Blaine
Yahoo
Registered: 10/29/03
Posts: 13347
Loc: Libertyville, Illinois
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I've got a Firestorm 14.4V drill that was given to me as a gift many years ago. Gotta say that I have been REALLY happy with it. I had the (2) batteries rebuilt in 2007 and they're now in need of it again.
Is it worth it to have them rebuilt or will I be taking a chance that the brushes in the motor are going to go before the rebuilt batteries do? The cost at Battery Rebuilders to replace each battery is $35 if I do the work myself. That's $70 I could put toward a new drill, probably with higher voltage batteries.
BTW, my cordless drill needs are relatively small. I am not against buying a new drill (and will probably ask for recommendations in a different thread if that's the way I go), but I would prefer to use this drill as long as possible. As I said, it's done everything I've wanted when the batteries have been good.
Blaine
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All our boats are quite similar: leaky, hard to steer, and not really seaworthy. -Phydeaux 5/11
I'm one who prefers to be correct. Either that, or make up something that sounds really, really convincing. It's a little game I play. -spokeshave 2/13
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JGrout
member
Registered: 08/04/02
Posts: 23276
Loc: Axial CO
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until two yrs ago I had a PC drill 12 V I rebuilt/replaced the batteries four times in 14 yrs
Drill was still running strong at that point.
Based on how hard I used that drill (almost daily in that time frame) I would just rebuild them .
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sweensdv
Member
Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 2341
Loc: WI
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I wonder how many perfectly operable cordless drills have been thrown away because their owners didn't just have the batteries rebuilt or they simply wanted a little more power? I have a 9.6V DeWalt drill/driver that is so old I can't remember when I bought it. I use it on a regular basis and it still is working just fine. If you're worried that the basic drill will go bad before the batteries then just have one battery rebuilt plus buy another new drill/driver if you want. Don't retire the ole boy, work it till it just won't spin no more!
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Blaine
Yahoo
Registered: 10/29/03
Posts: 13347
Loc: Libertyville, Illinois
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sweensdv said:
Don't retire the ole boy, work it till it just won't spin no more!
Good advice from the two of you.
Gonna order the rebuild kits.
Thanks,
Blaine
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All our boats are quite similar: leaky, hard to steer, and not really seaworthy. -Phydeaux 5/11
I'm one who prefers to be correct. Either that, or make up something that sounds really, really convincing. It's a little game I play. -spokeshave 2/13
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jteneyck
Member
Registered: 01/24/10
Posts: 3087
Loc: Western NY
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Sounds like you made the right choice. I've had a 9.6V Makita drill for more than 25 years. I started with a single battery and have bought 3 more along the way, with two still working. I finally had my first problem with the drill a week or so ago. The trigger kept sticking on. I took apart the drill and cleaned out the trigger mechanism and it's running fine again. While I had it open I checked the bushings, bearings, and lube and it all still looked good. I keep thinking about a new drill, but I don't know what they could do better besides having more power which I rarely need, so I think I'll just keep running this one. Hopefully, your's has and will continue to give you just as good service.
John
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Gregory of Sherwood Forest
Honored Veteran
Registered: 10/16/07
Posts: 10120
Loc: Fallen UP the stairs 4/2013
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Blaine said:
Gonna order the rebuild kits.
Thanks,
Blaine
Blaine, where do you get your rebuild kits from? Is it easy to do yourself?
-Greg
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" The founding fathers weren't trying to protect citizens' rights to have an interesting hobby." I Learn Each Day 1/18/13
www.RUSTHUNTER.com
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Tapper
Member
Registered: 10/12/99
Posts: 7855
Loc: Helena, MT USA
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Blaine said:
sweensdv said:
Don't retire the ole boy, work it till it just won't spin no more!
Good advice from the two of you.
Gonna order the rebuild kits.
Thanks,
Blaine
Dittos! Jason Abel does a great job at Battery Rebuilders!!!
Doug
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Richard D.
Off his rocker
Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 6282
Loc: Los Angeles
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Have any of you guys picked up and used a new drill lately? Lighter, charge lasts longer, more power, charges faster. Keep rebuilding those dinosaurs! 
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RD
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Blaine
Yahoo
Registered: 10/29/03
Posts: 13347
Loc: Libertyville, Illinois
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Richard,
The new drills cost in the range of $140 at the quality level I am expecting. I can get two rebuild kits from Battery Rebuilders for $70. Not only does that save half the money, but it takes advantage of the money that's already been spent on the original tool.
Yes, it does sacrifice the advantages you talked about, but with how little I use a drill, those advantages don't outweigh the added cost. A new drill would be nice and I can afford one, but I am going to rebuild what I've got.
YMMV.
Greg,
I've not rebuilt a battery, but I doubt it can be too hard. If I have trouble, I'll just take them to my BIL who can fix anything and likes to show me that he's can. 
Blaine
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All our boats are quite similar: leaky, hard to steer, and not really seaworthy. -Phydeaux 5/11
I'm one who prefers to be correct. Either that, or make up something that sounds really, really convincing. It's a little game I play. -spokeshave 2/13
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Bill_de
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/30/05
Posts: 14888
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JGrout said:
until two yrs ago I had a PC drill 12 V I rebuilt/replaced the batteries four times in 14 yrs
Drill was still running strong at that point.
