Looking for a simple and affordable solution for four dead Makita batteries that are well over $100 each to replace. I've heard of people getting them rebuilt. Anyone have firsthand knowledge?

Google/youtube will be your friend; I looked up how to rebuild DeWalt batteries years ago. The info is there, can likely get parts from Amazon.

Then I found out they made an adapter that allowed me to ditch the old batteries and use the newer lithium-ions, so that I can still use the old tools but with the same batteries from my newer tools.

Good luck to you, see what’s out there!

They are all Li-Ion batteries ranging from 4 to 10 years old, all with a chip inside.

You best best it to switch over to Team Red and rebuild with Milwaukee Cordless tools.

I used to play the battery game with dewalt years ago, got tired of them dying

I went Milwaukee and all my battery issues went away.

I have some Milwaukee stuff.
One of their batteries died in less than a year. I bought a replacement on Amazon for $37. Retail was $90.
One of the ratchets wouldn't hold under torque and got replaced under warranty by the Matco guy I didn't even buy it from.
The 1/2" impact of theirs I have will remove and reinstall one set of wheels before the battery needs charged and it's not strong enough to take 2500/3500 lug nuts loose.

I have Makita because they were the only ones for years and years so there were no choices. I am not ready to spend $1500 on all new tools. I'll buy new batteries before I do that.

Batteries plus used to rebuild them, but you could almost buy new for what they charged if I remember correctly.

Batteries Plus will rebuild cordless tool batteries, but at one time they wouldn’t do Lithium batteries. Maybe they have changed by now. Might be worth a call.

The only batteries I have that seem extra capable are the very expensive Milwaukee Fuel ones. Impressive performance and impressive price.

I’m in on this thread…..

I haven’t found anybody to rebuild Lithium ion Milwaukee M18 batteries

You can repair them yourself and it’s shockingly cheap, only caveat is it’s STRONGLY recommended to NOT solder on the batteries. I’ve seen a few guys use a small welder, I know that sounds insane but, if you seen what one of these batteries is capable of…..

Milwaukee knows they have a problem with there batteries, any thing over a 6.0. That’s why the new forge series was created, even though they aren’t going to publicly admit that.

If anyone knows where to have them repaired, I’d appreciate that knowledge also.

Milwaukee batteries come with a 1 year warranty, most of the cordless tools come with 5 year warranty.

I have tons of Milwaukee tools that were used daily in a work setting and batteries as well, they hold up very well.

Sometimes you need to punt and start over.

Milwaukee M18 batteries have a 3 year warranty.

Milwaukee will not repair or even give you a credit for your bad batteries.

I’m looking for someone who can repair my Milwaukee M18 batteries.

I get a ton of use out of Milwaukee M18 drill drivers in my wood shop. Been using one for years (wife claimed the other one) and have not had a battery die. We also have M18 vacuums for the RV and TT, and a couple of handheld lights.

All the other heavy use cordless drills are Ryobi. I bought them because they were relatively cheap, and they were for use in my Houston woodshop. The plan was to use them till they died and then get some better gear when we were full time at the ranch. Well, it was a good plan, but the Ryobi didn’t die. I’m still using them. I have run through batteries in the last 12 years, but Ryobi replacements aren’t terribly expensive. Keep the receipts and put the purchase date on the batteries with a Sharpie. If they die too soon, Home Depot will replace them. I’ve had to do that once when I got a bad one.

Never ever had a battery rebuilt, though I did talk to Batteries Plus about it. That didn’t get far.

If you are here to say Milwaukee is better than Makita, just don't post any more. The whole point was to ask if anyone has a personal positive experience with having an 18V Li-Ion battery rebuilt. Simple question that should have simple answers. But no...<deleted what I wrote there about some folks here>.

603 makes a valid point for someone else's topic. If you buy Milwaukee, GET THE FUEL version...otherwise the red brand is trash.

Back to the subject: I bought a set from the original and still very good Japanese cordless brand today for $169 that included two 1.5 Ah batteries (that retail for $89 each) plus an impact to replace one I use daily that has a trigger issue and a charger (now I have six changers) plus a useless bag. So I got two 1.5 Ah batteries at a discount and the charger and bag I don't need PLUS the impact I DO need were free.



