Cordless tools - battery warranty

[3930dave]

I also have had the full line of Hitachi 18v lithium tools. All they offered at the time. Circular saw, hammer drill, impact wrench, driver, shop light, jig saw, reciprocating saw, large heavy drill, 4" grinder and for 3 years doing home remodeling the same 3 batteries have never failed me.

I have started migrating to the Ryobi 18v line because they have more tools available. I have the chop saw and the finish nailer, Brad nailer, and crown stapler as well as vibrating multi tool. Their batteries will work with all the current and old 18v tools from nicd to lithium one+. They are amazing tools and the batteries charge fast. . The Nailers are awesome because air hoses destroy interiors and compressors are loud and require electric service.
Ryobi makes a 12v car charger as well as a 6 port charger. Their small weed Wacker works great also and weighs about 3lbs with battery.

Very happy with them. Lithium has changed the construction world. And with brushless motors it's getting even better.

Nice collection, and you are making money with them :thumbsup: Always nice when wants and needs align. Might regret starting this thread..... I can see where it may lead to more tool shopping .

Selling tools for a while, I saw how popular the cordless nailers were. On a customer site, if you only have a small amount of trim to do (ran out, callback....), even if you like your air-nailer, who wants to haul out a compressor+tool+hose when you can carry a small kitbox ? Big commercial spaces, air hoses aren't so bad - normal sized houses, not so much....

Rgds, D.

 

[Paddy]

3930 Dave,

For me the best life extender of cordless tool batteries is to only use them where there is a distinct advantage, i.e. a few quick holes and don't want to mess with a cord. By this I mean, batteries can only be charged and discharged so many times. If I'm drilling a bunch of holes or driving a bunch of screws, I use my trusty corded drill. I have several so they are in the garage, shop and where ever I last used one : 0

 

[k0ua]

On most of my old brace bits I have cut off the square ends and chuck them to drill holes in studs to pull wiring and plumbing.
Combined with my Milwalkee pole drill I make short work of running wire and Pex.

I may do that to mine.. I still have a set, and come to think of it, haven't used them since who knows when.

 

[PILOON]

I may do that to mine.. I still have a set, and come to think of it, haven't used them since who knows when.

If you do that, grind 3 flat faces on the shank so that the chuck gets a better grip.
Since your only stud drilling for wired the 3 flats need not even be accurate.

 

[teejk]

3930 Dave,

For me the best life extender of cordless tool batteries is to only use them where there is a distinct advantage, i.e. a few quick holes and don't want to mess with a cord. By this I mean, batteries can only be charged and discharged so many times. If I'm drilling a bunch of holes or driving a bunch of screws, I use my trusty corded drill. I have several so they are in the garage, shop and where ever I last used one : 0

Old tools I think? Even my old Milwaukee 12V lasted through years of recharging...Dewalt/Bosch 14.4v have lasted for about 6 years now...the battery people seem to have figured out that old "memory" problem so I can keep one in the charger.

 

[DFB]

Cordless tools are made to be used!

How else can you justify getting new ones

 

[Dftodd]

Kobalt has a 5 year warranty on there cordless brand

 

[k0ua]

If you do that, grind 3 flat faces on the shank so that the chuck gets a better grip.
Since your only stud drilling for wired the 3 flats need not even be accurate.

I Have re-thought it. I think I will keep them intact, Who knows they may be worth something as antiques some day. They aren't eating much hay, and I have plenty of other bits to chuck in my multiple power drills. But it was a cool idea. So I think I will just hang on to them unless I run out of tool space.

 

[3930dave]

3930 Dave,

For me the best life extender of cordless tool batteries is to only use them where there is a distinct advantage, i.e. a few quick holes and don't want to mess with a cord. By this I mean, batteries can only be charged and discharged so many times. If I'm drilling a bunch of holes or driving a bunch of screws, I use my trusty corded drill. I have several so they are in the garage, shop and where ever I last used one : 0

Point taken. I like my corded stuff too.

Modern batteries have gotten better, but yes, most batteries are rated in terms of # of charge cycles - at least on real engineering data-sheets, less so on consumer literature though.

As examples here have shown, cycle life is high enough now that many people won't notice until the tool is seeing heavy commercial use.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

On most of my old brace bits I have cut off the square ends and chuck them to drill holes in studs to pull wiring and plumbing.
Combined with my Milwalkee pole drill I make short work of running wire and Pex.

That is a good way to upcycle. The brace-bits I have are 50+ years old, and in great shape - I'd hate to think of what the equivalent alloy bits are worth today.

Rgds, D.

 

[DFB]

I first thought Rigid was the only one with lifetime on batteries.

Seems Rockwell has batteries for life now too but is 20? on the tool.

Now in the words of the late great wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper during his famous Piper's Pit interviews...

"Just when you think you have the answers...we change the questions!"



So looking online I see Rockwell has recently revamped the web site and no longer has any reference to "free batteries for life" and is now saying 20 years replacement on both tool and batteries for current purchases.

And the hot link to the original lifetime warranty page is redirected
https://www.rockwelltools.com/en-US/...-For-Life.aspx


This was what it read up to end of Jan 2016...

