I’m confused, concerned, and a little bit upset. It appears that Dewalt has discontinued nearly every single 40V Max cordless power tool they make. Over at Dewalt’s site, every tool and kit that I checked, except for their mower kit, is marked as being discontinued.
Although this comes as a complete surprise to me, some of you can rightfully say “see, I told you this would happen.”
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In comments to another post, Brian and Richard informed me that Dewalt has officially discontinued their line of 40V Max cordless outdoor power tools. Surely that’s not true, right? I didn’t believe it at first. But then I checked Dewalt’s website.
Update: It’s official, Dewalt is indeed discontinuing the entire 40V Max system.
Here are two more Dewalt.com screen captures of additional Dewalt 40V Max cordless power tools that are marked as being discontinued. I thought that maybe the kits were discontinued because new battery packs are coming out, but the bare tools are also discontinued.
I reached out to Dewalt asking for more information, and expect to hear back soon. However, prominent all-caps “This Product has Been Discontinued” notices are hard to misinterpret.
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Navigating to Dewalt’s cordless power tool landing page, there are summaries and links for all of their current cordless platforms, even including 18V XRP. The link to the 40V Max cordless power tool lineup landing page leads to a 404 “Page Not Found” error.
Maybe this is a fluke error of some kind. With a website as large as Dewalt’s, mistakes or broken links here and there can happen. I fix broken links here on ToolGuyd every so often, and especially find them in older posts. It’s easy to change the URL of a page, but difficult to update all existing links. Still, the removed, broken, or non-existent 40V Max landing page doesn’t exactly bode well.
40V Max Differentiation – the Pro Landscaper System
Readers have expressed concerns for the future of the Dewalt 40V Max cordless power system ever since the FlexVolt outdoor power tools launched.
Back in March of 2017, I had just posted about the then-new 40V Max backpack blower, and was having trouble answering a reader’s question about how Dewalt’s 40V Max and FlexVolt 60V Max cordless outdoor power tools compared against each other. 40V Max and FlexVolt 60V Max tools had similar specs, and so I asked Dewalt if they could offer words about how the 40V Max and FlexVolt 60V Max cordless outdoor power tools compared, and how they’re targeted towards different users.
At the time, Dewalt explained the differences between the systems and also shared a great chart about their different string trimmers.
The Dewalt 20V Max cordless string trimmer offered professional performance and was part of a professional power tool system. The FlexVolt trimmer offered gas performance and was part of a larger professional power tool system. The 40V Max trimmer was aimed at professional landscapers and was said to offer gas performance and landscaper runtime and durability. The 20V Max and FlexVolt 60V max trimmers were said to have a daily use duty cycle, and the 40V Max was rated for all day use. The FlexVolt and 40V Max trimmers both have 15″ cutting swath and the 20V Max has 13″.
Simplified, the 60V Max FlexVolt cordless outdoor power tools were designed for construction pros or other users in the 20V Max or 60V Max system, and offered similar performance to the 40V max tool and enough runtime for users who aren’t pro landscapers. The 40V Max lineup featured longer runtime and the tools were designed for all day use. Dewalt also pointed out that the 40V Max line included more landscaper-focused tools and accessories, such as a pole hedge trimmer, 6-pack charging station, and backpack blower.
At the time, the 40V Max system had a much larger battery – the 7.5Ah battery provided 300 watt hours of power. Even the largest current FlexVolt battery, 12.0Ah, delivers 240 watt hours of power. At the time, the then-largest battery, 9.0Ah, delivered 180 watt hours of power.
Our 40V MAX* battery system offers bigger batteries that offer gas performance and longer, more continuous runtime. This means it can take a heavier load for a much longer period of time, which is important because landscapers might use a string trimmer for 2-3 hours of trigger time on a daily basis. Does that mean the 60V MAX* batteries don’t offer long runtime and can’t handle a heavy, consistent load? Not the case at all. It’s just that 40V MAX* just gets you to the next level and the voltage actually hits a nice ‘sweet spot’ for OPE.
All this is to say that the 40V Max cordless power tool system has (or had) a place in Dewalt’s cordless lineup.
The chargers and battery packs are NOT discontinued, and even if the tools are discontinued and become hard to find, Dewalt will likely ensure that current users are able to source replacement batteries and chargers for the foreseeable future. It’s worth pointing out that they still sell new 18V batteries.
I’ve told readers that Dewalt was intent on maintaining the 40V Max cordless platform alongside FlexVolt 60V Max offerings, because that’s what I was told and led to believe. After all, 40V Max was their “professional landscaper lineup.” This was their firm standing, that 60V Max were powerful tools, but that 40V Max tools offered not only gas-like performance but also gas-like runtime.
The 40V Max string trimmer, for example, was said to deliver 50 minutes of runtime when paired with a 7.5Ah battery and 40 minutes when paired with a 6.0Ah battery. The FlexVolt trimmer was said to deliver 30 minutes of runtime when paired with the then-largest 9.0Ah battery.
As a reminder, FlexVolt batteries have 1/3 the specified charge capacity in 60V Max mode. A 9.0Ah FlexVolt battery has 9.0Ah charge capacity when used in 20V Max mode and 3.0Ah charge capacity when in 60V Max mode. FlexVolt batteries shift between 20V Max and 60V Max operation automatically depending on the tool.
I’m still waiting to hear back from Dewalt as to whether all of the 40V Max cordless power tools are discontinued, or the entire 40V Max system. Maybe all of the 40V Max cordless power tools (except for the mower kit) are discontinued, but the 40V Max cordless platform will somehow continue? Maybe all new tools are coming out? There’s some hope that we’re reading this wrong, or the situation is different than it looks, but there’s not much to support that.
What Happens Now?
I suppose that it might be a good idea to ask why the 40V Max tools are being discontinued. Why would Dewalt discontinue the 40V Max platform (assuming that is what is happening here)? Lower sales? To consolidate their focus and priorities?
A better question to ask is this – what happens now?
For Dewalt 40V Max cordless power tool users, new product wishes might go unfulfilled, but they can continue to use their existing tools without issue. I checked a couple of retailers and some 40V Max tools are still in stock while others are not. Will sold-out stock be replenished?
Will Dewalt be shifting their focus to another brand for their professional landscaper outdoor power tools platform? That seems unlikely, because there’s no good answer to the question of which brand?
As you might know, Stanley Black & Decker now owns Craftsman. They also now own a 20% share of MTD, a maker of outdoor power tools, with the option to buy the remaining 80% beginning July 1st, 2021.
