orangebluegreen
Gold Member
The battery problems and cost is infuriating. It would appear to me the tool builders try to obsolete you and force new tool sales. I bought a Black & Decker firestorm 14.4 drill/saw combo several years ago after I lost my Makita. Either the battery died causing charger failure, or visa versa, but it was only about a year old and I found batteries were almost impossible to find and the design changed.
Last week I looked again and see they are now into a third generation of design since mine. The kicker.....the new 14.4v was only $23!!!! Vs mine at around 60-70 (also understand the Dewalt and B&D were the same at that time). I have had my batteries apart, wondering if it’s possible to buy the newer cheaper ones, break them open and put the batteries in my old packs. I know some of the B&D’s were recalled, I need to see if mine was, if not, they SHOULD be.
BTW.....a few years later I found my Makita under a drawer, the battery was dead after not being charged for years......well last week I was able to buy a 9.6v Makita battery for my 20 year old drill at Home Depot for $29. Hello B&D.....do you intend to stay in business like this?
Last week I looked again and see they are now into a third generation of design since mine. The kicker.....the new 14.4v was only $23!!!! Vs mine at around 60-70 (also understand the Dewalt and B&D were the same at that time). I have had my batteries apart, wondering if it’s possible to buy the newer cheaper ones, break them open and put the batteries in my old packs. I know some of the B&D’s were recalled, I need to see if mine was, if not, they SHOULD be.
BTW.....a few years later I found my Makita under a drawer, the battery was dead after not being charged for years......well last week I was able to buy a 9.6v Makita battery for my 20 year old drill at Home Depot for $29. Hello B&D.....do you intend to stay in business like this?
