Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Jun 20, 2002 09:06pm | #1

   I had a cordless drill I was awful fond of. At the suggetion of someone her, I called Batteries Plus. (You might try searching the archives for that discussion)

   http://www.batteriesplus.com/

   They said they could refurbish my batteries for $90 each.

   I now have a new cordless drill.

   So many lawyers, so few bullets.

2. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 21, 2002 02:52am | #2

   Most likely....the drill will be reconditioned and the batt's new. I try to buy all my stuff reconditioned........mostly thru tool crib. They just had an ad for the DeWalt 14.4......where the total cost of recond drill and 2 batts is about $20 over what I last paid for 2 batt's......so I'm thinking I'm gonna do the same. Buy the kit....but mainly for the batt's.....and keep the "extra" old drill at home for days when I don't feel like digging thru the the van.

   Tool Crib had alot of PC stuff recon in their last catalog too...I think. Jeff

      She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!

3. 
   JohnSprung | Jun 21, 2002 03:40am | #3

   Pick the worst of your batteries, and see if you can take it apart.  You can buy new ni-cad cells and solder them in, the only hard part is getting the plastic stuff apart without destroying it, and getting it back together again.

   -- J.S.

4. 
   jc21 | Jun 21, 2002 05:57am | #4

   I did what Jeff suggested ........... bought a recon drill from Tool Crib/Amazon. It's a 14.4v Makita with a flashlight and comes with 2 NiMH batteries. Has the the same warranty as new .......... looks new (other than the big reconditioned sticker on the case). For $130 its hard to beat .......plenty of cajones and not too heavy. Over $60 cheaper than brandy new ......... the recon tools are definitely worth a look.

1. 
   4Lorn1 | Jun 21, 2002 06:54am | #5

   A razor saw is a good way to get the battery cases open when they are not screwed together. Check under any decals and labels for screws first as they are frequently hidden. If the case is glued or ultrasonically welded I use the razor saw, a very fine bladed back saw, on the glue line. With a little care the case will be able to be reglued after you replace the cells.

   For best performance match the cells in each pack for internal resistance and output.

5. 
   rez | Jun 21, 2002 07:55am | #6

   edjw- You can get on ebay and go to tools. Mail order outfits always sell multiple listings of the same tool. Get their email address or phone number and you can order direct for their reserve price. I bought a 14.4 bosch drill  with 2 batteries, charger and case with factory warranty, a reconditioned unit looking new, with insurance and shipping, for $128 total to my door. A happy camper.

6. 
   observer | Jun 21, 2002 07:56am | #7

   I'm on my sixth year with a refurb Dewalt 14v.  It is still going fine, though original batteries are long gone.