Going Corded

5868 Views 33 Replies 18 Participants Last post by tulowd, Dec 24, 2019

Marco

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2019

After 10 plus years of battery operated (Cordless) tools (Mainly Drill Drivers) I have had enough. For the most part the tool itself doesn't fail but the batteries do. If I had a thousand dollars every time I needed to replace a battery in the middle of something to only plug in another under powered battery I could have retired 5 years ago.

Recently my Dewalt 18v Drill Driver clutch got stuck in the drill position so the clutch is not operetable. I have been looking and looking at drill drivers, drill drivers with impacts as well as the multi tool packages by every maker. There have been some "Good Buys" since before Thanksgiving and I almost pulled the trigger on a couple but just couldn't do it. Every time that voice keeps asking "How long are these batteries going to Last?", "2 years? 3?" "You'll be lucky if they last to the end of the warranty" I was looking at one manufacturer's 8 tool combo kit and almost bought it but then the voice started again and this time added "You already have all these tools corded and they will still be working when these cordless tools die".

With all of that said last night I made the decision to go corded. If my work required me to have cordless tools I would have the best of the best but it does not. So I have plenty of extension cords and would rather run it than run down batteries. All I really needed was a corded keyless chuck drill with a clutch and I began looking. To my surprise it was almost impossible to find one. There are several quality corded keyless chuck drill but only one that also had a clutch and that was a Black and Decker :frown: and it was 4 amps.

Sounds like the manufacturers would rather sell tools every 3 to 5 years than every 10 to 20.

See less See more

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

Cherryville Chuck

· #2 · Dec 12, 2019

Several more of us have also made that same decision Jim. For someone working in a home shop cordless just isn't absolutely necessary. I did manage to buy some extra batteries cheap for my Milwaukees but found out recently that they are likely knockoffs. They are performing fairly well just the same and they were just under $30 each for 4 amp hr ones which was $120 cheaper each than the dealer here.

For a corded drill though I prefer to stick with a keyed chuck. I've seen a few with keyless (like a boss' DW) that did not perform well. I think corded might be a little too much power for most of the keyless ones.

Reactions: 5

jw2170

· #3 · Dec 12, 2019

Agreed, Chuck...

RainMan 2.0

· #4 · Dec 12, 2019

Interestingly enough I had 2 makita 18V drills and the batteries all went south . Bought Dewalt drills and impact drivers and touch wood , no issues .
I’ve had the Deawalt non brushless version for many years (thinking apprx 6) and everything is fine . I couldn’t imagine a corded drill this day and age , but each to his own .
I love my brushless version though and always find I’m reaching for it , as the weight is lighter and it feels more ergonomic .

One thing I don’t believe in is cordless skill saws and grinders . Always found they were useless and went dead far too quickly

DesertRatTom

· #5 · Dec 12, 2019

This string makes you think. I have the 18 v DeWalt tools and really like how they work, but my batteries are ageing and don't hold that much of a charge. And the 20 v is nice, but one strong 4 amp battery is about the cost of a pair of 18v. The impact driver is priceless and I'll probably keep it running as long as possible, but I ran across my old 1/4 inch corded drill the other day so when my DeWalts die, I might just use it and skip the cordless. I once had a Makita battery rebuilt, but it didn't really work properly.

Batteries are a real issue these days. I inherited a small (3lb) oxygen concentrator from my brother last year, and the batteries are about $500 each, and both batteries just won't take a charge after sitting around for a year. I just use it for sleeping when traveling, so I don't really need the batteries, but I'm thinking I won't be ponying up a $1,000 any time soon.

See less See more

JOAT

· #6 · Dec 12, 2019

Never had cordless tools, except flashlights. I'm satisfied with my corded tools. If I were somewhere with no power, then I would consider cordless, but if I could just use a hand powered tool, I would go for that over cordless. But I do all work at home, so it's corded for me. I bought a new B&D corded drill somewhere around 1975. Still works, still use it almost every time I go in my shop. And still have not had to replace a battery in it.

Reactions: 2

thomas1389

· #7 · Dec 12, 2019

JOAT said:
Never had cordless tools, except flashlights. I'm satisfied with my corded tools. If I were somewhere with no power, then I would consider cordless, but if I could just use a hand powered tool, I would go for that over cordless. But I do all work at home, so it's corded for me. I bought a new B&D corded drill somewhere around 1975. Still works, still use it almost every time I go in my shop. And still have not had to replace a battery in it.

Just the opposite, The only corded I have is a flashlight. My wife likes it cause I can only go so far at night. I need a longer cord, I guess. Or a wife that's not concerned. I can barely get it to reach my beautiful widow neighbour's window. I don't want to start falling over things in the dark.

Reactions: 5

Cherryville Chuck

· #8 · Dec 12, 2019

thomas1389 said:
Just the opposite, The only corded I have is a flashlight. My wife likes it cause I can only go so far at night. I need a longer cord, I guess. Or a wife that's not concerned. I can barely get it to reach my beautiful widow neighbour's window. I don't want to start falling over things in the dark.

When you get that close your hearing is more important anyway. You need to be able to hear the sound of the receiver slamming shut so that you know when to duck and run. A light would just illuminate the target. In this case you.

