After over 4 yrs of use/abuse, my Bosch 14.4 V batteries croaked. I’ve tried everything under the sun to rejuvenate them, including sticking them in the freezer for 24 hrs when discharged. Got to the point that they turn the chuck at a decent RPM, but generate no torque. Want to buy new. Where is the cheapest price?
Don
The GlassMasterworks – If it scratches, I etch it!
Replies
try toolcribofthenorth.com
Don,
I looked up a Bosch 14.4v x 1/2" drive and found Amazon, Woodworker's supply, and tools-plus.com all to be within ~$2 (model 33614 kit, $187-189). For other brands, models:
http://www.toolseeker.com/Drill/CordlessDrill.htm
http://www.toolseeker.com lists some comparative prices and also rebates, coupons, etc. for online tools purchases. It also allows you to selecet different brands/models and compare, though I've found that specs can be wrong, so I use that as rule of thumb only, check manufacturer's site for up-to-date, correct specs. It doesn't list prices from EVERYwhere, but I've found that those it does list are about as low as you'll find. (That is, you can probably find lower if you look hard enough, but by then how time have you wasted?)
If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Just a thought, have you checked the brushes on the drill motor and the trigger switch? The former could be the low torque culprit, the latter is less likely so, but also a source of problems as a tool ages.
Try eBay. I've had some success with batteries. Some batteries they sell on ebay are reconditioned, or are made by a manufacturer other than the drill. Everyone one of the non-OEM batteries I have had to chuck within a year; they just do not last. Bid on OEM batteries still in their original packaging.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
If you want (need) a new drill that is fine.
But if it is just because of the cost of the replacement batteries search the forum for "rebuilding batteries". Either DIY or there are several 3rd party sources listed that rebuild them.
Don, I got some wholesale tool address off of Ebay. Ended up a new 14.4 bosch drill and kit w/two batteries for $130 delivered to the door.
ALL: Sorry I can't put the ALL in the "To" line, but I cannot operate from anything other than the "Rock Squad" system if I want to post msgs. My ISP screws things up for the advanced.
Thanks for all the research you did that I could/should have done for myself. I was hoping that one of you would have had the answer at the tip of your fingers. You did, however, save me a ton of work and give me some great ideas. Thanks a ton.
Drill has taken several hard drops on a concrete floor from the top of an 8 ft ladder. Could well be the brushes & switch. It has driven a million 2, 2 1/2 &3 inch DW screws w/o pilot holes and been beaten up pretty badly. Also, I did not learn till too late to run the batteries down till "Dead" before each charging, and they have developed a lousy memory and do not take a full charge any more. Amazingly, it is my wife who keeps telling me to buy a new drill! She had to be convinced when I bought our PC 557 biscuit cutter. The commutator does send off a ton of sparks. Marconi would love to use it to generate radio waves! I 'spect that the brushes & commutator are pretty far gone. I just got a pacemaker, and if my Dr. ever saw me using that thing w/ the back end just below the pacemaker he'd give birth to a Texas Longhorn!
Off to e-Bay. The GlassMasterworks - If it scratches, I etch it!
my repair tech talked to a battery tech at matsuhita(spelling?) about charging the new nicads. its the parent company for panasonic and one of the very few companies that actually make batteries for these tools. he was told not to run the battery down. the individual cells can have a polarity reversal if they are run too low-result is taking less charge than before. the tech said to recharge when the tool wont perform the job at hand. good luck at ebay. paul.
Paul: I've read some technoweenie stuff on NiCAD's also. I don't like the idea of running the batteries down, BUT - If you are doing a lot of stuff that demands high torque (Like running in big screws w/o pilot holes) The batteries will stop functioning sooner than if you are doing a bunch of low torque stuff. Net result; batteries take on a memory sooner, rather than later. That's what I did. I got the ideas from my framing carp to run them down till the motor wouldn't turn then recharge, but to never recharge when they still had a partial operating charge on them. Before meeting my carp, I could see my batteries lasting shorter and shorter times between charges. I plan to buy an identical drill just for continuity of operations w/ spares of whatever value they have. I suspect I have some very bad brushes & commutators, based on the terrible sparking. My Bosch 24 volt elephant gun is worse for brush emmissions than my 14.4 volt. You can practically read by it! Also, it doesn't always start when the trigger is pulled. Brushes are sitting on bad commutator bars. Have to jar it to nudge armature to good segment.
Don The GlassMasterworks - If it scratches, I etch it!
I just bought TWO NEW 18V+ batteries for my DeWalt tools for $110 total. HD wants $89 "each" plus tax.
Ebay rocks
Be thrifty
Namaste
andy
"Understanding yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth"
Alan Watts
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Unless you get a deal on ebay or something like that, the price of a new drill with batteries typically is close to the cost of two new batteries. I'd recommend buying a new drill that uses the same batteries as your old one. That way you hopefully will have 2 working drills about. Comes in handy sometimes cause you don't have to change bits as often.
Jon