From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

DEWALT326 Today Only
March 17th 2026

As most of you know, Zoro tends to have free shipping on orders over
fifty bucks. They have not been sending out 20% off coupons for a long
time, so I haven't bought much from them in a while because their
regular price tends to be higher than other industrial suppliers.

This holds true with DeWalt tools, but there are a few things with the
current today only coupon code listed in the subject line and the free shipping that are a tiny bit cheaper than other sources

It looks like a general code. Not a single use code, but it's only good
for today.

I picked up a couple more of the 20V 8ah XR series batteries.

Tip of the day.
Higher current rated batteries for cordless tools seem to produce more
power in tools that need it. Circular saw, angle grinder, saber saw, and
even cordless chainsaw perform better with the 8ah batteries. I don't
mean just longer. I mean better.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10pcdp7$38chq$1@dont-email.me...

Tip of the day.
Higher current rated batteries for cordless tools seem to produce more
power in tools that need it. Circular saw, angle grinder, saber saw, and
even cordless chainsaw perform better with the 8ah batteries. I don't
mean just longer. I mean better.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

-----------------------------------
If more Ah comes from more of the same type of cell in parallel sharing the current the internal resistance of each cell causes less voltage drop.

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/17/2026 1:57 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

If more Ah comes from more of the same type of cell in parallel sharing
the current the internal resistance of each cell causes less voltage drop.

Ah-yup. That's pretty much the way I figured it worked. I was a little surprised at how well it works the first time I slapped a bigger battery
on my DeWalt 20V angle grinder. Still not the power of a real corded
angle grinder, but adequate for lots of outdoor jobs that don't justify stringing out an extension cord.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10pct2g$3dt0o$1@dont-email.me...

On 3/17/2026 1:57 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

If more Ah comes from more of the same type of cell in parallel sharing
the current the internal resistance of each cell causes less voltage drop.

Ah-yup. That's pretty much the way I figured it worked. I was a little surprised at how well it works the first time I slapped a bigger battery
on my DeWalt 20V angle grinder. Still not the power of a real corded
angle grinder, but adequate for lots of outdoor jobs that don't justify stringing out an extension cord.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
----------------------------------------

My experimenting with cordless tools and batteries has been hindered by the difficulty of making non-destructive electrical connections. I can measure
and record charging voltage by tapping into the charger, but not charging or especially running current without adding resistance that changes it. Connector geometries can be difficult to copy accurately enough in wood or plastic, and need solid attachment to test at full load. Maybe 3D printed adapters would help.

Silicone insulated wire is very nice if I can find a place to attach it: https://flight-model.com/products/10-gauge-silicone-wire-1-meter-10-awg-flexible-silicone-wire?


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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/18/2026 5:26 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"-a wrote in message news:10pct2g$3dt0o$1@dont-email.me...

On 3/17/2026 1:57 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

If more Ah comes from more of the same type of cell in parallel
sharing the current the internal resistance of each cell causes less
voltage drop.

Ah-yup.-a That's pretty much the way I figured it worked.-a I was a little surprised at how well it works the first time I slapped a bigger battery
on my DeWalt 20V angle grinder.-a Still not the power of a real corded
angle grinder, but adequate for lots of outdoor jobs that don't justify stringing out an extension cord.

Most semi pro / DIY pack builders spot weld connections. The big issue
is that even pretty good guys smoke a few cells doing it. That being
said nondestructive removable connections could be an issue, but adding
tabs for measurement that you can insulate when not in use might not be impossible. An alternative to cutting into a pack and possibly
destroying it might be to use one of the cross brand (or older model of
the same brand) battery adapters and cut into that between the battery
and the tool instead.

The other alternative with a lower degree of precision, but not invalid
or merely anecdotal is observed performance (work performed).
Observational or survey only research is not invalid data gathering if
there is a sample size large enough to satisfy the observer and/or
relevant parties. Its just has a lower degree of precision than a
proper testing protocol.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 3/17/2026 1:32 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:

DEWALT326 Today Only
March 17th 2026

As most of you know, Zoro tends to have free shipping on orders over
fifty bucks. They have not been sending out 20% off coupons for a long
time, so I haven't bought much from them in a while because their
regular price tends to be higher than other industrial suppliers.

This holds true with DeWalt tools, but there are a few things with the current today only coupon code listed in the subject line and the free shipping that are a tiny bit cheaper than other sources

It looks like a general code. Not a single use code, but it's only good
for today.

I picked up a couple more of the 20V 8ah XR series batteries.

Tip of the day.
Higher current rated batteries for cordless tools seem to produce more
power in tools that need it. Circular saw, angle grinder, saber saw, and even cordless chainsaw perform better with the 8ah batteries. I don't
mean just longer. I mean better.

I don't know where they shipped from, but dang that was fast. The two
new batteries are on the chargers already.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:10pet83$anpe$1@dont-email.me...

Most semi pro / DIY pack builders spot weld connections. The big issue
is that even pretty good guys smoke a few cells doing it. That being
said nondestructive removable connections could be an issue, but adding
tabs for measurement that you can insulate when not in use might not be impossible. An alternative to cutting into a pack and possibly
destroying it might be to use one of the cross brand (or older model of
the same brand) battery adapters and cut into that between the battery
and the tool instead.

-----------------------------

Stripping a dead battery sort of worked to bring wires out of the tool
handle, the problem is the contacts are attached to cells instead of the plastic.

The task wasn't worth much effort. I bought two aftermarket NiMH batteries
and a NiMH charger instead of fussing with rebuilding and resealing the dead NiCads, and they have held up well enough for my light use.

The voltage and thermistor measurement points are banana jacks added to the charger. I wanted to see how the cheap charger determines the NiMH fast
charge endpoint. It simply cuts off just below the maximum allowable
voltage, around 22V for a 14.4V pack. I could see the 5mV steps as each cell reached full and began generating oxygen but the charger ignored them. That endpoint makes more sense for fast charging single cells.

In industry I worked mainly with lead-acid and lithium instead of NiCads.

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