When to walk away from cordless brand.

[dsimatt]

I'm a diesel tech and running Snap On cordless tools at work, 3/8 impact, drill, light and about 4-6 batteries on the 14.4 NiCad lineup, not a lot compared to most guys but still a pretty good amount of money to replace.

I know the 14.4 line is ancient and they don't even make the tools anymore but I just got the impact rebuilt and the other tools are working good, the issue is the batteries and out of 6 maybe 3 are working great, but in the last month I have had 2 be very hit or miss and one has already been rebuilt. I just ordered a new battery at $120 which in reality probably is more than what everything is worth trying to sell.

So I guess my question is do you guys just keep running the tools till there were no more replacements or say screw it and go all in and replace it even when the stuff is working yet....I just don't want to keep investing in batteries on a line that is getting pushed out.

 

[blkSRT]

Why not get the batteries rebuilt?

 

[fordnut85]

I sold my SO cordless stuff a couple years ago and went with Milwaukee. The up side is that the snap on stuff still has value and if it were me I would sell them and move into something different. You probly have $300 -$400 on the used market, enough to get a good start on any non truck brand cordless stuff especially with some of the black Friday deals coming

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[Wamsutta]

$120 for one battery?

 

[plinker]

From what I've seen, cordless tech changes almost as fast as electronics. There's always a better mouse trap. The battery pack itself has come a long way to where the older stuff may not be worth messing with.

What you could do is continue running what you have and plan on upgrading in the near future or when it becomes necessary. If the battery you had rebuilt works that may be the thing to do depending on cost and how many batteries you need.

I've got a couple Makita and Snap-on drills that need batteries rebuilt but ended up picking up an 18v Milwaukee drill & 3/8 impact. Still plan on doing something with the other stuff when I get around to it.

 

[Mr_B]

just recell the battery cartridge. snapon never a good battery tool buy as just too damn expensive initially and in service repairs and battery costing.
If can rebuild your batts cheap run with it until hit a main tool failure then consider options on new kit with good battery platform generation lifespan .

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Cordless tools are great except for this....


At some point you will face this dilemma


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[johninct]

I am still using my Snap-On 3850 with 2 good slide on 18 volt batteries w/ adaptor and my Snap-On 14.4 volt cordless drill with a 14.4 volt post battery. I have the same 3/8" cordless impact that you have. One of my 14.4 batteries died, the other one is "OK" but not the best. When that one finally dies, I will use my 18V batteries on the 3/8" impact . I think the 18V batteries give it more power.

I also have the new 14.4 volt 3/8" impact. That impact can practically fit in my pocket and can take off lug nuts.

Since I have two good 18V batteries, I have thought about getting a used 4850 or 6850 1/2" impact to have more power than my 3850 but I find that they are big and can't get into places . I am working on my tractor hitch and a 1/2" cordless impact would be nice, but there is no way that it would fit, so I use my King Tony air compact one. I know a lot of people say air is dead but if I can't fit a cordless in there, then it is useless.

Now if Snap-On ever makes a powerful 1/2" cordless that is just a little bigger than the new cordless 14.4V 3/8".......

 

[WhiffySpark]

I’d start upgrading. The new 14.4 impacts are not the same as what you have. I would be going 18v for 3/8.

 

[dsimatt]

Why not get the batteries rebuilt?

We've tried 2 different companies at work and usually they are good for a couple months then **** out again, I took one off the charger today and it wouldn't even turn my drill.

$120 for one battery?

Yeah snap on isn't that cheap hence the reason I'm not buying anymore of their cordless stuff.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Figure your cost per year.
Probably with repairs, new SO batteries and repairs are going to make new 18V Milwaukee stuff sensible.

 

[dsimatt]

I am still using my Snap-On 3850 with 2 good slide on 18 volt batteries w/ adaptor and my Snap-On 14.4 volt cordless drill with a 14.4 volt post battery. I have the same 3/8" cordless impact that you have. One of my 14.4 batteries died, the other one is "OK" but not the best. When that one finally dies, I will use my 18V batteries on the 3/8" impact . I think the 18V batteries give it more power.

I also have the new 14.4 volt 3/8" impact. That impact can practically fit in my pocket and can take off lug nuts.

Since I have two good 18V batteries, I have thought about getting a used 4850 or 6850 1/2" impact to have more power than my 3850 but I find that they are big and can't get into places . I am working on my tractor hitch and a 1/2" cordless impact would be nice, but there is no way that it would fit, so I use my King Tony air compact one. I know a lot of people say air is dead but if I can't fit a cordless in there, then it is useless.

