Dewalt has launched new oil resistant batteries for all of their cordless power tool systems – 12V Max, 20V Max, and FlexVolt.
The FlexVolt battery came out earlier, when Dewalt launched their cordless pipe threader, with the 12V Max and 20V Max batteries being new releases.
Why buy one of these batteries over Dewalt’s other cordless power tool batteries?
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Oils, solvents, and grease can be difficult to escape from in automotive and other work environments. Over time, these types of chemicals can damage common plastic materials. These batteries are made with a glass-filled nylon housing, making them more resistant to corrosion.
The 12V and 20V Max batteries also have a non-marring over-molded rubber base to help protect them from drops and impacts.
Dewalt Oil Resistant Battery Sizes
- 12V Max 3.0Ah, DCB124G
- 12V Max 5.0Ah, DCB126G
- 20V Max 2.0Ah, DCB203G
- 20V Max 5.0Ah, DCB205G
- 20V/60V Max FlexVolt 9.0Ah, DCB609G
Dewalt says that these 12V and 20V Max batteries are compatible with all Dewalt and Mac Tools 12V and 20V Max tools and chargers.
Oil-resistant batteries will be a great fit for the new Dewalt cordless ratchets. I wonder if we’ll see more new automotive-oriented tools from Dewalt in 2022.
Steve
I am glad Dewalt is finally making a more serious move into the automotive space. Long overdue.
Robbie Stanford
Are the tools oil/solvent resistant?
Stuart
Certain ones are. The new cordless ratchets, for instance, also have glass-filled nylon construction.
I would guess that more of the Mac Tools 20V Max tools have similar construction and features.
MM
I wonder what industries these are meant for? When I had my machining business we used dewalt cordless impact wrenches for changing out vises and fixtures on milling machine tables and also for changing jaws on lathes. We used soluble oil coolant which not only gets everywhere but is also well known to damage many kinds of rubber and plastics. Most “tool mats” or “tool box liners” we tried ended up deteriorating in short order. But we never had a single issue with the dewalt tools or their batteries due to exposure to that coolant, as well as common shop chemicals like WD-40, various oils and greases, etc. That includes both the yellow plastic and the rubber grip inserts.
Koko The Talking Ape
Wow, that’s interesting, and reassuring.
Maybe brake fluid or steering fluid have weird chemical components, or sometimes auto mechanics have to use really light solvents like toluene (you can tell how much I know about cars!)
MM
I certainly used those tools for auto work though not as often as a professional mechanic would and I didn’t have any issues with common auto fluids: gasoline, diesel, brake fluid, trans fluid, motor oil, grease, misc things like penetrating oil, etc. Some kinds of brake cleaner can be pretty aggressive so perhaps those might harm the tools, but I am always careful to keep plastic away whenever I use that. I’m not sure about things like Toluene or MEK, I’ve never heard of those being used for general auto service but perhaps the paint/body guys use it?
Speaking of auto chemicals, this one is a gem that everyone should know about: 3M “General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner”. It comes in a rectangular can (no. 08984) or aerosol (08987). This stuff is amazing for removing any kind of sticky residue and yet it is safe for many delicate surfaces like auto paint and most plastics. If you’re familiar with products like “Goo Gone” this does a similar job but is far more effective in my experience. Most auto part stores carry it. It has tons of uses, it’s just as good at getting tree sap off your camp saw as it is for getting road tar off your fender or price-tag glue off something you just bought.
Greg
I would bet it’s the long term exposure for the choice of glass filled Nylon construction. I have dealt with some solvents that can destroy most plastics especially the lined ones in short order.
Corey Moore
I’ve got no use for em, only chemicals I see regularly is mtr grease, wire lube, and cutting oil, and if my power tools are getting doused in those then I’m electricianing extremely erratically lol Nevertheless, I’m sure I’ll justify purchasing one or two, even if only to see if there’s a longevity difference. Going to be a long test though, as my only damaged pack in 10 years is a busted button from an idiot with a screwdriver.
JC
I’ve been cleaning up my father’s tools, including some Snap-On cordless ratchets, impacts, etc. and diesel has destroyed the rubber-like grips turning them into a sticky mess. It might have almost been better to just leave the grime on them? The batteries are horrible, also being covered in some rubberized coating that was obviously not made for a mechanics work environment. That along with several ratcheting wrenches that look new but are stripped has me completely second-guessing tool hierarchy.
Someone should give these guys (including Milwaukee) a heads up about replaceable handgrips for these cordless tools.
And this is from Snap-On… tools designed to be in this environment. I do not use Dewalt but give them credit for doing something Snap-On is clearly baffled about implementing.
Don Julio
Cool! Acme’s got them; I wonder if we’ll see them at the big boxes.
Chris Gutierrez
Seeing the note that they will fit all tools is going to have me run some experiments tomorrow. I have several of the MAC batteries and tools in the garage to go along with a host of black and yellow.
