I read Niel's editorial in the new MR, and I have a related story. I moved from Omaha to Denver, and was trying to put up benchwork. I had a Black & Decker cordless drill, but had not unearthed my battery charger yet. I went to Lowes to price a new charger and a set with a new drill, 2 batteries AND the charger was about $10 more than just the charger. (On Sale), So, I now have 2 drills, 2 chargers and 3 batteries. MUCH more convenient. Since the new batteries are only about 4 years old, I am probably good for 6+ years. I hope.
My first cordless screwdriver, a Black & Decker, gave great service for about a decade, and then stopped taking a charge. Its replacement, a rather pricey Makita, gave less than three years of service and now no longer takes a charge even though I would let it drain down before recharging. I have priced the batteries and Neil is correct - I can get a new tool for the price of the battery. After a while I am going to have a crate full of old cordless tools it seems.
His editorial did give me the incentive however to no longer put up with the situation but to go out and get a new cordless driver, perhaps a drill/driver combo. He made it clear that this is just the way it is.
Dave Nelson
LION has new (cheap) power drill. The olde fashioned kind with a cord. LIONS *like* cords, and him has put outlets all around the layout, Nice outlets in Handy Boxes, with 1/2" EMT Conduit between them. LION can use the conduit as a railing to help him get up if him bent down for some reason.
LIONS do not have good luck with rechargable batteries (And him as newtork administrator must fuss with these things all over the place, not only for computers, but also for all of the network switches and stuff).
If LION plugs in a rechargable battery it will be dead by morning, and if he leaves them on the shelf for too long, they will not work anyway. Maybe Him will try a cordless again, but then again maybe not.
Like I said, LIONS *Like* Cords.
Yeah Cords!
ps. The drill is easier to FIND if it is plugged in somewhere. Just look at all of the outlets and you will find it. A battery powerd drill may end up at the bottom of Hogwarts Castle, never to be seen again.
pps. LION has received the new issue, but it is still in the mail box of him, unlooked at as of yet.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
JKGRXR I read Niel's editorial in the new MR, and I have a related story. I moved from Omaha to Denver, and was trying to put up benchwork. I had a Black & Decker cordless drill, but had not unearthed my battery charger yet. I went to Lowes to price a new charger and a set with a new drill, 2 batteries AND the charger was about $10 more than just the charger. (On Sale), So, I now have 2 drills, 2 chargers and 3 batteries. MUCH more convenient. Since the new batteries are only about 4 years old, I am probably good for 6+ years. I hope.
I've got an old 14.4V cordless Sears Craftsman drill I bought around 1996. It came with 2 batteries and a charger. I'm still using that drill and one of the 2 batteries is still working well enough to keep using it after 20 years! I built my present 10x18' layout using only that 20 year old cordless drill and a Sears Craftsman sabre saw - only those two power tools.
Sure, I would have liked to buy nice power tools like a Mitre saw and better drill etc. but I was on a pretty tight budget and big expenses with my daughter in college etc. I made to and it worked out quite well. Maybe if I get to build another bigger layout, I'll be in a position by then to afford nicer power tools.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
RioGrande, similar experience. Bought a DeWalt 14 volt NiCad battery drill in 1999. Used it for 10 years of heavy contracting use and still use it for bench work building. A replacement battery is about $79 and a new lithium battery drill would be in the $149 range. As long as the old DeWalt keeps working I will stick with it as battteries seem to last at least 10 years. When NiCad batteries are no longer available I will break down and buy a new lithium ion battery drill.
Jim
My cordless Dewalt drill is around 20 years old and still working.
The thing is we're building a layout and may only work 2-3 hours a week on it. Why bother buying new power tools when the cordless is getting the job done?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I'm actually still using the 20 year old battery the Sears Craftsman came with. One of them stopped taking a charge so I set it aside and eventually the other stopped taking a charge. Then I discovered there was a way I could get the batteries to initiate charging and it worked. I got another year so so out of one of the batteries and that one totally died, then I did the same for the other and so far it's still working.
My wife got me a nice Porter Cable battery operated drill. Really liked the thing. But the charger no longer functions and you can't get a new one. And of course the Porter Cable repair center doesn't know how to repair the one I have. Most frustrating.
BroadwayLionLike I said, LIONS *Like* Cords.
I like Cords, too, but only those on 4 wheels!
Incidentally, my cordless screwdriver/drill just gave up its ghost after more than 20 years. As usually, it´s the battery which cannot hold the charge any longer. The mechanics are still perfectly fine, but buying a new battery is just not feasible. A cheap new one has more power, is only half the size and weighs a lot less, yet about 15% cheaper than just the replacement battery for my old one, which will end up at the local electronics recycling place.
