Shopsmith Forums

Dewalt has come up with high voltage batteries that are backwards with their 20V Max system.

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/dewal ... ry-system/

Maybe the days of every new system having different non interchangeable batteries will come to an end.

jsburger wrote:
Maybe the days of every new system having different non interchangeable batteries will come to an end.

2 options there... Wireless power (actually possible and in developement, just not done well yet) or cold fusion power cells (one saw puts together a sky scraper per charge and still enough power to go back in time.)

Backward compatible better check out what they are saying.

What I would like is tools as light as 12 volt with amp hours of these 60 volts. I would also like a battery that costs less that the package deal where you get a tool, two batteries and a charger. If they can sell two batteries for that price why can't sell replacements for less?

Beave2012 wrote:

jsburger wrote:
Maybe the days of every new system having different non interchangeable batteries will come to an end.

2 options there... Wireless power (actually possible and in developement, just not done well yet) or cold fusion power cells (one saw puts together a sky scraper per charge and still enough power to go back in time.)

OK

To me this is an incredible idea. Just think of all the tools to do the jobs of corded tools without all the power cords. And, to make these batteries physically adaptable to those with less power is a 1980's Microsoft step. Microsoft was backward compatible with DOS 3 through 5, then windows. But, alas, I got off subject. And, to get replacement cells, you can check with Battery Source or another source online if one of these stores is not located near you. You don't have to pay the full price as you are using the carcass. Now, if we can do this with the Shopsmith, we'll be in business. For years, I ran my Shopsmith on a 12 gauge extension cord as I had no room inside my garage. This would have been really handy then. Thanks, John for posting this. Will be following this more closely.

Steve, the old swampgator

FWIW, I think the backwards compatible thing was an IBM 'thingie' all the way back to DOS 1.0.

PM sent.

JPG wrote:FWIW, I think the backwards compatible thing was an IBM 'thingie' all the way back to DOS 1.0.

And even to CP/M.

Don't know if any of you dropped down to read the comments in the linked article but if not, there was a comment posted, (sort of got the feeling it was from a DeWalt source) that said Dewalt is now accepting trades on their 18v tools to 20v. I thought I would call tomorrow as there is a service center near me and see what the upgrade cost might be. The comment says it is the same as the cost of a "max repair" whatever that is.
I have several drills I could trade if the cost is not too high. Also mentions an adapter you can get which would allow you to use the newer batteries on your 18v tools, so that would be nice as well.
Just thought I would mention it in case someone missed it.
Mike

I heard about a possible adapter being made from a sales associate at a local tool store about 6 months ago. He said that they were still working on it but to hold onto my 18v tools. I was looking at a display that advertised trading in your old DeWalt tools on new 20v models. He advised that as long as the tools worked, it would be cheaper to not trade them in. Since I only have a drill and found a really good deal on a Porter Cable battery powered tool set a few months earlier, I decided to wait for the adapter to be perfected.