tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379145335165821479.post5108847746641233916..comments2024-01-11T17:16:38.734-05:00Comments on Dock Six Chronicles: Gear and Tool (P)Review: A New Twist On Cordless Tool KitsDock Six Chronicleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03597255314638510360noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379145335165821479.post-45174335331757133852013-04-11T19:04:50.004-04:002013-04-11T19:04:50.004-04:00Interesting, Brian. I went in the other direction ...Interesting, Brian. I went in the other direction with tools having had some "draining" experiences with battery drills. The fact that I have a steel boat with steel boat needs may enter into this.<br /><br />I've opted for a range of Makita and DeWalt (and some selected Mastercraft stuff which went on sale) power tools...plus my Honda 2000. The only power tool that makes the Honda cough is my 10 inch Makita circular saw...the 5 amp 1/2 drill and the 6.5 amp 1/2" chuck, two-handled slow 'n' torquey Makita I use for making holes both do well. I also have a Fein Multimaster clone that I got from Fastenal which is very useful aboard, but would kill any practical battery in 15 minutes.<br /><br />Having said that about rechargables, I have a "not dead yet" salvaged B&D 14V drill that is slow enough, and yet lasts an hour or so, to do a load of small brass screws. The other drills would strip out the heads. So I will look for a relatively small...but long-lasting...rotary tool for that sort of thing. I have a lot of screws to pull this summer.<br /><br />I have heard from contractors that the Milwaukee 18V "sets" that go on sale occasionally are the cat's posterior, however, and I believe it is possible to kludge a fix for dead batteries.<br /><br />See http://www.g-batteryshop.com/battery_tips/2010/08/how-to-fix-an-18v-power-tools-battery-drill-battery-tips-by-g-batteryshop-com/<br /><br />for instance. It's possible to pick up a bunch of the stock Ni-Cads or LiOn batteries and simply solder them together...but I haven't tried that. Good luck with your purchases.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.com