Cordless drill

[Dragonfly Ordnance]

The batteries are detachable.

You can buy new ones. It’s just not clear to me if they fit in the old drill, and I can’t see a way to test without having to buy one to find out!

I had an old 14.4v Makita, really good bit of kit. In the end the batteries died so it would only run for a few minutes. You can find aftermarket replacements that would work, but I went with a new Makita 18v.

You can use the 18v batteries on their other stuff like jigsaws, lamps, radios, hedge trimmers, etc. all of which you can buy without a battery to make them cheaper.

 

[Cyres]

Makita have a huge range of battery tools. II recently borrowed a small circular saw off a mate. V impressed.i also have a work light which I found on a road obviously fell off a vehicle. Batterd but works fine. There is a difference between some Makita batteries. Another friend has a Makita battery chain saw again v good.
D

 

[Dickie]

Makilta. My LXT must be 15 yrs old. Purchased from Bristol tools on a VAT free weekend. Superb bit of kit.
D

Are you sure that wasn't Bell tools?

To the OP Whatever you buy that's you with a drill batteries and charger if in the future you might want other tools unless you want multiple chargers and batteries stick to the same brand I'd say.

 

[Cyres]

Yes it was Bell tools!
Like going into an Allladins cave.
D

 

[Will the chippy]

If I have an 11 year old Makita, will new batteries still fit?

My problem is that the batteries have gone.

Good chance they will. Makita did about 3 types. One with the stick out the top of the battery, then the slide ones, and a few of the cheapo one from b and q. Usually these have a grey band round them, I think called g type batteries. Most common are the lxt ones, 3,4,5 and 6amp li-ion.

 

[25 Sharps]

18v makita combi, I have 2 and they have lasted 2 house renovations.

 

[Mungo]

Good chance they will. Makita did about 3 types. One with the stick out the top of the battery, then the slide ones, and a few of the cheapo one from b and q. Usually these have a grey band round them, I think called g type batteries. Most common are the lxt ones, 3,4,5 and 6amp li-ion.

Thanks!

They have the grey band.

 

[Will the chippy]

Thanks!

They have the grey band.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.makitauk.com/product/bl1820g.html&ved=2ahUKEwj_r6mg47aNAxVUUkEAHS0lIG0QFnoECCUQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw3GrYJGG8_5LpyxaXzT64w0

These ones?

 

[Dickie]

Yes it was Bell tools!
Like going into an Allladins cave.
D

Yes put a few quid their way and Fast fix but their mail order only now.

 

[BenBhoy]

The batteries are detachable.

You can buy new ones. It’s just not clear to me if they fit in the old drill, and I can’t see a way to test without having to buy one to find out!

What model is your drill? Can you photo the underaide where battery inserts

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Get something from Lidl in the middle 2 years warranty and probably 1/4 the cost of the brands it’s only for domestic use.

And get a spare battery. Did this in 2020.

Regards

JCS

 

[Mungo]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.makitauk.com/product/bl1820g.html&ved=2ahUKEwj_r6mg47aNAxVUUkEAHS0lIG0QFnoECCUQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw3GrYJGG8_5LpyxaXzT64w0

These ones?

Thanks!

 

[PMA]

I’ve used most over the years, now just Milwaukee (the Uk customer service leaves a lot to be desired in my experience with them) tools are good though. After that I would choose dewalt .

 

[Glevum]

I would avoid the cheap Dewalt drills, I had the reverse switch pack up on one after less than 6 months. Apparently it is fairly common.
Makita or Milwaukee are better tools

 

[25 Sharps]

If I have an 11 year old Makita, will new batteries still fit?

My problem is that the batteries have gone.

Post a photo of the drill and old battery.

 

[jthyttin]

The batteries are detachable.

Yes and they usually contain actual cells that are common format like 18650 LiPo. Replacing these will:

a) be a lot cheaper than buying new battery
b) will give you higher capacity
c) in some cases it's the only reasonable option (old tools with no new batteries available)

 

[The Singing Stalker]

If I have an 11 year old Makita, will new batteries still fit?

My problem is that the batteries have gone.

You can get the batteries replaced, depending on the system, but in all honesty, the batteries are the major cost, so you would be better ditching and buying a new drill. Will not cost a lot more, depending on the type of drill.
Avoid eBay specials, they often do not have a safety fuse and if they go up in flames you are not going to be a happy bunny.

 

[Radstorm]

18volt Makita - just be mindful do you need drill/ driver or do you need something with hammer action - but you pay a little more. Impact drivers (I have one rarely use it but that could be just me)

 

[User00056]

I have an 18v dewalt, so far its done everything I need of it, I also bought one of their impact drivers as well which is also good, I use three batteries between them and so far have never needed more

I agree. I have these too. Great battery life, great power, and not too heavy (although the impact driver is a bit of a lump)

 

[udderlyoffroad]

All the brands will perform fine, but don't make the mistake of thinking the hammer mode is up to much on all but the most expensive cordless drills.