An obvious reaction to ALDIs catalogue sale next week :) A great buy so get in quick as they usually sell out fast!
Any questions on Ozito PowerXChange gear please ask as I have most of the range, use it for serious work most weekends and I'm happy to give honest opinions as most of it is excellent yet some tools are just 'so-so'.
If only they released and priced matched a nail gun
I haven't used a biscuit joiner before, but isn't 1kW massively overpowered?
It doesn't have to remove much material at all. What am I missing?
Doesn't need to remove much, but does need to do it in hard and soft woods neatly (ie, fast so there's no tearing).
Thanks for highlighting the brushless drill driver, picked one up
Had any experience with the chainsaws OP, I have a feeling the cheaper one will be disappointing whilst the better one isn't really that cheap. Might have to wait to ALDI bring out a brushless one and Bunnings to hopefully match.
I've heard from people here that the brushless model is quite good and not to waste your money on the cheaper one
Yep! Sorry for the delay, been out for dinner.
Yeah, I bought a couple of the cheapies, one for me and one for a friend who just purchased a rural property and just needed something to cut small trees and branches to feed the fireplace. The $119 cheapies are good but nothing amazing. Very plasticy and flex under load but they do an OK job for most small jobs around the house. I then bought the dual-battery Brushless Chainsaw when it was first released for $180 and whoa, it's a friggin' beast! Did all this with dual-4Ah batteries on a single charge plus a few more 12-14" sections just around the corner out of view. I normally use a $2000 crazy high-power, big & heavy Husqvarna but it's just too hardcore for small-medium jobs like this. The dual-battery Brushless Ozito is compact, lightweight, VERY strong & sturdy and was such a pleasure to use I actually look forward to using it again. The Husky will now spend a lot more time in its case :) Even at $200 you wont be disappointed with the Ozito Brushless… especially if you already have Ozito Batteries and other tools!
Thanks, just what I was after, someone who has used a decent petrol saw and could compare to that. It's easy for someone to say something is good if they haven't used a good petrol saw to compare it too. I obviously don't expect it to have the performance of something 10x the cost, but don't want it to feel like a toy.
Main planned use is for camping so it was longer than I wanted but as you can seperate the blade without tools in 30s it still packs up reasonably well.
I discovered that my echo saw that I sometimes use for work needs a carb kit and I need a saw for for a little job for tomorrow so just grabbed one, if history continues, it shouldn't be too long before ALDI bring out an equivalent and Bunnings drop the price though.
Well, maybe look at getting a new shorter bar for it? They use genuine Oregon bars so just get a shorter one with an appropriate length chain and boom, you've got your nice little camping saw as well as the original bar & chain for those bigger jobs!
@SteveAndBelle: It was the packed size that was my main consideration, but as the bar can come off and go back on in a minute it's easy to pull it apart to make it nice and compact for storage.
As I kind of predicted though just after buying a skin at full price I have read about someone getting the kit on clearance for $150, although none of my local stores have put the kits on clearance yet.
@tryagain: Whoa! If they're clearing the Brushless Chainsaw kits out then I'm going to stock up with a couple of spares! Yes, they're THAT good :)
@SteveAndBelle: I think the way some of the kits work is they are a promotional item, ie not a regular restocked line. So when they get down to the last few, they reduce them to clear and then it's just the skins they sell.
@tryagain: Bit concerning that they no longer appear on the Bunnings website though… skin or kit :( Maybe they had a problem with them? I dunno but I love mine and will definitely keep an eye out for them now.
@SteveAndBelle: I am not sure if it has made it on there yet, the kit is the promotional item so might not be planned to get there but the chainsaw skin I don't remember seeing on their website yet
@tryagain: Yep, definitely was on there! It was $179 when I bought mine back in Nov/Dec last year then quickly rose to $199 soon after… but now it doesn't even exist. They did something similar with the Steel Deck mower… it disappeared soon after I bought mine which got me worried as I thought it may have been recalled or something but by the time I got a response from Bunnings about my enquiry it had already returned and was followed up soon after by the full kit version too.
Hey Steve - I was looking for the brushless Ozito chainsaw, but can't find it listed on Bunning's website anywhere - is it a super brand new model that's only just been released?
