Cordless power tools

[Ljohnsaw]

I have a lot of yellow batteries, some that are 4 or 5 years old. I had a couple times when a battery wouldn't charge. Might have been the same one, need to mark it next time. Anyhow, I just repeatedly kept putting it on and off the charger until it got above the minimum voltage for the charger to work.

[Crusarius]

I learned with my M18 stuff and I think it was mike belben saying they will not charge if they are cold. I found this to be correct.

[Don P]

On cordless I can't say. On corded tools yeah, the big box stuff is inferior. I've been through a half dozen or so Makita corded saws, same models and Ikeep the trashed ones for parts till there is nothing worthwhile left. I bought one at Lowes in a pinch. When it died shortly after, yup it is different inside and not better.

I went Kobalt a couple of years ago, the batteries are cheaper. The impact is stronger than my corded one. The drills die if you stall them so we've been thru 2 warranty replacements... which is walk in, plop down the old one and grab a new one. I'm not sure who is making those. DeWalt and Craftsman, Bostitch, Stanley, Irwin are B&D. Which at one time was a good company, the old B&D industrial tools were good, but that was yesterday.

[doc henderson]

I have a Makita skill saw (corded) I got in Albany at a Sam's club.  used hard for over 30 years.  I use cordless more now.  I have two new in box for my kids, so I hope they are good (Lowes 20 years ago).  Most of my routers are porter cable cause that is what my dad had.  His was corded, a metal housing and a two prong plug.   I am always looking for a deal.  hard to know now if something is a great deal, as the brand name is no longer a guarantee.  The only good thing is the BB stores do not take it personal if you return something.  

[Larry]

Looking around the shop this morning.  I have two Mall drills 75 years old, a Craftsman 40 years old, and a couple more "batteryless" drills all in perfect working condition.  I also have the usual assortment of "cordless" drills.  About half have dead batteries no longer manufactured.  The good ones have batteries in some stage of decline.

I wonder which type has the best cost per hole?  Might be other thoughts on the value/cost of cordless tools.

Don't get me wrong, I want that cordless when I'm outside climbing around on a framing job.  At the workbench something with a cord will suit me fine.

[Don P]

It was all air in the shops, that is probably the lowest cost, stall it till you're bored  :D