Cordless Dremel Tool Battery Concerns

[Dick Pacini]

Thinking of buying a cordless Dremel tool, #8220.  I am wondering about the Lithium-Ion battery in the tool.  I understand that the lithium batteries used in electric planes need to be discharged after each use prior to being stored.  This tool is advertised as being ready all the time because it has a long charge storage time.

I already have a Proton corded unit that is very versatile but sometimes a cordless tool would be a better choice.

Any thoughts? 

[Randy Ryan]

Thinking of buying a cordless Dremel tool, #8220.  I am wondering about the Lithium-Ion battery in the tool.  I understand that the lithium batteries used in electric planes need to be discharged after each use prior to being stored.  This tool is advertised as being ready all the time because it has a long charge storage time.

I already have a Proton corded unit that is very versatile but sometimes a cordless tool would be a better choice.

Any thoughts? 

Not sure that's right Dick, Lith-I batteries cannot be allowed to completely discharge because they will become unusable. Some of them are now coming with a bit of circuitry to not allow total discharge. I would go for it but beware of one thing. Dremel seems to time their design upgrades to the battery life of their current design, so when the battery packs give up spares are obsolete, so you end up having to buy a new tool, its happened to me 3 times. Still, for the freedom of the cordless, I'll do it again.

[John Cralley]

The lithium batteries used in tools (Li-Fe) are different from the ones we use to fly our models (Li-poly).

You can leave them fully charged or in partial discharge without a problem. 

[Tim Wescott]

I understand that the lithium batteries used in electric planes need to be discharged after each use prior to being stored. 

The feeling is that lithium cells last the longest if they are stored at half charge, which means charging them fully and then discharging them part way.

You do not want to store them fully discharged -- you're much better off storing them fully charged.

[Balsa Butcher]

Not a battery expert but have been using a Dremel Cordless drill for the past 5 years and I like it. It replaced a non-cordless one that refused to wear out. The cordless one is carrying on in this tradition. Still original batteries, recharge when it feels like it is slowing down which is not very often. Almost as much torque as the cord model  but much easier to maneuver and do precise sanding (like cowls) than the original dremel. Still, more of a "nice to have" than a "must have" if you already have one.

[Bill Little]

I have a cordless Multispeed Dremel that I have been using for years!  Unfortunately I never bought a spare battery and the original has now started to die real fast.............. wonder if I can get a replacement battery?  If so I will get two if I can afford it.  I really like the tool and don't want to replace it.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Bill Adair]

Bill,

Years ago I found a model tool vendor that stocked Dremel batteries. Just did a Google search for "Dremel moto tool battery" and found lots of sources for them.

My first cordless battery didn't last very long at all, because the charging stand over charged them every time! They have better batteries now, and hopefully a better charge system.

Bill

[Kenny Perkins]

Take the Dremel apart, take a battery out (you may have to unsolder the tabs) and get a replacement from Batteries Plus. I've done this on several cordless tools.

[GGeezer]

I got two 8220s about 5 years ago. One has a drill chick fitted and the other has the collet. I use these constantly and it seems like I hardly have to charge them. These are about the best tools I own and I highly recommend them.
I got the first one as a Christmas present from my wife when I told her what I wanted. Over the year, she heard me telling my friends how great the Dremel is. The next Christmas, there was another one under the tree... she had forgotten that she gave me one the year before and offered to return it. I said "no way"!

Orv.

[Motorman]

I've never needed a dremel tool anywhere I couldn't plug it in.

MM

[Balsa Butcher]

It's as much about the ergonomic shape of the cordless dremel that allows better control of the tool when doing precise shaping as it is about the convenience of not having to deal with a cord. 

[Hoss Cain]

Thinking of buying a cordless Dremel tool, #8220.  I am wondering about the Lithium-Ion battery in the tool.  I understand that the lithium batteries used in electric planes need to be discharged after each use prior to being stored.  This tool is advertised as being ready all the time because it has a long charge storage time.

I already have a Proton corded unit that is very versatile but sometimes a cordless tool would be a better choice.

Any thoughts? 

Dozen or so posts between you and me, however I say that the current Lithium Ion batteries are the best thing for steady use and good service that I have found.

Many RC transmitters are now using Lit. Ion like toys. Just open the hatch and plug into place. Have a few of the relatively new less expensive units and Lit.-Ion cells are relatively inexpensive at Home-Supply stores and Harbor Freight. Using the small batt. chargers so readily available at these place, one can plug 'em in with 4 or so cells always fresh. One can use the regular little bat. boxes and apply proper connectors to stick 4 cells into a model every so often. Lit. Ion will -- just like today's NiCads - charge to 1.5 V  per cell and hold 4.8 in a 4 pack for a number of flights.

I have not tried to replace any of the Drill batts yet but only because I have too many old ones. However those NiCads are going away and I will soon be using Lit. Ion in all operations. They are now in pen-cell size and do very well. Lit. Ion has been as stable as alkaline. Lit. Polymer is much better than a couple years ago but I have seen far too many large RC models come off the flying field smoking big time and even burst into flames with a HARD LANDING.  I don' need dat stuaff!

Where we used to have RC models with 1 450 to 600 mah for flying and no field charger, we now have battery checkers, field chargers, and 2000 to 2500+ mah small batt. packs. Typical 6-8 heavy flights with no problem. Small and light, easily replaceable. I look forward to replacing all NiCads with Lit-Ion.

[david beazley]

I bought the Dremel lithium battery tool when first  it came out.  I use it. When its dead i charge it. I don't think about it.  Buy it. Use it.  You'll like it.

[John Stiles]

I have 2 corded Dremel tools, one has a handle on it[sorts like a suitcase]and a router attachment....the other hangs from the ceiling, and has a flexible extension cable with a "pencil' type tool holder, I guess you'd say ergonomic  . Like someone said, I am never needing it away from a source of electricity.  

[Peter Ferguson]

On replacing the batteries on a cordless Dremel, mine uses a Model 855 pack which looks like a boot with a blue bottom. The pack uses 3 Li-ion batteries in series. I replaced these batteries with new Li-ion cells :Tenergy Li-Ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.7V 2600mAh Flat Top Rechargeable Battery-UL listed (MH48285)
Tabs Option: w/ Tabs   30005-1   3 @   $6.39   $19.17 ,shipping was only $2.86 for me . I've been buying batteries from these guys for years and have had good service.
http://www.all-battery.com/.    this is a significant upgrade from the 1500mah that was basic to the pack.

[Dick Pacini]

My concern about the batteries wasn't because of battery life.  I have read about batteries in electric airplanes catching fire if they are damaged or carelessly handled.  I have been told that they need to be discharged prior to storage.

[Mark Scarborough]

Dick, as mentioned,, the Lithiom Ion batteries are completely different than Lithum Poly batteries,, the LiPo batteries need to be stored at a partial charge, the LiFe batteries share none of the same issues,, no reports I have heard about fires or anything else,,
I use LiFe batteries for recievers in my Pylon racers,, charge in the plane,, either charge them right after a race, or let them sit till the next race,, no problems,, I charge them in the house,,
my Dewalt drill uses LiFe batteries too,,