Rechargeable Battery Repair/Rebuilding?

[craigs380]

I have several different rechargeable drills and impact wrenches. The batteries on some of them no longer recharge or a replacement battery is not available.

Does anyone know of a rebuilder here in Denver who can repair the batteries? Or replacement cells purchased.

I have a Sears 24v rechargeable drill that a replacement battery costs $80.00. I have one new one and two bad batteries that could be repaired.

I have a MAC tools impact that the battery costs more than the whole impact. I tried to find a Drillmaster(Harbor Freight) battery that would fit. They were close but no cigar.

I also have an ancient Makita 7.2v drill that needs batteries rebuilt. It has been a very good and handy cordless drill. It may have been one of the very first rechargeables available.

The big Craftsman works great for screwing in hex headed corregated roof screws. It also drives 3"+deckscrews in like a bandit. I also use it to drill and screw wall studs instead of toenailing. It helped me fix a sagging roof on my Mom's old house.

[laportecharlie]

Don't know about Denver but the Batteries Plus store rebuilds them. Ends up costing about half of new price.
Charlie

[Marlin]

^^^ This,,, There is one at 104th and Federal.. Might check to see if there is one closer..

[craigs380]

Went to Batteries Plus this afternoon. Bought 2 Makita batteries made by Rayovac. I need to find the charger and the drill and should be good to go.

They wanted $80ea for the Craftsman batterys. I decided to check Sears for their price.

The Mac batteries are $40 each. I may just get a new 3/8" impact. The old one may give up the ghost and then I would be stuck with new batteries.

I also had a Snap-On battery that they did not have.

[ryanek9freak]

Yeah I was gonna say Batteries Plus. They have freakin everything. i got a battery remade for my Snap on impact that was no longer available.

[CHA-LEE]

Finding replacement batteries that go inside the drill battery packs isn’t too hard. The challenge comes in replacing the individual cells inside the dead battery casing. A lot of the battery casings are not designed to be serviceable. Some times you can cut the casings open and then seal them back up, but most of the time it looks like a butcher job when you are done. Secondly, a lot of the rechargeable battery technology has gone from NiCd to NiMh or Li-Ion. You can't use a NiCd charger to charge a NiMh or Li-Ion battery or it will ruin the battery and possibly cause it to explode. Not something you want happening in your garage or house.

Unfortunately your best alternative is really to find a cheaper prebuilt replacement battery or just junk the whole drill and upgrade to some new stuff. The newer Li-Ion battery stuff is WAY more powerful, lasts longer, and is a lot lighter than the older NiCd or NiMh stuff.

[craigs380]

I checked with Sears and they have replacement battery that fits but is not the same as the origional. I will probably buy one from Batteries Plus so I don't have to pay shipping. The prices are the same.

I took one of my MAC batteries apart and they have individual cells soldered together to fit inside the case. It is too complicated to replace the cells. I just don't have the patience I used to.

I will eventually just get a combination set with Drill/Drivers, Flashlite, Etc. Makita or Bosch I think.

Is Dewalt a reliable brand? They seem to have a lot of different tools and are available in different stores.

[ryanek9freak]

I've had alot of Dewalts, they are excellent.

[theGinsue]

I've loved my DeWalts, but they don't come cheap.

[laportecharlie]

As an electrician I go through a lot of cordless tools. Lately we have been buying the Ridgid brand from Home Depot. They for damn sure are not the best but they have a lifetime warranty that covers the tool, the batterys and the charger. In theory, all you have to do is not lose them and they are forever.
Charlie