Corded 12 VDC power tools?

[Cheechako]

I did carry a battery drill for those little odd jobs on the boat, going up the mast etc.. they are so very handy for sure. All else was 120Volt including a real drill. At home I use a battery drill most, but that is different than being in Timbuktu on your boat.

[hellosailor]

I think my DeWalt hammer drill, which laughed and chewed through an 8" concrete wall then asked me if I had anything else to do, would put even the best battery powered drills to shame. And DeWalt is now "just" another division of Black & Decker, I suspect Bosch and Milwaukee are as good if not better.


But when you can't conveniently run AC, or don't want to take a chance getting shocked by AC (sure, run that 100' extension cord across a dew-covered lawn one morning, just you try it) they can be damn fine tools.


As with boats, the cheap one ain't gonna be the same as the high-priced one. But some of the professional/commercial ones, even if they need a spare battery and some patience, can do a damned fine job today.


Do you have one screwdriver in your box? One hammer? One wrench? OK, then maybe you can argue about having one drill. Whichever kind it is.

[mrlee]

IHi all, I have been putting electric cords on (in) cordless tools (batteries died) for years now and they all still work great. I am in the market for a cordless sawzall to do the same...Never a problem with lack of "juice" to the tool.
Power em up and go!

[Cadence]

A number of posts seem to be prone to putting wires to an old cordless. I would deep six the tool and buy one cordless of modern battery technology. I believe they make kits with multiple tools that take the same battery so all the tools are contained in one case. That would probably provide all your needs without being a jury rig will afloat?

[luciarose]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Buy an invertor and get 120v tools cheaper, no battery fails and stronger tools.


So you are hauled out in Timbuktu, and need to cut a 2" hole with a hole saw thru 1" thick fiberglass.... howz that cordless gonna work out for you then after the battery pack has degraded sitting mostly for a year or two??


I do have an old corded 12v drill motor though is someone wants it!

Timbuktu is a long way from the ocean for a haulout! It's over 1500 kilometers from the ocean. Maybe you should haul out in Dakar...

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by luciarose

Timbuktu is a long way from the ocean for a haulout! It's over 1500 kilometers from the ocean. Maybe you should haul out in Dakar...

This is a "post tidal wave" scenario!

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by travellerw

I'm soo glad I didn't waste time trying to modify 12V stuff to run directly. Even if I did get them modified, 12V doesn't have the torque of 18V stuff...

certainly true on that. We bought all Milwaukee 28 Li powered stuff. Favorite tool is the 1/2" 2:! right angle drill with a winch bit. It can haul my mass up the 80 foot mast - no problem. Hauls in the 130 genoa and furls it easily. The other tools in this kit are a pleasure to use. Presumably, I could also run the directly from our 24 VDC house bank.