I know this is more of a home repair question but I have used my DeWalt tools on my cars also.

Anyway.

I have three 20v hand tools that all gave up the ghost in the last few months. Houston has a service center that offers "factory overhaul cost" to repair out of warranty tools.

Has anybody used this recently? Cost? Time?

I am betting by the time I drive all the way to them I would be better off just waiting until Christmas and replacing then. Unless somebody here has something in the contrary to report

FYI old reddit posts claim $110 as the flat cost of repair for a drill. I don't really believe anyone would pay that when you can get the whole tool and a battery and charger for not much more during Christmas and New Year.

if i had three of their tools that failed, i'd probably spend my money on a new brand for whatever it costs to repair them

sts7049 said:

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if i had three of their tools that failed, i'd probably spend my money on a new brand for whatever it costs to repair them

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They have been used hard for probably almost 10 years. They did well

Milwaukee rep told me... Ryobi and Milwaukee have metal gears. Dewalt, plastic.

You sure it isn't the battery?

I have been very happy with my Ridgid battery tools from Home Depot.

I have taken other brands of tools to Empire Tools on the NW side of Houston. Not sure what their prices are as mine were under warranty but the service was good there.

JamesPShelley said:

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Milwaukee rep told me... Ryobi and Milwaukee have metal gears. Dewalt, plastic.

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I believe Milwaukee to be a for Superior brand to DeWalt. I know Ryobi is far inferior from personal experience.

I gave up on the Ryobi brand a long time ago. They burned me too many times to even think about going back.

redaszag99 said:

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You sure it isn't the battery?

I have been very happy with my Ridgid battery tools from Home Depot.

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I've got lots of batteries. It's definitely the tools.

I've dropped off things @ The Dewalt Service Center in San Antonio, but they were all +$1000 tools so they don't really go on sale for Christmas.

I am a Milwaukee guy, but no matter what, it is generally not cost effective to REPAIR old tools like this.

Buy a new one of the flavor you like. Milwaukee warranty isn't that great. I've needed it exactly one time for a 6 year old impact wrench. Cost to repair was over half the price to replace. I bought a new one. New tech, better specs, etc.

I've used dewalt tools a few times and I had one of their drill break in half in my hand. Tools break.

As for Ryobi being inferior....well...I have failed Milwaukee and failed Dewalt. Literally every one of my Ryobi power tools from the original set I bought 24 years ago are still in operation. They aren't fast, but they do work.

As for warranties, I had a Ryobi tire inflator that started smoking while airing up a truck tire. I took it to Home Depot....they swapped it out on the spot no questions asked. Try doing that with Dewalt or Milwaukee. Milwaukee will want you to mail your tool in for evaluation, and you'll wait around with your thumb up your ass while they make a decision for 4 weeks.

As I said, I am a Milwaukee guy and have thousands of dollars worth of their tools from M12 to M18, but they are not without their flaws.

Just replace them busted tools.