Makita Cordless Issues

[movnup]

My very trusty 12v makita drill is giving me battery problems and I could use some help. My two original batteries lasted over five years with a lot of use but one died and I bought a replacement battery for it .... yesterday screwing down Trex lumber on my new deck I would only get about 10 screws from either battery and then it would die. The older battery was usually good for at least 50 three inch screws and then swap them out for the new battery. The light currently goes green on the charger in only 1/2 hour for either battery.

It was cold in Seattle (40 degrees) yesterday so I don't know if that's the issue, the charger is dying, or I need to return the new battery??? After reading a couple of posts on here I have them both in the freezer for 24 hours to take out the memory effect and then recharge them for a day but I need to get my double layer deck done b/4 the snow flies. I'm tempted to just get a "new" refurbished makita or dewalt 14 volt as they are close to the same price as a new battery and charger. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated !!!!

[jseklund]

My advice, since you asked and since it is not my money- you obviously need to buy a new drill! Maybe not the most financially responsible move....I would need more info to determine that. But whenever I can buy a new tool with a good excuse, I buy it!

[steve-u]

I would consider taking the battery back for a refund if you can get it and put that money to a kit that comes with a drill and impact driver that would also include a charger and two batteries. For what you are doing an impact driver would be great. Makita has a well regarded kit that Amazon currently has for $192 shipped after $25 discount code is applied. At times you may find it cheaper but $192 is still a great value. Also you can sometimes find good deals on a recon 12v Makita impact driver kit that also comes with batteries and charger that hopefully could also be used in your current drill.

Steve

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-6935FDW...61649-2061719?
ie=UTF8&s=hi

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-Batteri...9?ie=UTF8&s=hi

[mschrank]

....I need to get my double layer deck done b/4 the snow flies.

Just a technical note...

In Seattle...when/if it does snow, it seems to generally PLOP down in fat wet wads more than it "flies"

[movnup]

The combo unit sounds like the ticket but I was hoping to keep this one going somehow if at all doable. I don't know if you saw my other posts this month but I purchased a combo P/Cable compressor with 2 guns, ZCTP's as well as clamps. My wife is pretty reasonable but another $200 bucks this month and I might have to see you all helping me up in the Pacific NW build a new room to sleep in my backyard. I have a top end Bosch hammer driver / drill ... would that work like the impact driver ???... otherwise I might just have to do it the old way with my sears 1/2 inch on one cord and the bosch on the other till I can sneak in another tool(s).

[doogus]

Don't waste your money on batteries. After you buy replacements you are halfway to a new one. The "latest technology" in cordless drills is worth the investment. Check out the new Makita 18 V lithium ion drill - light, about the size of a 12 V, a very sweet looking rig.

[TheRic]

I have gone thru several drills. Once the battery is shot I have to get a whole new drill and battery since it's the cheaper way to go. Got tired of that and got a Ridgid combo set. They have a Lifetime Warranty on their tools, and BATTERIES.

Last set I got had two batteries, and drill. One battery worked great, the other would go dead in 1 day after charging just sitting on the table, not attached to anything. If I used it right out of the charger, it would work OK, but it still didn't last as long as the other. Tried to take it back, didn't have much luck. Yours sounds a lot worse then mine did, maybe you will have better luck.

A hammer/drill and Impact Driver are NOT the same!! Two totally different animals. Comparing a hammer drill to an impact driver is like comparing a reciprocating saw to a circular saw. They both drill (cut), but how they do that is totaly different, both have their pros and cons on getting the job done.

Since money if tight, and you have corded tools, then use them!!

I would strongly suggest an Impact Driver for this job!!

[movnup]

I took a look on the HD website for the Rigid lifetime warranty as never having to buy batteries again sounds like a plan even if I was never wowed by their products. Reading the fine print it is a limited warranty for 3 years for the battery section so I'm back to saving up for either the Makita 14.4 v impact driver or a new drill based on you all's input and reviews I read vs. the dewalt.

Putting the batteeries in the freezer did give them back some new life for small projects and so maybe I can use corded drills till I get the deck done and then x-mas is right around the corner!!!! It's hard to use corded after the Makita though .... I keep tripping on the cords and I am not used to the bigger size of the 1/2 inch version.

Editors Note: I should have stated I needed to get the deck done b/4 the rainy season, not b/4 the snow files (I grew up in the midwest). In Seattle if we want snow we drive 20 minutes to the mountains and play in it all we want.

[Andrew Benedetto]

The Ridgid tools have a lifetime service agreement that does cover the batteries IF you register the tool, which can be done on their web site.
I have Makita 12v impact drivers(which are great,never use a drill to drive screws anymore),and 2 Ryobi 18v drivers(use on MC & car repair) and several other brands of cordless tools, 7.2v-18v.
I like the ridgid 12v design for light/medium duty use over the Makita 12v drill b/c of weight,rubber tool & batt. protection,30min charge,single sleeve chuck. I also have the Ridgid angle 12v driver that comes in handy sometimes in tight places.
Run time increases as does the weight with voltage w. NiCad/NiMhi. 14.4v is a good balance except for saws.

I just bought the Bosch I driver and also have a dremel Li Ion tools. I really am impressed as to how long they hold a charge in storage and their light weight. I would buy Li Ion in the future as the $ is also now comming down.

[niki]

Hi Movnup

I did something that is unconventional but it works already more than 10 year.

I have a few drills that are in very good condition but the batteries got flat.

Instead of buying new batt’s, I took out the old ones and soldered a two wires cord to the drill.
It the case of batt pack, I removed the batt’s and soldered the wires the metal contacts of the pack.

I connected the wires to a 12V, 5AH bike batt. It works supper.

If you don’t have the time to search for a batt, just connect it to your car batt.
You don’t have to make quick disconnect or fuse like I did, just connect the wires with alligator claps.

I’m attaching two pics, if you want more pics of the “inside story”, just say it.