Popular Post kmealy Posted February 8, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 Some information about Li-Ion (and NiCad) battery life, use and technical details https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/how-long-do-lithium-ion-batteries-last/39576/ I will confess that my last few cordless tools have been Ridgid. If you dot your Is and cross your Ts, they have a lifetime warranty on batteries. The first one I got had some issues and they replaced the batteries twice in the first three years. For the last 5 or so, the re-engineered ones have been working just great. FlGatorwood, Grandpadave52, lew and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 Thanks! FlGatorwood and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted February 9, 2019 Report Share Posted February 9, 2019 Of course, we wonder how they define what a charging cycle is? Typically, one charging cycle equals running a battery down and charging it up again. However, most batteries will count one full charging cycle every time you throw your battery on the charger, regardless of how much charge the battery actually needed. I use a Stinger flashlight everyday, and have for 15 years maybe. This is very true and as a result I only charge when the battery is depleted. Some days I wipe it out before day is over, sometimes 2-3 days between charges. Grandpadave52, kmealy, Cal and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnewj Posted February 9, 2019 Report Share Posted February 9, 2019 I have some Ryobi Li-Ions that are close to eight years old and are as strong as the day I bought them. I have a 1/2 dozen that get rotated as needed. I find that the Ryobi batteries can be had in two packs around Christmas time for about $100. I have had problems with new batteries not wanting to take a charge. If after the third attempt they don't fully charge back they go for an exchange...this has only happened a couple of times. I went to the Ryobi's after getting disgusted with the DeWalt Ni-cads biting the dust in a short period. Don't get me wrong I truly loved my DeWalts but they went bye-bye because of the batteries...cost and longevity. As popular as the DeWalts are, I hope that they have solved the battery issue. Unfortunately, I will probably not switch back. Like most (and insert your brand here), I have invested heavily in the Ryobis in the past 15 years and it would be too expensive to "switch horses in mid-stream" at this point and go back to the DeWalts. Cal and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted February 9, 2019 Report Share Posted February 9, 2019 56 minutes ago, schnewj said: I find that the Ryobi batteries can be had in two packs around Christmas time for about $100. Bill..Watch BORG in the Spring too. Often times starting close to Good Friday, then a few weekends thereafter, they'll have some pretty enticing promotional's which usually include battery packs or greatly reduced tool only price. Sometimes near the end of summer or early fall, they'll run a similar sale. A year or so ago, I bought four batteries for the regular price of two plus an extra charger. I have Craftsman 12V & 19.2V NiCd that have performed well for years. Took advantage of one of the BORG's spring sales a couple of years back for a Ryobi 18V Li-Ion drill not only b/c of the great package price, but local availability and the ever expanding Ryobi 18V platform offerings. Bottom line, both the Craftsman & Ryobi tools have performed very well for me and meet all of my needs. I don't use them every day or every month for that matter so might be different if that was the case. FlGatorwood, schnewj and Cal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kmealy Posted February 9, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 9, 2019 7 hours ago, schnewj said: I have invested heavily in the Ryobis in the past 15 years and it would be too expensive to "switch horses in mid-stream" at this point and go back to the DeWalts. There's something to be said for finding a brand of cordless tools you like and sticking with it for cross-tool compatibility. As much as I hated to, I got my son-in-law replacement Craftsman batteries for Christmas because he had a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I was just going to get him a new drill-driver set for the same amount of money. His dad bought him those a few years ago because he believes, 'Craftsman is the best." I do not share that opinion. schnewj, Cal, FlGatorwood and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 2 hours ago, kmealy said: I do not share that opinion. I agree, they used to be good solid tools. Those days are long gone. Much better to be had. kmealy, Cal and FlGatorwood 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 10 hours ago, schnewj said: would be too expensive to "switch horses in mid-stream" at this point and go back to the DeWalts. so phase into Bosch... HARO50, FlGatorwood and Cal 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnewj Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Stick486 said: so phase into Bosch... Why? I don't have any issues with the Ryobi's they function just fine for me, and I have never had one fail or not perform. Also, since I have no need to replace anything why would I phase into another brand? As much as I do like the Bosch tools, I don't have a NEED to switch. Grandpadave52, Cal, HARO50 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 18 minutes ago, schnewj said: Why? 