Cordless tools - battery warranty

[DFB]

I first thought Rigid was the only one with lifetime on batteries.

Seems Rockwell has batteries for life now too but is 20? on the tool.

Now in the words of the late great wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper during his famous Piper's Pit interviews...

"Just when you think you have the answers...we change the questions!"



So looking online I see Rockwell has recently revamped the web site and no longer has any reference to "free batteries for life" and is now saying 20 years replacement on both tool and batteries for current purchases.

And the hot link to the original lifetime warranty page is redirected
https://www.rockwelltools.com/en-US/...-For-Life.aspx


This was what it read up to end of Jan 2016...

HAND-HELD BATTERY-POWERED TOOLS

The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement is available free of charge*, for a limited time commencing February 15, 2007, to purchasers of a ROCKWELLｮ brand hand-held battery-powered tool purchased after that date and subject to the terms and conditions stated below. To accept this Lifetime Free Replacement Battery Agreement, a purchaser must submit the warranty registration for the purchased product and submit proof of purchase as described below.
The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement provides ONLY the original owner of a qualifying ROCKWELLｮ tool with a lifetime of free replacement batteries subject to the limitations set forth below.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

This Agreement applies only to the original registered owner and may not be transferred.
This Agreement only covers ROCKWELLｮ batteries and tools.
This Agreement does not cover the costs to process and ship the replacement battery if necessary. *Minimal shipping and processing costs may apply.

CHANGES TO AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ROCKWELLｮ Power Tools reserves the right to cancel, alter or change the implied or written terms and conditions of the Free Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement at any time.

So it guess it really was a limited lifetime offer.

 

[3930dave]

Got my Ridgid battery replaced. Took Thursday to a Thursday, about what I was quoted time wise.

No Charge (pun intended) for the new battery. Remembered today to re-register the replacement battery, to continue the coverage on the new one. I drove to/from the service centre, so no shipping cost.

New 18v battery has different venting ports, and has an added gas-gauge (4 LEDs + Test pushbutton ).

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Now in the words of the late great wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper during his famous Piper's Pit interviews...

"Just when you think you have the answers...we change the questions!"



So looking online I see Rockwell has recently revamped the web site and no longer has any reference to "free batteries for life" and is now saying 20 years replacement on both tool and batteries for current purchases.

And the hot link to the original lifetime warranty page is redirected
https://www.rockwelltools.com/en-US/...-For-Life.aspx


This was what it read up to end of Jan 2016...

HAND-HELD BATTERY-POWERED TOOLS

The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement is available free of charge*, for a limited time commencing February 15, 2007, to purchasers of a ROCKWELLｮ brand hand-held battery-powered tool purchased after that date and subject to the terms and conditions stated below. To accept this Lifetime Free Replacement Battery Agreement, a purchaser must submit the warranty registration for the purchased product and submit proof of purchase as described below.
The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement provides ONLY the original owner of a qualifying ROCKWELLｮ tool with a lifetime of free replacement batteries subject to the limitations set forth below.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

This Agreement applies only to the original registered owner and may not be transferred.
This Agreement only covers ROCKWELLｮ batteries and tools.
This Agreement does not cover the costs to process and ship the replacement battery if necessary. *Minimal shipping and processing costs may apply.

CHANGES TO AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ROCKWELLｮ Power Tools reserves the right to cancel, alter or change the implied or written terms and conditions of the Free Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement at any time.

So it guess it really was a limited lifetime offer.

20 years is still a long time, esp. in terms of cordless tech.

I'd say there is a legal tendency to want to put some kind of finite # in place. I'm thinking of Leatherman - they list 25 years, but when I asked about registering my purchase, was basically told "don't worry about it", and I'm not.

We've all come across useless warranties, but I can see where some reputable companies may give you Lifetime service, even when they have a lower # listed. Maybe just dreaming :cloud9:

Rgds, D.

 

[streamin]

I also have had the full line of Hitachi 18v lithium tools. All they offered at the time. Circular saw, hammer drill, impact wrench, driver, shop light, jig saw, reciprocating saw, large heavy drill, 4" grinder and for 3 years doing home remodeling the same 3 batteries have never failed me.

I have started migrating to the Ryobi 18v line because they have more tools available. I have the chop saw and the finish nailer, Brad nailer, and crown stapler as well as vibrating multi tool. Their batteries will work with all the current and old 18v tools from nicd to lithium one+. They are amazing tools and the batteries charge fast. . The Nailers are awesome because air hoses destroy interiors and compressors are loud and require electric service.
Ryobi makes a 12v car charger as well as a 6 port charger. Their small weed Wacker works great also and weighs about 3lbs with battery.

Very happy with them. Lithium has changed the construction world. And with brushless motors it's getting even better.

I've had dewalt, makita and then I bought a Hitachi. going on 4years or so, 2 batteries still going strong and I use it in my body shop every day. I was actually thinking of going to Ryobi for a spare as I heard they were bought out by Rigid(not sure if that's true) but they have had an upgrade and it is tempting but Hitachi is my vote.

 

[joefromga]

I've had dewalt, makita and then I bought a Hitachi. going on 4years or so, 2 batteries still going strong and I use it in my body shop every day. I was actually thinking of going to Ryobi for a spare as I heard they were bought out by Rigid(not sure if that's true) but they have had an upgrade and it is tempting but Hitachi is my vote.

I have Hitachi (all tools available) and they are great but I'm moving to ryobi sincerely they have more tools available and they have beer great as well. The nail guns are what brought me over. I still use both but if the Hitachi ever breaks I'll just replace with ryobi.

The chargers on ryobi are cool and they have meters for charge state which I like. And yes they are a part of the rigid umbrella. Their oscillating tool will interchange with the ryobi heads.