According to investor presentations, Stanley Black & Decker aims to grow their lawn & garden tool business towards a 15-20% share of their total revenue by 2022. This is discussed in our post: Dewalt, Craftsman, Stanley vs. Milwaukee, Ryobi, Empire: A Look at Stanley Black & Decker and TTI Financials.
Thus, outdoor power tools is a big focus of Stanley Black & Decker right now. They’re pushing hard on the Craftsman side of things, with gas engine tools and cordless tool offerings.
What could Dewalt and Stanley Black & Decker have planned that they would discontinue essentially all of their 40V Max cordless outdoor power tools, save one mower kit SKU? Is anything planned?
A new Dewalt 60V Max lineup? That seems unlikely, given the potential to confuse users. An 80V lineup? Nothing? Is Dewalt exiting the professional landscaper cordless outdoor power tool market?
Will Dewalt launch new FlexVolt 60V Max outdoor power tools? If so, how will they bridge the gap between FlexVolt runtime and 40V Max? Conversations with Dewalt made it clear that they saw 40V Max as the professional landscaper solution and that 60V Max wasn’t quite comparable. I don’t see how they can backtrack on that.
We’ve asked Dewalt if they are exiting the professional landscaper cordless outdoor power tool market and will follow up once we learn more.
Dewalt Response
Shortly after publishing this post we received official word that Dewalt is discontinuing their entire 40V Max cordless power tool system.
Current users will continue to have access to replacement batteries through online retailers and Dewalt service centers.
Here is what they said:
You are correct, DEWALT 40V MAX* is being discontinued. System compatibility of our 20V and 60V lines makes them a favorite among users – we’re focused on delivering more comprehensive and innovative solutions on those platforms. DEWALT does remain committed to providing solutions for pro landscaping within the FLEXVOLT System.
Replacement 40V batteries will be available through various online retailers as well as through DEWALT service centers for the next few years.
Mike (the other one)
I figure all of these will be (if not already) available in a red and black color scheme.
Stuart
I’m not very confident about that. Are homeowners going to pay Dewalt 40V Max pricing for Craftsman OPE tools? There’s a Craftsman V60 platform, but I don’t think I’ve seen any FlexVolt-Craftsman 60V Max tool resemblances yet. Craftsman V60 and Dewalt FlexVolt 60V Max cordless outdoor power tools will likely be positioned in a good-better-best comparative relationship.
Mike (the other one)
I guess we will see what happens. I knew something was up at the beginning of the season, when all of the DeWalt outdoor/landscaping power tools were no longer available at my local Lowe’s. I was wanting a new DeWalt weed trimmer, but settled on a mostly similar Craftsman trimmer.
It’s always a gamble, because you never know if you will be able to get parts, etc. when you need it.
Matt J
I never say I’m confident about anything SBD will do, but I’m kind of with Mike here.
DeWalt is a professional brand. For the most part, professional lawn guys do not use battery powered tools. DeWalt has not released any gas-powered OPE that I’m aware of.
Craftsman is a brand with a long history of (15+ years ago) great quality, reasonably priced products for all aspects of American home ownership, including mowers and other OPE. Despite the past 10-15 years of garbage, I think there’s still some brand equity there, if SBD treats it right going forward.
SBD also recently bought a large share of MTD, which I believe had some sort of licensing component, and may now have a majority share (admittedly not sure on that — I know they had an option to buy more later). MTD is the home of Cub Cadet, and to a lesser extent, Troy-Bilt. I think their professional stuff will be released under those brands.
When SBD released its DeWalt cordless mowers, it really didn’t have any brand with an established outdoor reputation, outside of maybe some old cheapo electric B&D string trimmers (again, not the kind of reputation you’re trying to leverage). So at the time, trying to compete with $500 mowers from EGO, Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo, and others, the only brand that really made sense to release a premium cordless mower on was DeWalt. As far as I know, the DeWalt OPE never really took off. At this point, it makes a lot more sense to put resources behind new outdoor products from Craftsman, Cub Cadet, and others, than it does to continue to try to turn DeWalt into an outdoor power equipment company.
Michael Petty
I agree that all makes sense. But at the same time, Milwaukee has a one-system-does-all focus. Drills, chop saws, chainsaws, trimmers, mowers all in M18.
I went DeWalt FlexVolt because it looked it it had a similar all-in-one lineup. If they go away from that, and I need another battery syatem for mower vs chop saw, why would I keep half of to DeWalt, when I could just go all-in on a system like M18.
IMHO, DeWalt needs to keep being a jack of all trades with pro-level stuff on FlexVolt 60V, and homeowner or lower power gear on 20V.
Big Richard
Milwaukee does not have an M18 mower. Yet, anyways.
OldDominionDIYer
Classic SB&D bait and switch. So glad I invested in Milwaukee!
Mark A.
Me too
Big Richard
Good thing you weren’t invested in M28 a few years ago, you would have been just as pissed at Milwaukee.
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m28-cordless-power-tools-2016/
They really have similar backgrounds and fates, DeWalt’s 40v and Milwaukee M28. Both came out when there was a need for a more powerful system, beyond the capabilities of standard 18v packs, based on 18650 cells. The lineups were limited, and while they were nice tools, they were not astoundingly better than standard 18v tools. As technology has improved drastically with better cells and brushless motors, companies are finding they can get the extra juice out of 18v packs (Milwaukee’s HO M18) or modify them slightly to be a 20v/60v (Flexvolt). And just as Milwaukee pulled the plug on M28, DeWalt pulled the plug on 40v. In the end they are aiming more towards giving users cross-compatibility, which makes sense for long term stability. It’s hardly a “bait and switch”.
Also, as an impartial mixed brand user, I have to say I find it a little interesting that no DeWalt fanboys chimed in on the ending of the M28 lineup (see link above), but I have seen quite a few Milwaukee fanboys take this opportunity to take a jab at DeWalt. It is possible to use and like both brands.
Ken Stagg
Flex-volt is the way to go and plus it compatible with all of the dewalt powered tools.
Chris
Unless you bought into 40v like 5yrs ago or something
Jeremiah McKenna
It is too confusing to have these tools and systems next to one another. So is it possible, to simplify, they are getting rid of one line in the mid range and keeping their lower level and highest line of tools?
jason gloekler
well this sucks. I was going to get a few more 40v as they are super powerful. already have the chainsaw and hedge trimmer. wanted the pole saw and extendable trimmer plus the backpack and mower someday.
Adam
I’m sure plenty will be up for resale next spring when more realize they can’t buy more tools.
Jared
I certainly interpret “…we’re focused on delivering more comprehensive and innovative solutions on those [20 & 60v] platforms” as implying that Dewalt sees flexvolt as the 40v replacement. It always sucks for the users when a manufacturer discontinues a line, but honestly that seems to make sense. Even if 40v was markedly different, I don’t think it was perceived that way.
