This Chinese made drill is many years old but has served me well for the occasional uses I’ve needed. The chuck is hand tightened and that has always been an annoyance.
The battery no longer holds enough charge to last long enough to complete a job. Replacement batteries, if you can find them, are in the $50 range.
Under $100 are many new tools, some not much more than $50. I'm not a tradesman using it for work.
My trivial decision is, do I get a new drill or a new battery? Please understand, I am not frugal, I am CHEAP! Any recommendations?
Say I grit my teeth and buy a new one. What do I do with my current one? I hate the thought of throwing away a still functional tool. Perhaps I can donate it to ARC and maybe someone else can get some use out of it. Suggestions?
13 comments:
Personally, I would lean towards a new tool. Look carefully and find a chuck you can like. Some of them are no good and some are very pleasant to use.
I like Ryobi. All of the batteries for all of their ONE+ tools are interchangeable. They hold a big charge and seem to last a long time before needing to be replaced.
As for the old one, it may be possible to open the battery case and replace the cells. NICADS are available on the interwebz. Get the batteries with solder tabs already on them so you can solder them together. Otherwise, they are impossible to solder with out damaging the cells.
Thank you for the advice. With my aging fumble fingers I don't think trying to rebuild the battery is a good idea. As an example, replacing the windshield washer pump on my Buick, a ten minute job, took me thirty minutes and two tries.
What edtheham said about replacing the cells in the battery pack. Very likely your cheapest solution. YouTube is your friend there. I have not done this myself.
I was in the same boat a few year back with my old Black and Decker. Newer battery packs NOT backwards compatible. I donated it to our local mission and got one of these kits IIRC, for about $125 (2 tools, 2 batteries, charger)--
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Impact-Driver-Drill-DCK211S2/dp/B0044DEXPW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=25XJ7TWHVGMTD&keywords=dewalt+tool+set+12v&qid=1641145015&sprefix=dewalt+tool+set+12%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-2
I went with 12v as they are lighter and handier, and have plenty of power for around the house and yard. I understand that this kit is overkill in your case, but at least I can offer a first hand +1 for DeWalt.
RHT447
I'm leaning towards gritting my teeth and spending real money. That will likely give Sisty the vapors.
edtheham +1
If you are really cheap, try this
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/drills-drivers/18v-cordless-38-in-drilldriver-kit-64118.html
Ed B
Thanks! There are some cheap prices. I've had hit/miss with Harbor Freight tools. Saw a good price on Skil brand on Amazon. I always start with the one star rating. Will pass o Skil.
Tuesday I will stop by the one pawn shop I know isn't a fence and see what they have.
Hey WSF, is just borrowing your facility's tools once in while or showing up and asking them to make the incision an option? I realize sharing tools is not done though not sure if that holds at a govt facility. Also, you need the tools for your job so they can be deducted against income. Driving through and to remote locations means you need to be able to make minor repairs to your vehicle.
I've got an older Makita that I bought in 1996. It's on its third set of batteries from eBay, and is still working fine. You might be able to find low cost batteries on eBay, as the batteries from the Big Box stores can get pretty $$$.
Then I bought one of these new "Hercules" drills from Horror Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/drills-drivers/20v-cordless-12-in-compact-drilldriver-tool-only-56534.html
The thing is amazing, and is the best-built item I've ever owned from HF. Their "Bauer" line is one step down, but still much better than their "Drillmaster" line of junque!
I can't add to the above but I will say this, take the old unit out and shoot it.
Yep, spend the $$$ and donate the old one.
jeff D
Great advice. However, I need an income to justify a deduction.
DRJIM
I'll stop by Harbor Freight this week. Replacement battery on Ebay is $40 + shipping.
LSP
Might be fun if I could hit it. Lousy shot left handed and Macular degeneration in the right eye.
OldNFO
That is what I will most likely end up doing.
When my 14V drill battery stopped showing up for work, I wired in a long stretch of heavy lamp cord and a cigarette lighter plug. Now I can drill my car anywhere, and other stuff near the car. Is also great for refinishing headlight lenses.
Ritche
That is way out of my comfort zone.
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