Thread: New Battery drill - opinions

Rapt with my 18v Ryobi One+

Has the additional advantage of being able to use the same charger and batteries with other One+ bareskins.

Bollie,
Although I can't answer your original question, if I were shopping for power tools, battery or otherwise in the price range you mentioned I think I'd go for a green Bosch over a cheap Makita, then maybe a Osito.
Having bought a A E G 18 volt about 12 months ago I would never do it again,I think I was just paying for a once good name,it was bought to replace a GMC 18 volt and it is no where as good.
Your problem with the chuck because of arthritis brings up a whole new issue, it is a very good point, I'm suffering from the same complaint, we can't be the only ones. Would a better Quality chuck grip better with the same amount of applied torque? The chuck on my AEG cordless is a Rhom, probably made in China along with the drill, something else to check when shopping.
Regards
Ted

Originally Posted by bollie7

G'day All
My poor, 27 year old, 7.2V Makita battery drill is starting to get a bit tired, plus I'm finding it a bit difficult with the arthritus to tighten the chuck. I have 2 GMC 14.4V drills with keyless chucks, which both work fine except the batteries are dying. Probably because the sophisticated charger that came with them relies on the operator to take them off charge when they start to get warm. Hmmm.
So, as this is only for home use, I've been thinking of repacking a couple of the GMC batteries. I can get a set of batteries from China for around $23 including post. Quality as we all know, might be ok or it might not. Either way they would be better than the 3 and 1/2 dead batteries I have at the moment.
You can by an AEG multi chemistry, multi volt, smart charger for $99 from Bunnings. So for about $145 I can repack two batteries and charge them correctly.
OR
I can buy a new 14.4V Makita drill with a charger and two batteries for $119. I could probably also use the charger to charge the GMC batteries if I repacked them.
My concern is I think I have read somewhere that current Makita products are no where near as good a quality as the old ones (funnily enough)

If I was going to be using this gear everyday I'd just buy a good, high quality (expensive) machine like a DeWalt. Its a bit hard to justify the expence for the intended use though.
So what does the brains trust say?

thanks
bollie7

I still have my 7.2 Hitachi cordless drill and after 30 years, I can understand you when you say yours is a little tired. My own battery is still good, it is still functional after all this time, but using the hitachi after using an 18V drill, it will always feel tired. If I were you, I would swap the GMC chuck with the old Makita and keep the old makita. The GMC doesn't have the same gears inside as your original Makita, probably made in Japan. As was my Hitachi.

I would then spend 199 bucks and buy an AEG - 18V Li-Ion 3 Pce Combo Kit.

At 199 it is not much dearer than your Makita suggestion which is probably now made in China and with only a one year warranty. AEG comes with 6 years warranty, with 3 years for the battery. It also comes with a carry bag.

+1 on the panasonic

Originally Posted by justonething

I would then spend 199 bucks and buy an AEG - 18V Li-Ion 3 Pce Combo Kit.

At 199 it is not much dearer than your Makita suggestion which is probably now made in China and with only a one year warranty. AEG comes with 6 years warranty, with 3 years for the battery. It also comes with a carry bag.

Its interesting that the same combo kit is $299 retail at bunnings http://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-18v-p...o-kit_p6230174

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get a trade account/card/discount at Bunnings?

Maybe I should get one of these. Variable speed, keyless chuck, light weight

bollie7

Speaking from experience, the arthritis will be a problem that probably won't get any better with time and that will certainly affect your future purchase and the type of tool you can manage - my suggestion would be to spend some time looking at the various models suggested or visiting a tool merchant who carries a decent range so you can try before you buy. I usually find the more expensive the drill may not be the most suitable to fit your hand. You certainly won't want one that is too powerful to hold and "break wrists"

I went down that path some time ago also and ended up with a Metabo which suited me better than others. I could easily hold it with the one hand with less stress on my wrist and the chuck had a plastic flare which made it easier to open with my left hand.

During the decision process (which took quite a few month of various tests on different units) I had my old batteries repacked by a company called AKKUPAK in NSW to give me the extra time in deciding because at that stage certain models were being replaced with new battery mechanics and I was waiting for the new models to appear - AKKUPAK were great and did the whole thing by post - were returned in a week or so and quite cheap....that was a few years back now and the batteries are still going strong.

