Makita LXT to Black & Decker 18V Tool Adapter

thingiverse

This adapter allows you to use 18V Makita LXT Li-Ion batteries with older 18V Black&Decker tools that used Ni-Cd battery packs. This design is a mashup and modification of two excellent designs previously shared on Thingiverse, one by Gaudesign (3070464) and the other by jpasqua (3875426). The finished adapter uses a Makita replacement terminal part no: 6438386 or similar, which I found on eBay for about $10. The adapter prints in two halves, allowing you to insert and capture the terminal between the halves. I printed it in ABS and brushed a light coating of acetone on the two mating surfaces before clamping them together overnight. The printed part is attached to a top shell from a salvaged Black&Decker Ni-Cd pack. The short screws are #6 3/4" sheet metal screws, while the long screws are #6 2" sheet rock screws that I ground off to about 1-5/8". Make sure the screw tips do not extend beyond the top surface of the salvaged B&D top shell or the adapter will not slide into the B&D power tool properly. You may need to gently enlarge the spring pocket hole with a 5/16" drill. I have provided ready-to-print STL files for each side, as well as an OpenSCAD script that allows you to combine and modify the STL files of the two original designs. If you need to alter the design, you can use this script to create your own custom adapter. Please be aware of the following disclaimers: Use at your own risk! Don't use this unless you are electrically competent. I will not be responsible for any damage or harm caused by using this adapter. Be careful not to overdischarge and ruin your batteries, as the B&D tools likely do not have undervoltage protection. Do not use the adapter to charge the Makita battery. Again, use at your own risk!