I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015

It seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes with
one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone give me an
idea how how much work the battery can get through? Obviously it will be
dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm just looking for anecdote here
really!

How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?

TIA

On 2008-04-05 09:52:50 +0100, "elziko" said:

I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015

It

seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes with
one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone give me
an idea how how much work the battery can get through? Obviously it
will be dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm just looking for
anecdote here really!

I would look for proper tool test reviews to get an idea of this.

I always make sure that I have =2 batteries for any cordless tool.
Using a 14.4v Makita for mixed work of drilling and small screw into
wood, the 1hr charger keeps up with two batteries, meaning one in use
and one charging. It wouldn't if I were drilling 25mm holes into thick
wood with a spade bit.

The 18v will do rather better than that. Unless work is intensive, one
battery will last for most of a day of mixed drilling and screwdriving.

Personally, I wouldn't go for a one battery tool because I find that
waiting for a recharge is irritating. However, if you are thinking
of use for a mix of drilling and screwdriving, buying a separate
screwdriver may be a solution that will cover some jobs.



How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

30mins according to the spec. Other Makita products conform to the
specs, so no reason to believe that this one won't


Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?



Better, would be not to buy from Ebay.

If you have a problem, it may be more challenging to resolve.

Andy Hall wrote:

Better, would be not to buy from Ebay.

If you have a problem, it may be more challenging to resolve.

Indeed - many of the power tools on eBay are grey imports (i.e. not
intended for the UK market), and as such carry little in the way of
manufacturer's warranty.


--
Grunff
Radioactive Keyrings!
http://www.shinyshack.com/product.php?prid=211713

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-04-05 09:52:50 +0100, "elziko" said:

I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015


It

seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes
with one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone
give me an idea how how much work the battery can get through?
Obviously it will be dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm
just looking for anecdote here really!

I would look for proper tool test reviews to get an idea of this.

I always make sure that I have =2 batteries for any cordless tool.
Using a 14.4v Makita for mixed work of drilling and small screw into
wood, the 1hr charger keeps up with two batteries, meaning one in use
and one charging. It wouldn't if I were drilling 25mm holes into thick
wood with a spade bit.

The 18v will do rather better than that. Unless work is intensive, one
battery will last for most of a day of mixed drilling and screwdriving.

Personally, I wouldn't go for a one battery tool because I find that
waiting for a recharge is irritating. However, if you are thinking of
use for a mix of drilling and screwdriving, buying a separate
screwdriver may be a solution that will cover some jobs.



How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

30mins according to the spec. Other Makita products conform to the
specs, so no reason to believe that this one won't


Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?



Better, would be not to buy from Ebay.

If you have a problem, it may be more challenging to resolve.




Couple of points: Moving to Li-ion technology menas that some things
that were true no longer are.

With Nickel based SUB -C ells, the practical limit on current for a
sensible duration of power and cell lifetime was around 25A, if you
wanted more power, you used more cells. Charge regimes down to about 20
minutes were possible.

Thats not the case with li-ion cells. Generally they can be made on
completely different ampere hour ratings easily: so its as easy to put a
50A 9v pack together as a 15A 18v pack. Voltage become no more than a
marketing ploy.

Li-Ion are far far better at charge retention...its measured in years
rather than days..but the charge regime is normally about an hour for
longevity. You also need to be extremely careful not to totally flatten
the cells. This tends to mean that teh equipment will suddenly stop and
say 'recharge me' rather than the power falling away. I don't doubt that
Makita have got the charge down to 30 minutes BTW, but I am slightly
dubious as to what this will do to the cell lifetime.

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2008-04-05 09:52:50 +0100, "elziko" said:

I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015

It

seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes
with one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone
give me an idea how how much work the battery can get through?
Obviously it will be dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm
just looking for anecdote here really!

I would look for proper tool test reviews to get an idea of this.

I always make sure that I have =2 batteries for any cordless tool.
Using a 14.4v Makita for mixed work of drilling and small screw into
wood, the 1hr charger keeps up with two batteries, meaning one in use
and one charging. It wouldn't if I were drilling 25mm holes into
thick wood with a spade bit.

Typically when framing out a deck with two of us using a 14.4v driver (2
batts) & a 12v impact driver (3 batts) and one charger, we don't run out of
battery at all - thats putting in 6 x 90 mm coach screws without a pilot
hole.

The 18v will do rather better than that. Unless work is intensive,
one battery will last for most of a day of mixed drilling and
screwdriving.
Personally, I wouldn't go for a one battery tool because I find that
waiting for a recharge is irritating. However, if you are thinking
of use for a mix of drilling and screwdriving, buying a separate
screwdriver may be a solution that will cover some jobs.


