I got a 9v Makita for Christmas in 1995 and I used the hell out of it for 5
years. In 1990 my wife bought me another one and took mine. She keeps it in her
truck for her trades to use and I am trying to kill my 4 year old one. Both are
still going strong on the original batteries. They do get used tho. I think the
worst thing you can do to a cordless is to leave it sitting around.