'cause... HARO50, Gunny, Cal and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnewj Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 9 hours ago, Stick486 said: 'cause... OK, I'll liken this to someone telling me I need to get rid of my flip phone and get a smart phone. If it was you, what would you tell them? HARO50, FlGatorwood and Cal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post schnewj Posted February 10, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 17 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said: Bill..Watch BORG in the Spring too. Often times starting close to Good Friday, then a few weekends thereafter, they'll have some pretty enticing promotional's which usually include battery packs or greatly reduced tool only price. Sometimes near the end of summer or early fall, they'll run a similar sale. A year or so ago, I bought four batteries for the regular price of two plus an extra charger. I have Craftsman 12V & 19.2V NiCd that have performed well for years. Took advantage of one of the BORG's spring sales a couple of years back for a Ryobi 18V Li-Ion drill not only b/c of the great package price, but local availability and the ever expanding Ryobi 18V platform offerings. Bottom line, both the Craftsman & Ryobi tools have performed very well for me and meet all of my needs. I don't use them every day or every month for that matter so might be different if that was the case. I agree with everything here, Gramps. I, too, watch out for the deals. A couple of years ago I finally sprung for a bare tool, drill driver...how did I ever do without it! I, also, picked up one of their multi bit cases. I does really well. It's portable and I always have the correct bit tip handy for the job. None of them has ever failed structurally. I, also, picked up a drill bit assortment/case. Those I threw away. Yes, they were that bad. Bottom line, yes, the Ryobis do give good service. However, most people are not willing to keep multiple systems, batteries and chargers, around. Few people I know in the handyman/hobby world keep more then one system around. Bottom line if it works for you, that is all that counts. Grandpadave52, Gunny, Cal and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HandyDan Posted February 10, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 I have a 18v Dewalt tool set that I bought for work. The drill and the impact driver were too heavy for the lighter work in the shop and I eventually bought a Hitachi 12v drill and impact set. The Dewalt set still gets a lot of use around the yard and when the NiCad batteries went bad I invested the $200.00 in a set of Lithium batteries and charger. It was worth it considering the number of tools I had. The Hitachi set came with the Lithium batteries and they are still going strong and get more use than the Dewalt. The Lithium batteries are the way to go in my opinion. Cal, Grandpadave52, FlGatorwood and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 Something Ryobi has done is the ability to use the newer 18volt lithium batteries in the older 18volt tools. No adapters, just plug it in and use the tool. Grandpadave52, FlGatorwood, HARO50 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 3 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said: Something Ryobi has done is the ability to use the newer 18volt lithium batteries in the older 18volt tools. No adapters, just plug it in and use the tool. Craftsman did the same with the 19.2V platform; not sure, but I think the tools were made by Ryobi for Craftsman...NiCd's just added an additional internal battery for go from 18v to 19.2v. FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 6 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said: Something Ryobi has done is the ability to use the newer 18volt lithium batteries in the older 18volt tools. No adapters, just plug it in and use the tool. Dewalt started out that way and then went to the adapters. I have a set of the first style. FlGatorwood and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted February 10, 2019 Report Share Posted February 10, 2019 8 hours ago, schnewj said: If it was you, what would you tell them? oh sure... be realistic and logical... HARO50, Gunny, FlGatorwood and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted February 11, 2019 Report Share Posted February 11, 2019 10 hours ago, HandyDan said: Dewalt started out that way and then went to the adapters. It is all about the money. They want you to buy the new tool. Or have a hassle adapting the old one. Circle of retail sales. Cal, HARO50, Stick486 and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Grandpadave52 Posted February 11, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 11, 2019 Old adage, "give them the razor, sell 'em blades for life." kmealy, FlGatorwood, Gunny and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARO50 Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 MANY years ago, I bought a Craftsman 16.8 (I think) volt drill kit, complete with a work light. I loved that drill, and the light was the handiest I've ever owned. When the batteries finally gave out, I went back to Sears to buy replacements, only to be told they were no longer available. I could have bought a 19.2 volt set for less than the cost of two batteries, but I was tinkled off with Sears, so I went with 18 volt Ridgid instead. BIG mistake! Both batteries stopped taking a charge after only a few years, so I went to DeWalt 18 Volt, and added a bare tool impact driver. Now it looks like DeWalt is phasing out the 18 v. in favour of 20 v. tools. Wish I could still get those 16.8 V. batteries! John FlGatorwood, Gunny, Grandpadave52 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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