I would guess that most people contemplating the 40v line would be thinking: “do I want to commit to a small line of OPE marketed towards professional landscapers, OR should I just get the Flexvolt and had access to pretty much the same tools as well as the rest of Dewalt’s portfolio? I think the longevity of the 40v line depended on users understanding the superiority of that line for it’s intended application (my perception was that the difference was slight).
Plus, I was chatting with someone who uses power tools regularly for work the other day who confidently asserted that his Dewalt grease gun just had a little more oomph because it was 20v versus the other brands’ 18v… Certainly seems the naive perception of the greater voltage meaning more power persists.
Chris
You can still buy those. They might even now go on super sale
Stuart
There’s the possibility of a new system being planned for the 2020 season, but I haven’t heard, learned, or guessed anything enough for anything but vague theorizing.
Would a pro landscaper be interested in the 20V Max and FlexVolt cordless systems? There are incentives for individual users to buy into FlexVolt OPE, but for landscapers, the battery capacities and charger accessories available in the 40V Max system makes more sense.
What if 40V Max is discontinued to allow for a new system based on 21700-sized Li-ion cells that offer even greater runtime?
Alex von Reuter
DEWALT has screwed me twice now, once when I bought their $350, lithium-ion 18 volt drill kit, only to release their 20-volt lineup a year later, and now after I bought their 40 volt mower last year (Makita hadn’t released their most current mower at that time). I was actually more bitter when DEWALT had said that they couldn’t make an 20 volt battery adapter to work with their 18 volt tools after I had made significant investment with the 18-volt lineup. Four or five years later, DEWALT made a miracle happen, by releasing that same type of adapter, but it was too little, too late for me, I had already switched to Makita and Milwaukee.
When a professional invests invests in a power tool battery platform, they expect to use the batteries for other tools, because that’s where the real expense comes in. SB&D have clueless management as they clearly don’t understand the financial consequences when they drop a power tool lineup. After the first time that they screwed me, I’ve spent thousands of dollars on Milwaukee and Makita Tools. Oh, and not to mention, that I had a direct influence in getting my Utility to switch from DEWALT to Milwaukee. Mind you, they spend like $45,000 in power tools a year. Further, this action has like a snowball effect, because many of the guys that I work with end up personally buying into the same brand of tools that they use at work.
In essence, because DEWALT screwed me years ago, I’ve been incredibly successful in redirecting their customer base to Makita and Milwaukee tools. What can I say, my passion for tools has a direct impact on the people that I interact with on a daily basis.
Walt Fisher
Alex. Your commentary is fantastic. It captures the “ Scorched Earth “ Mentality of this problem. It makes me think of Dewalt as the clueless Husband that brings his Girlfriend home to live with Him and his Wife. Then claims being surprised that things didn’t work out. Absurd I know, but not an unreasonable comparison to us Faithful “ Wives” ?
Adam
Tell you buddy that who ‘says’ he uses power tools for work all the time, that there is an astrix next to the 20v on all the DeWalt packaging. If you can find the unfindable “Where’s Waldo” footnote, it will tell you the tool is only 18v.
All the 18v tools have the same potential for power as the DeWalt 20v, all depending on what cells are actually used inside. It’s why you can use a 20v battery no problem in an older 18v tool with an adapter, not converter.
Brian
Everyone complains about Dewalt marketing 18v as 20v, yet all the other manufacturers do it on difference voltage platforms and no one says anything. M12 tools aren’t really 12v, they are 10.8v. This is more obvious in higher voltage outdoor platforms. Many companies market voltage based on 4v/cell. I don’t really get the hate on Dewalt for this in the 18/20v space. They are doing what others are doing.
Lance
DeWalt is the ONLY pro tool brand doing it in the 18v space, and since they started doing it many consumer grade tool companies started doing the same.
It’s despicable if you ask me. And so is advertising FV batteries as 60v or 6Ah when it’s really a 60v 2Ah battery. Believe me this is marketing genius, but marketing all the same, and in a market with no regulation.
Brian
I think you’re being a bit ridiculous. If you charge the battery pack fully and check the voltage it’s more than 20v. I’m not sure what else needs to be said.
So it’s ok that Milwaukee does it on 12v (pro brand), but not ok that Dewalt does it on 18v? Why? What’s the logic here? Just because other companies haven’t followed?
In the outdoor space it’s even more mixed up. You have brands claiming everything from 54-60v. All are presumably the same 15s configuration. Ryobi has a 40v line which is just 36v. Greenworks and Kobalt have 80v which is really only 72v. Even EGO at 56v is a little weird. I think it’s only 54v nomial or potentially 55.5v? Either way, it’s likely not 56v based on standard 3.6v/cell.
You want to hate Dewalt, be my guest. But don’t pretend like they are the only ones doing this.
I do agree that the capacity on FV packs is a bit misleading, though not false. It’s just clever marketing. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
andy
It’s just that batteries should be rated at their nominal (average over the discharge) voltage, not their peak, since they always have been. Dewalt can be forgiven about this. Where they really stretch the truth though is in the watt-hour ratings. They are taking the max voltage and the capacity and multiplying them. It doesn’t work that way. There is no way to get 80 watt hours out of their 4.0 battery unless it actually has bigger than 4.0 cells inside.
david zach
I have the entire 40 volt landscaping line for my home use. I’m a retired contractor and appreciate the heavy duty construction of the line. In fact, I got better deals after discontinuation was announced, and filled in the gaps of my line. Having said that, I also have the entire line of 36 volt DeWalt, all barely used white elephants because of their giant size. My 18 and 20 volt DeWalt tools get the most use.
ca
I kind of thought they called it 20V to differentiate it from their previous 18V line.
JoeM
They did. And that’s pretty much where I’ve always seen it. You can’t plug an 18Volt XRP battery into a 20Volt Max/XR/FlexVOLT tool, and they already had 18V batteries before the XRP’s… So where are they going to go from there? In Europe, yes, they’re smart enough to recognize the battery difference, and not try it. But the North American audience is quite famous for living in conditions where the education standards are at the bottom of the list, and that puts “Common Sense Understanding” at risk in marketing a new line.
Yes, they’re 20 Volt MAX tools, aka 20 Volts NOMINAL… And yes, SO WERE THE XRP’s… But there’s enough of a risk in North America (and apparently the comments above as an example) that North Americans will get very angry if you change things, and don’t make it ABSOLUTELY clear that they aren’t compatible. With so many more buyers in North America, can you risk it? No. So few in Europe? Sure, because it’s not likely to be confusing.
