Buy a replacement battery or a new drill ?

[stioc]

I have a 7 yr old 9.6v cordless Craftsman drill. I use it as a driver and it does fine for my purposes. However, at this point the original battery won't hold a charge for more than 10 mins.

Here's the delimma, the new battery is about $30 and a new 'Companion' brand 14.4v drill is $35. I really hate to waste stuff, however, the 14.4v drill seems tempting

 

[Luckydevil]

There are some killer deals at HD and Lowe's right now. I'd go take a look and plop down a little extra cash for a quality new one that will last a while.

 

[gb387]

There are some killer deals at HD and Lowe's right now. I'd go take a look and plop down a little extra cash for a quality new one that will last a while.

I agree with Luckydevil.... time for a new drill, I have a ryobi same problem, same age/same voltage. Look around a little, in my case I picked up a Dewalt 18V for $169.00 reg $269.00 may be more than you want to spend, my point is there are great deals out there just keep your eyes open.

 

[mike348]

I went looking for a battery and left Lowes with a drill.

 

[kartracer55]

Go for a new drill... think about it, iff the drill itself craps out tommorow, you just threw away 30$.... spend the extra $ and get a whole new drill and battery. Youll have more power and youll also have a waranty. Just makes more sense

Jim

 

[Luckydevil]

If you want to stay in the $60 and below price range you can also get a really nice Dewalt corded. I just got one and it is an awesome drill for the money. You'll need an extension cord to go where the cordless went, but you'll also save about $100.

 

[z28toz06]

I just bought an 18 volt Ryobi drill, circular saw, and flashlight with 2 batteries and charger with a carrying case for 99 dollars. I was going to buy a new 14.4 volt makita because I had the charger etc, but after seeing this and looking at the price of a new Makita I said the hell with it. I actually went back and bought another whole set for less than what the new Makita would have cost to replace. Now I have 2, one for the laundromat we own and one for home.

Anyone want to buy some makita stuff cheap!

 

[stioc]

Thanks guys, I have a corded drill and drill press. I mainly use my 9.6v cordless to spin on/off the lug nuts etc and very occasionally screwing stuff into the drywall.

I'll checkout the Home Depot and Lowes offerings.

 

[markl]

Yea, get a new drill. I have the 19.2v Craftsman 4 pce set, drill, sawzall, circular saw and flouresent light. For what I use it for its great. If your 9.6 means so much to you look on ebay for a battery.

 

[lip277]

If it is just a matter of replacing the one tool - That's great.
But if you have a whole series of tools built on that system, that changes things a bit.

I'm kind of in two worlds. I have a 9.6V Makita Ni-Cd set up. Have had it for ~15 years. Finally had to buy a new battery for it a year or so ago.

I also have started an 18V Ryobi series. Sure - More power. But - Sometimes I don't want that much oomph and can get by with the ligher Makita. It's already paid for and my wife actually prefers to use it over the new Ryobi so I'll keep it as well.

Just a thought. Can't loose either way I suppose.

 

[dboat]

I'll chime in and say new tool as well. I had to get rid of one this last year myself. Based upon your post, I would strongly consider the Ryobi line. They are not the best but they work fine for most jobs. The best part is that you can get two replacement batteries for cheap, and I mean cheap especially compared to the other systems.
Dana

 

[Uncle Buck]

Ryobi 18v line

 

[eschoendorff]

I have the 18v Ryobi stuff... the 3 speed hammer drill rocks! And when you consider that you can get 2 replacement batteries from HD for about $40....

BTW, the new One+ 18v batteries are apparently 1.7Ah.

The only problem that I have with the 18v stuff is that it's a little heavier. But I can live with that.

 

[johnand]

I agree with Luckydevil.... time for a new drill, I have a ryobi same problem, same age/same voltage. Look around a little, in my case I picked up a Dewalt 18V for $169.00 reg $269.00 may be more than you want to spend, my point is there are great deals out there just keep your eyes open.

Where did you get the Dewalt for $169?

 

[Coach James]

You use a 9.6v drill to remove lug nuts?
Coach

 

[kartracer55]

You use a 9.6v drill to remove lug nuts?
Coach

I think he meant to spin them off... but even still

 

[dboat]

they had 24 volt Black and Decker drill drivers at my local Lowe's for 39.99

 

[stioc]

You use a 9.6v drill to remove lug nuts?
Coach

I use a breaker bar to break the lug nuts and then spin them off/on using the 9.6v cordless. I've been doing it for 5 yrs at the track, at home etc...speeds up the work a lot!

 

[Coach James]

OK spin them off makes sense. I thought there had to be something else to it.

I looked at those 24v B&D's at Lowes. I thought about buying one till I looked at them. They felt flimsy. Plus when even the box says "Light Duty",I figured they would fall apart if you just looked at them hard.

I bought a 14.4v Hitachi last year and have been real pleased with it.
Coach

 

[dboat]

OK spin them off makes sense. I thought there had to be something else to it.

I looked at those 24v B&D's at Lowes. I thought about buying one till I looked at them. They felt flimsy. Plus when even the box says "Light Duty",I figured they would fall apart if you just looked at them hard.

I bought a 14.4v Hitachi last year and have been real pleased with it.
Coach

I bought one of those Hitachi's myself off of the clearance rack at Lowe's. I have been really pleased with it too..
I was surprised at how good it is.
Dana

 

[Coach James]

When I bought that Hitachi, I wanted something better than B&D or Skil but couldn't afford Dewalt etc. That Hitachi has drilled hundreds of holes and screws and has way more torque than my 12v B&D.

A few months ago I bought a Hitachi 4.5" angle grinder and it has been A+ also.
James

 

[ovilla]

I ran into this same scenario with my Makita 9.6V. Anyway, luckily Home Depot was having a Christmas sale and I picked up an 18V Rigid drill for $86. Man, what a difference the extra power makes. I've been drilling 1 inch holes for plumbing and conduit and the drill is awesome (behaving like a corded drill). The torque settings and speed settings (1 or 2) are also well worth the investment. My 9.6V will now be used for very light duty.

 

[dboat]

As noted in my earlier post, I have some odds and ends, probably like a lot of folks. However, I have gotten into the Ryobi 18 volt line just due to my, not needing, a high level of power or usage and the cost of the units with their low cost of replacement batteries. I have a 14.4 Hitachi and a 12 Dewalt (3 speed high end unit). They are great but with the impact driver, staple gun, and other pieces of the Ryobi line, I am set.. Oh, I forgot, and for good reason apparently, I do have a few of the 18 volt stuff from Harbor Freight.. I would only suggest those now if you only need them in a low end, very low usage situation.. they are cheap and you get what you pay for.. IMHO..

Dana

 

[krooser]

My Milwaukee 14.4 must be ten years old and still running...it's done two big remodeling jobs....helped build my shop...now it's out there drilling holes for my air lines.

I have never had to replace the batteries...two chargers have had problems but only due to being hooked up to a small 12V inverter in my truck.....the bigger inverter charges them just fine. A 59 cent diode fixed both of them.

Not to rain on anyone's parade...but....I would venture a guess that when all of those Made In China cordless tools (regardless of namebrand) are nothing but memories, my Milwaukee will still be shooting holes in anything I can put in front of it.

My recent purchase, and subsequent return, of a DeWalt Tool Combo did get me looking at all different brands of cordless stuff. The only stuff I saw out there that was of the quality of the Milwaukee was the Bosch....they have a really nice line that's Made In Switzerland that has the feel of a real good tool.

I expect that Milwaukee to still be working long after I've assumed room temperature....