Cordless Tool Batteries

[BSeyler]

I'm looking at a new DeWalt cordless hammer drill. It's offered with Ni-Cd or Li-lon batteries. All of my cordless tools have Ni-Cd batteries and I don't have any experience with Li-lon. Is anyone using them? The difference in cost is $30. Are they worth the money, how do they hold up, etc. , etc. , etc?

Thanks!

Bud

 

[tolmsted]

Retired GC here. Ni-Cad is still around but I feel 'it's old school.
Li-Ion is the latest and greatest. Lighter in weight, recharges much faster, power lasts longer. I will not buy Ni-Cad anymore. Ni-Cad also discharges faster if not used often.

Tom

 

[BSeyler]

Tom,

That's what it looked like on the research I have done. I just wanted to hear from someone who has experience with them. Being on the cutting edge of technology is great. Being on the bleeding edge is not. I just didn't want to get into something new too soon. I think I'll give them a try.

Bud

 

[BullyDogJason]

I was a GC before i started working for bullydog. I used to LOVE dewalt tools. and still have the drills, sawzalls, radio, etc. But I bought a 18v lith-ion makita kit that had the drill and impact driver set. I will never look back at dewalt again. the makitas ran forever, charged quick and were light. oh and had a light. lol

 

[Wingate]

First kit I bought was a Makita 3/8 impact, flashlight, 1/2 2 speed drill powered by NiCad. GREAT kit,... Finally wore out the batteries,

Ended up buying a Milwaukee kit to replace it using Li-Ion and love them too. .

One thing I noticed was that with the niCad, you could tell when the battery was getting weak before it actually died. With the Li-Ion it works, works, works, then completely dead.

 

[BSeyler]

Looks like another vote for the batteries. Glad the Makita worked out for you. I used Makita grinders in the oil patch in the early 80s and liked them. Then, it seems like they started building lesser quality stuff. When my wife and I built our present house in 07, I had a Makita saw that was nothing but trouble. All of my DeWalt tools performed well. I tossed the Makita and replaced it with a DeWalt. Swore I'd sooner have a sister in a cathouse as buy another Makita,:-laf, but know there are many happy customers out there. Thanks for your input - I ordered the DeWalt.

Bud

 

[HSpiering]

Got a Ridged lithium 18vdrill. I love it over my Ni-cad. There has been some problems with lithium batteries but are being worked out. I have a 3 year warranty on my batteries and had one replaced. I like to be able to recharge in 20 min. My son has a Dewalt he will buy batteries every couple years. They are Ni-cad. Lithium is the new thing. If you want a lot of info about tools and batteries go to ridged.com. Their forum is pretty good.

 

[seafish]

Makita LXT tools... ALL of them are well designed, well made, powerful and lightweight. I use the saw, recipro saw, impact driver, drill, grinder and I would love to get the jig saw. I laughed when I first saw the little led light on the impact driver that turns on when you pull the trigger... now I mostly smile as it really does help to illuminate the area when working installing cabinets or even other places.

 

[MasterLow]

Another here for the Makita LXT. Have a small impact, big impacter, sawzall, flashlight, hammer drill. Had them for getting close to 4 years, still have awesome battery life and nothing has gone wrong with them! Smoke poured out of the hammerdrill after drilling 3/4'' holes through posts, but it didn't seem to phase it.

 

[Skydiver]

I find it hard to believe Ni-Cad is still being offered.
I wanted the ridged kit with the lifetime warranty. I had to settle for a ryobi. It does fine for light duty.

 

[Grizzly]

Makita LXT tools... ALL of them are well designed, well made, powerful and lightweight. I use the saw, recipro saw, impact driver, drill, grinder and I would love to get the jig saw. I laughed when I first saw the little led light on the impact driver that turns on when you pull the trigger... now I mostly smile as it really does help to illuminate the area when working installing cabinets or even other places.

I have the same set of Makita LXT cordless tools, which I totally love. I've had them for three years and use them almost every day. I sold all the DeWalt and Milwaukee cordless tools I had. My set came with 8 tools plus an AM/FM radio with a ipod jack. That little light come in handy.



This is the kit I have, minus the impact wrench and the rotary hammer. click here