Now if Snap-On ever makes a powerful 1/2" cordless that is just a little bigger than the new cordless 14.4V 3/8".......

I've got a couple 18v for my 1/2 impact and light at home that I barely use and would be keeping that , I just don't seem to have any luck getting longevity out of my 14.4 batteries.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I’ve had snapon. Have miluwakee. I might try IR next. Probably going back to snapon. I don’t care for the miluwakee as much

 

[dsimatt]

I’d start upgrading. The new 14.4 impacts are not the same as what you have. I would be going 18v for 3/8.

Yeah I found that out when he sold me the wrong battery today and then I had to argue with him that you could still get the old batteries, I'd try the 18s on my 3/8 but it's really bulky.

Figure your cost per year.
Probably with repairs, new SO batteries and repairs are going to make new 18V Milwaukee stuff sensible.

I probably have spent more on batteries over the years then on actual tools, I'd say I'm buying 2 a year and I'm doubting snap on is going to keep making them in a few years.

 

[bpjr]

Rebuild the packs with new cells. You can up size the amp capacity when doing this and new high quality cells are way less than a complete batt pack. Once you open one up you will see how simple it is.

 

[WhiffySpark]

3/8 monster lithium is really nice.

 

[doorfx]

Rigid ( hd) was offering free lifetime battery replacement here in Canada

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I sold my SO cordless stuff a couple years ago and went with Milwaukee. The up side is that the snap on stuff still has value and if it were me I would sell them and move into something different. You probly have $300 -$400 on the used market, enough to get a good start on any non truck brand cordless stuff especially with some of the black Friday deals coming

Best advise so far. Sell off what you have and get into a new platform. The longer you drag it out the more you'll spend, and the less the tools will be worth.

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah, those SO power tools should still bring a pretty penny. The advantage of a newer and non-truck tool platform like Milwaukee Fuel or DeWalt is that they are much cheaper, and their batteries work across a huge tool lineup.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Yeah, those SO power tools should still bring a pretty penny. The advantage of a newer and non-truck tool platform like Milwaukee Fuel or DeWalt is that they are much cheaper, and their batteries work across a huge tool lineup.

And the disadvantages are they aren’t built for the abuse techs put them through.

The snapon 14.4 lineup really covers everything he could ever want.

 

[dsimatt]

Yeah, those SO power tools should still bring a pretty penny. The advantage of a newer and non-truck tool platform like Milwaukee Fuel or DeWalt is that they are much cheaper, and their batteries work across a huge tool lineup.

That's the main reason I'm want to go with Milwaukee, I already have a few of their tools so it makes sense to buy them.

And the disadvantages are they aren’t built for the abuse techs put them through.

The snapon 14.4 lineup really covers everything he could ever want.

I don't use my cordless a ton like automotive guys do, just has gotten to the point of when I do it's musical batteries to find one that works good.

I can't knock snap on tools because mine have been awesome but reality is I'm using a outdated line and to update is way more then I want to spend on work only tools that i cant use the batteries at home.

 

[Packard V8]

$120 for one battery?

A fukin' Ryobi 18v battery is a hunnerd.

jack vines

 

[dsimatt]

Best advise so far. Sell off what you have and get into a new platform. The longer you drag it out the more you'll spend, and the less the tools will be worth.

I'm done putting money into these tools, I would be taking them home to use till they completely die since I don't need to worry about looking like a idiot in front of customers with dead tools.

The old 14.4 tools go for dirt cheap around here, there's usually at least a few used ones on the truck without batteries since that's usually goes bad so guys are scared away.

 

[mbshop]

I bought a so cordless drill when they first had them. It worked fine but eventually the battery was toast. Cost did not justify keeping it. So years ago I got a bosch 12v drill driver for a 100 bucks. The differance was astonishing. So in short, toss or sell the so stuff and get something waaay better.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I like cordless tools for their portability; but the power tools I depend on will continue to have an air hose or cord attached. For Me, all three are here to stay.

I am pleased with My 20V De-Walt brushless drill and impact driver. My oldest Son borrowed the driver back in May or June to build a lawn shed and a large deck. He was impressed with the power and charge life of the larger batteries. (Thinking I should see if I can borrow it back.) Also thinking about getting a 3/8 impact to share the batteries with. But then I look at some of My air tools that are decades old, and have never needed a battery replacement.
But; if I decide the "Benefits and Convenience" of owning an additional tool are worth the price; it goes on the get list. I doubt there will be any regrets; as De-Walt has their line of multi voltage batteries that are supposed to be compatible for future replacements; if needed??

