OT: Cordless drills

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden@ald.net>]

From:           	"Peter VanDerWal" <peter_v@primenet.com>

> I have a couple cordless drills, the first one only lasted about 3 years
> befor the batteries quit.  I guess you could call it mainenance free since
> there is now way to replace the defective batteries (not without spending
> more than it cost me for a new drill).

I'm surprised to hear this.  I bought a fairly inexpensive cordless 
drill, a 7.2 volt Skil, about 6 years ago.  About 3 years later I bought 
a second set of batteries so I could have an extra set to pop in when 
they ran flat in the middle of a job, as sometimes happened.  I'm still 
using both sets of batteries, with only a little capacity loss on the 
original set.  I think I paid $8-9 each for the two batteries required.

These are ordinary Sanyo nicads, and the charger is pretty much brute-
force, just a wall wart (though I use a timer to shut it off after 3-4 
hours and never leave it plugged in).

Of course I don't expect it to do the work of a corded drill, or even a 
bigger cordless.  I also run it nearly all the way down before charging, 
even though I've been told that nicad memory effect is a myth.  I'm very 
satisfied with this little drill, which is small and light enough to 
stuff in my jacket pocket while climbing a ladder.

(Speaking of electric tools, my neighbors think I'm nuts.  I have no gas 
powered tools; there is no gasoline in my garage at all.  My mower, 
trimmer, lawn tractor, chain saw, and even the chipper-shredder and 
garden tiller are all electric.)  <grin>


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
1991 Solectria Force 144vac
1991 Ford Escort Green/EV 128vdc
1979 General Engines ElectroPed 24vdc
1974 Honda Civic EV 96vdc
1970 GE Elec-trak 36 vdc