Dewalt Max vs XR vs Atomic

[bucky]

My Porter Cable drill and driver are starting to show their age after 7 yrs of hard use. I’ve decided to go Yellow for a replacement. What are the pros and cons between the Max-XR-Atomic models? I’m leaning towards going with the XR. The Atomic being shorter is not a selling point for me. I’m looking at power and longevity. I don’t want a hammer drill. The main difference between kits is the battery size 1.5 vs 2.0. I don’t want to buy on Amazon due to the risk of counterfeits and warranty issues and only going through authorized dealers.
I know I’m overthinking this but I’m stuck with my choice for a long time.

 

[MountaineerTom]

If I remember correctly, the XR line is brushless motors.

It had ben a long time since I used anything cordless. Mainly due to my past (old) black and decker drill not lasting very long. In 2018 I bought one of Dewalt’s big 20v XR 1/2” impacts. The battery life was amazing on it. I ended up getting a bunch more Dewalt XR stuff, as well as a few Hercules brushless 20v tools. I’ve been happy with them all as far as power and battery life.

 

[Apparition]

@NashvilleTJ likes the yellow stuff, maybe he knows.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

@NashvilleTJ likes the yellow stuff, maybe he knows.

I do have a bunch of Dewalt stuff, but if I were starting over I'd pull the trigger on Milwaukee. Mainly because of greater tool selection. But, the difference is not enough for me to make the switch at this point.

I run all Max XR stuff, but I'm not up on the Atomic stuff so probably no help there.

 

[bucky]

Not interested in Milwaukee. Most of their stuff is made in China and while they have a lot of tools 98% of them I don’t need. Dewalt stuff is made in Mexico and I like the idea of having jobs there so people stay there. My primary tool use is for property management and I find that most of the carpentry guys have Dewalt. My Porter Cable stuff has served me well but I eventually want to get a circular saw and a multi saw.

 

[speeding_infraction]

I've just started my yellow collection as well. Have a 1/2" impact that is made in the USA (sorry, I'm not sure of the part number and don't feel like going outside to check) and will be getting a DCF887 impact (USA made) and the DCF997 hammer drill (USA made). I bought another DeWalt kit that was made in Taiwan I think, and they both shit the bed with less than 10 minutes of use.

 

[Blue Clearwater]

My Porter Cable drill and driver are starting to show their age after 7 yrs of hard use. I’ve decided to go Yellow for a replacement. What are the pros and cons between the Max-XR-Atomic models? I’m leaning towards going with the XR. The Atomic being shorter is not a selling point for me. I’m looking at power and longevity. I don’t want a hammer drill. The main difference between kits is the battery size 1.5 vs 2.0. I don’t want to buy on Amazon due to the risk of counterfeits and warranty issues and only going through authorized dealers.
I know I’m overthinking this but I’m stuck with my choice for a long time.

You didn't specify, but I assume you're referring to the impact driver when you talk about the Atomic being shorter? The Atomic driver is definitely more powerful than the other two. I have all three as well as a bunch of other Dewalt stuff. Can't really say about the longevity. The Atomic driver is my newest one but it seems to be holding up well. I've had it for a couple years and it sees almost daily use. For batteries, the Powerstack are worth it if you want to spend the extra. I use almost exclusively the 1.7 AH Powerstack and 6 AH 60 volt Max batteries for work. Have a bunch of other types that get used at home for lights and vacuum (We live off grid and use a lot of cordless tools, lights and batteries). Check out CPO Outlets for good prices.

 

[rasband]

If they're like Milwaukee and other brands at all, just be sure to get whatever line is brushless. The older style brushed motors in non-FUEL (for Milwaukee) suck and are phasing out in most decent tools.

 

[bucky]

The confusing part for me is the different part numbers for drills that look the same to me. I don’t know if they have different models for each big box store or Black Friday. I had a Dewalt drill before my Porter Cable and the plastic chuck collar broke in a short time. I’ll make sure I get a metal chuck.

 

[lBasket]

I have the Atomic impact wrench, and while all the red tool guys give me shit, I think they're just jealous I didn't spend a billion dollars on it. It has worked very well for everything I've needed it for. The only thing it really can't get off so far is axle nuts on the Jeep I think. Model

DCF923B​

 

[rasband]

I have the Atomic impact wrench, and while all the red tool guys give me shit, I think they're just jealous I didn't spend a billion dollars on it. It has worked very well for everything I've needed it for. The only thing it really can't get off so far is axle nuts on the Jeep I think. Model

DCF923B​

At least it's not green . Seriously though, I'd happily take DeWalt or Milwaukee as a hobbyist and just buy in to the platform I chose.