Those of you with dead batteries for your cordless drills. Some of those battery packs can be rebuilt. We have a business called "Batteries Plus" here in Oklahoma that will rebuilt those power packs, normally for about 1/2 the cost of a new battery pack. They also can fix broken chargers in some cases. They rebuilt two battery packs for me a while back for an old Craftsman drill, that no one carried replacement battery packs for, and the cost was about 1/2 of what a new battery would have been if available. I believe "Batteries Plus" is a regional business, but I would be willing to bet there are other companies doing the same thing in just about every state in the union.
Have a number of Battries Plus outlets here in Florida, believe they are a national chain.
Before I discovered I could jump-start my old drill batteries, I put the battery number into google and found there were a number of places I could buy a replacement battery for actually pretty reasonable, maybe same or cheaper than Batteries Plus. I doubt they are of the same quality but as it turns out I was able to get my 18-19 year old batteries to keep working, for now.
I have to say cordless items seem as common as dirt in charity shops here in northern Virginia - almost everyone I see is sitting there with no batteries so totally useless and why they are up for sale is mind boggling because 99% of people who walk in there will never be able to figure out how to get them working again with batteries - cordless hand saws, cordless shrub trimmers, cordless drills, cordless you name it.
Dragoon 45 Those of you with dead batteries for your cordless drills. Some of those battery packs can be rebuilt. We have a business called "Batteries Plus" here in Oklahoma that will rebuilt those power packs, normally for about 1/2 the cost of a new battery pack. They also can fix broken chargers in some cases. They rebuilt two battery packs for me a while back for an old Craftsman drill, that no one carried replacement battery packs for, and the cost was about 1/2 of what a new battery would have been if available. I believe "Batteries Plus" is a regional business, but I would be willing to bet there are other companies doing the same thing in just about every state in the union.
Interstate Batteries will rebuildx them for youy too.
Why buy cordless when there are several 110 outlets within easy each?
I have a twin pack impact driver and drill from Makita. Their batteries started showing signs of losing steam about six months ago. Fortunately, a local tool store advertised they were selling replacement batteries at a low cost, and larger ones with more capacity to boot. I quickly purchased two and have relegated the originals to stand-ins while the big boys are getting recharged.
CGW121 Why buy cordless when there are several 110 outlets within easy each?
Because the nearest one for me is 3,500 miles away
Ulrich!
Good answer!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Dragoon, we have Batteries + Bulbs here in Oregon too, so it looks like they're nation wide. I'm just on the verge of getting a Craftsman 19.2 v and a couple Milwaukee 18v batteries rebuilt. The guy at B+B says the replacement batteries you buy from the manufacturers are junk compared to what they can rebuild, and I'm inclined to believe him, having toasted a couple replacements. Time will tell for sure.
It's OK to run a ni cad down to full discharge, but dont let them sit around "empty". Store them charged.
I don't have to worry about limited movement before I accidentally unplug the tool or need to stop and plug it in another outlet or drag a extension cord about. I like the freedom of movement.
Professional carpenters used cordless tools on construction jobs.
I also read NEIL's (correct spelling) editorial and totally agree with his thoughts on the cordless drills.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
BRAKIE CGW121 Why buy cordless when there are several 110 outlets within easy each? I don't have to worry about limited movement before I accidentally unplug the tool or need to stop and plug it in another outlet or drag a extension cord about. I like the freedom of movement. Professional carpenters used cordless tools on construction jobs.
Yes, and they also use cords when they are available. I have been a carpenter and so is my Son in law and several other family members and friends. Use tools how they were intended. A cordless drill is meant to be used where electric is not hooked up or not handy. Neil is an editor not a carpenter.
CGW121 BRAKIE CGW121 Why buy cordless when there are several 110 outlets within easy each? I don't have to worry about limited movement before I accidentally unplug the tool or need to stop and plug it in another outlet or drag a extension cord about. I like the freedom of movement. Professional carpenters used cordless tools on construction jobs. Yes, and they also use cords when they are available. I have been a carpenter and so is my Son in law and several other family members and friends. Use tools how they were intended. A cordless drill is meant to be used where electric is not hooked up or not handy. Neil is an editor not a carpenter.
My long time friend and fishing buddy is a retired carpenter with 47 years experience and when he help put up my benchwork he grab a cordless drill with a screw driver bit and had the around two walls benchwork up in about a hour.Of course we tried a new approach-well,at least for me..We used 12" L shape metal wall brackets at 18" centers since that's how far apart the wall bracing was.He also picked out the 1' x 12' boards.We hope to put the fascia on this weekend.
