18 dewalt

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Are the 18 volts being phased out?   I was at one of my supply houses the other day, and all they had on the shelf was 12 and 20 volt stuff.  I need to replace my existing kit but I would like to make an informed decision before I buy.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:I hope not !  I got a whole collection of tools and batteries !
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1I hope not !  I got a whole collection of tools and batteries !
Reply:planned obsolescence is a beotch.  Once you get firmly into the new 20v standard they will change it to 23 or some odd multiple of 3.7v lithium cells.miller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:Y'all may be correct.  But while I was at Home Depot this morn all they was 12 and 20 voltMiller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:I bought two matching battery powered drills from Sears when I built my barn.  I used them all day every Saturday and Sunday for 2 years.  If they weren't in the holster the batteries were in the charger.  After two years of reliable service the batteries died.  Well that was a good run I was very happy with the drills.The new batteries cost $75 each.  I made up my mind right then that was the last battery powered tools I would ever own.  I bought a corded DeWalt 3/8" drill with a keyless chuck and never looked back.  It is a pain to string out a cord everytime but I usually have one nearby anyway for something else.I won't buy anymore battery powered tools.  IMHO  "G"ConductorX - The Volkswright Shophttp://volkswright.blogspot.com/http://bugwerks.blogspot.com/Miller DVI w/Spoolgun - Miller Plasma Cutter
Reply:you can get another 2-3 yeas out of nicad battery packs by using the mig welder zap trick on them.miller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:They are switching to the LI-ON battery's but as far as i know the new batteries are backwards compatible in the same voltage range.I have maybe 20+ 18V batterys and every one of the dewalt 18V tools but the circ saw.   I have no complaints about the line other than the cutoff tool wont last more than one cut before the bat is dusted.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Dewalt won't discontinue the 18v line for a long time.  They can't afford to.  It would piss off so many people that currently own 18v stuff, they wouldn't have enough customers left to keep the lights on.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I agree with Boostinjdm.  They'd be pissing off a LOT of customers.Lincoln 250 IdealarcLincolc 255 PowermigLincoln SA 200 1940's with V4 WiscLincoln SA 200 1974 blackface
Reply:True, but retailers probably won't stock as many of the 18v units as the newer ones come out.A good friend of mine wanted a Dewalt cordless impact gun like my 18V this summer. All their tools are the older 12v Dewalts however. I could order a 12v cordless impact from several suppliers, but the cost was almost $260. They would have gotten the impact along with the charger and 2 new batteries that would also fit their existing flashlights and drill. Instead I bought them one of the newer 20v kits with a drill, the impact, 2 batteries and the charger. New battery won't fit the existing stuff, but the drill and impact are smaller lighter and more powerful than my 18v units, and I bought the kit for $245 on sale.I had to swap over to the 18v power tools from my old 14v Dewalts. It just wasn't worth the added cost and hassle to try and get any of the other 14v accessories like the impact, sawzall, circular saw etc. Combine that with the fact all my 14v batteries were going and just replacing the batteries almost equaled the cost of a replacement drill and 2 batteries. While I hated to do it, it simply made more sense..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you have a Batteries+ store around, they rebuild them. Interstate may also do that. I have a pile that need to go in so I can't speak as to longevity of a rebuilt yet. What they quoted was about 1/2 price of new. Best I've seen on new is $99 for the two pack when Home Depot has them on sale.
Reply:Love the 18volt dewalt.  Lowes has a two pack of the 18 volt dewalt batteries for $99.  Good deal.Miller Bobcat 250 w/wire feederMillermatic 251 w/30A spoolgunHobart 210 w/spoolgunMiller XMT 304 w/s22p12 FeederHTP Tig 200IR 7.5 HP compressorToo Much Stuff
Reply:x2.  And Batteries+ will rebuild the power packs with better rechargable cells than the OEM used in the first place.  The only better deal is to order the cells yourself and learn how to rebuild the packs yourself.  IMO, I'd rather pay someone else to rebuild them if they do quality work. Originally Posted by millratIf you have a Batteries+ store around, they rebuild them. Interstate may also do that. I have a pile that need to go in so I can't speak as to longevity of a rebuilt yet. What they quoted was about 1/2 price of new. Best I've seen on new is $99 for the two pack when Home Depot has them on sale.
Reply:Well I did find a local store that is still selling the 18 volt stuff.  Everyone I've spoke with has said that dewalt will not get rid of their 18 volt line for yrs to come.   Lets see what happens.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:Interstate Batteries and Batteries Plus rebuild recharable batteries for about half the cost of replacing them with new battery packs. Supposedly using 2,300 mAh batteries resulting in longer runs times compared to the factory battery packs.Late to bed, and early to rise. Fish like hell so I don't have to make up lies. Syncrowave 200MM211 & Spoolmate 100
Reply:Dewalt XRP nicads are 2400 mAh  according to the research I've done recently.My name's not Jim....
Reply:This link from a quick search shows otherwise. It shows 2,000 mAh, and to correct myself the Instertate Battery rebuild batteries are 2,200 mAh.https://www.google.com/search?q=dewa...&client=safariLast edited by Softwireman78; 10-31-2012 at 11:34 PM.Late to bed, and early to rise. Fish like hell so I don't have to make up lies. Syncrowave 200MM211 & Spoolmate 100
Reply:Originally Posted by Softwireman78This link from a quick search shows otherwise. It shows 2,000 mAh, and to correct myself the Instertate Battery rebuild batteries are 2,200 mAh.https://www.google.com/search?q=dewa...&client=safari
Reply:Further down in the link you posted ( 3rd link to Amazon) it also shows the XRP batteries to have 2,000 mAh also. Apparently there were several versions made. I'm not much into pissing contests so you win friend. Late to bed, and early to rise. Fish like hell so I don't have to make up lies. Syncrowave 200MM211 & Spoolmate 100
Reply:New sawzall from my new took a roaring ****, not a week old yet.   It seems my luck just will not get any better.  I hope I am not the only one that has these kind of luck.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:I sold my dewalts and went with Rigid 18 Volt Lithium Ions.
Reply:most people say the battery plus folks rebuild them better than new.  I haven't had that experience. I took them eight 18V XRP's and some 12V jump packs and they all failed in a year or two.  The counter people don't have a clue how to test them, there has been several times they say they are good when although they have a surface charge, they would zero out with a load test.
Reply:I own both 18v kits and the monster 36v contractor kit from dewalt.  My dewalt rep said the 18v is the bread and butter of the dewalt line up and is not getting chopped any time soon.  I use the 18v tools everyday. But if you need to do some heavy skill saw use, the 36v is the only way to go. Couple years back i built a 2000sq foot cabin with the saw and 4 batteries i had to charge up every night.
Reply:pretty soon they will get up to 120 volts, then realize that's where they sholulda been all along.That 36V Dewalt sounds like a beast. I've used 28V Milwaukees for years and don't use my corded tools except in-shop. Finally killed a couple of batteries but I'd flogged my tools doing auto salvage and they didn't owe me a dime. I bought the later batteries and am delighted with those too.I just buy factory batteries online. I buy my tools the same way. It's not worth driving to brick and mortar stores unless I'm buying other stuff.
Reply:hey god news dewalt is making 18v lithium batterys and chargers that work with the existing 18v line so now yo can have a light weight long lasting lithium battery for  your favorite 18v tools [ame]http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DC9180C-18-Volt-Battery-Charger/dp/B000X1S0YO[/ame]