HAND-HELD BATTERY-POWERED TOOLS

The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement is available free of charge*, for a limited time commencing February 15, 2007, to purchasers of a ROCKWELLｮ brand hand-held battery-powered tool purchased after that date and subject to the terms and conditions stated below. To accept this Lifetime Free Replacement Battery Agreement, a purchaser must submit the warranty registration for the purchased product and submit proof of purchase as described below.
The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement provides ONLY the original owner of a qualifying ROCKWELLｮ tool with a lifetime of free replacement batteries subject to the limitations set forth below.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

This Agreement applies only to the original registered owner and may not be transferred.
This Agreement only covers ROCKWELLｮ batteries and tools.
This Agreement does not cover the costs to process and ship the replacement battery if necessary. *Minimal shipping and processing costs may apply.

CHANGES TO AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ROCKWELLｮ Power Tools reserves the right to cancel, alter or change the implied or written terms and conditions of the Free Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement at any time.

So it guess it really was a limited lifetime offer.

 

[3930dave]

Got my Ridgid battery replaced. Took Thursday to a Thursday, about what I was quoted time wise.

No Charge (pun intended) for the new battery. Remembered today to re-register the replacement battery, to continue the coverage on the new one. I drove to/from the service centre, so no shipping cost.

New 18v battery has different venting ports, and has an added gas-gauge (4 LEDs + Test pushbutton ).

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Now in the words of the late great wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper during his famous Piper's Pit interviews...

"Just when you think you have the answers...we change the questions!"



So looking online I see Rockwell has recently revamped the web site and no longer has any reference to "free batteries for life" and is now saying 20 years replacement on both tool and batteries for current purchases.

And the hot link to the original lifetime warranty page is redirected
https://www.rockwelltools.com/en-US/...-For-Life.aspx


This was what it read up to end of Jan 2016...

HAND-HELD BATTERY-POWERED TOOLS

The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement is available free of charge*, for a limited time commencing February 15, 2007, to purchasers of a ROCKWELLｮ brand hand-held battery-powered tool purchased after that date and subject to the terms and conditions stated below. To accept this Lifetime Free Replacement Battery Agreement, a purchaser must submit the warranty registration for the purchased product and submit proof of purchase as described below.
The Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement provides ONLY the original owner of a qualifying ROCKWELLｮ tool with a lifetime of free replacement batteries subject to the limitations set forth below.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

This Agreement applies only to the original registered owner and may not be transferred.
This Agreement only covers ROCKWELLｮ batteries and tools.
This Agreement does not cover the costs to process and ship the replacement battery if necessary. *Minimal shipping and processing costs may apply.

CHANGES TO AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ROCKWELLｮ Power Tools reserves the right to cancel, alter or change the implied or written terms and conditions of the Free Lifetime Replacement Battery Agreement at any time.

So it guess it really was a limited lifetime offer.

20 years is still a long time, esp. in terms of cordless tech.

I'd say there is a legal tendency to want to put some kind of finite # in place. I'm thinking of Leatherman - they list 25 years, but when I asked about registering my purchase, was basically told "don't worry about it", and I'm not.

We've all come across useless warranties, but I can see where some reputable companies may give you Lifetime service, even when they have a lower # listed. Maybe just dreaming :cloud9:

Rgds, D.

 

[streamin]

I also have had the full line of Hitachi 18v lithium tools. All they offered at the time. Circular saw, hammer drill, impact wrench, driver, shop light, jig saw, reciprocating saw, large heavy drill, 4" grinder and for 3 years doing home remodeling the same 3 batteries have never failed me.

I have started migrating to the Ryobi 18v line because they have more tools available. I have the chop saw and the finish nailer, Brad nailer, and crown stapler as well as vibrating multi tool. Their batteries will work with all the current and old 18v tools from nicd to lithium one+. They are amazing tools and the batteries charge fast. . The Nailers are awesome because air hoses destroy interiors and compressors are loud and require electric service.
Ryobi makes a 12v car charger as well as a 6 port charger. Their small weed Wacker works great also and weighs about 3lbs with battery.

Very happy with them. Lithium has changed the construction world. And with brushless motors it's getting even better.

I've had dewalt, makita and then I bought a Hitachi. going on 4years or so, 2 batteries still going strong and I use it in my body shop every day. I was actually thinking of going to Ryobi for a spare as I heard they were bought out by Rigid(not sure if that's true) but they have had an upgrade and it is tempting but Hitachi is my vote.

 

[joefromga]

I've had dewalt, makita and then I bought a Hitachi. going on 4years or so, 2 batteries still going strong and I use it in my body shop every day. I was actually thinking of going to Ryobi for a spare as I heard they were bought out by Rigid(not sure if that's true) but they have had an upgrade and it is tempting but Hitachi is my vote.

I have Hitachi (all tools available) and they are great but I'm moving to ryobi sincerely they have more tools available and they have beer great as well. The nail guns are what brought me over. I still use both but if the Hitachi ever breaks I'll just replace with ryobi.

The chargers on ryobi are cool and they have meters for charge state which I like. And yes they are a part of the rigid umbrella. Their oscillating tool will interchange with the ryobi heads.