YMMV but,for me cordless is the only way to go because the freedom of movement since there's no need to drag a extension cord or keep moving the plug.
My 12 year old DeWalt is still going strong, but I recently got a second newer DeWalt that uses li-ion batteries - it's like half the weight of the old one AND the batteries both stay charged when not in use AND last longer when in use. It's good having 2 drills when using screws for benchwork -0 one with the pilot drill bit and one with the screwdriver bit, no more switching back and forth.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Dewalt is a good brand the others not so good. Its also about price, I do not use a drill motor enough to justify the price of a Dewalt when a Skill does the job just as well and it is a lot less expensive.
It's a bit like using a type writer to write papers in college, once you use a word processor, there is no going back. Same with cordless drills - I used my dads Skill corded drill for years and in the 1990's finally got my own cordless. No comparison - speed and convenience is major.
As Larry noted, freedom of movement is nothing to take lightly with a drill which you use for drilling holes, counter sinks, and driving screws.
The only corded power took I used to build my layout was the Sabre saw and plenty of times I had to be careful not to cut the cord when it got in the way.
BRAKIEProfessional carpenters used cordless tools on construction jobs.
Batteries like to run, they do not like to sit for weeks at a time. Professionals use thier tools all day long, and have no power on a job site anyway. If you leave a battery in the charger too long it craps out. If you do not use it, it craps out. If a LION touces a battery it immedatiel craps ou.
LION will plug in his tools. LION will not plug in his tail. That is not a good idea.
riogrande5761 It's a bit like using a type writer to write papers in college, once you use a word processor, there is no going back. Same with cordless drills - I used my dads Skill corded drill for years and in the 1990's finally got my own cordless. No comparison - speed and convenience is major. As Larry noted, freedom of movement is nothing to take lightly with a drill which you use for drilling holes, counter sinks, and driving screws. The only corded power took I used to build my layout was the Sabre saw and plenty of times I had to be careful not to cut the cord when it got in the way.
Jim, I know you said that you are on a tight budget, but a power mitre/chop saw is worth the $100 they cost. Might even be able to find a used one.
You're probably passed the stage of having to cut sticks for the layout, (it would have worked much better than a sabre saw for this) but they also are very useful in adding things like chairs and squares and different trim doo-dads to your domecile...improving its value.
I don't think I've ever seen a cordless one however, since they tend to be a stationary tool anyway.
- Douglas
Doughless Jim, I know you said that you are on a tight budget, but a power mitre/chop saw is worth the $100 they cost. Might even be able to find a used one. You're probably passed the stage of having to cut sticks for the layout, (it would have worked much better than a sabre saw for this) but they also are very useful in adding things like chairs and squares and different trim doo-dads to your domecile...improving its value. I don't think I've ever seen a cordless one however, since they tend to be a stationary tool anyway.
When I started on this layout, I had some major expenses so I was keeping costs minimal; I found with being careful I could build my 10x18 layout benchwork with just the sabre saw and cordless drill. It worked out pretty well. Follow the link below and all that done with just the two power tools:
http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/3737/jims-layout-progress?page=1
At this point, all the benchwork is up so no need right now to buy a mitre saw, even a cheap one - a town house doesn't have tons of storage space so thats an issue too. Hopefully in a couple of years my wife and I can look for a place with a little more more space so if I get the chance to build another layout, I'll probably spring for a mitre saw then. Daughter will be out of college by then too so that should mean budget less tight. Since mitre saw is generally used stationary, corded is fine.
riogrande5761 When I started on this layout, I had some major expenses so I was keeping costs minimal; I found with being careful I could build my 10x18 layout benchwork with just the sabre saw and cordless drill. It worked out pretty well. Follow the link below and all that done with just the two power tools: http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/3737/jims-layout-progress?page=1 At this point, all the benchwork is up so no need right now to buy a mitre saw, even a cheap one - a town house doesn't have tons of storage space so thats an issue too. Hopefully in a couple of years my wife and I can look for a place with a little more more space so if I get the chance to build another layout, I'll probably spring for a mitre saw then. Daughter will be out of college by then too so that should mean budget less tight. Since mitre saw is generally used stationary, corded is fine.
Oh yeah. I remember seeing pics of the layout, I guess I didn't rember it was yours. Interested in seeing the scenery take shape, and reading about the descriptions of the trains you'll be running.
As far as the topic of the thread, I have not read Neil's editorial, but since I'll be moving to Georgia in a few weeks, a new layout might mean a new cordless drill soon. The only drill I have is corded.
I would rather spend the money toward other tools that I use more than a drill moter, like a planer or lathe. The drills I have all work fine so why spend money on a low priority item.