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Dewalt vs PC 20v Impact Driver Sale

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20v cordless dewalt drill-driver porter-cable question tool
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2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  runswithscissors  
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#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello everyone. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. You all have been a source of inspiration for my past and planned projects. At some point in the near future, I will start uploading some of my projects.

I'm looking for some buying advice. My dad bought me a Dewalt 20v drill kit (DCD771 w/ 2×1.3 amp-hr batteries and charger) as a house warming present about 2 years ago. I am looking to buy an impact driver, especially given all the holiday sales. Which should I buy?

The current sale Dewalt 20v Impact Driver (DCF885) w/ 1×1.5 amp-hr battery & charger for $99

Or the Porter-Cable 20v 2-Tool Kit with drill/driver (PCC601), impact driver (PCC641), 2×1.3 amp-hr batteries, & charger for $99.

There does not appear to be a significant difference between the Dewalt and PC impact drivers. I am aware that Dewalt and PC are owned by the same parent company (Stanley Black & Decker). Given that Dewalt is like Lincoln, PC is like Mercury, and Black & Decker is like Ford, the Dewalt may outperform the PC. I cannot find any side-by-side comparisons between the two, but it appears the differences are minimal (largely cosmetic). The Dewalt has 3 LEDs around the chuck and the PC only has 1 LED by the trigger. I also found that the Dewalt is made in the USA (which I prefer), but the PC does not appear to be.

My current drill and the items I am considering are all homeowner (not professional) grade, which suits my usage. Of course Dewalt also has more professional 20v drills & impacts than the one I have and the one I am currently considering purchasing. Dewalt may not have been my first choice for drills/driver/impacts (Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita…), but I do not need to upgrade now.

If I stay with Dewalt, all 3 of the batteries (2 I already own with drill + 1 from new impact driver) would be compatible. And the little bit of OCD in me would like the tools to match…

Alternatively, I could continue to run the Dewalt drill on the 2 batteries and use both PC batteries with the PC impact. At that point the PC drill would really just be a backup.

Any advice or experience with these specific tools or using multiple battery systems in a shop would be appreciated. Thank you
 
#2 ·
I'd go with the Dewalt for the simple reason that multiple battery systems are a pain. With that set up, you could mount one charger in the shop and keep the other for when you take the tools elsewhere. I finally standardized to one battery system last year and it's so much nicer.
 
#6 ·
I have been using dewalt impacts for years. The old 18v NiCd batteries and now the 20v lithium ions. I use them more at work than you will ever use in your shop, I guarantee it. I highly recommend the dewalt. The batteries last for a long time, and the impact itself will last me almost two years in a very high abuse environment.
Just my two cents…
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just to add to the situation, both PC and DeWalt are owned by Black and Decker, and their batteries, some claim, are interchangeable. I know that I use my PC 20V max batteries, with a slight mod, on my Black and Decker blower. They are the same except the cut out is on opposite sides. I haven't looked at the DeWalt batteries, and I'm sure you'd invalidate the warranty, but I think the batteries are pretty interchangeable.
 
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#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
The differences tend to be the DeWalts are heavier
with more metal gears and components in them.

I have some PC 20v tools. They are adequate
but cut corners on some features like the reciprocating
saw lacks an adjustable foot. The DeWalt version
probably has one.

In terms of torque and battery life I think the lines
are probably comparable.
 
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#9 ·
Thanks everyone. I think I am going with the Dewalt. I have read and heard a lot of good things about PC, but given that I already have the 20v Dewalt drill, I am going to continue with that. It should be more durable, is more compact, coordinates with my current tools, and is made in the USA.
 
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