I can tell you that the plastic is noticably different to the touch on both the battery cases and impacts, almost duller in color and rougher in finish. But more importantly I have noticed them not fitting all tools perfectly. This is true on tools with battery cages I seem to rember the gen 1 fan being finicky. Please note I believe they fit everything I have, just not always a smooth fit.
The nicest part is the overmold as it keeps tools from sliding and keeps the concrete driveway from scratching everything up.
Nathan
mac tool batteries have always been made glass reinforced and resistant that I no of. I’ve looked at their ratchet for years but never bought one. too spendy for my occasional use.
Dewalt has started to bring that across and the only tools I know made this way re the new ratchets and the new compact impact wrenches.
I might be missing something. ONe reason for that glass fibre – plastics can get brittle over time with exposure to fuels (all) and brake fluid especially will weaken the strength of the plastic. I probably won’t buy any of the batteries but the new impact and new ratchet are on my next buy list. Mostly because I’m in dewalt other stuff. I almost bought into IR cordless last year – glad I waited.
Meanwhile I wonder what mechanic tool will be flexvolt? Giant impact wrench? New metal saw? or a new grinder? I’m curious but I’m sure it’s nothing I need.
Oh and over 5 years of using my impact driver on cars for brakes andother stuff. coolant, transmission fluid, dirt ect – rubbers and plastic have been fine. But I’ve not gotten fuel or brake fluid on them. Brake fluid is probably one of the harshest chemicals there is. Well OLD brake fluid.
Bob
Pretty sure almost all of the higher tiered cordless tool companies are making their clam shells out of glass reinforced nylon for a long time now.
I’ve got a couple old Dewalt 18V impacts that I’ve used extensively on engine repair. It’s been doused in diesel, gas, brake fluid, brake cleaner etc. In fact I usually clean them off every once in a while with brake cleaner. Still going strong. Plastic hasn’t melted and rubber over mold is only loose on one. But I think that’s mostly from abrasion from riding in a truck toolbox for years.
Now the batteries, that I can get behind fully. Completley enclosed so dust and grime, chemicals etc don’t get inside.
I do wish Dewalt would make the rubber covers that go over your impact guns to keep them from getting all scratched up.
Bob
I stand corrected. Rob, kudos to you for taking the time to pull apart the clamshells and check the plastic molding marks!!!
I could’ve sworn the Dewalt rep (years ago I’m talking 18 V XRP timeframe) told us the plastic was glass reinforced nylon. But clearly it changed to polypro, one of us isn’t remembering or he was wrong or I’m just starting to lose my marbles lol
Either way I have had good luck with the old impacts made of polypropylene and they get their fair share of shop chemicals. Still its good to see a change for the better. And double on the batteries.
Now here’s a question for everybody to speculate on….are these oil resistant batteries going to be the new flat battery tech?
Since I’ve had good luck with the regular old batteries not sure I would spring for any price increase on oil resistant ones. However if it did have the flat battery tech DeWalt might pull a few extra Ducats out of my tight hands.
rob
An interesting thing transpired, recently. The first time someone tried telling me that a MAC version of a DeWalt tool was better because of it’s magical glass reinforced nylon housing, I laughed in their face. “All power tools have glass nylon reinforced housings. When they don’t, they’re made of polycarbonate.”. The argument ended with me tearing apart a bunch of Dewalt tools: Glass reinforced….polypropylene. Well, I’ll be.
Does it matter? Maybe yes, maybe no. The mesh filters probably have a more immediate effect. The MAC/FACOM TPE seems to be less broken up into little sections ala the DeWalt and, therefore, less likely to peel off.
As for the batteries. I’ve seen ABS housings….or at least ABS as part of a housing. Otherwise, mostly PC or glass reinforced nylon. What has SBD been making DeWalt battery housings out of previously?
Most importantly….. oils? What does the plastic have to do with oil resistance? They mean corrosion from oil..but…corrosion from oil? Like oil from an olive? Oil from Mobil? Oil from my skin? Bar and chain oil? The various oils I slather on all of my tools?
The concern is usually corrosion from…common corrosive chemicals found in the home and the shop. True, polypropylene is less chemically resistant. But how queer that not using polypropylene is a marketing point? For a power tool manufacturer to advertise “housings made of glass reinforced nylon” is really no different than “our drills now feature gears!”
It’s all so strange.
Big Richard
You’re right. I think the only difference is in the amount of glass, they are almost certainly all PA6, but maybe the standard tools/batteries are PA6 GF20, where these are PA6 GF30. They will never disclose the actual composition, but my assumption has always been that these may have a slightly different composition. They also could be the exact same. The rubber overmold is probably a bigger differentiator.
Javier
Looks like SBD is finally consolidating the DeWalt/Mac automotive power tools. Noticing a lot of Mac power tools out of stock and no more 20v batteries.