pattern batteries

[Phil Pascoe]

Anyone anything good or bad to say about them? I have to buy a new battery drill and I'm considering a bare drill and separate batteries. I've had my £90 1.5ah Hitachi for five years and it's done everything I've wanted but the clutch is beginning to go, so I want to trade up a bit - not too far because it's only used domestically. I'm thinking about pattern batteries because they are so much cheaper.

 

[Distinterior]

I had a pair of Atlas Copco/Millwaukee 18v NiCad batteries re-built about 15 years ago. I believe the company that did it for me used Panasonic cells in them, and they certainly had a much longer life than the original cells did. In fact, the batteries still take a charge now and the drills still work, but if I dont use the drill for a week, then I have to recharge.

At that time, the cost of buying a pair of new batteries was more than twice the cost of having them rebuilt with, what was technically, a better battery cell.

I would have had a few more done as the years have passed, but the company that did it used to be fairly local to me but I believe they relocated up North somewhere....????

Personally, I would recommend looking into this option. From memory, they used to have the common makes and sizes in stock and you just give them your old battery packs and they give you new, rebuilt ones.

I can remember the name of the company and hopefully they are still going and if its ok with the Mods...????

They are called Combat Alexander.

Here's a link http://www.combatalexander.co.uk/main/m ... eries-home

There is no mention of power tool batteries on the home page, but give them a call and see what they say.

Tim.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Thanks, but I'm talking of buying new gear - I could buy a bare drill and pattern batteries way cheaper than originals. I'm just looking for a downside. I know it could potentially screw a guarantee on the tool.
My bil had batteries re - celled in NZ about 20 years ago and he was told that 95% of the cells they came across no matter what the price of the tool were either Panasonic or Sony.

 

[MMUK]

I've had pattern batteries from Hobatt on Amazon before for my Makita stuff. They are as good as the originals but less than half the price. At the moment, they are doing a twin pack of BL1850s for about £85!

 

[bugbear]

Sort of related - a local barber shop managed (they "knew a guy") to get the cells replaced
in an expensive once-rechargeable-but-no-more beard trimmer for me.

it then held a better charge than it did when new.

BugBear

 

[No skills]

Given the price you can get an ok drill for these days is it worth the bother?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Point taken. I'm looking about £150 - £170. I can't justify more for domestic use (every tool I own owes me nothing). It might make the difference between 1.5ah - 2ah and 3ah or even 4ah. I had a 14.4v Hitachi I was happy with til the batteries failed, and an 18v Hitachi (as said), but I'm looking a little up market. I might go back to a 14.4v with better batteries.

 

[No skills]

That sort of money will get you quite a reasonable drill. Give us a clue as to what your using it for (yes drilling ).
Do you just need a drill driver or combi drill?
A few manufacturers still sell 14.4 but they are generally phasing them out, no real need when moder 18v stuff is nice and light and not really any more expensive.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

No need for a hammer. General drilling, screwing, augers up to 1 1/2", sanding on the lathe. My 18v Hitachi won't drive a 1" auger any more. I know I can get a reasonable drill for that money but I wonder whether I could do better without OEM batteries. Pure speculation.

 

[No skills]

I know what you mean but when bosch or dewalt (as example) 4ah batteries are available for £50-60 each including gaurentee I personally wouldn't bother with the risk.
All imo of course.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Right . I'm settled on a DeWalt with 2 x 2ah batteries for £135 or a Makita with 2 x 3ah batteries for £140. The DeWalt is brushless, the Makita brushed. I'm tempted to go with the DeWalt as I don't really need the battery capacity. I've trawled Amazon and Ebay for hours.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've found two at the same price, one with the hammer, one without. Does anyone know if there is any advantage in NOT having the hammer?

 

[sunnybob]

I bought three floureon batteries to replace the 7 year old makita drill batteries. so far they are at least as good as makita, for half the price. Of course it will be another 5 years before i can comment on longevity.

 

[petermillard]

I've found two at the same price, one with the hammer, one without. Does anyone know if there is any advantage in NOT having the hammer?

Drill/drivers are generally lighter than combis, though unless you're using daily for hours at a time I'm not sure you'd notice the difference - mite be worth checking the specs though??

HTH Peter

 

[Beau]

No need for a hammer. General drilling, screwing, augers up to 1 1/2", sanding on the lathe. My 18v Hitachi won't drive a 1" auger any more. I know I can get a reasonable drill for that money but I wonder whether I could do better without OEM batteries. Pure speculation.

augers of 1 1/2" are going to need some serious torque. Got a supposedly 55NM 18v Dewalt but it's maxed out on a 20mm auger.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Sorry, yes. 1 1/2" is a bit extreme. My Hitachi is bottom end, though, and it used to handle 1 1/4" OK. Now it won't drive a sharp 3/4". I checked the spec. on the DeWalts and the one with the hammer didn't come with a charger.

 

[No skills]

Fwiw..
Sometimes the combi version of a drill will have a bit more torque compared to the drill/driver - the dewalts are often like this if you check the specs.
Any makita brushed models will quite possibly be very old models as they were one of the first to start selling brushless drills, make sure you don't get caught with one with the old style 3ah batteries that were less than reliable.
Old combi drills seemed to have a bit more play in the chucks than the drivers, this seems to be much less of an issue with more modern drills.

If you settle on a model then go have a look on YouTube for it, there will often be a few reviews for whatever your looking at buying.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The deed is done. I've gone for the DeWalt drill/driver as I didn't want to pay extra for hammer that I don't need.