Is there any truth to the Li ion batteries only lasting 2 years and crashing. If so I may rather a little less torq and have a longer lifespan out of the battery packs. My mak is a NiMH battery pack and Crftman are NiCad. Mak made 8 plus years b4 croaking and Crftman made 3.
New ones with lithium are lighter- packs are less weight. Guess what at least 1/2 of milwaukee's stuff is chi-com origination also, and plenty pricy. They do for the most have repair parts for their units that can be tough to get for alot of others. But you have way the cost of parts vs replacement as sometimes parts don't make sense. Personally I have gone back to the plug in the wall rigs for most work - even there it is a challenge to find good quality tools.
Another vote to just buy new and get a lithium set if you dont have one. Yes, the packs will not last as many years as NiCad (downside of lithium in general - cell phones and laptops have the same problem). But the benefits are real: 2-3x the capacity in a pack that's smaller and lighter, plus they dont self discharge... if you are a part time user you can charge it, put it away, pick it up again in a month, or a year and it acts like it was just charged. I also have that DeWalt 20v max set.... note the 20v thing is just marketing, its an 18v nominal pack like everyone else they just decided to publish the full charge voltage as a marketing gimmic. I LOVE them. For my homeowner level usage they are more than I will ever need. Yes I know they might not be the best bargain and they are not the only good tool or even best, but they serve me well.
Take a battery pack apart, look at they type of cells you have. Most likely 2/3 C cells. Look them up on ebay. Buy the right number, you will mostlikely pay $20.00-$30.00. Assemble the batteries with your soldering iron. Walk awaywith a like new tool. I have purchased cordless tools from garage sales for $5, replaced the batteries and gotten lots of value from them for little $$
Got to be quick with the solder iron or fry the cell- get too hot they go bang. Reason a type of spot weld is used. You can purchase 2/3 c cells with tab all ready installed- fleabay and other places.
