Thanks for all your help

From what I see the new NI-CADs are much better provided I do not run the drill down to nothing (which I did with my old drill by wrapping the switch with string to zero it - and the batteries didnt last) and I just charge for the 1 hour it says

Possibly a timer would be a good idea - have one in the kitchen I think!

So the overall impression is that I should keep the drill and not take it back?

pete