Yorick wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:58 am
5 amp batteries are about £100 each.
I hear you about the 5aH stuff - but I've renovated an entire house using 3.5aH powered tools which are a chunk cheaper.
I'm not a contractor where I'm going to be at it for hours-and-hours on end.
I got a similar kit to that 6 years ago, but 1.5 amp batteries.
I finally gave in and bought a 4 amp recently. Much less waiting time.
I tell a lie , the original Makita batts were only 2.0aH and (digging around in my pile of stuff that i won't throw away) there's another set of 1.5aH deaduns. So approx 6-7 years service per set of 2, not too bad really.
Shame. Can't even snag a set in the clearance and send them over because most of the postal services get v twitchy about batteries. They even make a song and dance about sending phones.
Count Steer wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 10:50 am
Shame. Can't even snag a set in the clearance and send them over because most of the postal services get v twitchy about batteries. They even make a song and dance about sending phones.
Well I come over reasonably regularly anyway - so it's not a big deal for me to wait a few months if necessary.
DefTrap wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 10:29 am
I tell a lie , the original Makita batts were only 2.0aH and (digging around in my pile of stuff that i won't throw away) there's another set of 1.5aH deaduns. So approx 6-7 years service per set of 2, not too bad really.
I seem to get about 7 years about the batteries before they aren't good enough to use too.
I have a Bosch drill (18v) that is at least 14 years old and gets used a lot, hammer drilling, screws etc. the chuck fell apart a couple of weeks ago so I bought the nearest equivalent bosch...£70, two bigger batteries that still fit the old one. The chargers are a bit different, but the old batteries fit the new one and the old one still works anyway....the drill is still useable, but you need gloves to change a bit....
They are both green, so Bosch's domestic rather than proffesional range, but a definite win, methinks...
David wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:16 pm
I have a Bosch drill (18v) that is at least 14 years old and gets used a lot, hammer drilling, screws etc. the chuck fell apart a couple of weeks ago so I bought the nearest equivalent bosch...£70, two bigger batteries that still fit the old one. The chargers are a bit different, but the old batteries fit the new one and the old one still works anyway....the drill is still useable, but you need gloves to change a bit....
They are both green, so Bosch's domestic rather than proffesional range, but a definite win, methinks...
Interesting to hear about Bosch longevity - thanks. I have a couple of corded Bosch tools, and whilst they don't suffer from battery issues naturally, I just don't get the same good feeling about them that I do with my Makitas.
The old one has had a hard time of it lately as I am building a woman cave for SWMBO'd (btw, does anyone know were that comes from? I do.).
I have been banging in 100mm 6's and 10mm by 100 coach bolts for weeks!
My Makitas (battery aside) have been virtually indestructible. I mean I replaced a chuck recently - very easy and surprisingly cheap - but tbh that was due to my own cackhandedness and terrible maintenance. It's not quite "trigger's broom" Literally every other drill I've ever owned I've eventually blown the motor.
I feel I should move on in models at least because my BIL has some newer Makita stuff and they look awesome. I particularly coveted a Makita rotary saw - so much lighter and useable than the old and terrible heavy corded one I have.
DefTrap wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:40 pm
My Makitas (battery aside) have been virtually indestructible. I mean I replaced a chuck recently - very easy and surprisingly cheap - but tbh that was due to my own cackhandedness and terrible maintenance. It's not quite "trigger's broom" Literally every other drill I've ever owned I've eventually blown the motor.
I feel I should move on in models at least because my BIL has some newer Makita stuff and they look awesome. I particularly coveted a Makita rotary saw - so much lighter and useable than the old and terrible heavy corded one I have.
Love mine. Often take it down the tip when I see some pallets that need chopping to fit in the car
I've bought several knock off 18V Makita batteries off Amazon over the last few years and they've been absolutely fine, can't say I've noticed them being lacking in performance compared to the genuine batteries.
I have an 18V Bosch drill as well, and back to back I find the Bosch is the better drill, especially hammering masonry bits into concrete. My Makita impact drivers are great though, even cheaper ones, and cordless grinder also v good!
You'd think there'd be some bright spark selling knock-off battery cases that you could just refill with bog-standard AA rechargeables.
Or there'd be a 'standard' for battery packs. The tool companies don't seem to know whether they're primarily sellers of tools or batteries these days.
I only buy genuine 5Ah Makita. FFX on ebay have them for around 70 quid. Less if you buy two or more. I did but 4 Chinese copies about two years back. The last one only died last month. The rest went ranging from weeks to a couple of month
I've replaced a couple of 18650 cells in duff battery packs. I got a moderately priced spot welder that's also a decent portable power pack for the mobile and other devices that need charging on the move.
I've given up on my old Ryobi battery packs and just use an adapter with the DeWalt batteries.
Similar to this one, that will enable Makita Lithium packs on your old tools...but NEVER think about charging them on the NiCad charger. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225593538444
Can't even snag a set in the clearance and send them over because most of the postal services get v twitchy about batteries. They even make a song and dance about sending phones.