 

[Blue Clearwater]

The confusing part for me is the different part numbers for drills that look the same to me. I don’t know if they have different models for each big box store or Black Friday. I had a Dewalt drill before my Porter Cable and the plastic chuck collar broke in a short time. I’ll make sure I get a metal chuck.

Some of that is they'll have different part numbers for kits that come with batteries and charger vs just the bare tool, even though the tool is the same thing.

 

[Apparition]

I have the Atomic impact wrench, and while all the red tool guys give me shit, I think they're just jealous I didn't spend a billion dollars on it. It has worked very well for everything I've needed it for. The only thing it really can't get off so far is axle nuts on the Jeep I think. Model

DCF923B​

You can listen to Jeff's theme song he plays when he rolls into Smoky Mountain Jeep invasion

 

[ColoJeep]

At least it's not green . Seriously though, I'd happily take DeWalt or Milwaukee as a hobbyist and just buy in to the platform I chose.

I get what you're saying . I've been happy with DeWalt brushless 20V. About green , I am beyond shocked at how well a 14" Ryobi 40. v chainsaw performs !
We cut down 15 trees using it and it works far better than I expected . Great power , battery life , and yes price point. I looked at Stihl and a chainsaw and 1 battery with charger was between $ 850 - 900 bucks . We got the Ryobi chainsaw with battery and a leafblower with 2 batteries and the 1 hr fast charger for just under $ 550.

 

[rasband]

I get what you're saying . I've been happy with DeWalt brushless 20V. About green , I am beyond shocked at how well a 14" Ryobi 40. v chainsaw performs !
We cut down 15 trees using it and it works far better than I expected . Great power , battery life , and yes price point. I looked at Stihl and a chainsaw and 1 battery with charger was between $ 850 - 900 bucks . We got the Ryobi chainsaw with battery and a leafblower with 2 batteries and the 1 hr fast charger for just under $ 550.

I've used my sister's Ryobi stuff and it just didn't feel good in the hand and suffered for power, but that was a couple years ago now. I will say that my 40v mower from them is fine, but the batteries keep going bad on me - an issue I have with no other platform in my garage (m12, m18, and ridgid).

 

[ColoJeep]

I've used my sister's Ryobi stuff and it just didn't feel good in the hand and suffered for power, but that was a couple years ago now. I will say that my 40v mower from them is fine, but the batteries keep going bad on me - an issue I have with no other platform in my garage (m12, m18, and ridgid).

Good to know about the batteries , I've only had this since June .

 

[any4xx]

I’ve been through all of the majors. I really tried to make them all the same so I’d only have one battery system. After several years of owning 100% Makita, but using occasional yellow and red offerings I’ve concluded that none of the majors do it all perfectly. I’ve now got tools and batteries in yellow, red, and blue.

I’ve concluded that for construction type work, DeWalt excels. For household chores, Makita is my choice. For mechanical work I prefer Milwaukee. I REALLY like Milwaukee’s 12v line for small projects. Plenty powerful but light and easy to handle.

And, yeah, if you can afford it buy from authorized distributors. I recently bought a tool through Amazon that was advertised as genuine Milwaukee. When it arrived it was absolutely NOT a real Milwaukee tool. I sent it right back for a refund.

 

[Tj1004]

I agree with any4xx. I use Makita for 90% of my construction/carpentry/household related work. Milwaukee for all my mechanic tools 18v/12v. And then some cordless dewalt splattered in and several corded Dewalt miter saws/table saws.

I like my set up and have tended to buy whatever brands make the “best” whatever I’m shopping for. I would do it this way again if I had to start over.

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

My Porter Cable drill and driver are starting to show their age after 7 yrs of hard use. I’ve decided to go Yellow for a replacement. What are the pros and cons between the Max-XR-Atomic models? I’m leaning towards going with the XR. The Atomic being shorter is not a selling point for me. I’m looking at power and longevity. I don’t want a hammer drill. The main difference between kits is the battery size 1.5 vs 2.0. I don’t want to buy on Amazon due to the risk of counterfeits and warranty issues and only going through authorized dealers.
I know I’m overthinking this but I’m stuck with my choice for a long time.

I have some older 18 volt yellow tools and have not had any problems, other than the batteries stop taking a charge after a decade or so. I've been happy with some no name batteries from Ebay that were manufactured in the USA.

I recently inherited some red tools and batteries from my FIL. I found a battery adapter that allow me to use red batteries in yellow or green tools.

 

[bucky]

Well after much research and waiting to see what the BF and CM deals were I went with the Dewalt DCK283D2 combo from HD. It has the good all steel chuck and gears. All the sale were on combos with a hammer drill which I don’t want. Paid $303 with tax shipped to store.