Let's talk cordless tools ... and dead batteries

[dud]

Throw the tool and batteries away and buy LITHIUM.
You can get drill and driver sets for $150-300, depending on brand and deals.

You can't go wrong with lithium: Ryobi, Rigid, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Festool($$), Hitachi, Bosch, Makita.

Rigid $139 deal.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1...210757&cj=true&cm_mmc=CJ-_-4150373-_-11210757

By chance I just happen to have a full set of li-ion Nextec tools. Not as powerful as DeWalt's 18v then are "finesse" tools that will do about 90% of what the 18v set does ... and sometimes better. A few years ago I had to hand a new door in the house and was having a very difficult time with the job using the DeWalt tools (they were overkill so I tried the Nextec and they were just right. I use them 5 time more than the DeWalt set.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

After reading this thread I just finished registering my Ridig combo kit, hah

 

[bryanl]

Open the battery case and measure the cells individually. Individually trickle charge any cell that reads 0V or negative voltage - any other charging method will have no effect on such cells. Generally trickle charging the entire battery at C/10 will be better for it. C is the amp hour rating of the battery, typically 2-4 amp hours for nicads and nimhs, so C/10 would be 200-400mA. Do not try this with lithium batteries.

 

[maddogchen]

you can try converting them to cord.

I looked at these instructions and said...maybe one day....maybe

http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-a-perfectly-good-cordless-drill-to-a-corde/

 

[shortylickens]

Sometimes batteries need reconditioning.