I've gotta be honest, at $200 it's gonna give the cheapie eBay saws a run for their money - especially with my existing stockpile of batteries!
Hey yeah, you're right!! They do this every now & then and it's very annoying… products drop off the site then reappear days later. Um, maybe call or visit your local store and see if they have them on the shelf? They're new-ish but they've been around for a little while, about 9 months I reckon.
@SteveAndBelle: Thankfully I'm not in a rush, but as long as it's a standard item (or order-in, perhaps?) then I'm set when my $100 ebay chainsaw eventually dies.
You said they have Oregon bars (& chains, I assume)? Did they just rebadge it with the Power X Change logo from your pic?
@Switchblade88: Yeah. The bar on the $120 cheapie and my Pole Pruner was 100% Oregon without any Ozito branding at all but going by images online it looks like some had the Oregon logo and others had the Ozito logo. Either way I assume they're all Oregon and I assume the bar that comes with the Brushless model is also an Oregon but has just been finished with the Ozito logo. Not sure what the stock chain is but yeah you can get any bar & chain combo you like for these as they're just standard anyway.
agreed w steve.. Brushless one is awesome!
Anyone know if they are going to release the line trimmer as a "skin only"?
I have the grass trimmer with the little red plastic blades and I'm not a fan. I already have four batteries though, including 2x 4ah,so don't want to buy a kit!
That's been a common question ever since it was released. Odd that they only have the kit but maybe it's a way they're clearing out all the old, small capacity batteries?! I dunno, just speculating. Still odd tho. I have loads of Ozito tools so another couple of small batteries never goes astray so the kit was fine for me. The crappy corded chargers come in very handy for other things/concepts I've dreamt up too :)
Hi OP, Was reading all the responses. Really appreciate your time Spent in enlightening us. Btw what is the difference between the red plastic blade one (grass trimmer) and the line trimmer? Sorry for the basic ( may be) stupid question. Btw I have a mower already and just need a line trimmer and just got too confused with the two. Ta
No dramas at all. The low-end Red Plastic Blade Trimmer uses exactly that to cut grass, red plastic blades! They spin around and cut as they go but hit something solid like a concrete edge or the post of a washing line or fence etc. and the blades come flying out! The Line Trimmer is more like the traditional Trimmer using flexible plastic 'line' from a dispenser spool head… it's like very thick fishing line. While trimming grass etc. the line will slowly wear away so when it gets short you simply tap the head on the ground and more line will be fed out then trimmed off by a simple built-in blade all as you're seamlessly trimming away. Far less hassles, far easier to use than that silly blades.
…plastic blades and I'm not a fan
You're not a fan, you're a person. /dadjoke
But that line trimmer description sure does sound like a fan, plastic blades and all
Just wish Ozito did a better radio. There's is really small with no grunt to it at all
Yeah, got a radio ex. display for $10 when they were clearing out the old darker colour gear in-store and yeah, it's 'OK' but nothing special. Should be priced at $15-20, not $50 or whatever it is.
Plenty stock in Ringwood Victoria. Got 2. Thanks op.
Circular Saw advice?
Don't get a square one.
Yes, don't get the 150mm. Get the 165mm as it's a far superior model for only a little bit more cash. If you're in the mood to spend then also get a Diablo blade for it and you'll be making sweet, clean cuts all day long :)
Yeah I got the 165. Haven't used it much but very pleased with it.
I got the 150mm version a while back. Don't use it much so is it worth upgrading it or just run it into ground first?
Hmm, unless you're using it multiple times for an ongoing project/task I reckon just run it into the ground. The 150mm was fine for general cutting but the bearings gave up far too prematurely which made accurate work difficult to achieve. Basic cuts for things like firewood, cubby/dog houses, garden edges, fencing etc. will still be fine but ripping 3-4m lengths of chamferboard or VJs with crapped out wobbly bearings gives less-than-OK results.
