Over at Home Depot, they’re running a temporary sale on this Dewalt 20V Max 5-tool cordless combo kit. The expiration date is unknown, but we’ve seen this combo on sale in the past, and it’s always a good deal when it hits this price ($299).
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Here’s what you get with the Dewalt DCK520D2 cordless combo kit:
- DCD780 drill/driver (here’s our review)
- DCS381 reciprocating saw
- DCF885 impact driver
- DCS393 6-1/2″ circular saw
- DCL040 LED worklight
- 2 batteries (they look like 2.0Ah battery packs)
- Charger
- Carrying bag
(This deal post was first published 12/1/2015, and updated on 6/30/2016.)
The drill in this kit is Dewalt’s regular compact brushed model, the impact is their regular brushed model, the 2 saws are their standard non-premium combo saws, and the LED is their regular basic worklight.
Before you buy this deal, ask yourself if you’re okay working with the circular saw’s steel shoe instead of the premium circular saw’s magnesium shoe, and the reciprocating saw’s standard blade holder instead of the premium reciprocating saw’s 4-position blade holder. But also keep in mind that you won’t find a combo kit that comes with the premium saws for anywhere near this price.
At $299, this seems to be a great deal. This combo doesn’t have the latest and greatest tools, but not everyone needs that.
Judging by what we’ve seen in past years, supplies are likely limited.
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Price: $299 with free shipping
Deal ends: ???
Note: This combo kit (DCK520D2) doesn’t seem to have existed before the December 2015 holiday deal. All of the reviews on Home Depot’s page that were up when the deal first appeared were aggregated from reviews of last year’s similar holiday promo combo, and reviews of the standalone circular saw.
Last year’s special came with Dewalt’s premium circular saw, which was our best cordless circular saw editor’s pick, and as far as we can tell the only difference is the basic steel vs. premium magnesium shoe.
Phil
Having trouble deciding between this set and the Milwaukee 9 tools combo also at HD for $599. Hope somebody can give me some inputs.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Combo-Kit-9-Tool-2695-29/206469014
Lenny
I always lean towards black and yellow and have never been disappointed. a lot of their power tools are made in the US now (or assembled at least) and it’s a US company which is a plus for me.
Sean
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with either line. Dewalt has more frequent sales on these “starter kits” but that won’t really be a factor after you’ve purchased one of the kits you’re looking at (unless you find that extra batteries cost as much as one of those drill and battery promos, which can happen, and you’ll start piling up extra free drills.)
Both brands have similar prices on bare tools if you’re wanting to expand. Both brands also have very thorough tool selections, so I doubt there are many “exclusives” you’ll actually want or need. I would guess that Milwaukee battery replacements or extras might cost you more in the long run, but the difference in probably negligible.
So the difference really comes down to which brand you’re leaning toward and, of course, whether you need the four extra tools the Milwaukee set has. I would say that the Dewalt contains the “essentials” and $299 is a great deal on those. The Milwaukee contains the same (and probably a style of reciprocating saw I’d prefer…) but it also contains an impact wrench, blower, right angle drill, and oscillating tool. You’re basically paying $300 for those 4 tools. I highly doubt you want or need all of those tools, but there may be one or two you really want to get. If you have an extra $300 lying around, by all means go for it, but if you bought the Dewalt, you’d have an extra $300 to buy about 3 extra tools you *really* want.
If it was more apples to apples and Milwaukee had a set for $299 with the same tools Dewalt had, it would be a better question but still one that really comes down to preference. Personally, I already have about 10 Milwaukee 12V tools, so there isn’t a chance I’d also buy into the Milwaukee 18V line. Actually, I would probably have skipped 18V altogether if I’d known then what I know now. If I didn’t own the 12V tools I own and I was looking at 18V only, I’d probably buy Milwaukee over Dewalt. Dewalt is very ubiquitous, which is both good and bad. I have a number of family members with exclusively Dewalt 18V tools, so I prefer having something incompatible so no one is stealing my batteries or borrowing “just one tool” here and there.
