Don't forget to pay attention to the capacity of the battery packs. The
entry level Makita comes with a 1AH battery. For a little more, you can
get the next step with a 3AH battery. Also watch for sales and "special
buys" on replacement batteries. After I fried a battery pack using a
cordless drill to mix thinset, I found the Orange box had 3AH batteries
at $99 for a two pack - the same price as a single battery in the
regular package. I got lucky that week if finding one still in the
store - had to hunt as it was in the wrong place behind something else.
The worker said the contractors had bought them all up in the first few
days.
I once bought a replacement Dewalt 12V drill at Costco just for the two
battery packs, only to find out they were less capacity and ran out real
quick. Bummer there.
I thought Rigid cordless tools had lifetime battery replacement if you
registered them. That sounds like a good deal if there isn't fine print
to get the replacement.
Brian
On 4/9/2016 9:02 AM, Bob Spidell wrote:
> Folks,
>
> I realize this is like bringing up 'best oil' or 'best tires' on a car
> list, but I'm in the market for a battery drill/driver/sander/etc.
> combo to replace my ancient--but still working--Makita 9V
> driver-drill. I want something with all the 'goodies;' I'll need the
> usual driver/drill, but also need a portable sander (belt and/or
> disc), and at least the option for more attachments.
>
> I know I probably can't lose with DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita or even
> Craftsman--hell, they might all come out of the same factory in China
> for all I know--but would like to see if there's a consensus on best
> overall. Is more voltage always better, or is 14.4V better for some
> reason than 19.2V, etc.? My main issue, and the reason I haven't
> retired the old Makita yet, is that the batteries always seem to lose
> capacity over time. The 9V Makita is nickel-metal-hydride, and both
> the OEM--which are too expensive IMO--and cheap, off-brand aftermarket
> ones all lose charge when not used, and lose capacity after repeated
> charging. I know Li-Ion is better, but a battery is a battery, and
> they all will lose some capacity over time.
>
> Any and all opinions, rants, etc. welcome.
>
> Bob
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/bk13@earthlink.net
>
>
_______________________________________________
Shop-talk@autox.team.net
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
|