AgGEM
Member
Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 754
Loc: New Jersey
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My trusty Makita 12 volt drill/driver at the age of 7 years still runs great but I need new batteries. Yesterday I spotted one but the battery was $53. Yikes, I said. So, does anyone know of a source for inexpensive batteries, or I am open to replacing the drill too. The Makita has never let me down, I like the size and balance of the tool, but if I purchase a new drill I would think about the replacement costs of the batteries first. I have gotten along with one portable drill for a long time, I would like to have two, both the same.
Well there’s allot of mish – mash!! 
So, any thoughts about battery replacement?
Any thoughts about total reinvestment in portable drills?
Especially anyone passionate about their particular choice in battery drills?
Ag.
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bill-e
Member
Registered: 11/24/01
Posts: 4042
Loc: Rindge, NH
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A lot of folks here use MTO
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Bill Esposito
My WoodWorking Home Page and Pics
NHWoodworker.com, My WoodWorking Product Reviews
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Uncleair
Member
Registered: 09/17/04
Posts: 4237
Loc: Western Slope of Colorado
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What Bill said. ^^^^^^
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TOM
Pine is fine.
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
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catspa
Boonies Bum
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 1983
Loc: upper left corner
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I think you're on the right track to have two drills, whatever the brand. Mine are Milwaukee, so I don't worry about needing a spare, but sometimes it's quite handy to chuck up, say, a drill bit in one and a driver in the other. Saves a lot of bit-changing.
I've also seen times, installing metal roofing for example, where one person is at the top and one at the bottom of a roof pitch. If the helper doesn't have a drill of their own, you can loan them one.
Parker
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simple man in a complicated world
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aggreX
Member
Registered: 08/13/08
Posts: 97
Loc: PA
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AgGEM said:
My trusty Makita 12 volt drill/driver at the age of 7 years still runs great but I need new batteries. Yesterday I spotted one but the battery was $53. Yikes, I said. So, does anyone know of a source for inexpensive batteries, or I am open to replacing the drill too. The Makita has never let me down, I like the size and balance of the tool, but if I purchase a new drill I would think about the replacement costs of the batteries first. I have gotten along with one portable drill for a long time, I would like to have two, both the same.
Well there’s allot of mish – mash!!
So, any thoughts about battery replacement?
Any thoughts about total reinvestment in portable drills?
Especially anyone passionate about their particular choice in battery drills?
Ag.
I started out with 12V Bosch ten years ago and currently own 18V Li Ridgid + Dewalt. Check out the power of these new tools and make the change based on what projects you have planned for the cordless tool. It might be challenging to find a new 12V Makita that uses the same old style battery unless you ebay/craig. My Li powered tools are light and powerful so IMO I won't be satisfied with the older 12V technology. My tool arsenal also includes the Bosch PS40 so I would recommend looking at the Makita 10.8V duo also
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AgGEM
Member
Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 754
Loc: New Jersey
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Thanks for the replies; rebuilding seems to be a good option, however searching Google it appears my old batteries will not interchange with the newer low end Makita drill.
So, I will think about what I want to do some more. I could rebuild and be about as well off as I was when new. Or, replace with new stuff. Still thinking……….
Thanks again.
Ag.
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Patsfan
Honored Member
Registered: 09/27/00
Posts: 27849
Loc: NH
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I liked the size and balance of the makitas and used them for years. Ultimately, I changed for the same reason you are facing. Makita seemed to change battery styles every wedensday and there was no compatibility.
If you go new, look at an impact and a drill (the impactor doesn't work well in drill mode, or I'd say just go with that.)
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"ten Guys, ten hammers, and you didn't help"
"Ranger" Dowe's roofer on why things went so fast.
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blackemmons
Member
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 374
Loc: Kodak, TN
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Like bill-e said.
Call Jason and he will answer any of your questions if you buy from him or not.
Jim
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Barry
Member
Registered: 02/07/01
Posts: 5912
Loc: New Rochelle, NY
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It's definitely worth rebuilding batteries rather than replacing them. I do it myself with batteries from batteryspace.com but most others here send them out. Either way, you save a lot of money.
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Itshardtoputspacesinbetweenyourwordswithouttheuseofyourthumbs
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AgGEM
Member
Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 754
Loc: New Jersey
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Hey Everyone,
Thanks so much for the help. I looked at MDO, and that seems a good way to go, but I am wanting two identical motors, the more I think about it.
If I could find another Makita 6227D like the one I have, on the cheep – cheep, I would rebuild the battery fleet via MDO and be very, very happy.
Not likely.
I looked at HD today, thought the Ridgid lithium was nice but not well balanced for its size, not in my hand, anyway. Otherwise not impressed with Dewalt, Ryobi or others.
I may just purchase two new style 12 volt low end Makita’s at about $110 each, hoping they ”feel the same” as my trusty but obsolete drill, and be good for another 7 years, or more. The new motors from Makita look the same as mine, so I would hope they function as well.
Why do engineers love to change things? 
Ag.
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