cordless drill run time

[i_am_chris]

Hiya,

I just bought two Ridgid 12 volt cordless drills, they were on sale for $70. I thought this would be a great option for putting our yurt together - lots of screws, many wood screws to put the deck up, etc. Rather than keep the generator running all day, we could work in relative peace and not be fuming things up. I have been told, though, that 12 volt batteries are gonna likely run down in 30-45 minutes. So, I'd probably be running the genny to keep the batteries charged, which defeats the purpose of spending the $140. I was also told that 18 volt cordless drills might actually run all day. Any advice here? Should I return these and get a couple of 18 volt drills or will these 12vs do the trick? We have about 500 2x6 to screw down for the deck (2-3" deck screws), and probably 2-300 1 1/2 screws for the yurt frame assembly.

[Rich]

I don't know about the 12 volts.. but my older Dewalt 18volt would go all day doing metal roofs.

[bkrahmer]

On one battery charge, my 18V B&D did around 700 2" deck screws in our subflloor, IIRC. I don't have any 12V experience to base that against, however, so I don't know if the 12V runtime will be a lot shorter. BTW, I wouldn't recommend the B&D in general. The chuck is already about worn out. Got a few good _days_ out of it.

[Hometown Handyman]

I would suggest that you go with the porter cable line. I have had nothing but good luck with thier tools. Only trouble I had was that someone else liked it as well. :evil:

[Rich]

I'm waiting for the new Milwaukee cordless line. :)

[vtr99]

Actually the 12v will run longer if it uses the same size cells. This is always true with the same type and size battery, as higher voltage increases how fast the battery can use it's energy. Ask any RC car nut.
The problem I see is that the 12v will be a little short on power. The 12v is great for drywall, and light work, but for deck work the 18v is the way to go.

[MD_Willington]

Yeah voltage is the push, current is what gets the work done, so find a compatible battery with a much higher mAH rating but with the same voltage.

I have a new 14.4 B&D "Lumber Wrecker" cordless to replace my older Makita 12V (L shaped battery), I can however get newer higher mAH NiMHD bat's for it, but they cost ~$58 a piece.

Hunt around for after-market batteries...

MD

[HDNord]

Why not just buy one 18 volt that has two batteries?