All ya all …… Was putting up shelves in a closet today useing a Dewalt 18v vs drill/driver I set it down on a shelf and turned around to get a bracket and heard a pssssst looked back and my drill shot a couple of sparks out the top and the closet filled immediatly with smoke ( the bad smelling electrical type) I threw some rags around it and got it outside , managed to get the battery and drill apart still smoking for another few minutes , there was a melted area in the top of the battery I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them . Got to thinking this might be a warning not to leave the battery in the drill in the future especially in the shop or around something flamable. I thought I would package it up and send it to Dewalt R&D and let them have a look at it , if any one has a contact address or number I would appericate it if you would pass it on. Thanks Nails
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I'm always a little paranoid about some of this good power stuff we use. I've never had your problem with a cordless, but I saw a big Rockwell/Delta drill motor erupt into flames one time. It was plugged in, but hadn't been used in a couple of days.
So, because of that experience, I always unplug all cords before I leave a jobsite at end of day. Maybe unnecessary, but a simple precaution.
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I think you could just go to dewalt.com and shoot them a line.
Have no idea what could have caused your problem, but it reminded me of a funny story.
A guy I know who works construction is really, really careful where he sets cordless batteries. Reason, he was working in an crawlspace one time and had tossed a spare drill battery in his toolbelt so he wouldn't have to climb out and get it later. He says he's laying on his back in a narrow area working and starts smelling smoke. Then he feels like someone touched him with a match. He jerked up, banging his head and getting too intimate w/ a protruding nail. Shimmys out of the area to where he can move. His tool belt's smoking, and he has 2nd degree burns where a couple of the rivets are. His battery had shorted out on a nail or something. Ruined his belt, bloodied his head, burned his butt. And, now for some reason he's paranoid about batteries. Go figure.
DEWALT, CPSC Announce Recall of DW9095 18-Volt Battery Packs
DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is announcing a recall to repair certain DW9095 18 volt battery packs sold between May 1997 and June 1998. The clips holding the battery packs may fail to engage fully with the battery operated tool, permitting the battery pack to fall from the tool, which may present the risk of personal injury. IS YOUR BATTERY PACK INCLUDED??
1. Check the model number—Is your battery pack a DEWALT Model DW9095? If so, then:
2. Check the date code-If the date code is between 9719 to 9810, then it must be repaired. (The date code consists of 4 numbers followed by letters located on the top of the battery pack (see illustration above)). If the date code is followed by an "R," or there is a quarter-inch red dot on the name plate, the battery pack has already been repaired.
(picture deleted)
A search on Dewalt.com for product recall popped that up. Not what happened to you but of interest non the less. Probably not a bad idea to go and check out the other mfg for recalls as well.
Edited 1/15/2003 12:11:45 PM ET by Bill_H
Thanks to you all and for the wake up call Bill H. Went to web site for info , found DeWalt service center ( been doing business there 35yrs , kind of slow ) I took drill battery and charger in they said "oh hell ya these ain't no good been recalled take this new battery and charger and let us know if your drill acts up." I f your there Boss Hog -James Machinery.
Edited 1/16/2003 4:02:27 PM ET by nails
That's one of the reasons I like that place. I've bought several things from them.
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I'd say you're pretty much screwed. Once the smoke leaks out of the motor, it will never work again. Your drill motor must not have been sealed up well..........
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