End of an Era

k0ua · Dec 30, 2016

I just received my Ryobi 18 volt drill from Amazon yesterday. I bought it without battery and charger as I have plenty of both. It was $20. It replaces my 25 Plus year old 9.6 bolt Ryobi 3/8 drill. It was a good one and has went thru probably nearly half a dozen battery packs in its lifetime. but the cost to put a new battery on it was more than buying a whole new drill, and since I have started down the 18 volt Ryobi road with so many other tools it seemed like a waste to spend the money on a new battery for such and old drill. Yes there is some wear and tear on the old fellow, the chuck doesn't grip quite like it used to and the poor old thing is worn in about every way.

I paid over $100 for it all those years ago at Sears. It was my only portable handheld drill for so many years, but of course now I have others, including a 1/2 inch Ryobi hammer/combo drill and have ran thru a 14.4 volt Dewalt in that time frame also. It sits too now on the shelf, still in pretty good shape, but I can't bring myself to buy a battery for it either.

The 9.6 Ryobi will still turn, but the Nicad battery is very weak and any task requiring real torque it is not up to it. I saw where one member here used his 9.6 volt drill body to raise and lower the door for his chicken coop under control of a photoelectric cell. Maybe I will keep it for some such purpose. It seems like a sin to just throw away such an old friend that has served me so well for so many years. I think I got my moneys worth.

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m35techa2 · Dec 30, 2016

k0ua Amazon does carry replacement batteries....not that expensive either,

KubotainNH · Dec 30, 2016

Disconnect the cells internally and wire in a wire with battery alligator clips (or cig lighter plug) on the other end. Attach it to a car battery as a backup. You may burn it out on high speed but maybe not. That's what my plan is for my old 12volt drill.

dickfoster · Dec 30, 2016

k0ua said:
I just received my Ryobi 18 volt drill from Amazon yesterday. I bought it without battery and charger as I have plenty of both. It was $20. It replaces my 25 Plus year old 9.6 bolt Ryobi 3/8 drill. It was a good one and has went thru probably nearly half a dozen battery packs in its lifetime. but the cost to put a new battery on it was more than buying a whole new drill, and since I have started down the 18 volt Ryobi road with so many other tools it seemed like a waste to spend the money on a new battery for such and old drill. Yes there is some wear and tear on the old fellow, the chuck doesn't grip quite like it used to and the poor old thing is worn in about every way.

I paid over $100 for it all those years ago at Sears. It was my only portable handheld drill for so many years, but of course now I have others, including a 1/2 inch Ryobi hammer/combo drill and have ran thru a 14.4 volt Dewalt in that time frame also. It sits too now on the shelf, still in pretty good shape, but I can't bring myself to buy a battery for it either.

The 9.6 Ryobi will still turn, but the Nicad battery is very weak and any task requiring real torque it is not up to it. I saw where one member here used his 9.6 volt drill body to raise and lower the door for his chicken coop under control of a photoelectric cell. Maybe I will keep it for some such purpose. It seems like a sin to just throw away such an old friend that has served me so well for so many years. I think I got my moneys worth.

View attachment 493207

Just so you know you can lithium replacement batteries for not much for that 14.4V DeWalt from Battery Ship Battery Replacement for Dewalt, Makita, Garmin, Milwaukee, Magellan, Hitachi, TomTom. I did and it's great having my 14.4V tools in use again. Be sure to ask for the free charger if you get one or two. I got two since I'm using them with several tools including the hammer drill, a trim saw and a sawzall. I was just not going to buy anymore NiCd batteries since they just won't last and won't hold a charge worth a hoot.

