Thread: Panasonic/Hikoki/Makita.

Originally Posted by Vann

1) get my Panasonic batteries repacked.
pros: I have three drills (in very reasonable condition), a skillsaw, and a lantern that all run on these batteries;
cons: The skillsaw is totally underpowered, and repacks (with 3.0ah cells) cost $175 each.

Assuming they're available for your tools, why not just buy some aftermarket batteries? You could probably get two or three for the price of repacking your OEM one. Mightn't be the same quality and durability as OEM, but should do the job and work out a lot cheaper if you're replacing only one battery.

Originally Posted by Vann

2) buy a Hikoki drill.
pros: my daughter has just started an apprenticeship and has bought 18v Hikoki drills and a trim router - which would give some interchangeability;
cons: not cheap. My Panasonic gear will become scrap when the last battery dies.

There won't be any any interchangeability when she has her tools and batteries with her while working away from home during the day, so not a good option unless you use your drills only when she's home. Then you have only one working Panasonic battery for all your tools and that will kill that battery quicker, so you'll have to invest in Hikoki to replace your other tools.

Originally Posted by Vann

3) buy a Makita drill.
pros: I used 18v Makita drills and grinders in my last years at work, and was very impressed with the power and battery life; More readily available;
cons: not cheap. My Panasonic gear will become scrap when the last battery dies.

Upgrading to 18V anything is probably desirable, particularly with your skillsaw (I assume this is what we in Oz call a circular saw in its most common blade size of 7 1/4") but assuming NZ prices are similar to or higher than in Oz there's no way you'll replace three drills and two batteries for $175, nor for that matter get one Makita and one battery and one charger for $175. This makes a battery repack or or aftermarket replacement a better option.

I vote can upgrade to 18V "Brushless" - they cosy a bit more but you won't regret it as the batteries last a lot longer.

Whilst your gear might still work it is outdated technology, the newer 18v brushless gear is at a whole new level and then there is the 40v gear which in a lot of instances better again
I personally wouldn’t be investing any more coin in the old gears direction

Originally Posted by Vann

I have had 12v Panasonic battery drills since the 1990s. My latest batteries are 3.5ah and date to the early 2000s. One is still good, but the other has at least one dud cell. So it was time for decision making - do I get my old batteries repacked, or do I get myself a new battery drill?

Options:

1) get my Panasonic batteries repacked.
pros: I have three drills (in very reasonable condition), a skillsaw, and a lantern that all run on these batteries;
cons: The skillsaw is totally underpowered, and repacks (with 3.0ah cells) cost $175 each.

2) buy a Hikoki drill.
pros: my daughter has just started an apprenticeship and has bought 18v Hikoki drills and a trim router - which would give some interchangeability;
cons: not cheap. My Panasonic gear will become scrap when the last battery dies.

3) buy a Makita drill.
pros: I used 18v Makita drills and grinders in my last years at work, and was very impressed with the power and battery life; More readily available;
cons: not cheap. My Panasonic gear will become scrap when the last battery dies.

I've already made and actioned my decision, but I'm keen to see what others think.

Cheers, Vann.

Hi Vann

The Panasonics just go on and one. They were the ergonomic drill to have in their day. I still have and use a 12v one. Must be 25 years old, at least.




I've gone through several batteries. All the replacements are Chinese-made. They are decent, although the agents may not be. At present I am using metal versions (NiMH). They charge up in the last charger series for the model - not sure if I can tell the difference. I think I paid about $75 each for them a few years back.

Brand new, on-line: 12V 2000mAh Replacement Tool Battery for Panasonic EY9200 EY9200B EY9201 EY9201B

Regards from Perth

Derek

Chargers for after-market batteries should always be on a timer if the batteries are Lithium-based.
That reduces the risk of battery fires (ala e-scooters)
Personally I only buy legitimate power tool batteries if they are Lithium-based as then I know they are low risk wrt battery fires

Vann

It is a difficult one. Back in the day Panasonic were the brand that others were judged by. I have two 14.4V Panasonics that are still going strong. However, I think the other brands have caught up and probably have a much greater range of product so I would change to one of the reputable brands as the Panasonic (probably only the batteries) expires.

Regards
Paul

Your current gear is 30 years old so buy the makita and in 30 years you can reassess what brand to buy then.

For me I would not replace the battery as when I went from 12v no name (90’s) to 14v Bosch (later 90’s) and then currently to (circa 2007?)makita and Milwaukee 18volt each time was why did I not do this sooner.

Batteries are Milwaukee 1.5 amp, 2 amp and 5amp, Makita 2 x 3 amp and 2 x 5 amp. I bought a 5amp battery for Milwaukee and 2 x 5 amp for Makita when I could have used my “corded” tools with an extension lead.

the last time I used all batteries cycled on charger was a 16mtr by 4 mtr decking project. Otherwise my needs are met by one or two batteries at most. Although makita line trimmer uses 2 x 3 amp and 2 x 5 amp the do the entire yard when I spring clean.

I give you the battery usage as when you go to purchase there will often be a “deal” with xxxx. So a 1.5 amp battery will do the little fix it jobs the 2 amp will do the big fixit jobs a 3amp will keep you going most of the time any combo of 2 batterie will keep you going all day. I generalise because you will need to charge the batteries, probably move onto the next task while they charge. But I only bought the 5 amp battery for the decking job as two people could out-use my total smaller batteries. When we cycled all batteries we had lunch, when we cycled them again we had a 20 minute break, when we cycled them again we went to drinking time.

wow that got long quick, sorry,
cheers