Personally, I’m glad they called it something different. It made it easier to point to a display and say “That one” when the Home Depot person tried to help me find it among the huge masses of DeWALT boxes with line drawings of the tools. But, I suppose that’s me. Go in knowing the one you want, being a bit on the short side, and unable to see the precise box containing the thing I want. Probably not everyone’s experience.
PHILIP JOHN
You. My friend… summed up this entire too long conversation with a couple of sentences!
Will
Yes I’d agree, they kept there 18v lineup while others usually discontinue there’s. So with the 18v being extremely popular they had little choice.
Will
Also Europe has much stronger consumer electronic laws favoring the consumer,so Dewalt had no choice to name the 18v as 20v. It’s the same with all voltages,as 10.8 is 10.8 and not 12 same with 7.2 not being 9v.
bob u
As one who has both 18v and 10v dewalt, here is my spin on it.
Sure, the 18v tools are still completely usable. BUT, dewalt never
increased the 18v pack size current output anywhere near what you
can get in the 20v series now. Plus the 20v packs are more ergonomic
compared to the 18v packs with the long mounting dong coming
out of them. If you were on the tail end of 18v, you could get the Li-ion
packs (2.3ah?), but you could only charge them on the newer yellow
chargers not the older black chargers. Plus the 18v line never converted
to brushless tools which are so much better in many areas. My newer brushless 20v 899’s impact kicks my old 18v 64’s impacts ass.
So i think its not so much about 20v really being 18v, its the whole
big picture on the platform issue with having brush-less, compact tools,
and more user friendly sized battery’s.
I keep a bag of my old 18v tools (grinders, saws, drills and such) for my
junk yard tool bag so if i lose one or it dies, i wont feel so bad….
for those who like to keep things going forever, how long have you had your home PC? those have about a 3 year life span anymore for most
users. Cell Phone? about the same. Just imagine if apple made a
“I-Tool” line. you would all be buying new tools every 2 years and
standing in line to do it!
David Swearingen
Americans have a mania for replacing everything with new. I’ve only had one PC in my life, which I’ve used for over 10 years. Of course, my home is 115 years old, I’ve lived there over 40 of those years (bought it from the second owner, who lived here from 1920 to 1980) and have driven the same car for 25 years. As mentioned in another post, my parents bought quality items and used them their entire lives. My grandfather was a Chevrolet mechanic in the 1930’s and he still had all his Snap-on tools up until he died a few years ago.
Jeremiah McKenna
Your friend needs to understand that the tool will operate normally on 18 volt, but have a peak of 20 volts, but not operate in the 20 volt range constantly.
Altan
Another useless line is discontinued, they can make a bit of modification on 40V tools to make them 60V Flexvolt tools, also if Craftsman has 7.5Ah 60V battery DeWALT can have the same and it would be 50% better runtime than 7.5Ah 40V battery. Congratulations!
Brandon
Keep in mind that the marketed Ah figures on Dewalt batteries for their flexvolt batteries are when the tool is operated at 20V… They will be 1/3 the listed Ah capacity when run at 60V. I believe that the 40V Ah figures are for 40V operation, as they do not have a 20V tool that runs on their 40V batteries.
Based off your statement above, if those Ah values are the ‘sticker values’, a 7.5Ah 40V battery is actually double the capacity of a 7.5Ah 60V battery, not vice versa, as you would expect.
Stuart
Thank you for bringing that up!
I already added a note about FlexVolt battery capacity specs in the post, but I don’t believe that’s what Altan is referring to.
Craftsman’s V60 platform has 2.5Ah, 5.0Ah (here’s an example), and 7.5Ah batteries.
I believe that his comment about FlexVolt is referring to the several FlexVolt 60V Max cordless outdoor power tools that are comparable to similar 40V Max tools, and that the remaining tools exclusive to the 40V Max line could potentially be converted to FlexVolt tools. I don’t think that his comment about FlexVolt is tied to his comment about runtime, but was blended into a separate comment about Craftsman V60 battery tech.
On paper, a Craftsman 60V Max 7.5Ah battery would have 450 watt-hours of power, compared to the 300 watt-hours of a 40V Max 7.5Ah battery.
In theory, if Dewalt launches an all-new 60V Max outdoor power tool line, they could achieve 450 watt-hours of power/capacity as well, or go even higher.
OR, you might be right, and he (mistakenly) thought that you can have a FlexVolt battery with 60V Max x 7.5Ah for 450 watt-hours of charge capacity. A FlexVolt 12.0Ah battery operates at 4.0Ah charge capacity when used with 60V Max tools, for 240 watt-hours capacity. If those same cells were used in a new and larger 40V Max battery pack, then 480 watt-hours would be achievable. But, the 40V Max cordless power tools and batteries are based on 18650-sized Li-ion technology.
I don’t think that Dewalt would replace their 40V Max lineup with another 40V Max lineup, although it’s possible. A 60V Max OPE lineup might cause confusion with FlexVolt 60V Max tools.
Going to higher voltages would mean much larger battery pack sizes and weights.
But, a parallel battery adapter for existing FlexVolt tools, to meet or exceed the runtime of 40V Max tools, would make them heavier and bulkier. There’s the potential for a backpack battery power adapter, but the FlexVolt tools aren’t designed around battery weight being off-tool.
I digressed; I really don’t have a good idea as to where Dewalt is going from here. I’m not convinced that FlexVolt OPE tools as they currently exist are the replacement solution for professional landscapers looking to place gas engine tools with cordless equipment.
Altan
I m falling asleep now, I will answer this tomorrow, good night
Altan
I know that already, I tried to keep the comment short but it made confusion it seems, I know a 12Ah Flexvolt battery is going to be a 4Ah battery when used with 60V tools, I was the first one who started to talk about 6Ah Flexvolt battery here on toolguyd mentioning that it is actually a 2Ah battery with 60V tools with Stuart answer to my unwanted comment 🙂 kind of why I try to put that platform and battery down :)) My aim was not that actually, my aim is to push brands to advertise clearly, the way they were advertising in the beginning sounded like 6Ah with 60V tools which was not the case!
If you check Craftsman tools you will see their 60V batteries are not compatible with their 20V tools like DeWALT 60V Flexvolt batteries, so that means a Craftsman 60V 7.5Ah battery is a real 7.5Ah battery when used with 60V tools and if that battery was branded as DeWALT which is practically very easily possible for huge brands like SBD/DeWALT, then hat battery would be a 22.5Ah battery with 20V Max tools! I know what I say as you can see 🙂
Brandon
Ah, I see. Sorry about that!