Thats interesting the aldi impact wrench has 350nm vs ozito 215nm
Probably brushed (Aldi) vs brushless (Ozito) which means in reverse (when you need the extra grunt) the Aldi will be closer to 180Nm and the Ozito will still be around 210Nm in reverse due to the brushless style motor not losing massive Nm in reverse polarity
again someone would need to confirm the Aldi is brushed to confirm this theory
I also own much of the ozito range and have been fairly impressed. My only gripe was the trimmer uses these annoying plastic blades.
Yeah, I managed to skip the silly bladed trimmer. Ew.
All the other ozito stuff I have though is quite good. I don't have the most high end mower as that wasn't available at the time but I've been very satisfied.
It's probably one of my better buys.
Yep. Coming from an era when I used to buy nothing but TOTL power tools then being extremely disappointed when they catastrophically failed and the manufacturer simply not giving a damn (Yes Bosch, you really need to lift your game!) I threw my toys out of the cot and decided to stick it to them by at least trialling tools from a budget range instead. That was 3 years ago when I started a serious ground-up resto of a 115 year old timber workers cottage when I bought my first Ozito PXC tools (Brushless Drill & Sander from memory) and I haven't looked back! I now have nearly every Ozito tool and although I've taken a few things back for small issues (wobbly bearing in the 150mm saw x2, wearing out the bearings in the sander after 6+ hours of non-stop very heavy duty use/abuse) it has all exceeded my expectations time & time again. Not for daily use by Tradies of course but absolutely fine for weekend warriors and DIY freaks like me and of course the best bit is the peace of mind of hassle-free, over counter replacement if anything does go wrong. Can't ask for more!
In the off chance someone is nearby to benefit. Aldi Cardiff NSW has the 4Ah batteries on clearance for $19 currently. A few left.
So is this mower worth buying.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-power-x-change-2-x-18v-bru…
Over a victa mower priced at around $399?
My masters mower i twisted the wheel on a verge which i must say was pretty rough when i moved in and need tidy up,but it was still usable until the other day i needed to do a last cut as moving house and will not start.
With it not now starting the wheel twisted to obe side at front i thought time to get rid.
I have never used a battery one and would have thought it not be as good as petrol?
But would save messing around with oil and fuel,
Aa these batteries are on offer 4.0 how long does one of them last?
I take you dont get the ozito mentioned above in a package with say a trimmer? As my trimmer packed in ages ago and could be done with one of them.
It was mentioned that ozito took out a new trimmer that someone posted on here but its over $200 is this not expensive for a bettery trimmer. It be ideal if the above mower and a trimmer would last on two battery.
How long is the battery deal on for and have many of you got this mower from ozito what's your thoughts i thought ozito was the lower end of the gardening world but cant be at these prices.
I do happen to have a petrol ozito trimmer that i purchased used from a guy who was moving, he showed me it working and took it home left in garage for a few months and tried it out was like it would not cut cheese honestly i don't know what happened since then i not had anyone look at it as just becomes an even more expensive buy in the end.
I assume you were trying to link to the Brushless Steel Deck Ozito mower for $349? It's an excellent mower and would perform on par with the Victa I assume but without actually testing them side-by-side I can't say for sure sorry. The Line Trimmer is excellent too.
I'd say the battery deal will last as long as they have stock.
I just thought a battery mower would never match a petrol one but im probably wrong as this day and age batteries are getting better and more powerful.
Yes it was the link to $349 model it seems to be better of the two liked being more rubust etc.
How long does a battery last or two as i believe it can use two at once?
And its lifespan how long?
I see the link is skin only so this battery deal buying two batteries would be good.
But looks like im missing a charger? What are my options on that any offers on any that will charge the batteries on this deal? And that line trimmer new one out does it come as kit like mower? I take the trimmer eould need to be the kit to allow use of them batteries to do trimming. Again these batteries are 2.0 how long do they last.
Based on this deal im tempted to grab the mower and 2 batteries and obviously a chargerbut which one.
Sorry, far too many variables with all this… size of yard, type, length & wet/dry grass etc. etc.
The Steel Deck mower needs two batteries BUT can actually take four batteries for extra runtime. I think you should just purchase the Steel Deck mower skin, 4x 4Ah Batteries and the Trimmer kit to get you started then maybe add the dual-charger later if required.
