicad batteries will hold their charge) are still great homeowner tools if you have them. Point is, having a few extra drills around isn’t the worst thing in the world. It’s always handy having spare drills around, I’ve got like a dozen cordless drills (including a m12 screwdriver and a few dewalt cordless impacts, and even a m12 impact wrench if you want to include that) plus some corded drills and even a drill press. I’ve considered getting that battery adapter, and may snag one some day. (Which I’m alright with, I’ve always used his stuff) Theyre my dads, but he just uses my 20v Max tools when he needs something. ![]() I hate seeing the few 18v nicad tools just collecting dust every time I go into my tool cabinet. What do you guys think – is there any reason to stick with Dewalt 18V tools once they start needing new batteries, repairs, or replacing? Their 20V Max system is based off an 18V Li-ion battery. Note: In the context of this post, Dewalt’s 18V system is their older NiCad-based cordless platform. The adapter isn’t compatible with all 18V tools or all 20V Max batteries, but that’s still better than the alternative.Įach Dewalt 18V cordless power tool user will have to determine for themselves whether or not – or when – to retire their tools.īut if you ask me, I really don’t see any incentives or benefits in further 18V system investments. If you have an extensive 18V cordless power tool collection that you’re not ready to upgrade from yet, this adapter is still a good option for gradual investment. This adapter lets you use select Dewalt 20V Max battery packs with most Dewalt 18V cordless drills. They also have starter kits that include a battery and charger. Do you?ĭewalt has a 20V Max to 18V battery adapter, model DCA1820, which you can buy for $39 via Amazon. But once those older tools or batteries start wearing, I don’t see any reason to put any more money into that system. If your 18V tools are still chugging along, and you don’t care to upgrade, that’s fine. Are there any 18V tools that out-match Dewalt’s 20V Max Li-ion offerings? I don’t think so. The results are similar across the board. You’ll find Dewalt’s premium brushless drills and hammer drills to be so much more powerful and longer running, plus they’re more compact. On paper, Dewalt’s 20V Max compact brushless drills out-perform their best 18V model. Dewalt’s DCD791 and DCD796 compact drill and hammer drill respectively, with neither being 3-speed models, deliver 460 UWO power output and they also top out at 2000 RPM. It looks like the best Dewalt 18V 3-speed cordless drill (DCD940KX) has a 450 UWO rating (this relates to max torque and power performance) and tops out at 2000 RPM. The best Dewalt 18V XRP battery is rated at what, 2.6Ah? You get more power, updated ergonomics, longer runtime, and improved capabilities. The 20V Max lineup is broader, and the tools are more advanced. I believe some users are also getting their battery packs rebuilt with fresh NiCad cells. ![]()
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