I did not realize that Craftsmen 60V batteries have their capacity actually rated at 60V. I (ignorantly) assumed that they were similar to the Dewalt batteries.
Stuart
Just because it was not useful to YOU doesn’t mean it’s useless.
Lance
Stuart, repeat that two years from now to someone heavily invested when replacement batteries and parts are no longer available. 😉
DeWalt has, once again, screwed over their customers by discontinuing a popular li-ion battery platform.
ca
They’re still selling the old 18V batteries some 8 years later.
Joe
Not even just 18v I can buy 24v and 36v (or whatever) batteries a mile away from me at a local tool store.
Flotsam
Yes there still are some sales of 18v XRP NiCd batteries, but better yet there is an upgrade path with an adapter that these people can use the Lion 20V max battery. No one should complain about that.
Dewalt has canceled other lines in the past and I have heard owners of Milwaukee M28 tools (cancelled too) complaining as well.
Gonna happen get over it.
Corey Moore
Thank you lol this was all I could think, reading all this griping. You can legit, still buy 18v stem packs at home Depot.
Altan
Spare parts and batteries for discontinued items can be expensive sometimes, here in the UK I have seen DeWALT 36V batteries for huge prices.
Stuart
C’mon, you know that his comment wasn’t as a 40V Max tool user. I see similar sentiments a lot, where tools not applicable to one’s needs are “gimmicks,” “useless junk,” or similar.
Altan
I don’t use 40V tools, one reason might be that they are not available in the UK, another reason is that they are landscaping tools which does not suit my needs, at least for now but as I said before I did not call 40V tools useless, I called the 40V line useless.
Altan
I did not call it useless because it was not useful to me, there are a lot of tools that brands do make and I don’t use them, but I don’t call them useless. If something does make sense and is good planned I always have appreciating comments on. If 40V Max batteries were Flexvolt 40V batteries which could be used with 20V tools also I would definitely not call it useless, also if there is a 60V platform which uses compatible batteries with 20V tools what is the necessity of keeping 40V line alive?! They can just simply upgrade the same tools to 60V platform with the same specifications. I also know 40V tools are better than 60V tools if you consider runtime and durability and etc. that is why I did not call 40V tools useless, I called 40V line useless, these are two different things!
Big Richard
For those not already invested in the 40v MAX line, it’s actually a good excuse to pick up a few tools for much less. I bought the DCCS690X1 chainsaw kit for $281 at HD (it’s now $293). That’s the 7.5Ah kit. The battery alone is almost worth that price. I already own the Flexvolt DCCS670, but I outfitted that with the optional 18″ bar and .050 chain for slightly larger jobs, so naturally I had to get the 40V to be my 16″ for more limbing types of jobs.
By discontinuing the line, it just means there won’t be any new tools, doesn’t mean the current tools are junk by any means. Buy them now and just run them into the ground. By that time you will want the next gen line, whatever it may be, anyways.
Mattd
I never understood why these companies with “40”v tools (36 actual working volts) refuse to make adapters so that their tools can be run on 2 of their 18/20v batteries. I know it would be slightly unweildy. But in this specific instance it would make it so their existing customers dont feel abandoned(just like they did with their old post style 18v battery tools). I know if I was bought into dewalt 40v and they did this I would never buy another dewalt cordless tool again.
Stuart
My guess is that it’s because there would be users complaining about performance and runtime when such tools and adapters are equipped with the 1.3Ah batteries bundled with value-priced drills or some combo kits.
Big Richard
Adapters are nice, but they aren’t really a solution. More of a temporary bridge between platforms. Eventually, you will have to upgrade, that’s just how technology works. Ask those of us with shelves full of vinyl records, VHS tapes, Atari cartridges, etc.. All of which still work, I just can’t get new ones, which is really not a big deal.
And it’s not just DeWalt, I know some people who are still griping about the M28 line (they also swore they’d never buy Milwaukee again, but they have). I don’t think it’s reason to completely jump ship on a brand because they are evolving towards more cross compatibility.
XRH07
Makita did this with their line of 36V tools as they transitioned to 18v X2.
DC
It’s like anything else a business decision to maximize profits.
Lance
I bought, and thankfully returned, a Dewalt impact wrench 10 years ago. It was part of their first lithium ion powered tool lineup, which was discontinued after only a few years on the market.
Milwaukee did the same with their V18 lineup.
Man am I glad I bought into Makita’s line way back then! There have been a few upgrades along the way that led to some incompatibilities, but that’s nothing compared to discontinuing an entire battery platform!!!
Jeremy
If more people would have bought it, they wouldn’t have discontinued it. It’s unreasonable to think a company would continue making something that people don’t like.
Frank D
Makita discontinued the 12v system I had and loved … I actually still have it, with one functioning battery of the two rebuilt batteries I purchased.
Frank D
Who could not have seen that coming?
Sure it is a main brand, but are these things selling at all?
Having experienced Ridgid discontinuing their 24v platform, and owning a couple other $$$$ high tech products where the mfr decided to change battery form factors; … has prompted me to sit on the side line for the entire higher voltage outdoor market.
Every mfr is testing the waters with these products, that I don’t see flying off the shelves. Everybody I know is still on gas power for outdoors. I’m the first with a few 18v Ryobi outdoor products, since my wife wanted some lighter weight products for her to use.
Any brand that is not using 18v x1 or x2 with standard product batteries is a skip for me.
Jo B
This whole thing seems like a non-issue. It’s a discontinued line that was meant as a trial run for something better in the future. That’s what happens to first-generation products regardless of brand. In construction/electrical, I replace my entire cordless platform every 5 years, need it or not, because by that time the tools and batteries are worn, and I want something better. I read the comments and it seems like people are just looking for problems when there really isn’t one. Accept things as they are, and not how you’d like them to be and life will be better. Cheers!
jec6613
I’m somewhat disappointed, seeing as I own almost every 40V product and very happily use them, and 60V wouldn’t be a good replacement, but on the other hand I have the products I need and want and am happy with them and will just use them until they’re dead. 5 years from now, something better will be around, anyway.
Nathan
I guess I was one of the I told you so’s. From the engineering point of view it made sense for the 40V pro OPE to eventually go away. While they are discontinued doesn’t mean they aren’t supported. And it doesn’t mean there won’t be new flexvolt pro OPE.
It makes alot of sense – especially if they can prove the flexvolt battery pack is rugged enough – and I bet a lot of construction workers will say they are. So far so good.
Now you can save on unit battery costs across your product board. And that 40V string trimmer they made – which is a great device – can now be made to run 60V Flexvolt with potentially better battery packaging. Now with more potential on tap you can re-optimize the motor . . . . and maybe use the same motors from other products. again capitalizing on costs of scale.