@SteveAndBelle: But would I not need charger right away as mower is skin only.
I have no idea how big my lawn is just moved in and renting but front is probably bigger and on a slope to road back is half that size but flat.
@bwatt72: The Trimmer Kit comes with a couple of basic chargers which will get you by but yeah, better off with the dual fast charger.
@SteveAndBelle: Steveandbelle, thanks so much for your posts in this thread!
Since your talking about mowers, how would you rate the basic $199 model?
I've got a Small patch (60m2) of Kikuyu.
@axtx: No problem. Unfortunately I dont know much about any of the smaller mowers in the range as I haven't owned one. Maybe someone else can chime in and help axtx?
Since you're offering opinions OP, what do you think of the jigsaw?
Yep, the Jigsaw has been faultless. Used it on the weekend to cut some neat holes for light switch panels & GPOs into 21mm timber VJ walls but have used it many times before including cutting cooktop & sink holes into the new kitchen benchtop, a 150mm hole through the double-skin external walls to run the rangehood duct, a hole through the single-skin internal wall of one of my neighbours houses between the kids bedrooms and of course to cut holes in thick ply for the mates sick SubWoofer box for his car. Works well & as expected.
Does Bunnings offer rain checks on these?
I am interested in https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-power-x-change-18v-240v-hy…
does anyone have experience with this?
I have the corded https://ozito-diy.co.uk/products/ack-190u/ one that is no longer available, they have changed the design a bit.
Its been going great! had a little hiccup when the hand held buttons didn't work, but just unscrewed the casing and the internal button was stuck, so freed that up and all good again.
but I want a battery powered one for taking away, and other easy cordless jobs around home
I currently use a rechargeable one, I think from Kmart https://www.kmart.com.au/product/rechargeable-air-pump/16498…
which does really good, but its very limited in what you can use it for, we use it for the kids airbeds, water toys etc
Yep, I have this too! Bought it with pretty low expectations TBH but yeah, it's an excellent piece of kit allbeit a bit pricey compared to alternatives. The thing about it is its flexibility though… Battery OR Mains power plus has both High pressure for Tyres & Sports Balls etc AND High Volume for Air Mattresses and other things. Best feature is the digital pressure cut-off though… just set the desired pressure, start it up and it'll automatically cut-off just as it has passed whatever you've set. Have used it on car & bike tyres including a friends car with 5x very flat tyres (inc. spare!) and with a 4Ah battery it pumped them all up without a drama and still had approx a third charge left! Took a while at around 2-3mins per tyre but yeah, worked perfectly and that was a pretty extreme case as the tyres were dangerously low. Friends eh?!
fantastic news… I have been sitting on it for ages hoping they might come on special, but to no avail so far.
plus re the 4ah batteries, last time a I bought one on the 39 special, they came out a month later or something at the 29 price, bugger it.. probably should have picked up another..
Yeah, I sat patiently waiting for it to go on sale too however as there isn't much around that matches its features for less moolah I don't think it ever will! I just jumped on it one day and yeah I can assure you that it's worth $99 especially for those of us who already have the Ozito PXC Eco system :) Yeah, I went out of my way to grab as many of the 4Ah when they dropped to $30 but that's only happened once as far as I know. Not impossible but unlikely to happen again I'd say.
Makes me want to change from Makita when I see these prices on batteries. The Makita tools are top notch but so are their prices.
Hi all
Anyone know if these batteries fit the Supercheap Auto Rockwell tools?
I've discovered the Rockwell batteries are interchangeable with a Worx drill I got from ALDI.
Any idea?
Also I have a dead fatmax battery. Is there an easier guide on how I could adapt to fit my fatmax?
Thank u
The Ozito ones definitely won't - unless you get complicated with an adapter plate etc, which generally isn't worth it.
The Aldi Workzone batteries do look very similar from the images though - I'd say take a Rockwell tool instore and try one out, you've got nothing to lose by doing so.
Id rather makita anyday over ozito garbage. There's a reason it's cheap and rarely used by anyone on site
Thanks OP. Plenty at this price in tools section, Edwardstown SA.
Does anyone here have their garden blower? If so any good?
