End of an Era

[KubotainNH]

Oh they have replacement batteries for most stuff like many do. It's just the NiCad to Lithium conversion that they don't for anything but the DeWalt 14.4V that I've seen.
Remember the drill wants to pull a lot of current when it loads up so watch the wire gauge and length or it won't work very well. Some clips to the battery posts along with some decent gauge wire and not overly long cord will work well.

Right. One of the wires on that trailer plug is used to charge the camper battery and is fused at 20 amps if I remember correctly. I would probably cut up an extension cord. 12 gauge at 20 feet is good for 20 amps but I don't think it would ever see it. It would be interesting to see what it would draw.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I've had my first 18V ryobi drill smoking like crazy and it still keeps going. Worn the rubber grip off many years ago.

I agree the chucks on the new ryobis aren't that great, but I think I figured out the issue. They seem to have a brake and are designed to be tightened down with the motor off. Run it tight with the motor, stop the motor, then tighten as tight as you can. This is completely foreign to me since the other drill doesn't have a brake and you will turn the motor when turning the chuck by hand.

The 18v system is pretty awesome though, especially since the ni-cd and li-ion batteries are interchangeable in any of the tools, so my old tools still work with the new batteries. They are also priced right for homeowner use. I have many tools in that system that I would not have been able to buy in one of the more expensive brands. Also have lights and a radio to run on those batteries, and I keep an impact in the truck tool box. I just wish they would add a heat gun to the lineup.

I had no idea they were available on Amazon though. I thought they were exclusive to Home Depot. I had looked at Amazon one time before, I believe earlier this year, and there were only a few items from non-Amazon sellers.

 

[k0ua]

I've had my first 18V ryobi drill smoking like crazy and it still keeps going. Worn the rubber grip off many years ago.

I agree the chucks on the new ryobis aren't that great, but I think I figured out the issue. They seem to have a brake and are designed to be tightened down with the motor off. Run it tight with the motor, stop the motor, then tighten as tight as you can. This is completely foreign to me since the other drill doesn't have a brake and you will turn the motor when turning the chuck by hand.

The 18v system is pretty awesome though, especially since the ni-cd and li-ion batteries are interchangeable in any of the tools, so my old tools still work with the new batteries. They are also priced right for homeowner use. I have many tools in that system that I would not have been able to buy in one of the more expensive brands. Also have lights and a radio to run on those batteries, and I keep an impact in the truck tool box. I just wish they would add a heat gun to the lineup.

I had no idea they were available on Amazon though. I thought they were exclusive to Home Depot. I had looked at Amazon one time before, I believe earlier this year, and there were only a few items from non-Amazon sellers.

I though 20 bucks delivered to my door from Amazon Prime for that 18 volt drill was not a bad deal.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have went thru everything from 4.2V on up to 20v drill in the past 35 years. I have an 18v Black and Decker Quantum that I have had for over 17 years and it still works but the batteries don't last very long (NiCad) but they still put out plenty of torque for a little while. My B&D 20V that I am currently using seems to have something slipping in the clutch when under heavy load so I used my Lowes gift card to buy a new 20 volt drill since I have 3 of the 20v batteries and chargers (4 now). I was at HF a few months back and they had a 19.2 volt drill for $19 so I bought one but the charger is no good so I will take it back someday.
Sears had a sale on 19.2v combo impact driver and drill for $100 that I bought for my birthday but I still have it in the box. It was supposed to be a replacement for the 20V but now that I have found a replacement drill I don't know if I should just take it back and get an impact driver and forget the drill. I also have Kobalt drill that I bought (another gift card) a couple years ago. I use it occasionally when I need a drill and screwdriver at the same time so I am not constantly changing bits. I really don't know if I need 5 drills and an impact drill/driver so I am debating with myself on returning the Craftsman combo and just getting a good impact gun. This isn't counting the 4.2v slow turning screwdriver that I have had for 20 years that still works.

 

[dickfoster]

Right. One of the wires on that trailer plug is used to charge the camper battery and is fused at 20 amps if I remember correctly. I would probably cut up an extension cord. 12 gauge at 20 feet is good for 20 amps but I don't think it would ever see it. It would be interesting to see what it would draw.

That should do it.

 

[TractorGuy]

Just saying here that I have a huge number of Craftsman 19.2 volt nicad cordless drill batteries that crapped out and will not take a charge. I have been using nicad battery powered tools since 1996 and have been bitterly disappointed with the short service life they deliver. I am sorry those were all that were available before I stopped buying cordless tools.

I got quite a few years out of the original nicad batteries that came with my 19.2 volt set from Sears. Not so good out of the replacement pair I bought. A while back I got their 19.2 volt ratchet that they discontinued and it came with a lithium battery and charger. I also bought a second lithium battery. Brought new life to my old C3 tools and they are still going strong. I have the drill, light, reciprocal saw, small skill saw, and now a ratchet. I love them all!

 

[ultrarunner]

My Mikita is 30+ and still use the flashlight often... not the drill so much... but very impressed with the 7.2 battery longevity... I also have the truck charger so it is always ready to go.

My Bosch is 20 years old and did replace batteries 2 years ago...

When a tool goes the distance it earns my respect.

That said my brother bought a Makita duffel with an assortment of tools... saw, reciprocating saw, driver, drill and flashlight... amazing the work it can do...

 

[pmsmechanic]

For those of you that are interested my 18 volt Canadian Tire half inch impact works quite nice off of a 12 volt battery. I just took the guts out a crap battery and used 20 feet of 14 gauge extension cord with two alligator clips.

 

[lexluther]

Try this, you can get lithium ion with a free charger for your old tools...

Battery Replacement for Dewalt, Makita, Garmin, Milwaukee, Magellan, Hitachi, TomTom

I will use them next time the lame Dewalt 14v die. I have almost switched to all Ryobi because they haven't abandoned batteries as fast as the big brands like dewalt.

 

[MacLawn]

Oh me, these are like ink jet printers. Cheaper to buy new drill than new battery. I've got cordless drill laying all over my shop.