Now have you looked at pro level cordless OPE. Now that Echo is slowly killing their 58V system (I give it another 2 years) – the big games Stihl and Husquvarna are on a 36V system. But they also make a backpack battery. Yep read that again.
Now Dewalt already has the Flexvolt AC adapter . SO you take that adapter head – and a new cord – to a backpack flexvolt battery. And you can market that to your contstruction crews too. Only real applcation I can see for that is something like a jackhammer – but I’m sure it could come in handy.
And more importantly the guy that buys Dewalt Flexvolt OPE – has a battery support for any construction tools that are yellow. Likewise the guy that has Dewalt Flexvolt Construction tools – has battery support for any pro level OPE that is yellow.
Meanwhile the other competitors in the pro OPE going cordless are either using the Stihl/Husqvarna 36V battery systems (made by ?) or they are using 60 and 82 volt systems marketed by Greenworks and Snapper.
One thing that kept me away from Dewalt OPE was the different battery. Had the Flexvolt OPE been tangible when I was shopping I might not have Bought into the Echo58V system. It’s been great mostly. OH and Dewalt needs to get up into the string trimmer with attachments system. Everyone else has one. Yes your powerful string trimmer with rear motor – can easily turn an edge or other attachments. (again check out Stihl/greenworks commercial/snapper/)
OH and Milwaukee.
Can’t wait to buy a flexvolt X 2 battery wide area self propelled mower. Or a Flexvolt split boom string trimmer with edger attachment . Followed by a hose end Flexvolt pressure washer – ala worx pressure washer.
John Fal
Agreed, Nathan.
Flexvolt/worx type pressure washer with optional carry on water tank, handheld and wheeled. Been wanting a power shot, but I’m into the Dewalt platform, also I want my mtd attachment weed eater too. Good job on the new 60v axial blower Dewalt. Are you hearing us Dewalt???
Nathan
I’ve got friends with 3d printers and I’m thinking hard about making a worx to dewalt battery adapter. intheory it should be easy.
Andrew
I did professional landscaping for a while never once saw a battery powered, mower, blower, trimmer, ext. on our crew or anywhere else. I cant imagine any crew that does anything of any real size would opt for battery over gas in this case. I would be curious to see how these sold. This coming from somebody who is slowly transitioning my personal equipment for my smallish yard to battery.
Rory
Ego tools have a new range of 56V “commercial” grade equipment with big backpack batteries. It seems to be doing well in trials with contractors.
Mopar4wd
I saw my first commercial crew running a cordless Stihl on my neighbors lawn earlier this year before that I hadn’t seen it either. Then early this month the professional power equipment dealer near my house started advertising and stocking green works pro and Stihl cordless tools, so I assume there is some demand.
Andrew
Fair point. My assumption is those crews doing mostly residential. Commercial lawns that take 4-8 hours to mow by themselves probably would have a problem with batteries.
Diplomatic Immunity
For large commercial lawns I would imagine the ride on mower would essentially have to be a Tesla Model 3 or such with a mower attachment. Lol.
JoeM
I kinda expect the drop of the 40 Volt line, but I also vaguely remember a 60 Volt line that was its… “Sibling”… of sorts? I saw HUGE batteries on them both. The weight must have been crazy for those tools. I would imagine the gas motors on the tools they were trying to replace were no picnic either, but still… If they want to compete with the Landscaping business standards, they definitely need LIGHTER systems with more power. The physical dimensions of the battery could stay the same, even be called “FlexVOLT” something-or-other. But the sheer weight of the batteries they were using before FlexVOLT came out were not acceptable, especially to those who bought the 40 Volt system tools.
They already came out with the Oil-Resistant batteries for FlexVOLT tools, and I imagine the drop of the 40 Volt system is a prelude to an upgraded lineup. Of what? I can’t even guess anymore. All I can do is offer a hopeful “Welcome to the Max family” for the 40 Volt and 60 Volt users who are SOL right now. Maybe your tools will get a new lease on life, using some imminent upgrade DeWALT has coming down the pipe? I don’t know, and I do send my sympathies to you. Doing things THIS sudden is not okay, and for me to not acknowledge that would make me a horrible person. Even if DeWALT DOES have an imminent release coming, what they did was downright despicable.
RC Ward
Can’t beat EGO for outdoor tools so it really doesn’t matter to me. Don’t let the door hit you as they say.
jec6613
Maybe for you, but DeWalt definitely beat the pants off of EGO in my yard. The runtime and sheer power can’t be compared to the EGO system. I have an acre and a half and will burn through an entire 40V battery in the line trimmer every weekend in July/August, then usually another in the mower taking care of the edges of the lawn, before I hit the main lawn with the JD tractor, and both have similar power output to gasoline ones. The blowers and chainsaws are just icing on the cake.
MattF
Are you says Dewalt 40v tools have more power/runtime than EGO tools? That just doesn’t even make sense.
Andreas
It would seem that Stanley B&D are up to their old tricks again. This is a prime example as to why i only buy stanley hand tools and leave the power tools to companies that have a clear view of their customers needs and wants.
Toolfreak
Well, at least they officially say that replacement 40V batteries will be available for the next few years. No idea whether that means they will just keep supplying existing stock they have in the warehouse until it’s gone, or they will keep producing new ones until they run out of existing materials.
This is definitely one of the downsides of there being an industry behemoth like SBD – they can constantly come out with a new tool line and then discontinue it shortly thereafter, without much concern for the company or the consumers who buy their products.
PHILIP JOHN
Seems to me the focus would now be 60v tools x 2 or even x4 batteries.
Makita has decided on this … even when it makes the hand tool a lot less ergonomic. Now dewalt seems positioned to do it on larger tools where it makes more sense. Wheel barrel snow blower. It already works well on the mower… plus we no 15 amp hour battery is on it’s way this year.
Roger
Now that that’s settled; FLEXVOLT needs to be pushed beyond what it currently is. SBD has been holding way back trying to balance the many brands they acquired. It’s nice that they have now realized what they have created with 20/60, but I have yet to feel the need to go into the 60V lineup. I have the batteries, but don’t need duplicates of tools I already have in the 20V line. Since they keep talking about runtime; why haven’t they just went with 15Ahr packs? Why not push it to 18-21Ahr packs? Even the original 60V/6Ahr grey battery needs updating. If they can offer the power of gas, why not some* of the weight of gas too? What happened to 120V? Will it be limited to just ONE tool?
