Cordless Drills, What a waste!!

Rule3

Rule3

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I have a really nice Dewalt with 2 batteries. Of course the older tech Ni Cad batteries will no longer hold a charge. The drill is like new.

Also have (even worse) a Craftsman 19.2 V with 2 batteries but also has the whole tool kit, Saber saw, circular saw, fluorescent light and hand vac in a carry bag.
Those batteries also no longer hold a charge and it was a quick charge.

So as most know, it's more expensive to buy batteries than to buy a brand new drill with 2 batteries, So I got a 20 V with Lithium Ion batteries for less.

Even looked into rebuilding the battery packs but that cost about the same and a big hassle.

Planned obsolescence. what a waste, as they look so nice I can not find a way to toss them in the trash, seems like such a waste!!

Even a garage sale no one wants them if the batteries will not last.
Got to be a better way?
 
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Rule3. Good question.

I have 2 dewalts and chargers. Don't want to spend that kind of money for batteries again, have done it before. One had drilled in more sheet rocks screws than you can count plus many other jobs, it looks worn and rattles but was running fine till the last batteries died. I had bought another 12 drill on sale with 2 batts once because it was on sale and cheaper than 2 batteries. It looks new.

I have a Royobi pack that has skill saw, reciprocating saw, light and drill. I was on a Christmas special at a big box store only 10 bucks more than 2 Dewalt batteries so I bought it. I just replaced it's batteries last summer. I bought the new Li batteries yep have to get a new charger too. But they are supposed to last longer between charges and in shelf life.

I did the internet truth online search and found a yo-yo or 2 that claim you plug the battery in the charger then plug in and unplug the charger to 110v repeatedly until the green lite comes on saying CHARGE. Yea, I had 4 or 5 old Dewalt batteries and did the process, all but 2 never did get a green light. The 2 that did were charged all nite, I never got the full charge and when used the battery died very quickly.

So I have 2 12 V Dewalt drills and one other brand drill that I have moved 3 times and have yet to pitch them.

Surely someone has a BIL in China who can get us Li batteries really cheap. Any ideas for this one other than spending a retirement check at the big box store is welcomed.

P.S. I read here or online about a guy who rigged a square bridge rectifier converting the 110 V AC to 12 V DC. Used the old battery case and with the AC cord length of your choice it is used like an AC plug in tool.

Anyone remember here remember that.
 
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My co worker takes the power packs apart and changes the rechargeable batteries with new ones.

Once a week or so we need to charge every power pack. I forget too.
 
The new lithium ion are so so much better, don't give up, an inexpensive Mikita drill and driver is very convenient.

And they really hold a charge even sitting on the bench for months.

Handy.
 
I have 2 I've had for 15 years. I don't use them often but the batteries are still good. They are the orange color drills.
 
I run battery tools whenever and where ever I can on my job sites. My guys set up a few chargers and always have a few batteries at the ready. One less thing for OSHA to fine us on. We don't have to worry about chasing cords all day. I do buy a bunch of batteries and the occasional charger and the guys at the Dewalt store know us by name to rebuild our motors, but it's the only way to go.

Home Depot, etc. always have a 2 fer 1 battery deal around Christmas so we usually stock up then.

I still run some 18v stuff that I bought 5 or 6 years ago. Everything for them is still readily available.
 
I hear rechargeable batteries have improved, and don't become worthless as quickly as they used to. But I don't know that from personal experience. I used to see rechargeable tools at almost every garage sale - that's where they end up when the owner finds out the cost of a replacement battery. For the most part, I don't have any need for portable power, so all my power tools plug into a receptacle.
 
I have a similar situation. One Makita drill (plus light) and one Craftsman kit (drill & saw). It is cheaper to buy new tools than it is to buy batteries (if I can find them). So, I will put them in the electronics recycling along with the CRT TVs & monitors that no one wants either.
 
Arik, the orange ones are inexpensive Black and Decker. I have a 14 V B&D that I've had for about 10 years, just typical home use, when I helped finish my basement it got a lot of use, but now may sit for a month or two then get minimal use. It holds a charge for several months, and can do several hours of continuous work on a charge. Nothing fancy but keeps on going.
 
Home Depot has (perhaps had) a great deal on Ridgid Drills with two lithium ion batteries.

Buy the drill, batteries and charger for (IIRC) not a lot over a hundred bucks and get free batteries for life (the purchaser's life, not the life of the drill :D).

So, since 2005 or 2006, I have been dropping by my Home Depot about every year and a half and giving them my old batteries and then, about a week later, receiving two new ones in the mail.

For a couple of years I had to go to a warranty station (there was one in Tampa), but now it's just drop by, drop off, check mail, and drill baby drill.;)

I love free stuff, especially free expensive stuff.

Bob
 
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recently got the Rigid 18 volt compact drill with 2 batteries for my son for christmas, so he didn't have to barrow my Hilti battery drill. This new Rigid from Home Depot has a life time warranty on the batteries ands $99.00
I really like the size of this compact compared to the large Hilti I have, but son wouldn't make the trade.
I've used all the main brands in the past, old favorite was Makita but no longer, Milwakee, Porter Cable, Bosch, Dewalt, and the Hilti has been the best for me , but sure liking the new compact Rigid for easy to use size.
RIDGID 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Cordless Compact Drill/Driver Kit-R860052K - The Home Depot
 
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Lithium- Ion will do a lot of work. Do not run your batteries completely to zero. I like the cordless tools for both the convenience and the torque produce.
 
I had a Dewalt battery partially explode while being charged.
Fortunately I was in another room.
Sent it to the company...they sent me a new battery & charger...but no thanks, I sold the new battery & charger, together with my drill immediately. Very happy now with corded tools.
 
could gut them for the motors and stuff em into model airplanes
thats one of the ways they did it before electric flight gained some industry support
 
Sorry to hear of all the problems. I have been very very lucky with all my drills including DeWalt. But the batteries are outrageous to have to buy replacements. If working away from electrical outlets, you just can't do without them.
 
I had to go out to the mailbox today to fix the mount.

I didn't have to take an extension cord. 145 feet back to the shop and get a cord, then string it out to use it for 3 minutes? Then wind it up again and schlep it back to the shop? Nope, not in this age.

Cordless rocks.

The heavy duty stuff is in and stays in the shop unless there's no other choice.

I like choices.
 
Have an 18V Dewalt drill and can find batteries from their outlet on line for a reasonable cost. Also managed to burn out a motor once and got a replacement motor for a reasonable price. I would not junk such a nice tool.
 
Dewalt is having an on-line sale right now on batteries. They advertise 20-75% savings.
 
I wish they'd come out with a cord that would plug into the tool like a battery. The you'd have the option to go either way. The dewalt batteries you buy separate are far better then the batteries that come with the set.

Also when you buy just a drill it is different then the drill that comes in the set with all the other tools.
 
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