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Message started by justin_o_guy2 on 05/16/13 at 10:35:17

Title: All this battery talk
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/16/13 at 10:35:17

is very interesting to me. Particularly because I am considering a tool upgrade. I am Sooo tired of the hassles of the NiCad Ryobi tools. I do have 5 batteries to swap thru, some healthier than others, but I find myself devoting hours per week to battery maintenance/checking/ trying to make sure when I need a tool, Its got power.

Now, these Li things are Expensive,, & just abusing a battery one time damages it Forever,,, Ohhh thats a comfort,,,

Im trying to decide what brand. I know Im gonna go Li, I just dont have any idea what store I wanna get them from.
Anyone with any ideas, speak right on up.,

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by Pine on 05/16/13 at 11:24:34

I am using the Ryobi LI from Home Depot... then I saw on TV where the that line is EXCLUSIVE to Home Depot... NOT A GOOD THING IMHO. That said the tools/batterys seem to functioning fine for my purposes. I used them to build a fence.. and mostly for repairs to said fence then.

I lucked up into the dual regular drill, hammer drill, charger and two LI batteries for $90.

Just checked they still sell that combo... bit more now:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-P882/203406854#.UZUjH3Yo7L8

That impact driver.. will really put a deck screw into the wood in a hurry. Really like it for the fence.

Just buying the battery ( 18V LI compact) is $40.

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/16/13 at 11:34:56

Ive had the Ryobi set for around 4 years I think. Not good with that kinda memory stuff. BUT, now I think, I know it Is around 4 years, because of a project I know I started about 4 years ago & I had them then,, I remember dropping the impact 8 feet onto cement, twice. Its still fine!
I have no problem with the tools, just the battery life/dependability.
Charged batteries go dead on the shelf.. in a week,, thats weak!
Thats a good price, but Id need to compare battery capacities to other brands,
& I have a particular dislike for home depot,..,they creep me out with some of their policies.

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by verslagen1 on 05/16/13 at 12:10:48

IMO, these sets do not warrant buying new packs for.
buy the set and toss em when the bat goes dead.
If you can buy one brand, common battery, you're golden.
buy a drill one year, saw the next, etc. etc. etc.

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/16/13 at 12:20:19

Well,, thats what I did.. I bought new batteries when the old ones got weak. The new batteries didnt perform as well as the old batteries did when the set was new. I built a battery drainer ( small lightbulb & wires to drain the batteries down) & killed them dead, then recharged & they acted better, but not great. I got 2 batteries for $50.00, so, it looked like a good idea. A friend found one & gave it to me,, & it was healthy,,so, I have 5 & I cant really tell the difference in performance between the new ones & the old ones. They all disappoint,

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by Dane Allen on 05/16/13 at 12:38:14

I know cords are annoying but I have yet to be in a situation where a cord or air hose nixed the fix. I have a few cordless drills and such but I never am in a situation where they are a must have. I hardly use them at all. I even started to use the air ratchet to remove fasteners over the hand crank version.

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/16/13 at 13:14:19

Ive got air & plenty of it. Ive got impacts & air ratchets & a drill, die grinder & panel cutter & body work stuff. I like the battery stuff for things I do outside the shop & those quick little things that would take longer to drag the hose out than "get 'er done" with the portables,,

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by Pine on 05/16/13 at 14:11:30

To be sure.. if the work can be done in the shop.. next to AC or air.. go corded. Building a fence ... I wanted the portability of the cordless. I bought the pair.. never intending to use the impact... just wanted two batteries. But then I tried it and liked it for the job at hand.

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/17/13 at 07:13:21

Ohh, those little impacts are the Berries Dude! Get an adapter for 1/4 & 3/8ths sockets & put in it. Also, hunt around for a 1 piece steel magnetic screwdriver tip holder. Those that have an aluminum section go to crap from the beating the impact put out. YOu can grind the tip down on the #2 & make it fit the bikes screws. YOu can get 50 tips , good quality, for cheap. YOu can even get drill bits that clip in, so, if youre drilling a lot & youre doing pilot holes, you can clip the pilot in the impact & the big one in the drill. Theres also a set that has a Quick Change tip that will chuck up in the drill. I like that setup.

Title: Re: All this battery talk
Post by ToesNose on 05/17/13 at 07:53:23

I've always used the DeWalt 18v XRP NiCad line of cordless tools and have had no issues with any of the tools and only one battery out of five die after 10 years. They get fully charged in just over an hour and last a long time with constant usage. I have a Drill, Impact driver, Nailer and circular saw.