Hello all – my old trusty Porter Cable finally bit the dust. Looking for any opinions on LIION tools. Worth the buck?
Cheers,
Brock
Low-e storm panels improve the energy efficiency of these old sash windows without changing their classic look.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Have you read the review of Li Ion in this months issue of FHB?
Here is a preview:
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/fh_180_055.asp
There was also a review in the Tools Of The Trade magazine a few months ago.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Just an FYI - the Tools of the Trade writeup was a reprint of an educational piece written by Edwin Bender - lead engineer for Li-Ion at Bosch power tools. I'm not saying that it's a bad writeup - in fact it's really quite thorough - but it doesn't spend much space on different manufacturers, just Li-Ion in general.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
not sure if I can say worth the bucks or not ...
but I replaced my dead dewalt batteries with a new Makita Lithium Ion drill/driver.
been maybe 6 weeks of daily use installing a kitchen ... and I'm pleased with the performance so far. Has good balance ... close to the same weight as the dewalt 14.4 ... and runs pretty much all day on one battery.
part of the job included driving ledger loc's thru a build up LVL beam ... started with my small impact driver ... that was getting hot ... so I decided to start them with the makita then finish with the impact. Found out after a few that the makita drove them faster and deeper ... really pulled the existing beam tight ... so I strapped on the side handle and put the impact driver away.
next coupla pays I hope to cover the cost of the circular saw too.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I've been riding the fence on going with the Makita 18v tools, one day deciding to plunge and spend, only to check the bottom line and stick another DeWalt 14v in the charger.
Gotta decide before the free tool offer is gone, whenever that is.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I "may" have my old dewalt 14.4 stuff up for beer money ...
as it is ... I have an older 2 speed drill. newer 3 speed drill. little circular saw ... one old charger ... one newer charger ... and 5 batteries I have to sort thru to see which 2 actually hold a charge over nite.
got the first drill/saw as a kit ... so one base holds them. second drill came in it's own case.
thinking a case of Corsendonk is around $80 ... shippings probably around $20 ...
so an even hundred gets some very fine dewalt battery drainers!
Thot they'd be worth a little to someone that's already got the batteries or doesn't mind spending a few bucks for new batt's.
I'm ready to make the change ... so the less competing chargers on site the better.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I can't wait until the Makita radio comes out on the market.
Rock the Tipi!
what have U heard about it?
hate to give up the dewalt ... hey ... thinks for the reminder ... that'll be part of that deal too! ...
but ... if I'm not charging batteries ... I want a cd player dammit!
loved the fact the DW both charged and ran off batts ... came in handy pretty much all the time one way or another.
I saw Sony has a job site radio out ... gotta see what that's all about.
hey ... bachelor tonight ... just got in ...
tonights sandwich ... chipped ham and white american cheese ... on buttered toast.
ummmm ....
and there's anough chipped ham left for a nice big second ...
plus ... thinking around 9 ... kill that last bottle of consendonk. Mt Dew till then ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
All I know is it's coming. Google it.
Rock the Tipi!
Here's the Makita:http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-332277/makita-bmr100-job-site-radio.htmlLooks pretty cool to me.Here's the Sony http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=ZSH10CP&Dept=audio&CategoryName=pa_BoomboxLooks kindof pretty for a job site...JT
Edited 6/22/2006 10:01 pm ET by JulianTracy
Where is it available in America?
Rock the Tipi!
am/fm and just runs off the batt's as a bonus ...
thinking I'll skip that one.
wish my dewalt played cds! tried plugging in a walkman ... but that ate batteries too fast and was kinda clumsy. Cath used to have an old sony cassette player we took camping .... lasted years beach camping ... sport something or other. I'll have to see if sony has a similar one updated with the cd player ... see how it compares price wise to that shiney new red model.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I've got the Bosch, and hardly use the cd because I have the bosch ipod dock that clicks right on it.Just set the ipod to random and 10,000 songs start the rotation = kickbutt.Don't get me started on the Bosch radio, but with the ipod dock accessory and the remote - all of the other problems and history are forgotten.JT
btw ... I'm glad Julian ain't as lazy as U ...
or we'd never get this useful info!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I can't find a U.S. distributer. It only seems to be available to fereners.
Rock the Tipi!
All I need is a jobsite radio that works with Sirius...then I'll be happy!!
I can plug in a walkman CD player or MP3 to my DW right now but I need my Sirius....wahhhhhhh
Nite EthelIf Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
I use the sirrus and the bosch radio, I pull it out of the truck and the bosch has a cigerette lighter jack that runs the sirrus.
Haven't gotten to making it nice and neat yet but what's a little wire.
The bosch jumped off a compressor and a 5 gal bucket and it's still working so it'll take a 4' drop.
I had one of the 1st Bosch radios that would drain the battery, etc. that they effectively recalled and before I sent mine back after they gave me a new one, I figured I'd see just how tough it was.I gave it a toss probably 8-10' in the air where it would land on concrete and it juist bounced a few times with no damage.I heard they were designed for a 10-15' fall.JT
dang JT-
Nothing like testing out the ol' equipment, aye?
Beware. RFID is coming.
Yes. If you are a daily drainer of the nickle batts like I am. If/when DW makes a batt that is LI that fits existing 18V tools they promoted so heavily in 2005,,I'd buy stock in DW.
IF I am screwed and the new batts will never work in the current toolage? Then they suck and I am going Makita ( who started the whole mess of batt tools in '78 or so, I had a 7.2 volt 3/8 keyed chuck drill)...
PC batt tools just suck all by them selves, so ANYTHING is better..even a Firestorm or Craftsman.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
I got the the makita kit several months ago as a gift.. After 2 weeks I sold my panansonic impact driver, panasonic drill, and bosch 24v saw. These tools are strong and light. They run long on a charge and are easy in the hand. I mentioned in a thread to diesel that the corded pc rarley comes out anymore. A small thing- the soft case is the best thought out bag-there are pockets built in for the tools, batteries and charger, keeps things tidy. Also dilflerent size pockets on the outside for accessories, bit sets and the like. Well thought out bag, light batteres which hold a good charge and fine tools-its worth the cost.
Paul