Don't know this as 100% fact, but:
Heard from a Dewalt 'factory store' tech that there are a few 'grades' of DeW tools.
One 'grade' is available exclusivley from the big orange box store (HD in the model/serial # area of tag)
I've used B&D (Black&Decker cordless prior to DeW. B&D rarely gave a problem, unless it was abuse or end-of-life. B&D went to DeW brand.
The DeW cordless drills that I/we have are relatively trouble free, again excluding abuse. The 'factory store' closed down recently here on Rt 22 Watchung.
BTW, ALL DeW was purchased either at the 'factory store', or thru WW Grainger. I bought 1 14.4 cordless drill at the orange store, and that died within 30 days. 'Factory store' guy replaced it with a "Rebuilt" which is trouble free after 2 years.
John
