How to recover my cordless drill that I dropped in 24 feet of water?

Question

I dropped my cordless drill in the lake and I would like to get it out and see if I can fix it. I don't want to hire a diver or anything. Any ideas on a cheap way to get it. I know where it is within a couple foot radius.

Answer 1

not to be a pessimast but it is gone, first of all it never falls straight down, and it is probably buried in muck, also if you didi get it it woudl not last long, hard to clean electronics when they get wet, mechanical stuff is alot easier. i am a marine mech, i have dropped plenty of stuff over rarely do i get it with a magnet(which i do carry tied to a 20' piece of rope), normally i leave it there or dive for it...good luck

Answer 2

If you know a strong swimmer, go diving with a snorkel mask.

24ft is about the limit for a strong swimmer to dive down.

Failing that you need scuba gear.

Answer 3

I think I would leave it, say a prayer for it and go purchase a new one

Answer 4

Any decent swimmer can get to 24'.  just be sure to equalize on the way down and blow slowly on the way up.  

I have to agree that most lake bottoms are useless muck.  Not much chance to get it back if that is the issue.  

The drag magnet trick will work, assuming you can find one quite large (normally, these need to be about the size of a brick).  they are usually already rigged to a handle, but should be able to pull up a drill.

Assuming fresh water, then dry out well before you attempt to run it.  Disassemble the batteries from it if possible to allow drying.  I also would use Contact Cleaner or such from Radio Shack or similar to run out any water prior to attempting to run.

If saltwater, use saltaway or similar as soon as you pull it out of the water, then follow with the contact cleaner, complete drying, then let us know.

Answer 5

Forget it man...

it's gone.

Answer 6

get a magnet form a marine store  I carry one all the time on my boat in case i drop somthing over.    You can put whatever lenght of rope on it you want..  Also you willbe supprised at what you pull up from the lake bed