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My old Bosch drill driver has worked really well for years but the battery packs are now ragged out.
Option 1- buy new Bosch replacements.
Option 2- buy aftermarket clones.
Option 3- buy a new drill/driver and batteries.
Option 4- something else.
What do you suggest? FWIW it is a Bosch PSR 14.4, approx 12? years old. It has done sterling service and it is only the batteries that are gone. There is however 12? years or so of internal wear- notably the brushes I suppose. That considered I wonder if the 18V more recent equivalent might be a better option, as 3 above.
I too backed the technological deadend that was 14.4v. Makita for me.
Run it into the ground and then go for new 12v or 18v depending on your genuine needs.
I bought a pair of Makita 108v which have been ace, but will when my 14.4v batteries run for much less than the 10mins I get out of them now, then I will also get a 18v hammer.
Makita 18v lxt, I too upgraded from a Bosch 14.4v
There is however 12? years or so of internal wear- notably the brushes I suppose.
Brushes aren't usually to much of a bother to fix - even if you can't source specific replacements you can usually whittle others to fit. However in my experience if the drill has adjustable torque setting its usually that mechanism that lets go and it starts slipping even if its meant to be locked out.
If you can replace the battery for about £20 do that, but if not theres plenty of faster charging, burlier, longer lasting kit about thats come on the market in the last 10 years.
In terms of comparison between drivers voltage isn't that important in itself, but look at the range each brand offers.... the battery they've configured most of their tools around (i.e. Makita has around 80 tools using their 18v battery) is the battery system thats going to be the most future proof.That considered I wonder if the 18V more recent equivalent might be a better option, as 3 above.
The real factor to compare drills on is the one manufactures usual state least clearly (and sometimes not at all) and that the torque - your existing drill would have been 30nm when the batteries were in good nick. 40nm is decent, if you're feeling spend then you could get up to 80nm (before getting into impact drivers), but you could find that little handbag-sized 10.8v drivers will have more oomph than some 14 and 18v tools
That is just the sort of advice that I have been after. STW wins yet again 🙂
Amazon had Bosch 14.4v li-ion drill drivers at £46 last week (reduced from £80).
If you've nothing to lose, take the battery pack apart. You'll probably find 12 AA type batteries inside. You may be able to cobble something together to make it work.
I doubt it. Older nicad drill batteries tend to be sub-c, a C cell but slightly shorter. They are also spot welded together. Still possible to refurbish but not worth it. Get a new LIon. The technology has moved on. Makita LXT (not from b & q) is a very good option if it is in budget.You'll probably find 12 AA type batteries inside. You may be able to cobble something together to make it work.
I tried to refurb my old Bosch with Ebay tabbed C-Cells. They never gave as much current as the genuine Bosch battery, so it was a poor investment. This is what prompted me to ditch the Bosch and update to Makita.