Has anybody out there ever heard of, or used, a Kawasaki cordless drill? I saw one in Costco today which costs less ($38) than a replacement battery for my elderly Bosch 14.4 volt drill. It has the same general features they all have.
I’m on the horns of a dilemma. I have various options: replace the second battery of the Bosch (I’ve already replaced one); get a new Panasonic, either the 15.6 volt drill that FH liked so well, or one of the impact drivers, which apparently can drill, but slowly; go with the Harbor Freight 19.2 volt for $50; or go with the Kawasaki. One advantage of getting another drill is that I would still have the old Bosch, with one good battery; with 2 drills, I can use one for driving screws and the other for drilling, and not have to constantly change bits.
I’m here for your opinions, so go to it.
Replies
Buy another bosch that uses the same batteries. Or better yet, an impact driver like this: http://bosch.cpotools.com/cordless_tools/cordless_fastening_drivers/23614-rt.html
Edited 7/14/2006 6:32 pm ET by MarkH
You get what you pay for. Cheap comes back in spades to haunt you.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
FWIW, I read an article in Tools of the Trade about a year ago. It discussed up and coming new brands that were being marketed to pro's of the younger generation... whatever that means. Anyway, I remember the Kawasaki line as being one of the brands and it was describe by T of the T as a pro-quality line.
I too have seen some of their stuff around (at Northern Tool maybe?) at really low prices. I'm wondering if the line didn't take off and now they're just unloading them or something? Anyway.... at $38 it's probably worth a shot. I shoot $38 worth of nails on a good day and chew at least $38 worth of 'backer a week. :)
I just dug around some more and found that article. My memory wasn't totally accurate. It's a pretty short article and doesn't really review the Kawasaki tools at all but it does mention them in a group of new "pro-quality" tool lines being introduced in 2005. Then I followed the trail a little more. They're manufactured by AllTrade tools. The good news is that they apparently come with a 2 year warranty. The bad news is that from what I can tell, they're a little behind in technology.... 3 to 5 hr charge time and NiCad batteries.
But 38 bucks is 38 bucks.
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleID=2303&position=0&type=article
I've seen those Kawaski's on e-bay and at Sams. Both places were in the 40 - 45 range.
I'd guess they arnt worth more then that.
I think I'd get a new battery for the Bosch or opt for a new drill all together.
Doug