I have a 5.0 Ah Makita battery on an impact I use daily and all day. I charge it ONCE PER MONTH. My 1.5Ah Makita batteries that are good are used daily for work on a drill and a screw gun. Those get charged twice per month. My Milwaukee batteries for the ratchets (three of them) get charged TWICE PER WEEK EACH. I had to buy an extra when one failed a year into ownership. I never asked what brand is better and I have real world experience on the job that proves to me the RED brand does NOT have better batteries (never asked that, pay attention to the topic please) ... just wanted to know if anyone knew about a source to get batteries rebuilt.

The answer is no so far on getting batteries rebuilt. I completed my task so keep the real advice going to help John with his failed Milwaukee batteries. He's not the only one.

603, this applies to the M18 Milwaukee only. The 5.0 and down do not appear to have the same problems with longevity that the 6.0-12.0 have.

And yes

Sorry gas guzzler, I wasnt trying to take over your thread, I started out trying to help.

I have two 12.0 m18 batteries one is completely shot, worked perfect one day and was broken the next and one that only lights up to 3 bars when fully charged.

I fully intend to learn to repair them myself if I can’t find someone to do it for me, the parts are readily available, just not from Milwaukee.

And lastly, if you’ve read this far….. thank you

Better off investing in some new Milwaukee M18 stuff. Batteries plus did the nicd batteries but not the lion. Said they were to unstable to mess with.

I think several of us are already of that opinion, sir.

But, when the battery is 40 months old and $275 with tax…. I’d like to be able to repair it.

I’m here to tell you that Milwaukee is better than Makita, if they weren’t ever tool truck in the metroplex would be selling makita. If you use your impact that much there’s no way a 5.0 battery will last a month using it everyday, all day. That’s just fiction.

If you have a Milwaukee 9.0 battery they had factory issues with those, and they have a lifetime warranty due to that issue. So when they go bad you can trade them in for a free 8.0 from Milwaukee.

Just a FYI if you have a 9.0 still.

Batteries have 1 to 3 year warranty for M18, you have to use the chart to figure it out

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Support/Registration-and-Warranty

I interesting, I didn’t know about the extended warranty, I’ve had a 9.0 battery replaced under warranty, with. 9.0.

For the record the 6.0 and up all have the same problems.

I looked at your chart, looks like the 5.0 only has a one year warranty, which I find interesting also since they have lasted years for my personal experience.

Now

RedRanger

Surprise me and go back to the original post of this thread, try and find somebody actually repairing lithium ion batteries.

Milwaukee doesn't rebuild many of their cordless tools.

You send them a tool and they just ship back a new tool

I have quit a bit of them, and only ones I have had to send back is the M18 Oscilatting tool and M18 vacs. Thankfully those come with 5 year warranty.

I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure we can buy rebuilt Li batteries. If that’s the case, somebody is rebuilding them. I wonder who.

The Milwaukee M18 batteries, mostly the little ones for my drill/driver, have been great. A couple of the older ones don’t seem to hold a charge quite as well as the new ones, but maybe that’s just my imagination. I used them a lot, since they are a great size for woodworking projects - light and strong.

I have a Milwaukee Fuel sawzall, and that thing is a beast. I could cut a Chevy in half with it maybe. And I have the Fuel air compressor. Love that thing. Makes airing up tires in the RV much easier.

Other than that, I seem to be stuck in Ryobi world, since the stuff won’t die. It’s pretty good gear now that they have the Li ion batteries.

As for who has the best batteries, they all seem to be about the same to me, though I don’t have Makita or Dewalt gear.

Good luck finding a rebuilder, and if you do, it is the OP’s duty to tell us about it.

As for me, I still can’t get that wood chipper to run, and it has 4 flats. And I’m drinking. So there…

Well

You didn’t surprise me

This company rebuilds a bunch of different brands.

https://www.mtobattery.com/collections/power-tool/milwaukee?page=2

Well……

Thanks…..

RedRanger

Just do what everybody else does and buy a new one and stick the old one in the package and return it

Some of the off topic replies made me give up on searching for a rebuilder. I did post the solution in reply 13 four days ago though so I'm kinda amused the topic is still going. I am keeping a log of my battery charging frequency since I was called a liar.

I gave up looking for a rebuilder a few years ago. The batteries I use hold up pretty well over the years, so I just replace them when necessary. And it’s rarely necessary.

Ive rebuilt a few of mine and also made some custom power banks. need to get a spot welder and the material. do research and take your time look up diy battery banks on YT for referance. It really isnt that hard to do, also be sure the cells you use to replace are identical in specs other than that its easy.

Thank you

I’d like to get a small spot welder

Ridgid carries a lifetime warranty on tools and batteries!