I just got what I thougth was a killer deal on a Hitachi lithium-ion 18v cordless pack including the 1/2" DV18DL hammer drill, the CR18DL reciprocating saw, a work light, a charger and two 3.0ah batteries. Regular price was $369.00 and I found it at 50% off and paid $184.50
I have been holding out for some Milwaukee stuff, but this deal got to me and I purchased these Hitachi tools.
I tried out the drill and it worked nicely for the little bit I did with it just so I could handle it. I then did some work with the saw and began dismantling an old wooden cart. I could barely get a few minutes of cutting done and the saw would quit. I would wait a few minutes and it would cut again for only a couple seconds and it quit again. I was afraid there was a problem with it but figured I'd check the battery first. I popped in the second battery and the saw worked great. I got about another 15 minutes of cutting in and once again the saw quit.
What's the deal? I thought the 18v lith-ion stuff was supposed to be sturdy and hold a charge? Also.....isn't the tool supposed to slow down in performance as the battery charge gets weak? This did not, it simply just quit.
I thought maybe I overloaded the saw but if that was the case, why would the second battery work normally?
I need some input b/c I'm rather disappointed so far and I've only used the stuff one time. Should I take it back and get the Milwaukee stuff like I was going to in the first place or is the Hitachi deal I got a good one?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
I have the Hitachi Lithium Ion DV18DL hammer drill that comes with your set. I have the same problem with the drill. It works for maybe 10-15 minutes max before it starts cutting out. I too thought it was a switch problem and took it back for a new one and have the same problem with the new one. I am guessing it is a battery issue as if I charge the battery it will work fine for another 10 minutes or so. Also these batteries will not hold a charge when not used. After I charged the second battery I left it in the case for about a week before I tried using it and it was completely dead.
Solution 2 must have bad stuff. These batteries are designed to cut out when the battery gets low to protect it against draining to deeply. Also, with the li-ion batteries, they do show a slowdown in your tools like NiCd. They produce nearly full power until they are drained.
You are ok with what you got. The cordless saws take a lot of power to cut wood so it drains the battery fast. I have the ridged setup and my battery on a full charge only gets 4 cuts on a 2x4 befor it is dead. The saws will not give you any worning becauase the teath of the blade will get stuck in the wood so it just will not slow down like the drill will. I hope this helps with your ?
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I bought the same deal at lowes about a week ago, The Hammer drill with saw and light. also 2 batteries. I was helping my father inlaw bragging at the great deal i had gotten. I was using my Cordless drill pulling out screws and it would stop all of a sudden, i would fiddle around a bit and it would work fine for a minute or two. I took it back to lowes and got another one, i figured the trigger was bad. I have not tried my new one cuz i figured it would be good but i guess this is a reacurring problem so i guess i better.
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