In the interim while you decide on a suitable tool, you could start by having your old one repacked which will give you longer to decide....or you may feel the older one you have will make do with a new battery.....I was told that some of the older style batteries can be repacked with the newer technology but best to ask the professional if yours is suitable...it's a far cheaper option and worth considering.

Not sure if AKKUPAK are still around as been a few years since I used them but quick look shows them listed on IBIZ...no doubt there are other such companies but whoever you choose should be able to advise you on repacking your old one......hope that helps

Originally Posted by bollie7

Its interesting that the same combo kit is $299 retail at bunnings http://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-18v-p...o-kit_p6230174

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get a trade account/card/discount at Bunnings?

Maybe I should get one of these. Variable speed, keyless chuck, light weight

bollie7

It is the same combo and when you present them with a trade card, you'll get a hundred bucks off. To get the card is easy, all you need is an ABN or if you are an owner builder, a certificate from your council. You register online and you'll get a temporary card right away. If you were in Melbourne, I would be happy to buy it for you. May be another forum member from NSW with a powerpass could offer to help, that is if you are interested and you can't get a powerpass yourself.

The egg beater is useless. Better off getting a brace if you're at all thinking going cold turkey.

Originally Posted by justonething

If you were in Melbourne, I would be happy to buy it for you. .

Thanks for that kind offer - I just remembered that one of my daughters friends works at Bunnings. I might ask what sort of discount she can get. I'm not in any rush

Originally Posted by justonething

The egg beater is useless. Better off getting a brace if you're at all thinking going cold turkey.

I was just being facetious. I had an el cheapo one of these when I was a kid. One of the few tools I have ever thrown away even though it wasn't actually broken, which I did as soon as Dad was confident enough to trust me with his electric drill.

bollie7

My lovely wife reckons I should get the new AEG combo kit. She thinks the impacter will come in be usefull with my arthritus. So we signed up for a Bunnings powerpass a short while ago. All seems good, however when I try to find the $199 Powerpass deal for the AEG combo kit online I just get some strange error message. I'll try again it the morning.
Hope its not a Victoria only deal.

bollie7

Originally Posted by bollie7

My lovely wife reckons I should get the new AEG combo kit. She thinks the impacter will come in be usefull with my arthritus. So we signed up for a Bunnings powerpass a short while ago. All seems good, however when I try to find the $199 Powerpass deal for the AEG combo kit online I just get some strange error message. I'll try again it the morning.
Hope its not a Victoria only deal.

bollie7

Best to listen to your better half or else..... Have you got a powerpass card (temporary ok)? You'll need it to show the guy before he will sell the kit to you at that price.
To make sure they have it in stock, it's best to ring up your nearest bunny and ask for the trade desk, quote them the combo number IN:6230174 to see if they have it in stock. Stock might be quite low now as the sale has been on for a while. Just in case you haven't noticed, the sale finishes at the end of this month.

I bought the AEG combo about 18 months ago and it has performed spectacularly well with over 2000 "camo" screws building a deck as its initiation job. It replaced a 12v Blue Bosche which didn't have an impact setting, this little beauty happily drills 5mm holes in masonry. The impact driver will drive 3" 14 gauge self drilling gal screws into treated pine without breaking a sweat. And the batteries fit every other AEG tool, I've already bought the cordless saw skin and am looking at a recipient saw.

Just registered for the powerpass card and used the temporary printed one to buy the AEG combo at the local bunnings.
Worked fine $199. They had 10+ in stock. Seems quite nice, and very nice for the money and warranty.
This was at rocklea bunnings in brisbane. Also could not find the combo on the power pass site but no trouble in store.
Dave

Originally Posted by racer123

Just registered for the powerpass card and used the temporary printed one to buy the AEG combo at the local bunnings.
Worked fine $199. They had 10+ in stock. Seems quite nice, and very nice for the money and warranty.
This was at rocklea bunnings in brisbane. Also could not find the combo on the power pass site but no trouble in store.
Dave

I basically did the same thing this morning. My local store had 10 in stock as well. It seems like a nice bit of gear. Used it to drill out a couple of pop rivets this arvo (not a real test) but it seems ok.
Thanks to everyone who commented. I appreciate the input.

thanks
bollie7

Do you guys like the radio? Frankly I'm a bit underwhelmed. No memory function, no stereo. (drills and driver are alright though )