Cordless drills?

[billt]

While my drill has held together well, the NiCd batteries don't last and are very expensive compared to other brands such as Ryobi.  BTB, Batteries Plus will replace individual cells in NiCds.  Last I checked it was about $20/cell.

I've had very similar problems with cordless, land line phones. The batteries go bad long before the unit itself fails. Now I always look at the type of rechargeable batteries they take BEFORE I buy them. I look for AA batteries, and not these battery packs that are contained in shrink wrap, and have soldered connections with non standard, impossible to find connectors.

That way you can simply replace the batteries instead of tossing the phones. The battery packs cost more to replace than the phones do. Not so with individual AA type rechargeable cells. Especially if you have 4 or 5 remote handsets. When you do replace them look carefully at the rated output. They're not all the same. Buy the highest rated output for whatever cell size you require. Also, stick with the name brands like Duracell, Eveready, or Ray-O-Vac Ni-Cad Rechargeable Batteries. These units usually come from the factory with cheap, Chinese, no name batteries that don't last long, or have much capacity.

[alfsauve]

.... not these battery packs that are contained in shrink wrap, and have soldered connections with non standard, impossible to find connectors.

I know you know this, but for those that might not.  Battery packs are not soldered together.  The heat would damage the cells.   They are tack-welded.    A special machine just for that purpose is used.   Thought of buying one for this and other projects but decided it wasn't worth it.

[Big Frank]

When I needed batteries for a cordless phone it was the kind of battery pack Bill described. I found one with the right connector at Radio Shack. I think it was even more powerful than the stock battery pack but I'm not sure anymore.

[vincewarde]

If you are a contractor, by all means buy a contractor grade drill.  If you are a homeowner, buying a drill made to be used 10 hours a day for years is overbuying, IMHO.  I have a Ryobi with 10+ years on it.  A year or so ago, upgraded to the new NiMH batteries and a smart charger.  NiCADs were 5 years old and still working, but the new tech has double the capacity.  They also hold a charge, basically forever.

I also have several other tools that use the same batteries, which is nice.  After several years the motor in my circular saw burned out.  I thought I would have to buy a new saw.  Nope - new motor was less than $20.00 shipped.  Saw is back in service.

All in all, I am happy with Ryobi tools, for my purposes.