It was odd, even though each generation was a same voltage, NiCd battery, there would be a slight change to a a bump or ridge on its case, preventing interchange between versions. It was common that I'd bear the brunt of a shopper's frustration when they learned that each year's version of the store-brand tools had an battery configuration incompatible with the prior model. Years ago, I worked a second job, at a department store selling their popular exclusive brand of tools. They've outlasted and out performed any other brand of cordless tools I've owned by several years, leaving me a bit of a fan-boy. I've had my own set for about 8 years, and all the tools are still going strong. They're certainly the most common brand on the construction sites I've visited. It's been one of the most popular lines of professional-quality cordless tools, for a very long time. I believe DeWalt's 18 volt line of cordless tools has been in the market for about 20 years. I've run it through its paces for a month on a variety of my tools.

When DeWalt gave me an early-bird chance to try out their new battery adapter and bring modern battery technology to my older tools, I couldn't wait to put it in action. He loves long walks on virtual beaches, playing worker placement board games with inconsequential themes, and spending time with his family and menagerie of pets and plants.Regular readers of this blog know that I've been personally wielding DeWalt 18 volt cordless tools on my projects for years. If you're looking for him after hours, he's probably four search queries and twenty obscenities deep in a DIY project or entranced by the limitless exploration possibilities of some open-world game or another. While his days of steering students toward greatness are behind him, his lifelong desire to delight, entertain, and inform lives on in his work at How-To Geek. In addition to the long run as a tech writer and editor, Jason spent over a decade as a college instructor doing his best to teach a generation of English students that there's more to success than putting your pants on one leg at a time and writing five-paragraph essays. In 2023, he assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief. In 2022, he returned to How-To Geek to focus on one of his biggest tech passions: smart home and home automation. In 2019, he stepped back from his role at Review Geek to focus all his energy on LifeSavvy. With years of awesome fun, writing, and hardware-modding antics at How-To Geek under his belt, Jason helped launch How-To Geek's sister site Review Geek in 2017. After cutting his teeth on tech writing at Lifehacker and working his way up, he left as Weekend Editor and transferred over to How-To Geek in 2010. He's been in love with technology since his earliest memories of writing simple computer programs with his grandfather, but his tech writing career took shape back in 2007 when he joined the Lifehacker team as their very first intern. Jason has over a decade of experience in publishing and has penned thousands of articles during his time at LifeSavvy, Review Geek, How-To Geek, and Lifehacker. Prior to that, he was the Founding Editor of Review Geek. Prior to his current role, Jason spent several years as Editor-in-Chief of LifeSavvy, How-To Geek's sister site focused on tips, tricks, and advice on everything from kitchen gadgets to home improvement.

He oversees the day-to-day operations of the site to ensure readers have the most up-to-date information on everything from operating systems to gadgets.

Jason Fitzpatrick is the Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek.

Dewalt 12v battery adapter kit