Got one. Plenty of stock at Bunnings Katoomba.
After going to bunnings today was going to buy 4 of these batteries they are normally $69 each right?
I said i was after another mower due to twisted wheel and not starting and i have had it 5 yrs old masters mower.
Have set my mind on the ozito steel deck which i asume if not much stock around said to me its popular and hard to keep stocked the lady said no the case it can be it never sold well and therefore dont get it anymore.
My plan was to buy batteries while they are on offer,followed by the mower which only stores that have stock are just over 20 km away. Then follow up with the ozito new trimmer.
Adding all this up is a bit of a spend more so when my last mower from masters lasted 5 yrs was petrol.
She obviously asked me what grass i had buffalo etc which i dont.
But she said in regards to mowers ryobi was the brand now she has got me thinking again.
I always thought ozito to be similar to homelite way down there in good brand names but assumed they maybe up there game.
My orginal choice or budget was say $399 which is twice as my last petrol mower from masters.
I liked the idea of battery but dont mind but a victa classic can be had for $399, the ozito steel deck is skin only its $349 and two 4.0h batteries on offer takes that over victa price and yet i still need a charger.
If i want two spare batteries thats my choice and as on offer be wise to get that extra two.
As i dont have a trimmer i was going to get ozito new one which is pricey in comparison to other trimmer.
But lady said im regards to brands ryobi is best for garden etc ie mowers etc.
I not looked at what's on offer with them but is ryobi really as good as she makes out and a better buy all round?
I just dont want to spend so much money and wished i had got something else. I was going to buy the ozito 4.0 batteries for now while on offer and if i decided to move to another brand or petrol then exchange towards other brand. As if i go ozito then decide get batteries after deal could be over.
I see the batteries deal is on for another 11 days or so and my store has plenty. But now im Undecided what to go for now. I assumed lack of stock means good seller i was told different.
You've got a lot to think about then :) No-one but you can make the final decision. Good luck!
Yes but everybody has to there own choice and preferences but I assumed lack of stock was a good thing as good seller but can't always believe bunnings staff. Are you a rep for ozito by any chance?
I suppose people like victa other ryobi and other ozito I have no other battery tools really but can understand people buying up these batteries as own other ozito battery stuff.
Lady said ryobi was better than ozito I always thought ozito was way down there in good brands but it seems others on here think it's great while other returned not saying they returned steel deck but cheaper ones in range.
No, I'm not a rep. I would've marked myself as a rep on this deal if that were the case. I'm just a very enthusiastic supporter of the Ozito PXC range after having spent many many times more on so-called higher quality tools just to have them fail. If others need help deciding then I hope my experience assists them but if not then that's fine too as there are many good alternatives anyway.
@SteveAndBelle: Ok I'm taking your advise and grabbing 4 batteries today just incase they sell out the mower I need to either travel to another store when I get chance or see if my local orders one in. As I probably never decide. I know the victa classic cut would be a one off payment of $399 this skin only edition and two batteries go just over that. And I believe still need a charge on top or does skin have charger? Do I really need 4 batteries, I suppose as it needs two at a time I have a back up and can also use 4 as at once. Did you not tell me already how little long would he two 4.0h battery last before going dead?
I do know by time I have purchased 4 batteries the steeldeack mower and trimmer soon I be over $700 or close to it compared to a 909 branded petrol mower that's lasted me 5 yrs it's a lot on garden gear. But I suppose I do need to maintain the property as in rental and guy has looked after his grass.
@bwatt72: Two batteries will run the mower however there are just too many variables to give any idea of how long they'll last sorry. If you're not going to buy the trimmer at the same time then maybe just stick with two batteries for now and get the dual-charger as well then buy another two batteries after you try it and know what it can/can't do. Problem is that even with the batteries on sale you're then actually spending MORE than the $499 mower pack that comes with two 3Ah batteries and a charger anyway! The situation is very different for someone who has nothing else in the Ozito Eco system but far easier to jump on by those who already do so agreed, it's a difficult decision in that regard. Maybe you need to think past the mower to figure out if going for the Ozito is a good choice ie. are there tools in the Ryobi range that aren't in the Ozito range that you may want to buy later on? If so then maybe Ryobi is the better way to go for you afterall. Again, you'll have to consider all those options too. Thing is that most people start with a basic, inexpensive drill then build their collection around that. You're starting at the other end and only you know if you'll ever need to buy other tools in the range.
