Resurecting cordless tools, My Makita is back!

[knave]

This weekend I completed my 2nd battery revitalisation project. It was for my trusty Makita 12v cordless drill that I've happily used for the past 10 years. Well 8 of the past 10 anyhow.

The drill is still in great condition but the batteries no longer held a charge, pretty common problem for this type of tool. I know I could get a new drill for under $30 but I liked this one, So I set out to get it working. New batteries were too expensive, I could have bought cells and repacked it but I found a better option.

I bought a new 12v replacement battery at Harbor Freight, with a 20% off coupon for ~$11. Cracked it open, made a minor adjustment to the cell configuration and put it in the original Makita battery case and it works like new. The hardest part was cutting open the molded Makita battery case...I considered a dremel and a hot iron but used a sharp utility knife. I drilled and tapped the Makita case so I could screw it back together.(I used the screws from the HF battery case) Can you tell I'm proud?

My first attempt at this was with my 18V Ryobi battery, same price just more cells. that one took more work soldering the cells together but also works great. Now I can use my cordless saws.

[knave]

I'm still pretty proud, Here's some picts...(left is stock, Right is my frankenbattery)

[HaRuMaN]

Why pink?

[knave]

LOL, must be the lighting those batteries are the standard makita orange. They were all that color in those days, I just re used the stock casing.