Lithium Ion Drill Recommendation

[MiamiCuse]

My 12V Dewalt drill is no longer functioning due to the the two Nicad batteries no longer lasting more than 2 minutes after fully charged. I bought some instructions off Ebay on some magical RVD process that would revive the batteries, tried them and did not make a difference. So now my options are to get two new batteries - which of course are very expensive and I suspect one year from now I would be in the same situation.

I read about Lithium Ion batteries lasting longer and does not have this memory effect. So now I am considering just getting a brand new lithium ion battery drill.

I do have a Makita corded hammer drill which I use, but when I am up in the attic doing framing repair, or cutting holes in the top plate to drop wiring down, or out in the yard repairing wood fences or on a ladder repairing soffit etc...there is nothing better than a cordless.

Would appreciate if someone can share their cordless drill experiene.

Is the decision to go with a lithium ion drill instead of getting two new batteries a correct one?

If getting a lithium ion drill what is a good one to get? I am thinking Milaukee because I like the sawzall I got from them.

What kind of torgue do I get from a 18v lithium ion drill? The old Dewalt

12V I remember having problems driving 3" wood screws into 2x4s.

Thanks in advance,

MC

[gfretwell]

Before you condemn the Dewalt try poking around on the net to see what you can do. I got 3 batteries for my pair of Makitas for about $30 each. They work like new now.

[Gordon Shumway]

I've bought a Bosch 38636-01 36 Volt a year ago and I love it. It is no heavier than their 18 Volt 37618-01. Mine has only slightly less torque than the 18 Volt and only a few less RPM but mine has a longer run time.

I'm thinking of buying a second one to keep the first one company.

YMMV

Gordon Shumway

Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

[Mike Paulsen]

You can get the batteries rebuilt, but it may not be worth the effort.

I went with the Ridgid 18v Li (at Home Depot). It comes with a lifetime service agreement, which covers the drill, batteries and charger.

I've had it for about a year now and am happy with it.

[RBM]

The latest crop of Dewalt batteries I got, have crapped out in record time, so I plan to switch to Makita lithium when the tools wear out. I usually get about two years out of the tools, but this crop of batteries have only lasted about six months. I refuse to buy more Dewalt batteries, so I got some cheap Chinese spin-offs, which I swear are identical and half the price.

[Winston]

I recently had 5 worn out batteries repaired by these folks:

They all work like new and I am a happy guy!

--Winston

[Ed Pawlowski]

If you go for the better rated batteries, they work better than new.

[bob haller]

primecell.com rebuilds your pack with all new cells that greatly adds capacity.they work great.

[Jim Elbrecht]

-snip-

Since I asked here about a new driver for deck screws a few months ago, I'll 'pass it on'. For deck screws everyone said an impact driver was what I wanted.

I looked at the Bosch PS40s and thought they must be mistaken- that little thing doesn't look like a match for deck screws. So I shopped some more- and *by mistake* ordered a Milwaukee 2401-22.

that there is no chuck on that drill-- if you do a lot of drilling, vs. driving, you might want the accessory chuck]

I almost returned it-- then decided to keep it. Glad I did. It has more driving power than my old 3/8 corded drill-- with half the weight and bulk.

I ended up getting a reconditioned Bosch impact driver from CPObosch.com.

Both are great little tools. Li-ion is so cool. 20 minutes to a full charge. I can't draw down a battery in less than a few hours- so there is always a fresh battery ready. Power-wise, these are both about 12v tools, yet they have the power of corded tools.

The impact driver has been used for dismantling a 20 yr old deck & building the frame of a new one. I thank all the folks who pointed me in that direction. It is a bit slower than the 1/2 corded drill I was using before-- but it is oh-so-much-easier, lighter, and gets into the corners with ease.

Yes!!

Unbelievable. The tiny little things look like toys--- but drive like monsters. I *can* drive deck screws with my 12v drill- but I like it more for the smaller ones, and I get the impact driver out for the big stuff.

The amazing part of the impact driver is that I have yet to snap a screw off, and have only slipped out of one or two of the phillips heads. [never made the switch to square] Even the old screws in the deck I'm taking apart- they sit for a minute while the driver pounds at them-- then back out like they were just driven yesterday. I was breaking 1 in 4-5, and stripping the heads on 1 in 3 with my 1/2 drill. I am able to get 99/100 with the impact driver.

Jim

[Stormin Mormon]

I've seen people write about

and really pleased with their rebuilding. Shipping is expensive. Team with some friends, and send several cells in a package to save shipping monies.

[Stormin Mormon]

It's not Lithium, but I've got a couple Drill Master from Harbor Freight, that keep on running.

[HeyBub]

Right. A drill WITH battery is like $20.

I bought two of their 19volt models when my fourth Makita battery pooped out. (One for the house, one for the workshop. I may get one for the car and one for the bedroom at that price.)

[Sue Samuelson]

I'm now buying Rigid at HD because they will replace the batteries for free for life and the batteries are most of the cost of the tool.

[charlie]

I'm now buying Rigid at HD because they will replace the batteries for free for life and the batteries are most of the cost of the tool.

[Gordon Shumway]

That 18 volt drill is more expensive, far less powerful and doesn't have nearly the speed as the Bosch 36 volt drill. I hope you get your money's worth in free batteries.

Gordon Shumway

Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

[Stormin Mormon]

The one time I was at a store, fixing a cooler. The glass guy had a cordless impact drill driver, which looked like it did a great job. I'm thinking it was Porter Cable 18 volt, but that was a couple weeks ago. He handed it to me, and it was very light weight.

[Stormin Mormon]

That's an outrageously good offer. I'll have to see what my local HD folks say.

[Mike Paulsen]

You sure? It wasn't when I bought it.

Plenty for what I use it for. There have been a few times I've had to pull out the big drill (old D-handled Makita), but in those instances my corded 1/2" Bosch didn't do any better than the Ridgid. (Certain LVL beam screws, for example)

RPM has never been an issue for me - even with my older DeWalt 12v and 18v.

Thanks. It'll only take one. (And you may have missed the part about the lifetime coverage for the drill and charger as well.) Have you priced out the replacement batteries for the Bosch?

If you're trying to argue that yeah, the lifetime service agreement is nice but the drill sucks, then I think you're off base. This is actually a very nice drill, not some piece of HF crap you couldn't pay me to use. (I briefly had a HF hammer drill, and I swear to god I'd rather use a bit and brace than that piece of crap.)

I looked at quite a few drivers before I decided on the Ridgid. I really liked the advantages of the Li-on batteries, but the consensus was that they had a 2 to 3 year lifetime. And that's maximum shelf life too, not just their expected lifetime under normal operating conditions.

I was impressed with the Bosch, but they were about the same price as the Ridgid, and I had to plan on replacing the batteries (at $75 each) within three years. I believe Bosch was sensitive to the battery issue as they had an offer for a free third battery (via mail-in coupon), but it expired after 12 months. Given the shelf life issue I mentioned earlier, that wasn't enough to get me to bite.

I also considered the option of getting the Bosch and having the batteries rebuilt when the time came, but I didn't find anyone who could rebuild them. The oft mentioned primecell.com, for example, can't do it.

When the Ridgid batteries (or the drill or charger) go belly up, I'll take it to one of the 9 Ridgid service centers within 40 miles of my house. No shipping charges, no parts charges, and no labor charges. For life. I'm not seeing any downside to the purchase yet.

[Gordon Shumway]

Well, obviously you did your homework and you made your decision. Good luck.

Gordon Shumway

Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

[Tony]

Your batteries will last much longer if you charge them slower. 20 minutes is fast, too fast. Does the battery feel very warm after charging?