Based on how hard I used that drill (almost daily in that time frame) I would just rebuild them .
I wish I had known about battery rebuilding when the batteries in my 12v PC drill died for the second time. First time I bought 2 new ones for $50 each. When they finally died, new batteries were up to $80 each. I bought a new 14v Bosch for $129. I would have paid $100 for 2 rebuilt batteries as that was the most comfortable cordless drill I ever owned. I put it back in the metal case with the batteries and charger. I left it on top of my garbage pail with a note that the batteries were no good. I watched it go into the cab of the garbage truck. 
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See ya later,
Bill
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Richard D.
Off his rocker
Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 6282
Loc: Los Angeles
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A lot of guys on WN really dislike the disposal economics of today's battery powered tools. I used to feel the same way but have come to except the reality. This is the first I have seen of the rebuild kit you posted and removing half the shipping of having a pack rebuilt makes the option more attractive, especially to the self sufficient types we have here. When I compare my old 18v Dewalt nicad system (which weighs a ton) to my new Makita 18v Li-On guns it is really night and day, but I sometimes carry my gun all day for work. Our priorities are very different and there is never one "right" answer for everyone on WN.
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RD
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JGrout
member
Registered: 08/04/02
Posts: 23276
Loc: Axial CO
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Bill_de said:
I wish I had known about battery rebuilding when the batteries in my 12v PC drill died for the second time. First time I bought 2 new ones for $50 each. When they finally died, new batteries were up to $80 each. I bought a new 14v Bosch for $129. I would have paid $100 for 2 rebuilt batteries as that was the most comfortable cordless drill I ever owned. I put it back in the metal case with the batteries and charger. I left it on top of my garbage pail with a note that the batteries were no good. I watched it go into the cab of the garbage truck.
I agree that drill was IMO the best balanced drill I ever owned and it fit my paws as well.
Two yrs ago at Christmas my DD and SIL bought me a Bosch 18V L ion drill. it is nice enough but in some positions I miss the heft of the other drill. (Driving #14 x 1 1/4" hinge screws is the most obvious.) Anyways, when I got the drill I gave SIL the PC drill and to this day am sorry I did. I sometimes think I should just buy him a new Bosch on sale and ask for the PC back 
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Richard D.
Off his rocker
Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 6282
Loc: Los Angeles
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You kids and your Internet Acronyms! I never know what you are talking about but it sure is cute.
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RD
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JGrout
member
Registered: 08/04/02
Posts: 23276
Loc: Axial CO
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our o so very helpful hosts.......
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jteneyck
Member
Registered: 01/24/10
Posts: 3087
Loc: Western NY
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You're right Richard; it's a real toss up whether to buy/rebuild batteries or go ahead and get a new drill. The batteries for my old 9.6 V nicad Makita, however, only cost $35. But more importantly, I just love that drill. It's not even variable speed, but the high speed is fast enough to drill with, and the low speed is great for driving screws. There is a certain freedom with not having to worry about modulating the speed. A battery takes 3 hours to charge, an eternity by today's standards. But I have two batteries and can work all day with them even when doing pretty serious work, like driving drywall screws. Anyway, I like it and I'm gonna keep using it till one of us dies first.
John
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jussi
Member
Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 1341
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Did you consider buying a recon? CPO has some pretty good deals on recons.
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john109
Member
Registered: 02/01/09
Posts: 411
Loc: MS/AR
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Two things, If you watch, you can get good bargains. I got a 14.4v dewalt drill with charger and two batteries for $89. about a month ago. Blue box, and I saw the 14.4v batteries go on sale in twin pack a couple weeks back for about $70.
The other is that the drill, if used, does wear. Chuck slips, and gears will wear out. After a couple of battery replacements, it makes more sense to toss and get new drill.
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Blaine
Yahoo
Registered: 10/29/03
Posts: 13347
Loc: Libertyville, Illinois
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Richard D. said:
Our priorities are very different and there is never one "right" answer for everyone on WN.
Yep!!
I can't remember when I carried my cordless drill any longer than it takes to get it from the shop to the second floor of the house.
Blaine
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All our boats are quite similar: leaky, hard to steer, and not really seaworthy. -Phydeaux 5/11
I'm one who prefers to be correct. Either that, or make up something that sounds really, really convincing. It's a little game I play. -spokeshave 2/13
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Blaine
Yahoo
Registered: 10/29/03
Posts: 13347
Loc: Libertyville, Illinois
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jussi said:
Did you consider buying a recon? CPO has some pretty good deals on recons.
What is CPO?
Part of the reason I'd like to keep this drill is because everything on it works perfectly. The variable speed, the clutch, the reverse, the chuck. Everything. Other than the batteries not holding a charge, there's nothing wrong.
OTOH, I did a project with my daughter today and drove about one hundred pocket screws. The freshly charged drill worked fine. You can take a look at the project (and drill) here. Don't be afraid, power tool guys, it's a power tool thread in the Hand Tools forum. 
Blaine
Edited by Blaine (08/11/12 05:13 PM)
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