Rockwell tools

[Jack B]

I'm looking at a Rockwell 14.4 volt cordless drill ($100). Does anyone have a Rockwell drill? It comes will free replacement lifetime battery. But is the drill any good or could I stay with better brand name. Is the 14.4 V ok or should I move up to a 18V? I plan to use it around the house and on the Valkyrie.
Thanks

[9Ball]

14.4V is a little light if you're planning on driving deck screws or building fences, but it should be more than adequate for most all household uses.

I just replaced the batteries in my 13 YO Makita 9.6V probably for what a new "off brand" unit would cost, but it is the perfect size and balance for most of the things I use it for, plus it is a lot lighter and smaller for reaching into tight work areas.

Not familiar with the Rockwell brand in particular...I have an 18V Hitachi for the bigger jobs.

What are you using it for on the Valk?  I use mine for the mini-powerball polisher for the wheels but can't think of many other uses.....

[PAVALKER]

I've just about had it with cordless tools..... batteries are the weak link there and the run time ain't worth squat.  I have a few 14.4 Ryobi tools but the batteries go bad and now need replaced (for the 3rd time).   I am a firm believer in corded tools......  JMO

[Walküre]

I've just about had it with cordless tools..... batteries are the weak link there and the run time ain't worth squat.  I have a few 14.4 Ryobi tools but the batteries go bad and now need replaced (for the 3rd time).   I am a firm believer in corded tools......  JMO

PAV - have you used the Lithium Ion battery-powered cordless? They are not just better, but MANY times better than the older NiCad technology. If you've replaced the batteries 3 times, I would guess they are NiCad. I replaced the 18V NiCad's on the Milwaukee hammer drill at work with Lithium Ion (pretty expensive!), and it is amazing! I have the same drill at home, and will replace the batteries with Lithium Ion's, when the time comes.

NiCad's had ALL kinds of shortcomings, early ones could develop a "memory", if not drained all the way before charging - if you used it 20% only, and charged it up from there, time after time, then it would form a "memory", and when it used 20%, would believe it was depleted. They could be "cycled" to remove most of the memory, but was still affected. Another problem was that they would slowly reduce their performance, as the voltage decreased. At 70% depleted, you'd have 30% power. The LiIon batteries maintain full power, until just before they are depleted.

They also last a LOT longer, than the NiCad's. Pretty much ALL high quality cordless "anything" is now Lithium Ion. All the cell phones are, and those are used constantly, often to total depletion, charged daily, and are lasting for years.

I use corded, when I can. But for a LOT of jobs, it's just not practical, and my cordless tools do just fine.

Roger, the Tool Man

[JimC]

Jack,
Never had the Rockwell, but what you are asking is the equivalent of the Oil Wars, or Car tire vs. Bike tire. Everyone will have something different to say. 

With that said, I love the Ryobi 18volt system. I feel that it is every bit as good as my son's dewalt products EXCEPT, it will not take a fall off a ladder, or a slide off the roof as well. They seem to work as well but just not made to the same standards for abuse. But then again, we won't abuse them like a contractor will.

I have also switched to the lithium ion, and the batteries last much longer, and like the other poster said, work till dead, then charge up fine. If you watch the sales at the big box stores you can find a drill and charger on sale for about the same price as the Rockwell.

Jim