Cordless Tools

[Ed in Tampa]

Okay now that raises a question in my mind.

If I have a 14 volt drill can I just go get a 14 lithium battery and charge to use in it or do I have to replace the tool also.

I guess the real question is will a Lithium battery fit in a Ni-cad or Nickel Hydroxide designed tool of the same voltage?

I think in Ryobi this can be done but can it be done in Dewalt and Makita?

[charlese]

Even if you could go with a lithium, would the battery shape and contacts be a fit?

IMO, Tools are supposed to be engineered to last and to be solid. Also if tools have removable parts, those parts should also be easily replaceable. The latter case is not true with cordless batteries. They are constantly being changed, both in design and voltage. Frankly it's a pain in the ass. Try to buy a replaceable battery for a 5 year old Craftsman drill, (12volt)! battery warehouse. com has one but at $65 each that's ridiculous!

If the charger unit goes bad - forget it at any price!

I was able to repair a charger for our two walkie talkies with a little solder, but that's an exception!

Like said earlier - when it comes to cordless tools, it's best to buy cheap, and if you can't, forget it! Since they are all obsolete in a few months - might as well buy cheap!

[rkh2]

Just a heads up - right now Home Depot has a 18V Ryobi drill & circular saw with 2 batteries and a charger with carry case on sale for $89. They seem to be dependable tools as I hardly ever see any of them coming back on returns.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... arketID=19

[eartigas]

I kept buying cordless drills at discounted prices that have the same batteries of my cheap SKILL set. With each drill I got two batteries and a charger for less than the price of a spare battery. Mysteries of the market forces .. :L ))

Does anybody know about the Ryobi cordless circular saw qualities? I am interested but unsure of its performance.

[Ed in Tampa]

I think the arguement for cheap cordless tools is correct.

I have been observing tradesmen and what I found is the guys that regularily depend on cordless tools buy the best but they usually wear them out before there is a battery issue.

For the tradesmen that use cordless tools on a hit or miss basis they usually buy cheap and when either the tool or battery dies they dump the mess and buy new.

While I know most of us like to have the "best" we probably won't wear them out so eventually we are going to suffer the dead battery problem.

My finding is if you need a battery for a Dewalt, Makita, Bosch or similar quality cordless tool you will find you have to pay as much or more for the battery as you did for the initial tool with battery and charge.

To me there are two solutions buy cheap Ryobi, Skill, or B&D or buy Ridgid and be sure to regisiter the Ridgid tool. They have a lifetime service agreement on regisitration that includes free battery replacement. I say free but you may have to pay shipping and handling, I don't know. I know you can't walk into HD and get a new battery under the this agreement.

[Fla_Jim]

The 18V batteries for my Dewalt went bad. I found out that my local Batteries plus will rebuild them for about 2/3 of new cost. Plus the rebuilt cells have a higher amp/hour rating than the originals.
I've run the rebuilts for about a year now, so far I'm very pleased.

[keakap]

... Since they are all obsolete in a few months - might as well buy cheap!

Surely the generalization isn't serious.
Experience: Makita drill, 9 or 12v (came w/ 9v batt., added 12v); bought circa 1986, mid-to hi-price range, used and abused w/o complaint for many years; batt's finally gave out, new 9v replacement failed stamina test (suspect drill worn out); declared useless Jun 2010.

Bought some cheapo from Lowes, "Task Force" I think, used once, subsequent battery charge lasted about 5 holes and four screws. Declared Junk 1 week after purchase.

Bought Porter Cable drill Jun2010 (hi-price range), LI battery x 2; Max Freedom with charging and storing batteries-- BIG item; very strong, already surpassed expectations on a charge (completely installed exterior door including hinges and drilling lockset and dead bolt), both power and stamna, haven't yet had to recharge first battery; other battery charged and sitting in charger safely.

Conclusions: not enough data.

But I'll stick with my P-C and wouldn't turn down a Makita.

With the zillions of variables possible, they could be junk next time around. I can only take an educated guess as to which one I will Life-Test next, imhso.