Reactions: 3

thomas1389

· #9 · Dec 12, 2019

Cherryville Chuck said:
When you get that close your hearing is more important anyway. You need to be able to hear the sound of the receiver slamming shut so that you know when to duck and run. A light would just illuminate the target. In this case you.

Good thought. I'm all ready. I just got my first hearing aids in July. They're a gem. I can hear myself coming before I get there.

Reactions: 3

Knothead47

· #10 · Dec 12, 2019

Odd but I have had a Ryobi set I got for Christmas several years ago. I did have to replace the original batteries but found an online place that had blem batteries, four for $99 with free shipping and full factory warranty. I always keep my batteries charged. Separate the two so I don't have to guess. The Ryobi drill has much more torque for driving screws than my old corded Crapsman drill. The corded drill is used for pilot holes and the Ryobi drives the screws.

roxanne562001

· #11 · Dec 12, 2019

I have rebuilt most of my old nicad battery packs myself you can buy the Nicad cells pretty cheap. I converted a couple packs to lithium cells using laptop computer batteries but that was allot of work. You have to build in a circuit to monitor the battery charge level. I bought new Ryobi kits with Lithium batteries a couple years ago and since I switched to Lithium cells the battery problems have pretty much disappeared. The battery technology is getting better all the time. I wouldn't give up on the cordless it is the wave of the future.

Reactions: 2

Cherryville Chuck

· #12 · Dec 12, 2019

I know the tool companies are banking on it Roxanne because all the flyers from stores selling tools have at least twice as many ads for cordless tools as they do corded these days. Maybe when I'm guaranteed at a minimum of 10 years service from tool and battery. However, I found a new issue when I bought a Milwaukee drill/driver combo kit about 3 years ago. The drill started giving me trouble at about the one year mark. No problem, it has a 5 year warranty and Milwaukee smartly includes the year of manufacture in the serial number so no receipt needed, which was handy as I couldn't find it at the time. When I took it to the repair shop the manager checked and said it's the circuit board that regulates power usage to avoid overheating the battery and setting on fire, it'll have to be replaced. And by the way he said, if it goes after the warranty is over toss the drill. The board is so expensive you might as well buy a new drill. So where the batteries may be more reliable, the tools might not be.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

DaninVan

· #13 · Dec 12, 2019

In a word, 'vindication'.

You couldn't give me a battery powered tool.
Just FYI there are lots of generic replacement battery packs. Waaaay less expensive, and yes they're warranteed.

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

· #14 · Dec 12, 2019

DaninVan said:
In a word, 'vindication'.
You couldn't give me a battery powered tool.
Just FYI there are lots of generic replacement battery packs. Waaaay less expensive, and yes they're warranteed.

So you won’t be driving a Tesla any time soon I gather ? :grin:

Reactions: 2

MEBCWD

· #15 · Dec 12, 2019

I have had problems with the Craftsman batteries going bad and have several tools that use them. I also have a lot of Ryobi cordless tools and have not had any of the batteries go out yet in 5 years. Of course I am watching them wondering how long they will last.

I have a Dremel Stylus I've had for over 10 years and it is still taking a charge and working well. I wish they would bring them back, I'd buy a couple of more just so i would not have to change bits.

Reactions: 1

Cherryville Chuck

· #16 · Dec 12, 2019

MEBCWD said:
I have had problems with the Craftsman batteries going bad and have several tools that use them. I also have a lot of Ryobi cordless tools and have not had any of the batteries go out yet in 5 years. Of course I am watching them wondering how long they will last.

I have a Dremel Stylus I've had for over 10 years and it is still taking a charge and working well. I wish they would bring them back, I'd buy a couple of more just so i would not have to change bits.

Just saw this 5 minutes ago while I was checking cheap batteries for Joseph down in Mexico Mike. I have no idea how well it would work but it's not expensive. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ADAPTER-FO...415182?hash=item2f39d04c0e:g:AxAAAOSw6ypc52vN

Reactions: 1

MEBCWD

· #17 · Dec 12, 2019

Cherryville Chuck said:
Just saw this 5 minutes ago while I was checking cheap batteries for Joseph down in Mexico Mike. I have no idea how well it would work but it's not expensive. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ADAPTER-FO...415182?hash=item2f39d04c0e:g:AxAAAOSw6ypc52vN

Thanks Charles.

I wish they had on for using Ryobi batteries but I do have a couple of Black and Decker 20V batteries for a pole pruner I have. I think I'll get one of those and try it out.

DaninVan

· #18 · Dec 12, 2019

Ryobies are in here...
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Packs/b?node=552354
Check Harry's Banggood.com as well.
(I think I may have mentioned that apparently "Bang" is Mandarin for 'good'... so Good-good.

)

JOAT

· #19 · Dec 12, 2019

DaninVan said:
You couldn't give me a battery powered tool.

I would very happily accept a battery powered tool. I figure one would be excellent trading material. But use one? Nah.

MYB506

· #20 · Dec 13, 2019

I bought a small lightweight Ridgid drill about 4 years ago because it came with lifetime battery warranty. About 2 years later the battery wouldn't hold a charge and I returned it to HD. To my surprise there was no hassle and they gave me a new battery.

I have since thrown out all my old cordless tools and bought a more powerful Ridgid drill, driver and circular saw that came with the same lifetime warranty. They have all had a lot of use and the batteries are still working fine.

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.