 

[ihateminimumwage]

And the disadvantages are they aren’t built for the abuse techs put them through.

On what planet? I've put mine through hell and back between working on trucks, equipment and gensets. No tools have failed yet, even after years of working in oily, muddy, raining and snowy conditions.

I'm done putting money into these tools, I would be taking them home to use till they completely die since I don't need to worry about looking like a idiot in front of customers with dead tools.

The old 14.4 tools go for dirt cheap around here, there's usually at least a few used ones on the truck without batteries since that's usually goes bad so guys are scared away.

If you have use for them at home, then that is a good use until the last battery dies. Then there's always some cash for the bare tools on eBay.

 

[itsvegas]

Best advise so far. Sell off what you have and get into a new platform. The longer you drag it out the more you'll spend, and the less the tools will be worth.

i think once a new model of cordless tools comes out you should dump your old ones while they still have same value before they become worthless entirely! also the new milwaukee stuff is great!

 

[Tonyuk]

My cordless set-up is currently a few Dewalt bits, i'll change when it stops being economical to maintain them (same with any tool really).

I have a few old drills in the house that are junk, it would cost more to buy the batteries than the tool itself cost when i bought it new, they'll be thrown out (recycled really).

 

[dsimatt]

On what planet? I've put mine through hell and back between working on trucks, equipment and gensets. No tools have failed yet, even after years of working in oily, muddy, raining and snowy conditions.

If you have use for them at home, then that is a good use until the last battery dies. Then there's always some cash for the bare tools on eBay.

Yeah I think if and when I swap over I'll bring them home and use them when needed, just can't afford to show up with crappy batteries in front of a customer.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I am not too familiar with the SO cordless tools, but do they make a Lithium Ion replacement battery for the tools the OP is referring too?

I have all Craftsman C3 brand cordless tools, which I use around my home. When they first came out years ago they had NiCad batteries, which would not last that long.

Then they came out with the Lithium Ion battery packs to replace the NiCads, and they are great. I would buy the Li-Ion packs when they were on sale to take the sting out of how much they cost. Even the larger, more powerful versions of the Li-Ion packs could be purchased for under $60 during a good sale.

I no longer use any of the NiCad packs except for one in my Craftsman C3 portable radio. Even though that one does not get used in a "tool" so to speak, I keep it around because I can rebuild it.

Whenever one of the old NiCad packs would no longer work, I would take them apart and remove any good cells. You can tell which ones are good by how much voltage they had. The bad ones would be almost dead. It only takes a few bad cells to make the entire pack not work. I use the removed good cells to rebuild the one NiCad pack I still have for the radio, or I put them in other items, like an old cordless vacuum cleaner, to keep things working.

If you have the 14.4V SO packs, then most probably it has 12 "C" size 1.2V rechargeable cells in it. I would wager that if the packs are no longer holding their charge, that maybe 4 or 5 of the cells are bad. That was the case with just about all of the C3 NiCad packs I had.

I removed all the good cells from all my old packs and keep them in a box to use when I need them for a rebuild.

Perhaps SO has a Li-Ion version of the 14.4V pack that will fit in your old tools to give them new life?

Jim

 

[kythri]

A fukin' Ryobi 18v battery is a hunnerd.

jack vines

Only if you're blind.

If you spend about 15 seconds more shopping, you'll find a 2-pack of the same battery for the same price ($99 - and that two pack will be $79 on Black Friday).

 

[dnschmidt]

The key with cordless is of course the batteries. In this regard Milwaukee and Dewalt have the market locked up since there is no day in the year you can't find either a Milwaukee or Dewalt battery. Makita is a close third. Both Bosch and Metabo make fantastic cordless tools but the batteries for both are not easy to find nor are they as cheap. So for me it's Milwaukee and for others it's Dewalt since a cordless tool ain't doing **** without a battery.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have pretty all of the last 18v ni cad tools and 14.4 ni cad impact drill. I have a ton of batteries as I always bought full sets. When my batteries started crapping out in numbers, I bought 8 new batteries after haggling him down to $100 A pieces. Figured that was cheaper then 2 new impacts, 2 drills, sawxall, grease gun lights.

 

[Sal Bandini]

If the tools are still good, why not take a chance and order some rebuild cells:

https://www.ebay.com/i/132059558336?chn=ps&dispctrl=1

 

[lbhsbz]

I ran the Snap On 14.4V 3/8" impact for about 10 years...it's a great gun. My batteries started to go so I sold the whole thing and went dewalt. The XR 3/8 gun with a 1.5 AH battery has the a bit more power, same or longer run time, in a package 2/3 the size and about 1/2 the weight. I'd recommend making the switch to either Milwaukee or dewalt...