@SteveAndBelle: I don't really need or use much tools to be honest only tools I use are for work and both ryobi and ozito don't tools I use it's more hand tools,anything else is provided on jobs. I just need a mower and trimmer really to maintain gardens and thought maybe battery might be good way to go.
I did buy $300 bunnings gift cards recently for $250 so saved right away there it's now time to buy a mower and trimmer and after reading on here the cheaper ozito mower was not so good I thought steel deck one.
Buying four batteries does push up price but might be needed as back up and they are on special,,trimmer I was thinking maybe in a few weeks I buy then.
I'm not ready to cut gardens yet it's not long been done so I have a bit of time to get a kit together. But I believe these kits come with less superior batteries.or I'm sure same mower I was after from ozito was like $499.
@bwatt72: Just putting my 5 cents in, I own the steel deck mower kit (There is one as a kit with 2 3Ah batteries and a fast charger, and one without the batteries and charger), the 2 3Ah batteries seem to last me just over an hour from a full charge (depends on how long the grass it etc).
EDIT: Or I could have scrolled down and seen you've already gotten it.
@crenn6977: No i got skin only and took advantage of special on batteries but instead of buying just two and a twin or even single fast charger i got 4 batteries instead cause they are cheap
I may return for charger or i might grab charger elsewhere not sure yet.
If i had gone for kit it would have cost me more and i would have only had 3.0ah batteries. But if i went with charger and twin at that i could have got it and two 4.0 batteries and mower still cost less.
Don't expect the batteries to still be there in 11 days. 3 days tops is my guess
… but by the time a decision is made they'll probably be back on sale again anyway ;)
There was plenty batteries in my store at least 8 in glass cabinet and lady said more up top shelves where stored,I was going to just grab 4 and change if mind can return but came away empty handed as she had me thinking on ryobi brand now what's so special about that brand.
Well, last time these were on sale there were 'plenty' at my local at lunchtime then none later the same day and effectively none in melbourne. They do seem to hang around longer in the regional stores though.
Ryobi is good because they make an enormous range of decent quality tools. Better than Ozito in both respects but they're also more expensive, especially when bunnings price match Aldi.
Just remember that the Ryobi battery is purely 36v and is NEVER on special, at 250 plus per pop vs 80, there is a good reason why I am about to jump ships. Also Ryobi in the past effectively had a choke hold on 36v garden equipment, nowdays with 18v X2 not so much.
So you saying your going off ryobi and more into ozito?
Whats the best deal get steel deck mower kit with two 3.0h batteries and fast charger and buy extra two 4.0h on deal or buy the steel deck mower skin only and four 4.0h batteries and fast charger.
Im in no need for these products to use just yet so i can wait on a fast charge.
Then my plan is the trimmer kit in a week or two.
I believe i have 220m2 of grass which is back and front.
Another guy elsewhere said he has blower,trimmer and steel deck mower and only has two batteries. I just dont fancy paying more for the batteies later. With you guys who only own say steel deack mower and trimmer and nothing else in ozito range do you own more batteries than just two?
I ended up buying the steel deck mower yesterday and plan was 2 x 4.0ah batteries and fast charger. But as batteries was on offer decided to grab two other battries instead of fast charger.
I dont need all the stuff for another month so can get all i need prior.
So right now i have the mower and 4 batteries no charger yet but i might have a mate who has fast chargertwin new he might not need cheap.
I noticed a deal on here from over a week ago which was a power tools kit,grinder,torch,saws etc etc in the kit was a single fast charger and two 4.0ah batteries obviously its now $349 but i maybe able to get for $199 will find out soon.
So the single fast charger is worth about $30 which saves me there and if i return my extra 2 x 4.0ah batteries then thats $79 back so really saving $79 and not having to spend the $30 for charger i get the rest of kit 6 power tools for $90.