If you’ve decided to go 18V over 12V, then you can’t go wrong with either. Makita is comparable and nice, but it’s slightly more expensive. Ridgid is pretty good as well, but they don’t have a large tool selection. Bosch is also behind on the cordless tools (although I almost buy Bosch corded tools exclusively.) In other words, I think you’ve narrowed it down to the two best choices, especially if considerations of 12V aren’t a factor. I would personally say start with M12 and check back a year later to see if y ou still want an 18V line, but I don’t to throw another wrench in your exhausting decision.
Phil
Thank you all so much for the inputs. I used Dewalt before and loved their tools. I bought both sets just in case. I may have to return one or give one of them to my parents as Christmas gift.
Keith
Just saw this deal. I am getting ready to go to HD to return a Ryobi deal I bought that was just delivered. The Ryobi set arrived with the box looking like it was dropped of a building by UPS and was going to exchange it at the store for one in a less damaged looking box, lol! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Ultimate-Combo-Kit-6-Tool-P884/203466936
For the basic homeowner, can I get some opinions on which is better?
adam
For the basic homeowner, I’d probably say the Ryobi. That has just about every tool I can think you might need. Not the best, but not a bad bundle for $200. Don’t plan on doing any huge project with that circular saw, but that is rarely the first tool a homeowner would be needing. You may want to keep you eye out after the holidays for the Ryobi 4Ah batteries to go on sale/clearance. I’d pick up their LED lantarn ($20 i think) for a nice emergency light (as long as you keep the batteries charged) if you stick with this kit.
Sean
Wow, that Ryobi 6 pack is so cheap. If it didn’t include the Jobmax, I’d probably say go with the Dewalt for $100 more. However, you’re going to have a lot of cheap future tool and battery options available by sticking with Ryobi. They sure look cheesy, but they consistently get “great bang for the buck reviews.” Plus you can buy one of those awesome cordless nail guns to install your trim!
I own a few Ridgid 18V tools (drill, impact, radio, jobmax and most (all?) of the heads.) The main reason I’ve kept them is because of the Jobmax. Not only is it a decent oscillating tool, but you can turn it into a jigsaw $50… I will note that it is kind of irritating to use as an oscillating tool because you can’t lock it on and the variable speed is controlled by trigger pressure, but in the end it works. In my experience, you’re only using them for 10 minutes here and there anyway.
I don’t think you could get a Jobmax with 2 batteries and a charger for much less than $150, so you might as well get 5 more tools for $200. Just…insanely…cheap.
Jerry
Don’t forget, the heads interchange between the Ridgid and Ryobi JobMax (or JobPlus) power units. They use the batteries for their respective brands, and the motors may or may not be different, but the Interface where the head meets the power unit are the same.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Yeah, cheap. But I’ve read some terrible reviews of the Ryobi multi-tool, and the flashlight uses a plain incandescent bulb, which is irritating.
Jack D
Bought the Dewalt 9 tool package last week for $499, but now saw this 5 tool one for $299. Already have 2 of the “extra” tools in the 9 tool package although they are corded but for the amount of use it won’t be an issue. I’ll return the 9 tool pack when it arrives. Sorry Homer! Now if I can get someone to buy my DeWalt 18V NiCad set for a few bucks I’ll be a happy man.
Thanks for the tips Tool Guyd
Rob P
I was looking for some of the 18v Dewalt tools. Interested in buying them from you. email me at: us3are1(at)g(mail).com
Dave
I’m still mad at Dewalt for not offering their battery adapters at a better price, and they are hard to find. If they offered the adapter for $30, I’d be much more inclined to continue buying their tools as I own a five piece set of the previous generation. Instead of throwing more money their way I am holding out to see more options from Bosch and Milwaukee.
Jason
I don’t know why Dewalt has such a hard time keeping it in stock it’s keeping the price artificially high I think its supposed to retail for around 40 dollars, but like you mentioned the price is way up at a bunch of retailers and 3rd party sellers.
Joe
Not sure where you guys are at, but the local farm chain (Farm and Fleet) has the adapters for $40 in the shelf. This is in WI and IL. They sell it online via their website as well. They carry the kit with two batteries, adapter, and charger for $140 or $150 in the stores, but I don’t see it on their website.