Anyone tried the new DeWalt 20-Volt Cordless tools? My 18V Drill has built 2 houses and a Bronco and is on its way out. I have 5 18V Batteries and none keep a decent charge. Looks like the switch to 20V requires all new batteries so my Skill Saw, Recip Saw, Flashlight, Vacuum, and chargers are all obsolete. So it looks like I need 18V Batteries or switch to the new 20V system. Looks like they make Skill Saw, Recip Saw, Flashlight, etc. in the 20 Volt. Any thoughts?

Cool! I figure my DeWalt drill is about 10 years old as well. It is starting to smell and will likely need to be upgraded. If I get a new 18V drill with 2 new 18 V batteries, then I should be able to keep all my DeWalt tools. I think that is a great plan. I am going to hit Tool King in Lakewood off 6th Ave and see if they have a deal. Thanks Zilla!

Not to mention the weight of the 20 versus the 18. If there is as big a jump as there was from the 12 to the 18, that is a lot more weight to be lugging around

I don't know if there are any rechargeable battery buy back programs around here or not. If not, don't chuck those old 18V Dewalt paperweights. I'll take them off your hands and could throw a few bucks your way. We gut them and solder on an adapter to use with the military BA-5590 and BB-390 batteries.

Chad also look at murdochs over on 92nd and wads. They usually have 18v dewalt batteries cheap. A 2 pack for 119. They have more dewalt stuff than you can imagine.

Mine is 12v, but I have a hard time getting the new batteries to last more than a year...

Was going to switch to Lithium, but that's good to know Zilla.

I bought mine used with two batteries. Those two batteries lasted me several years, but started to not hold a charge. So I got a new battery and I don't think it even lasted a year. Got another with the same story. They are just too darned expensive to last only a year. Especially since the original ones were obviously well used and still outlasted the new ones. Frustrating! What's on my Christmas list? A corded drill!

Dewalt has a service center here in town. You may be able to have your drill reconditioned there and save a few bucks as well as pick up new batteries. It is on mississippi a few blocks west of santa fe. On the south side of the street.

I know Zilla doesn't seem to like his Lithium batteries, but I've been happy with them. I bought an 18v Lithium Makita 3/8" drill & impact gun. I love them around the shop. I guess if I was away from my charger, it may be a pain when they shut down, but since I can only use one tool at a time I just rob the battery from the other tool and start charging the dead one. Plus it only takes 15 minutes to recharge a dead battery. Supposedly, Lithium doesn't develop a memory and loose battery life. I've been running mine for a year & they were a warranty refurb set, (have some other guy's initials on the batteries so I know they were used), super cheap.

I've got a Porter Cable 19.6V 1/2" drill & that thing is a heavy biotch. It packs some punch, but is you pay with weight.

Chad

chad save your batteries and send only 2 to cellone in Pennsylvania they rebuild them and let me tell you ,your drill will work much better than any dewalt battery . you won't need 5 anymore those 2 will keep you running .

Just saw at the home depot on 52nd and wads they have a 2 pack of dewalt 18v for 99 bucks. Thats a steal!!!

I have 2 dewalt 18volts. One i bought in 01 the other in 03. I used them daily. in 09 I upgraded to a Rigid 18v lithium. I really like the lithium. Granted the battery cut off does suck I've grown used to it.

I have had my Milwaukee 18 V for about 8 years and I have only replaced the batteries twice. I have installed thousands of staircases and did most of the drilling on my F100 with it. I actually used it a lot in the last couple of weeks. I only wish I could convert it to the later Lithium batteries but thats not possible. A little info I learned in my electrical classes was that several automotive manufacturers like Ford, Honda and others I can not remember are the companies operating under other names investing in these batteries to get more R&D in order to develop more battery powered systems like electric, hybrids and whatever else. Puts a big damper on the oil industry when they can make them work more efficiently.

I have the impact and standard drill in the 20v and it s lighter than my 18v. Charges quicker and I'm pretty sure all the new batteries are lifetime warranty ... all my 18v batteries last about 1-2years. My old lipo suck too

Found this on Craigslist, sounds like what 777 recommended above:

http://denver.craigslist.org/for/2782031437.html

That's a good deal not over 50% of new for rebuild. I might have to send one in to get it rebuilt.