[Shop-talk] Battery-operated tools

[Brian Kemp]

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 at 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
>
>