The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Hitachi Cordless Drills

Never had a cordless drill and was in Home Depot one morning and they had an 18v Hitachi drill on special. Two batteries, drill, charger and case for $99. Bought it, love it and used it to do more screwing than hole making. But one battery died. Go to Home Depot for a replacement. Not a chance. They don't carry them anymore. Tried Hitachi themselves and they could not direct me to any merchant nearby who sells them. Finally found one through a tool supplier and they want $80. I only paid $99 for the kit and I guess like computer printers its cheaper to buy a whole new drill than buy the battery. More stuff going into the landfill. Shame.

check around, most of those tool batteries can be rebuilt for half price or less, up here Midland Tools does it

Bill

I had a Hitachi drill, screwed the life out of it making some trusses, then I let it sit unused to long...battery died.
Got a Kawasaki drill at Sam's for a great price.

If I would keep the batteries charged they would last, but I forget to do that.

So the wife buys me a Makita drill combo for Xmas, and I'm thinking.....Ah yes, nother oriental drill !!!

But this one has the lithium ion batteries which I can't believe the difference in battery life, and they don't go dead sitting around like the previous types would.

I'm sure glad I have this type now because with so many battery run things around I need a pet monkey to go around and plug things in for charge. Ther's a cell phone,ipod, camera, 3 drills, 3 flashlights, trailer battery, 3 boat batteries, plus car, truck, and tractor batteries.
Sometimes drives me batty !!

Dan

I have an 18v Dewalt drill/driver with two batteries and a smart/quick charger. I've had it for two years now with no problems. I forget what I paid (in the neighborhood of $110) but it's been money well spent.

Check amazon for the battery replacement using the old battery part number. Worked for me on a simular product.

I own a small renovation (remodelling) company and we use Hitachi drills exclusively and have never had a battery go on us.
I found a company here in Canada that supplies batteries for almost anything and I have bought replacements for Makitas and DeWalt that have died and the price is quite good.
Try googling replacement batteries and see what you find.
If all else fails e me and I will look into from this end.
Peter

Contacted Midland Tool. Awaiting an answer. Thanks for the tip.
Bill

I have had a DeWalt for several years now and it is AOK.The batteries seem to stay charged forever,and the drill has plenty of power.

Contacted Midland Tool a week ago via email. No reply.

olblu - I phoned the local - if it's a Li-Ion battery they can't do it, other types [Ni-Cad, etc] vary by the amp rating, from about $70 up to $100 .... gotten spendier since I had one done, maybe not worth it .... I've had great service from a CDN Tire Mastercraft that wasn't too much over $100 on sale

Bill

Thanks Bill. Its a ni-cad but they seem quite pricey. KMS can get me a new one for $79. I know I can get others but it just means the Hitachi will end up in the landfill. Against my personal policy.

I hear ya, I keep things working until they disintegrate, then save'em for parts .... you might check around 2nd hand stores for another battery .... someone gave me a cordless drill that only came with one battery - it's a bother sometimes, but I just try to remember to plug it in the charger overnight after any day it's used much

Bill

For what it's worth there's a fellow locally who rebuilds batteries that won't hold a charge. He says that it's normally one or two cells in the pack that go bad. He disassembles the battery packs, tests the individual cells and takes good cells from one pack to replace bad cells in another. Sounds like a lot of work to me but he seems to like the result.

I have purchased several Hitachi tools from this company both new and reconditioned. Great prices(I think.) and excellent service.

http://www.reconditionedsales.com/

The bad thing is I really like this drill and want to keep it going. It is amazing how these box stores - Home Depot in this case - sell the tool and then change to another brand later. And when you want parts they cannot/won't help.

Bill, the sad part is it doesn't surprise me. If they keep rotating stock or switching parts, they never have to help you and spend time 'looking'. Plus, how many people turn around and buy another tool when they can't find the part they need. It's unethical business practice at it's best.

Jeff