 

[bobcatdan]

Whether you like SO cordless tools or not and if you can step back from lin ion, SO had awesome ni cad batteries. I bought into the Milwaukee V28 system and was beyond pissed off at the batteries. Swore of lin ion for a long time and still salty towards Milwaukee. SO ni cads mirror lin ion in many ways. Yes I know lin ion has come along way, but I didn't want to chance going backwards on the ni cad buy getting them rebuilt. All my SO is home now in my shop. At work I have jumped onto the Mac branded DeWalt brushless impacts. Someday I want to put them head to head. I always found the SO stuff very powerful and like to see how much they fall short of new stuff.

 

[jshillin]

I'm a diesel tech and running Snap On cordless tools at work, 3/8 impact, drill, light and about 4-6 batteries on the 14.4 NiCad lineup, not a lot compared to most guys but still a pretty good amount of money to replace.

I know the 14.4 line is ancient and they don't even make the tools anymore but I just got the impact rebuilt and the other tools are working good, the issue is the batteries and out of 6 maybe 3 are working great, but in the last month I have had 2 be very hit or miss and one has already been rebuilt. I just ordered a new battery at $120 which in reality probably is more than what everything is worth trying to sell.

So I guess my question is do you guys just keep running the tools till there were no more replacements or say screw it and go all in and replace it even when the stuff is working yet....I just don't want to keep investing in batteries on a line that is getting pushed out.

If you are still NiCad, it's time for you to upgrade... Lithium Ion is a huge upgrade. Look into Milwaukee, you can find several threads devoted to it and they have a much more favorable price point.

 

[stikman56]

I'm a diesel tech and running Snap On cordless tools at work, 3/8 impact, drill, light and about 4-6 batteries on the 14.4 NiCad lineup, not a lot compared to most guys but still a pretty good amount of money to replace.

I know the 14.4 line is ancient and they don't even make the tools anymore but I just got the impact rebuilt and the other tools are working good, the issue is the batteries and out of 6 maybe 3 are working great, but in the last month I have had 2 be very hit or miss and one has already been rebuilt. I just ordered a new battery at $120 which in reality probably is more than what everything is worth trying to sell.

So I guess my question is do you guys just keep running the tools till there were no more replacements or say screw it and go all in and replace it even when the stuff is working yet....I just don't want to keep investing in batteries on a line that is getting pushed out.

Those CTB4147 batteries can be had on Ebay for pretty good prices, I sell them all the time myself, usually under 40 bucks for good ones. A whole lot cheaper than a new one and from what I've experienced, most of the rebuilds are not very good on those, they are usually not as strong nor do the last that long on a charge. Finding the right rebuilder is obviously the key when it comes to the cells they are using.

 

[lbhsbz]

Those CTB4147 batteries can be had on Ebay for pretty good prices, I sell them all the time myself, usually under 40 bucks for good ones. A whole lot cheaper than a new one and from what I've experienced, most of the rebuilds are not very good on those, they are usually not as strong nor do the last that long on a charge. Finding the right rebuilder is obviously the key when it comes to the cells they are using.

The SO 14.4V battery, IIRC, was 2400mAH. I was going to rebuild my batteries myself, but couldn't find cells with the appropriate capacity. The Snap On batteries were excellent quality, which explains their price, and why they consistently go for over 10 years without any issues. I don't think the same life can be had from a LiIon, but LiIon seems to have quite a performance edge over over the nicads.

 

[dsimatt]

Whether you like SO cordless tools or not and if you can step back from lin ion, SO had awesome ni cad batteries. I bought into the Milwaukee V28 system and was beyond pissed off at the batteries. Swore of lin ion for a long time and still salty towards Milwaukee. SO ni cads mirror lin ion in many ways. Yes I know lin ion has come along way, but I didn't want to chance going backwards on the ni cad buy getting them rebuilt. All my SO is home now in my shop. At work I have jumped onto the Mac branded DeWalt brushless impacts. Someday I want to put them head to head. I always found the SO stuff very powerful and like to see how much they fall short of new stuff.

I've always been pleased by my snap on stuff, just don't have the best luck with batteries for some reason, pretty much everyone in the shop is still running ni cad. I was going to try and update and almost had a deal then they fired my dealer so said screw it and kept running my 24.4.