They just went back into the 12V line. Is that going to be just as shaky (flaky)? I mean, it’s duplicates of tools people already have. Namely, drill, impact, multitool. Do people really say “yay” over a screwdriver? No many will need a laser level either. SBD needs to give people valid reasons to go into three lines. One would be ways to compliment the other. 20/60 is a start. They already have chargers that can do 12/20 (and in extent 60). Another is like a 12V universal hammer vac that attached onto SDS or hammer drills. (Gee I wonder where I’ve seen that before…) Even a nice bright light. (Even that sounds familiar)
PHILIP JOHN
I agree. Dewalt realizes the bigger and bigger toys need the user to already have some big bats… and when a big tool is released weather with bats or bare… the user has a professional level of bats to keep the work site going. Flexvolt can then match the duty cycle of the 40 v.
Bob
It has nothing to do with education or intelligence levels of the masses in North America. Its simple: Europe has more overreaching protectionist regulation. My opinion: they don’t think or don’t want the consumer to think for themselves. Over there manufacturers can’t legally call a 10.8v battery a 12v like milwaukee does here or 18v a 20v like DeWalt does here.
In reallity who cares? In my opinion our government has enough to do like solving the opioid crisis, imigration crisis, net nutrality, more absorbent bathroom tissue, non toxic shellac to keep your Cheerio’s from going soggy in milk, insert problem here xxx, etc without regulating what voltage class we call battery packs. And really we don’t need them to. A quick goggle search will show you how to calculate hypothetical maximum Watt/hr vs median or even expected “real world” Watt/hr. Or even that the 18v and 20v DeWalt batteries are physicaly different connection types. If one is competent enough to operate a circular saw shouldn’t one be competent enough to figure out what battery goes where? And really shouldn’t the guy or gal at the big box store push you in the right direction if you need help? Better yet read ToolGuyd and be way ahead of the curve.
All that being said I do feel bad for the guys heavily invested in 40v. But judging from the 18v battery availability, 40v batteries will like be available for the next 10-15 years.
I do hope to see 60v batteries capable of the same or more watt/hr rating as the 40v packs. Now that the 40’s are gone I could see that being a definite possibility.
Bryce
Milwaukee made the decision to stretch M18 all the way into their bigger tools and outdoor power equipment, now it sounds like Dewalt wants to do the same with Flexvolt. I think it’s a stupid decision as the power requirements are just insanely different between hand tools and outdoor power tools. It would be like Tesla having a AA battery holder that you could drop a AA battery into and drive an extra 7 inches or something. An impact driver battery maybe 18v 2ah (36 Wh). My Echo mower holds 2 56v 4ah batteries for a total of 448 Wh (10+ times larger) and even that feels like the bare minimum. Pros would probably want more capacity. So my point is that you will probably never want to put an outdoor power battery onto a drill, even if you can, because it will probably double or triple the weight and size of your drill. It makes sense to have a separate higher voltage higher capacity battery system. Ego, Echo, etc are on the right track.
The What?
They had a good run, but now it’s time to move on. The reason why is because they wanted to and that’s good enough for me. Make no mistake, these tools aren’t used by professional landscapers despite the marketing claims of battery and gas power comparisons that many battery powered ope manufacturers advertise. Even if they were comparable landscapers aren’t going to invest in battery powered tools because it’s cheaper to fill up a gas can than it is to keep buying batteries to meet the demands of equipment. So let’s not kid ourselves and pretend that professional landscaping companies are using anything but gas powered commercial grade tools which of course these are not. Thus far gas powered ope cannot be beaten.
Dewalt made the right call and it makes perfect sense for customers who own 20v and 60v Dewalt power tools. The 40v platform was the odd man out and being that everything they make is either 12v,20v or 60v, it keeps customers from having to invest into a different battery platform under the same brand which is a good thing. Who wants to spend more money on something made by the same brand but isn’t compatible with 99% of the products they manufacture? And why was the 40v platform only available for ope? Keep it simple and convenient. I bought the string trimmer and blower a little while ago and had they not been 20v or 60v, I wouldn’t have bought them. I would have bought gas powered equipment if they were only available under the 40v platform. Now as for craftsman replacing Dewalt ope, that’s likely not the case because sbd doesn’t make gas powered tools except for a Dewalt pressure washer and generator. Sears craftsman made some decent ope, but it was all gas powered. Sears didn’t make battery powered ope. And I doubt that sbd is going to take the same approach to expanding craftsman or any of their brands the way that sears did with craftsman.
OhioHead
SBD bought a stake in the gas OPE manufacture/supplier for the Craftsman OPE brand w/ a chance to buy the rest of the Company in 2021 or 2022. I predict SBD will purchase the Company and you will see DW gas branded OPE once this transaction closes.
Kent
I used to have a DeWalt 18v collection, and when they went to 20, 40, FlexVolt and more I bought Milwaulkee. I never quite trusted DeWalt after they had so many systems. I guess my gut reaction was correct.
Matt J
I get your frustration, and I prefer Milwaukee to DeWalt as well, but that’s not entirely fair. Milwaukee switched from the old 18V NiCad platform to the M18 Lithium Ion stuff in about 2008, if I recall correctly. Just like DeWalt, the new batteries were not compatible with the old tools. Your timing was bad, which does suck, but every pro-tool grade manufacturer had to do something like this to make the transition to Li-Ion. Makita did the same thing.
Ryobi is the only brand I know of that retained compatibility between their NiCad and Lithium Ion battery platforms. My gut says that this was possible because when they transitioned to Li-Ion, their homeowner grade tools existing at the time did not demand the same amount of current that the pro-grade stuff from Milwaukee and DeWalt did. If you look at Ryobi’s new brushless stuff, they have batteries that are specifically made with additional contacts that allow those tools to work at full capacity.
Ray
Great news De Walt fans they still advertise the 40v MAX 6 Pack charging station, no, it won’t charge your six pack of beverage. You can get it for only $501.99 List on this baby is $678.28. Tell’em Stewey sent cha…
https://www.dewalt.com/products/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/chargers/40v-max-6pack-charging-station/dcb116
John Fal
Well I expect them to go to a 80v flat form to stronger compete with other brands like Greenworks, Ego and Kobalt. Everyone I know is mostly into flexvolt which is my favorite. Love my new Dewalt 60v axial bower, it flat out moves lawn clipping fast, better than the last gas blower I owned. I’m waiting for a new Flexvolt weed eater, one that uses mtd attachments and a Flexvolt chainsaw more like Milwaukee’s. Plus Wished they would make a Flexvolt power washer just to name a few.