Retiredguy2 · Dec 30, 2016

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.

kenmac · Dec 30, 2016

k0ua said:
I just received my Ryobi 18 volt drill from Amazon yesterday. I bought it without battery and charger as I have plenty of both. It was $20. It replaces my 25 Plus year old 9.6 bolt Ryobi 3/8 drill. It was a good one and has went thru probably nearly half a dozen battery packs in its lifetime. but the cost to put a new battery on it was more than buying a whole new drill, and since I have started down the 18 volt Ryobi road with so many other tools it seemed like a waste to spend the money on a new battery for such and old drill. Yes there is some wear and tear on the old fellow, the chuck doesn't grip quite like it used to and the poor old thing is worn in about every way.

I paid over $100 for it all those years ago at Sears. It was my only portable handheld drill for so many years, but of course now I have others, including a 1/2 inch Ryobi hammer/combo drill and have ran thru a 14.4 volt Dewalt in that time frame also. It sits too now on the shelf, still in pretty good shape, but I can't bring myself to buy a battery for it either.

The 9.6 Ryobi will still turn, but the Nicad battery is very weak and any task requiring real torque it is not up to it. I saw where one member here used his 9.6 volt drill body to raise and lower the door for his chicken coop under control of a photoelectric cell. Maybe I will keep it for some such purpose. It seems like a sin to just throw away such an old friend that has served me so well for so many years. I think I got my moneys worth.

View attachment 493207

I bought that same drill. I don't like the chuck much. It won't grip drill bits very well and when things get tight the bit slips in the chuck. I have to grind a flat spot on the bits so they won't slip. I can't say I'll ever buy another. I like my other cordless drills better

k0ua · Dec 30, 2016

m35techa2 said:
k0ua Amazon does carry replacement batteries....not that expensive either,

I know, but the whole new drill was cheaper and I get a new drill besides...

k0ua · Dec 30, 2016

Retiredguy2 said:
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.

All the more reason to put your woes behind you and get on the Lithium Ion bandwagon with one brand or another. I have started down Ryobi road with their 18v LiOn battery system and I will never invest in another Nicad.. Yes Lithium Ion batteries are that much better for so many reasons.

Retiredguy2 · Dec 30, 2016

k0ua said:
I know, but the whole new drill was cheaper and I get a new drill besides...

That is what makes the situation so obscene...you can buy a new drill and batteries cheaper than what just new batteries cost. Pretty much explains why we have what is called a "throwaway society"....BTW yesterday I purchased a Bosch PS-20 12 volt mini-drill at the local Goodwill store for $9.99 and tax. It came with a 30 minute charger and a pair of OEM Lithium batteries...the manual with it shows a 2008 date yet the batteries still charge in 15-20 minutes and hold a charge well. Best used tool buy I ever made. I only wish nicads would have the same service life.

k0ua · Dec 30, 2016

dickfoster said:
Just so you know you can lithium replacement batteries for not much for that 14.4V DeWalt from Battery Ship Battery Replacement for Dewalt, Makita, Garmin, Milwaukee, Magellan, Hitachi, TomTom. I did and it's great having my 14.4V tools in use again. Be sure to ask for the free charger if you get one or two. I got two since I'm using them with several tools including the hammer drill, a trim saw and a sawzall. I was just not going to buy anymore NiCd batteries since they just won't last and won't hold a charge worth a hoot.

Well I looked it up $65. If you want this Dewalt drill and will send me a prepaid shipping box, I will put the drill in it and send it to you. I am too far gone down Ryobi road and their One Plus 18volt system to turn back now. Like you I will never buy another NiCad battery or have another pack rebuilt. Not since I have started down the Lithium Ion path. For one thing their shelf life is much longer as they don't self discharge just sitting around. When you pick them up you can expect them to work. And when they are discharged the circuitry inside just cuts them off. No gradual loss of power.. Just goes dead when it is time to charge them. No memory effect like NiCads either. Just better to use in so many ways, not to mention it makes the whole tool lighter too.

Again if you want that 14.4v Dewalt you are welcome to it. It is in good shape, or it was the last time I used it, but I am just not investing in any more NiCad or NiMH batteries and that LiOn battery is too expensive to have just a one-of When I have 3 18 volt Ryobi batteries.