Cordless Drill / Driver

[matt]

One of the batteries on my old 7.2v Bosch drill driver (more driver than drill...) has packed up. Replacements seem most expensive than it's worth, although it is otherwise fully functional with one good battery remaining.

So... what to do... Wait for a replacement battery to surface on eBay? Invest in a new one?

I have a DeWalt 18v cordless hammer drill, so I only need for this one to be a driver.

Any thoughts (or odd 7.2v Bosch batteries going begging?)

 

[DaveL]

The other option is to re-cell the battery pack you have, there are companies that do this, or if the pack uses standard cells you could do it yourself.

 

[mailee]

Might be worth giving these people a try.
http://www.batterytrader.com/index.php? ... 91bd2c4b25

 

[promhandicam]

Matt,

if the battery isn't completely dead then you could try flashing the battery. this sometimes rejuvenates a battery that won't take / hold a charge. If you are interested let me know and I'll pm you with some info.

Steve

 

[matt]

Matt,

if the battery isn't completely dead then you could try flashing the battery. this sometimes rejuvenates a battery that won't take / hold a charge. If you are interested let me know and I'll pm you with some info.

Steve

Nope, the battery does still have some life in it, it just isn't providing much speed/torque. Would be interested in your suggested solution - not a term I've heard before.

Cheers

 

[matt]

Erm... sorta found myself in a tool shop. More to the point, leaving it with a small 7.2v LiIon powered Makita TD020. However, when I got home I realised I've bought an "Impact" driver . :shock:

Erm... Impact driver means a crude hunk of metal that you hit with a hammer to get stubborn screw/bolts out etc... What is an impact driver in the case of the Makita? Is it the equivalent of the hunk of metal of old or is it a new generation of cordless screwdriver - what have I bought?

Cheers

 

[Another Dave]

A look at the makita site explains all, and it looks like a usefull driver:

http://www.makitauk.com/index.php?page=189

There's even a video there!

We use the Dewalt and Makita 12 volt impact drivers, but seldom on a screw below 50mm! Great tools on the bigger stuff, but yours looks like it has a bit more finesse. :wink:

 

[matt]

Thanks for the link. It does look quite useful. I was thinking, for a moment, that it designed for a specialist purpose, however, it looks like it is a variation on the current driver theme. I'll give it a go and see how I get on. So long as it's efficient and tightens enough, then I'm happy.

 

[Burt Waddell]

I just recently purchased one of the little makita's and it was a pleasant surprise. It looks like a toy but works quite well.

For normal everyday work we have 4 of the Makita 14.4 volt impact drivers. Basically the impact drivers use the impact action to increase torque. Even a 12 volt impact driver has about twice the torque of a 18 volt drill/driver. Naturally the lower voltage means a much lighter tool. Also with the impact action, there is no torque on your wrist.

Burt

 

[beech1948]

Hi,
Have a look here. You may find what you need. I have found these guys to be cheap and fast to dispatch.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Battery-Pro-Inc_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

regards
alan

 

[Chris Knight]

Thanks for the link. It does look quite useful. I was thinking, for a moment, that it designed for a specialist purpose, however, it looks like it is a variation on the current driver theme. I'll give it a go and see how I get on. So long as it's efficient and tightens enough, then I'm happy.

Matt,
I have been using a Hitachi impact driver since they first came out, so it's probably less capable than the latest offerings from Makita et al but nonetheless I find I can use it for all but the very lightest of jobs as well as the heavier ones.

 

[matt]

Thanks, Chris. I've had a play and it seems quite capable. It appears to be very good at driving screws down to the correct depth rather than plunging them below the surface - all without a torque control. The only slight downside is when the screw starts getting tight it switches to impact and things slow down - not a big problem though.