OldDominionDIYer
It probably isn’t a coincidence that Dewalt (SB&D) continue to “change” their battery platforms since it keeps their loyal customers coming back to buy new equipment that isn’t compatible with the old stuff. While I can see the benefit to the corporate bottom line I fail to see the usefulness or advantage for the consumer. Because Dewalt is a fine brand with excellent tools and a loyal following, consumers seem to tolerate this ever changing bait and switch, but if they were to try it with a less popular brand it would die out because the average consumer wouldn’t be willing to keep reinvesting every 4-5 years. Now about the flowery statements Dewalt makes in trying to compare their dead 40V system to the newer FlexVolt, by their own standard they are killing off their top OPE system and offering what they consider a lesser product line all in the name of compatibility rather than offering the best product to the consumer, it seems a bit strange from where I sit but then again I’m not invested in Dewalt so it has no impact on me, but I can’t help but wonder how this may influence future buyers decisions to invest or not in a Dewalt system that is likely to be obsolete in a few short years.
Nathan
I would love for Dewalt to partner with whomever Stihl/husquvarna/echo uses for attachements. little better quality product than the “trimmer plus/MTD attachments. Course MTD might make the others too. AL stafts – better bearings – better parts. IE compare the Echo/Stihl attachment edger to the trimmer plus model. Metal shroud – larger wheel – gear drive – lubeable – and a thicker blade option with a larger arbor. yes it’s a 130 dollar edger attachment vs 80.
It would be more in line with the Pro – OPE marketing. Meanwhile I’m still wondering if they envision a backpack flexvolt battery setup. NOw yes for the trimmer and other OPE – great idea. But I got to thinking what about the other flexvolt tools.
OK so mitre saw – runs on 2 batteries or the AC adapter. NOw I don’t know if on a normal construction site if the 2 batteries run one for a full day’s work – maybe it does. But what if you could park the backpack next to it – jack in – and not have to worry about site power? Same for a table saw or a hepa vac and your SDS rotary hammer. What if that backpack battery has 2 stingers off of it to accommodate X2 tools.
By the way if something like this comes out I expect some royalties.
S.Lamb
Stuart, you might want to investigate this from a legal standpoint. I haven’t looked at it too much but I know Milwaukee won an almost $28 million lawsuit against Snap-On less than 2 years ago for infringing on their lithium-ion battery patents. I know they are going after other manufacturers as well, perhaps this is related?
Stuart
I wouldn’t think it’s related, but will try to look into it.
The pro power tool brands tend to place nicely with each other, and I would also assume that if there was a legality issue it would have come up earlier. The 40V Max lineup has been around since the start of 2015, so ~4-1/2 years ago.
I can think of 2 possibilities for this move – 1) low sales compared to 20V Max and FlexVolt OPE tools, 2) the development of a new system with more modern Li-ion battery tech. I’d say that 40V Max battery tech utilizes close to the maximum potential of 18650 cells. 20700 or 21700 cells used in the higher capacity Dewalt 20V Max and FlexVolt batteries would give a new cordless OPE platform much more room to grow.
Matt J
The 40V Max outdoor line didn’t make any sense, especially for landscaping professionals — the purported target market.
The one positive was that the DeWalt mower was SUPER powerful, particularly for a cordless mower, but runtime was lousy as a result. Typical runtimes I saw in reviews were less than 30 minutes, even for the largest battery. Battery recharge times were 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on capacity. That just demands way too large of a battery/charger bank to be feasible to use repeatedly throughout a day of work.
I think the “pro landscaper” targeting in the ad campaigns was more of a marketing tool to go after the prosumer market, as I’ve never seen a pro landscaper whose regular set of tools included a 20 inch push mower. For the home prosumer guy though, the 2x20v line made a lot more sense, as he could use his existing DeWalt power tool battery selection with it.
Will be interesting to see what DeWalt/SBD does here. My bet is that within 2 years, all SBD OPE stuff is Craftsman branded (as well as some of the MTD brands they bought (TroyBilt, Bolens, Cub Cadet, etc.) primarily for gas stuff and to comply with their exclusivity deals) as they’re much more established in the yardcare market.
Brian M
If you’re already invested into the line, likely you’ll be able to get some of the old tools and maybe batteries for reduced prices. Not sure how long they will support the line, it’s not like XRP where it was EVERYWHERE so support will probably be minimal by comparison.
BTW, supposedly some reps have been saying this since around Feb/March of this year. Maybe an adapter for Flexvolt will be available, but we know that will take YEARS to come out if it ever does…but then will the HD Flexvolt deal still be in place or will the adapter be immune to the deal and could be sold at Lowe’s?
Again, I seriously would not recommend anyone buying into any power tool system from SBD that’s not 20V Dewalt (or B&D) or Flexvolt right now. Even with the new 12V drill and impact, they need far more tools to make that brand viable and to prove they’re serious about that line.
John Fal
I’d like to see Dewalt make more stuff. They are way to slow with coming out with new tools and equipment. But I personally do not like Dewalts 12v battery. I like the 12v stick in battery everyone else uses and I went with Milwaukee m12. I’ll stay with Dewalt 20v and Flexvolt as long as they keep making them, hopfully long long term.
CountyCork
This kind of surprises me because this was dewalts go to OPE line. I have the string trimmer and telescoping pole trimmer and both have worked flawlessly for a few years now. There’s really nothing else in the line that I considered so as long as these few tools last another 4-5 years that’s fine with me. I’ll just keep using them until they die.
Greg
To be honest I’m glad I’m invested into Milwaukee for the M12 line, Dewalt only for a few Flexvolt tools that have made my life easier (the top of the line 12″ dual bevel miter saw, the flexvolt air compressor that I use for air brushing, and the table saw I use for occasional use that rolling out a normal job site saw would be a pita), and Makita for everything else including OPE. I was on the fence about OPE from Stihl / Echo since they know a thing or two about OPE, Dewalt 40v Max, or Makita 36v. I settled on Makita since they have been dedicated to the 18v batteries for way longer than anyone else and decided two is better than one for more power. Plus with their purchase of Dolmar they also know a thing or two about OPE now.
Charlie fortier
I own a movie theater and use leaf blowers to clean the popcorn and debris out. My dewalt leaf blower has a faulty battery connection and has to be duct taped down to work. I have four dcb 406 batteries. Is there any other manufacturer of leaf blowers that will use these that I can get my existing batteries? I got a new one from dewalt and the slot is half the size. Thanks for any advice.
Stuart
Have you checked with Dewalt about repairing it? Maybe there’s a part you can order for quick on-site repair?
Charlie
Yes I did. I took every screw on the device out and it still would not come apart so I could swap out the control module.
Rowland Wood
Not happy with Dewalt, have 40 volt string trimmer, blower and chain saw most likely will not purchase Dewalt tools in the future.
Brien
So…. I have 40V 4ah chainsaw for sale now…