It was also recommended to me not to go for ozito trimmer i thought it be best to stick with all same brand,but im sort of liking the idea on what he said,but with having the 2 x 4.0ah batteries either ones i purchased and keep or if part of that kit then can use with trimmer.
For the same $229 as the the Ozito trimmer, you could get the Ryobi One+ 18V 5.0Ah Line Trimmer Kit, which actualy contains more energy and gives you access to another complete range of tools.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-one-18v-5-0ah-line-trimmer…
The Ozito is 18x2 x2Ah = 72wh
The Ryobi is 18 x5Ah = 90wh
I wonder if I should grab a couple of these while on sale or patiently wait for a brushless chainsaw deal but even then will it be a kit. So many thoughts
I've dismantled 2 of the ALDI batteries for the 18650s if anybody has any use for the parts (circuit board, casing) let me know and I'll be happy to post them or pickup if you're in Vic! 👍
How would you go reassembling a battery pack, I have found the disassembly process fairly destructive, especially to the battery contacts that seem to be spot welded onto the batteries.
It's possible to solder them with a decent power iron or you can make a DIY spot welder.
I've had success with solder but it's not as neat and more fiddly obviously. If you have a small die grinder you can clean the solder up (like you would a weld).
If you already have a soldering iron and a small amount to do, it's doable. If you were doing a large amount, you'd want a spot welder of some sort. Do note though, a decent powered iron is needed as anything under powered won't get the terminals hot enough to fuse to the solder and you'll also put way too much heat through the cell, which can be dangerous!
Beauty with solder is its reversible/fixable if you ever have other dead cells (my current problem).
There's a few techie people on here who like to fiddle so I figured someone may be interested in the leftover circuitry.
Hi Subydooby. Yes, as db87 suggests, a good iron is really all you need for small pack builds but a spot-welder is essential for larger/multiple jobs. The objective is to keep the cell as cool as possible so a large, powerful iron is the only way to go. Not 'leadlight' large, just something with a bit more oomph than a cheap plug-in type iron. I've successfully built up packs using a $17 HobbyKing Soldering Station in the past but know-how may also be a contributing factor as I've been soldering for decades and know the do's and dont's. Anyway, something that can provide just the right amount of heat as quickly as possible to allow solder to flow properly yet not heat everything up too much is your goal. Oh and sometimes the small rough bits leftover from the original spot welds can make soldering even easier than just soldering direct to a flat & smooth surface… but I'm talking just the very small fragments.
As these were my first cell experiments, I tried with my dead cells first and found exactly this. I left the little spot welds in tact and just carefully filed/sanded around them to rough the rest of the cell surface.
My findings, although not conclusive, highlighted the potentially cheaper process workzone/aldi must use to make their battery packs. My makita ones were extremely hard to remove (and preserve) whereas the Aldi ones basically fell apart and tore off their welds much easier. The casings and circuitry also felt much lighter and less industrial than my Makita equivalents. Not having used any Aldi stuff for commercial use, I'd probably still trade off some of the qualities of the Makita materials if it meant getting batteries around the aldi/bunnings price point.
I have a Yihua 60W soldering iron/reflow station and it holds at 480 degrees C (Max) without any issues. I know when I was looking to buy that there were cheaper stations (solder only) available around the $50-60 mark that would yield the same results.
Thanks for your previous help too SteveAndBelle. 👍
Here's an 'in progress' pic of the pack I disassembled. You can see by the two cells on the end that the lower one only has the spot-weld 'nipples' leftover and the one of the top still has part of the metal strap attached. As db87 and I noted, leaving the spot weld remnants behind is actually beneficial for soldering as it gives the solder something rough to attach to but it is best to remove as much of the metal strapping as possible as it's just best practise.
Impact wrench also price matched was $99 now $79
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-power-x-change-18v-brushle…
Brushless drill driver, was $79 now $49
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-power-x-change-18v-brushle…
Brushless grinder was $99 now $89
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-power-x-change-18v-125mm-b…
Biscuit joinder was $128 now $80
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-1010w-biscuit-joiner_p6290…
NEW (not a price match) Brushless Rotary Hammer Drill $179
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-power-x-change-18v-brushle…