An 18v Li-Ion 3 a/hr is going to last for ages mind, so for DIY use its
probably going to be more than enough.

How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

30mins according to the spec. Other Makita products conform to the
specs, so no reason to believe that this one won't

I'd say thats about right, my 12v & 14.4v are about 25 mins. Also depends
on the capacity of the batteries, Makita tend to include 1..2 a/hr with some
of their 'offers'.

Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?

B&Q have the 18v combi for £99 at the moment, with two batteries albeit with
normal batteries, not Li=Ion. Again more than enough for DIY use I would
say - might be a cheaper alternative.

Better, would be not to buy from Ebay.

If you have a problem, it may be more challenging to resolve.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

On Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:55:11 +0100
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Li-Ion are far far better at charge retention...its measured in years
rather than days..but the charge regime is normally about an hour for
longevity. You also need to be extremely careful not to totally flatten
the cells. This tends to mean that teh equipment will suddenly stop and
say 'recharge me' rather than the power falling away. I don't doubt that
Makita have got the charge down to 30 minutes BTW, but I am slightly
dubious as to what this will do to the cell lifetime.


The way Metabo got the charge time down to 15 mins for my Li-ion 14V
drill was to have a hefty great fan in the charger, and blow cold air
thought the battery case while charging. It's the best battery tool
I've ever owned. Of course, I don't know about cell longevity yet, it's
only 2 years old.

R.

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
B&Q have the 18v combi for £99 at the moment, with two batteries albeit
with normal batteries, not Li=Ion. Again more than enough for DIY use I
would say - might be a cheaper alternative.

Do you know if this was in a particular store? I just had a look online and
couldn't find this.

TIA

elziko wrote:

I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015


It seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes
with one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone give
me an idea how how much work the battery can get through? Obviously it
will be dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm just looking for
anecdote here really!

You will get a fair amount of use out of one charge, but obviously then
have to wait if you do run out. Not sure how tolerant Li-Ion batts are
of being charged warm though - so you may need to allow some cooling off
time before charging if you want to get maximum battery life.

How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?

UK distro with known pedigree:

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/...2018v%20Makita


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

"Grunff" wrote in message
...
Andy Hall wrote:

If you have a problem, it may be more challenging to resolve.

Indeed - many of the power tools on eBay are grey imports (i.e. not
intended for the UK market), and as such carry little in the way of
manufacturer's warranty.

I did think about this but the one I'm looking to buy is a 35 year UK
anniversary limited edition and the seller /says/ I can use any Makita
service centre and claim on warranty if there are any problems. Whether he
is right or not I can't be 100% sure!

It happens that elziko formulated :
I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015

It seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes with
one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone give me an
idea how how much work the battery can get through? Obviously it will be
dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm just looking for anecdote here
really!

How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?

TIA

Screwfix are/were doing a Makita combi with 3x batteries +charger +case
for £80 delivered - I bought one, no complaints from me.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

elziko wrote:

I did think about this but the one I'm looking to buy is a 35 year UK
anniversary limited edition and the seller /says/ I can use any Makita
service centre and claim on warranty if there are any problems. Whether
he is right or not I can't be 100% sure!

Lawson are also selling it - see the link I posted elsewhere in the thread.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
k...
It happens that elziko formulated :
I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015

It seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes
with one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone give
me an idea how how much work the battery can get through? Obviously it
will be dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm just looking for
anecdote here really!

How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?

TIA

Screwfix are/were doing a Makita combi with 3x batteries +charger +case
for £80 delivered - I bought one, no complaints from me.

I saw that at my local trade counter this morning, great deal, sign said it
was trade counter only though.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

"elziko" wrote in message
. ..

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
B&Q have the 18v combi for £99 at the moment, with two batteries albeit
with normal batteries, not Li=Ion. Again more than enough for DIY use I
would say - might be a cheaper alternative.

Do you know if this was in a particular store? I just had a look online
and couldn't find this.


It was the big one in Gillingham - warehouse or whatever they call it.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

Thanks for all the replies.

I have gone for a new 18V Li-ion single battery job from Lawsons.

"elziko" wrote in message
. ..
I'm thinking of buying a Makita 18V Li-Ion Drill off eBay:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...937999&ssPa g
eName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015

It seems much cheaper than buying from a shop. However, it only comes with
one battery - since I have never used one of these can someone give me an
idea how how much work the battery can get through? Obviously it will be
dependant on what I'm drilling through so I'm just looking for anecdote
here
really!

How long to the batteries (3Ah) take to charge typically?

Anyone know of a better/cheaper place to buy one?

TIA


£101 here
http://tinyurl.com/5qdwos

"George" wrote in message
...
£101 here

Thanks but thats for the body only - not very cheap at all!