When I started in A/C, lots of guys were using the early cordless drills. Before buying one, I borrowed each of the brands that the different guys had and gave them a whirl. Makita, Panasonic, Black & Decker, etc. The Makita's at the time (the 9.6 volt stick battery ones) were by far the best for me. I bought a complete drill kit - drill, two batteries, charger in a metal case. Used it for a long time.
Finally the batteries started failing, and when I went to buy some more, they had switched to the newer nickel meta hydride versions. For some reason they didn't work as well for me.
About that time all the brands started the "upgrading scam" - coming out with a higher voltage battery that wouldn't fit the old tools so you had to buy a new one. Every few years they would up the power again, forcing the industry to have to invest in the "new" platform to keep going.
I donated my 9.6v kit to a guy over at GJ who had all his tools stolen. Within a few years the newer Li-ion units started coming out, and of course people started converting all their older tools to use them. I was kicking myself for giving away the tool. I started collecting any 9.6v tools I could find, discovering Makita had a whole line of tools that I didn't know about. I have amassed a pretty good assortment.
About 2 years ago I came across a 6093 drill just like the first one I had, and then found a rusty metal case. I restored the case, and put everything in like it was.
Here it is, restored to the arrangement of my original kit.
Post up whatever Makita 9.6ers you've got. I'd love to see 'em!
Absolutely love the 9.6v flashlights. Straight neck, pivoting head, and converted bulb battery version.
I have several of them ready to go in case of power outages or to check nighttime noises.
I've accumulated several drills, cases, and chargers over the years. I figured worst comes to worse I can cannibalize a motor or switch into my main users. I try and put together complete kits so any I grab are ready to go.
Once I heard about the angle drills, I had to get some. I have a 7.2v and 9.6v versions, and a modified plastic case to carry the tools. Also found a Makita authorized accessories kit. Nice!
I have a rotary saw model, looking for a recip saw and jig saw version.
Not to want to be left tool-less without a battery I converted one drill to run off of an old seleniun car battery charger. That way, if I'm in the middle of a job and all the batteries are empty/charging I can plug in my homemade power source and keep right on going. The one pictured is a hard-wired version. But recently I took a dead stick battery apart and converted it, so it can be inserted right into ANY 9.6 volt tool
My most recent addition is an impact wrench in 9.6v. Not the most powerful impactor made, but last weekend I used it to help my brother rebuild some rotted base boards in my Arizona room. Worked great on those slab bolts!
My original drill had a dense foam self-adhesive bit holder installed. Made by Lutz, for the longest time I couldn't find any. Discontinued and out of stock. The long handle of the stick drills had the perfect place to adhere this little thing, Not in your way gripping the drill - and made accessing spare bits alot easier then digging in your pocket!
By pure luck I was surfing the web and found them in stock at a local supply house. High tailed it down there, but was told they didn't have them on hand, but the branch in Cali had them. Ordered and dozen paying with my CC, and 3 days later the local office got them. Free shipping.
Should work for any drill fi you guys are interested.
Very nice collection.
I always liked that form factor, I used to have an old 9.6v Skill from my grandfather and when I was a little kid my dad had this green POS black & decker that took 2 stick batteries.
That little circ saw is cool as hell, when I was a kid I saw one being used in the movie Blown away , by the bomb squad to cut open a desk that had a rigged computer.
I thought it was one of the coolest tools I'd ever seen.
Quote from: Hickory n Steel on Feb 02, 2025, 06:54 PMVery nice collection.
I always liked that form factor, I used to have an old 9.6v Skill from my grandfather and when I was a little kid my dad had this green POS black & decker that took 2 stick batteries.
That little circ saw is cool as hell, when I was a kid I saw one being used in the movie Blown away , by the bomb squad to cut open a desk that had a rigged computer.
I thought it was one of the coolest tools I'd ever seen.
Thanks! A great thing about them is they are such solid tools. Rarely do I find one that has any issues. Most folks discard them because of bad batteries. That was their weak point - the old NiCad sticks. Once more modern batteries became available these were dumped fast. But that's a good thing - most people ignore them as old and obsolete. Which means you can usually get them for a song!
I had a big beast of an 18v Makita drill that I loved.
I believe it was made in '97 or so, it was already at least 15 years old when I got it but the NIMH batteries were still good.
Eventually the switch went and it would only go in reverse so I had to trash it.
That thing had been dropped so many times and abused like crazy, the chuck never failed like I've had / seen on cheaper drills.
Recently I took a 7.4v Makita angle drill and modified the handle to accept a 9.6v battery. I discovered the battery fits the internal terminals and the drill runs, albeit fast. If it burns out I've got a spare 9.6v motor I could swap into it. The 7.4 v angle drill is smaller and fits in tight places better. Looks as ugly as sin but works fine. Maybe I'll try putting some "lipstick" on it. ;D
Incredible cool assortment for sure! I started with the same drill. I don't recall having any of the rest of the cool stuff you have. Later when I stepped up to 18volt I gave mine to a down on his luck friend starting a new job.