Cordless tool nerds: Nicad vs Li-ion batteries

[dremu]

Thinking about a cordless impact, and I'm thinking I might get a new drill, get a 1/2" chuck to upgrade from my current 3/8".

The impact I was looking at only comes with NiCad packs, but some of the drills come with NiCad and some with Li-ions. What I know of the battery chemistry says that the Li-ions won't work well with the impact (higher current drain will wear them out, the lithium prefers lower drain over longer time) ... but that's all from an theoretical electronic/electrical engineering perspective.

In the Real World, any of y'all have any experience, preference between the two? The Li-ion packs are more spendy, looks like, so I'm thinking I'd stick with nicads across the board, impact, drill, flashlight, whatever other accessories.

-- A

 

[blazinzuk]

My Milwaukee I just bought ( drill) is lith ion 18v it will work with any of the 18v Milwaukee.

I bought it and got a free battery so now looking forward to buying some other Milwaukee bare cordless tools.

3 batteries and they charge from dead to full in about 15 minutes

 

[dremu]

S'pose the Li-ion's are lighter than the nicad, too. How big a drill, i.e. 3/8" or 1/2" chuck? Does the Li-Ion last what you consider a reasonable time?

-- A

 

[NorCal_Chris]

I love lithium batts. No annoying fade when they start getting low. Quick charge times, lighter weight, ability to put some good power out.

Ive had a set of makita tools i got back in 07 and i use them a lot. they still are running strong

 

[79rustyk10]

only gripe I have, tho I dont have any, I have used plenty of them... Is they dont hold a charge in winter time if left in the cold.

 

[dremu]

only gripe I have, tho I dont have any, I have used plenty of them... Is they dont hold a charge in winter time if left in the cold.

Because garages don't get cold.

What's your definition of "cold", though? It doesn't but rarely get to freezing here.

-- A

 

[Stomis]

IMO if you need a 1/2in chuck drill corded is the only way to go...

 

[4X4HIGH]

Aaron, I bought an 18v Li-ion Dewalt 3/8" impact gun and am VERY HAPPY with it. The nice thing about the Li-ion is it is either full power or dead (good thing for an impact gun). The batteries charge in like 15 minutes and they last a decent time even when not used for a couple weeks still hold a charge.

 

[blazinzuk]

S'pose the Li-ion's are lighter than the nicad, too. How big a drill, i.e. 3/8" or 1/2" chuck? Does the Li-Ion last what you consider a reasonable time?

-- A

You really should look at the Milwaukee I bought. Its the new one they call it the fuel or something stupid like that. Brushless motors. Doing my deck the other day 2 guys that were helping have been trim carpenters or general carpenters for several years. They loved my drill. It outlasted the Makita ( also lith ion) my buddy was using by a whole lot I would guess 30%, it certainly wasn't cheap but I think the free battery thing is going on till the end of June

IMO if you need a 1/2in chuck drill corded is the only way to go...

I will never buy any drill of any kind unless its a 1/2 chuck, ever. No point.

With three batteries and the ability to check the charge on them the only thing I use my corded drill for anymore is notching tubing.

And I have used it plenty in the garage its pretty powerful

 

[dremu]

IMO if you need a 1/2in chuck drill corded is the only way to go...

More often than not it's 1/2" shank bits ... in acrylic or wood, so I don't need the torque of the corded electric or air drills. If I'm doing metalwork, I'll use one of them.

If I'm using a holesaw, I'll break out the drill press, but it's annoying/costly to have to have shanked-down bits for one drill and not the others.

Anyway, yes, for serious fabwork I'll use something serious

-- A

 

[dremu]

Aaron, I bought an 18v Li-ion Dewalt 3/8" impact gun and am VERY HAPPY with it. The nice thing about the Li-ion is it is either full power or dead (good thing for an impact gun). The batteries charge in like 15 minutes and they last a decent time even when not used for a couple weeks still hold a charge.

Yeah, but you prolly have an IR air impact that does like 500 ft-lbs or something... isn't a 3/8" impact kinda small for you? =))

I'm actually partial to the Dewalt, as my existing cordless stuff and Sawzall are theirs and I've been very pleased with them. Well, except the Nicads annoy me, which is what started this thread.

Sounds like li-ion's are A Good Thing; thanks all!

-- A

 

[NorCal_Chris]

One battery on my makita sawzall just got done doing this

 

[79rustyk10]

Because garages don't get cold.

What's your definition of "cold", though? It doesn't but rarely get to freezing here.

-- A

I should have specified. The Time I really noticed a problem with them, it was about 0 degrees I think. They were also left in the toolbox of the truck that was always parked outside. I was told when I bought my DeWalt that if left outside in Mn winter type weather it drains them. Thats why I didnt get the LiIon.

I think you should be OK with them.

 

[dremu]

I should have specified. The Time I really noticed a problem with them, it was about 0 degrees I think. They were also left in the toolbox of the truck that was always parked outside. I was told when I bought my DeWalt that if left outside in Mn winter type weather it drains them. Thats why I didnt get the LiIon.

I think you should be OK with them.

Wow, that's crap -- not you, a battery you can't freeze.

Still, apparently they charge quick enough, and I don't have that kinda weather.

-- A

 

[4X4HIGH]

Yeah, but you prolly have an IR air impact that does like 500 ft-lbs or something... isn't a 3/8" impact kinda small for you? =))

I'm actually partial to the Dewalt, as my existing cordless stuff and Sawzall are theirs and I've been very pleased with them. Well, except the Nicads annoy me, which is what started this thread.

Sounds like li-ion's are A Good Thing; thanks all!

-- A

I wanted an impact that wasn't too heavy and not too big and the 3/8" Dewalt 18v fit that order. The thing will torque up to 125 ft/lbs. I actually made a mistake in what I told you I bought, I actually bought the DC823KA which has the XRP battery but it will accept my other Li-ion batteries from my drill. This is what I bought. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015VT0K4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

 

[dremu]

Got a 1/2" Dewalt impact today, woohoo. It's "only" like 140 ft-lbs or so, as opposed to the big momma that is rated for like 300, but it popped the lug nuts off my dually without a hitch, so I'm happy. The impact weighs less than my drill, has a relatively small head so it oughta fit in crazy places... can't believe I didn't get one until now.

What we didn't mention is that Li-ion batteries weigh practically nothing, like I thought they were plastic placeholders for real batteries. Friggin amazing.

The only time I see this as a problem is for a flashlight, which uses the battery as a balance weight when the flexible head is extended.

The only real negative about the Li-ion's is they're pricier than the NiCad's, but I say it's worth it for the reduced stress on the hands alone, toting around less weight.

-- A

 

[tRustyK5]

I got myself a 12 volt Lith-ion drill driver about 3 years ago. Ryobi, the size of a 1911, maybe smaller. It's very compact, my buddy actually snickered at it when he first saw it. After he used it to drive in a couple of 3" construction screws he totally changed his mind. Half the weight of his drill/driver, same or better tq and the batt lasted longer. The upside for me is with a couple of spade connectors the Lith-ion batt's fit in my Wally crawler...

I won't buy any other type of cordless tool now.

 

[lectric80]

I think I have about the same one Rene, and I love it. Doing sheetrock, and putting in hundreds of screws, and I don't get worn out, can work continuously for LONG periods of time without a recharge, and the recharge time on the second battery I got is low enough that it is fully charged long before the other battery dies. Never again will I consider any tool using NiCd batteries.

 

[onetonbb74]

x2, big difference vs the nicad setup...

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

All my NiCad's are garbage... My Li-Ion's are bada$$!