Craftsman Cordless drills

S

SONNY

501 Club
I have a cordless 3/8 vsr Craftsman drill, 14.4 v jobber. Question is most of my model # is worn off and is there any other way to figure out what it might be? The only #'s I can make out are 315 and the next partial # looks like part of a 2 ...everything else is gone.
It was given to me after the po got a new Dewalt set.
1 battery wont charge now and they are Nicad. ---the only ones I see are Nimh which are different and I dont know if they are compatable with this drill and charger.
Po didnt get a manual with it when he got it so no help there.
It's an old drill too, so that complicates things. I would say it's probably 20 years old or so----I have had it 15 for sure and I think he had it about 5 years before that.
 
I have taken dead cordless drill batteries to our Batteries Plus store and had new cells put in them. Options on storage capacity affect price but they were cheaper than new and seem to last as long between charges.
 
I think your chances of finding NiCad replacement batteries these days is pretty slim. They’ve moved beyond NiMh batteries to Lithium batteries. The other factor is that even if you do find the replacement batteries, they will be more expensive than buying a new tool with current technology batteries. I understand the desire to keep the old tool going, but some times it just doesn’t make economic sense. Make sure you dispose of any old batteries properly.
 
Bob McCarty":sgtp08bz said:
I have taken dead cordless drill batteries to our Batteries Plus store and had new cells put in them. Options on storage capacity affect price but they were cheaper than new and seem to last as long between charges.
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I've run into the same problem with Milwaukee NiCad batteries. I've got a Milwaukee Sawzall that's in perfect condition but the NiCad batteries are shot. I called Batteries Plus and was told they would rebuild them with new cells for $68.
I tried purchasing some Chinese knockoffs and they only lasted a few months. I'm going to go the Batteries Plus route and see how it goes.
 
I've had batteries rebuilt with about a 50% success rate. Some only last a few months and some last 2+ years.
The batteries cost more than the drill. Just go buy a Christmas special price new drill with new batteries and throw the old one away. (so hard to do)

Other options include buy an adapter that connects your old drill to a new battery pack. Would have to get a new charger too.
 
I agree with the above posts. My local ace hardware has a dewalt 20 volt drill and impact driver set right now for 139 dollars. The new tools will be lighter and more powerful. The biggest plus to the newer lithium ion batteries is that they provide full power until almost fully discharged. No more getting slower until they quit.
 
The first time you pull the trigger on any of the modern lithium ion tools, you’ll want to ditch all your old tools. The difference is amazing. I’ve enjoyed using my 18 v. Dewalt tools for years, then I got a hold of a couple 20 v. lithium tools and you just can’t go back.
 
But why can't somebody make a conversion so you could use lithium ion batteries on an older style tool. 18volts is 18 volts. Electricity is electricity. Or am I wrong. Wish some one could explain this. I've wonder about this for years.
 
You can find adapters that people have designed and printed with a 3D printer. This is only cost effective if you already have another tool that has good battery packs. The cost of the batteries and a charger exceed the cost of just buying a new tool with batteries and a charger.
 
I have a Craftsman 19.2v impact wrench that I used for several years and loved. It had 2 NiCad batteries, and first one quit charging, then the 2nd. I bought some knockoffs, but they did the same within months.

When I Googled about the batteries not charging, there are posts about jumping across a couple of the contacts to "kick-start" them to charge again. I never tried that...just bought 2 Li Ion batteries from Sears AND the required charger ($$).

Well, those lasted maybe 6 months! I swapped one out at Lowe's (the "real" Die Hard brand by Craftsmen) after pressing them, but now those batteries are "dead", too! :x

I ended up getting a DeWalt deal for the 3/8 & 1/2" Impact wrenches with 2 batteries and one charger. But I really struggled to abandon that Craftsmen one! I just can't make myself throw it away!!! :(
 
I have one of those Dewalt adapters that Don linked to, it does work ok but not compatible with all 18v. tools. A 20v. Lithium 2 amp hour battery will run my 18 v. angle grinder about twice as long as the 18v. XRP battery. But it’s not just the battery that makes the lithium tools better, the tool itself more powerful and more responsive, also lighter in weight.
 
Ya!,--kinda think it is a lost cause! Thats what I hate about battery stuff,---I avoid it at all cost, but this was given to me so long ago that its obsolete now! Just wish I could figure a way to rig up a transformer to make it run on 110-v CORD power! I love the old drill!
Thanks for your help and suggestions!
 
14.4 volts? Maybe you can add a power cord with alligator clips on the other end. You can run it anywhere you can get a 12-volt vehicle.
 
Jim,--I kinda wondered about that! --12-v on 14.4 is close and I realy dont have anything to lose if it dont work! My jump starter pack is 12-v. also I can always get a truck close to where I need a drill back in the boonies. That is where I mostly used it. That would save having to tote one of the generators around all the time to use the 110-v drills.
 
Agree with the guys. Get a new one. There’s no comparison. They’re lighter, stronger and the batteries last. I’d look for a complete kit. More value that way.
 
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