New drill/driver time...any favorites?

[redline9k]

My old Porter Cable 14.4v drill was a beast and got me through 8 years of remodeling but the batteries are gone and I finally have some extra coin to get a new one.

my work is about 30/70 drilling/driving. I am really interested in an impact driver after I borrowed a makita for a small drywall job...can those handle drilling as well though, or would I need a separate drill as well?

I definitly want to go LI...those batteries are nice.

As far as impact drivers go, I know the panasonic gets rave reviews, but 300+ is a little steep. I would be curious about what you can find at the big boxes for around 2-250. Dewalt, Rigid, Makita, etc. Anyone have any experience or suggestions?

 

[woody 73]

I like the Dewalt but I am sure you will get a vote for every tool on the market.

 

[APEowner]

Impact drivers don't really turn fast enough for drilling wood and I suspect that the impact action could lead to some snapped bits drilling in metal.

I don't have anything to compare them to but I really like the Li Makitas. After using a friends quite a bit I picked up one of the white consumer grade impacts and one of the blue commercial grade drivers. The smaller consumer batteries that come with the white tools discharge faster than the larger commercial ones but I like the smaller size and lighter weight enough that I prefer them. I found that even while driving deck screws they recharge faster than you can kill them so the reduced capacity isn't really a problem for me.

 

[cashishift]

I'm a Dewalt Fan.. it's all I own.

I like the flexibility of the 18v batteries with all the different tools they offer.

I've used a Impact driver to work with wood before, it works awesome. never broken a screw with the ones I've used.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I have the M12 Milwaukee drill and think it is the best I have owned. They also make it in a impact version, though it is expensive, I would look at it.

 

[W650Mike]

I’ve been through: Craftsman 19.2V, B&D 18V, Dewalt 18V and 24V (best power), Milwaukee 24V (best chuck) – and came back to the two speed range, Craftsman 19.2V, ½”.

Craftsman takes a beating on this site, but Sears still offers a decent value in my opinion.

 

[5lima30]

Hitachi and Makita are what I currently use. That being said I want a Li-Ion Milwaukee impact driver. My buddy got one for Christmas... it is awsome! Very compact and was about a hundred bucks at HD. YMMV.

 

[pipsters]

If you like the drill why not go to Batteries Plus and have them rebuild the pack for a fraction of the new drill cost.

 

[g0ldfing3r]

Makita LXT Drill/ Impact combo.

 

[48548]

I’ve been through: Craftsman 19.2V, B&D 18V, Dewalt 18V and 24V (best power), Milwaukee 24V (best chuck) – and came back to the two speed range, Craftsman 19.2V, ½”.

Craftsman takes a beating on this site, but Sears still offers a decent value in my opinion.

I would also say that my v28 milwaukee has the best Chuck I have ever used and it has never slipped.

 

[gj67stang]

I have (and love!) my Dewalt 18v impact drivers and drills, especially when coupled to li-ion batteries. I'd really like to try their new 12v line soon.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

DeWalt 18v for me...

 

[nato]

I was able to pick up this Ridgid 18v lithium 1/2" drill/driver early 2010 from Home Depot's after-Xmas sale for only $89.99 (REDICULOUS!). It only sees homeowner use, but for the price and even though it only came with one battery, I couldn't pass it up seeing as I up until then, only had corded drills. So far, it's been very nice. Balanced well, has the power and the battery slightly resembles a Ryobi lithium. It holds a charge forever but I do still charge them once a month if out of continual use.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100593257/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[whatsitsname]

An impact driver would be ideal if you are able to deal with the fact you will only able to use drill bits with a hex shank. It would be okay with wood drilling but not metal (not as well at least). I use my impact driver as a drill all the time with wood with no problems. I love the fact that I can use the same impact driver to install a screw/lagbolt over my head 90 degree angle with just one hand.

All the major brands are good. You just need to know what weight/size you can live with. 12v, 18v, or 18v compact.

 

[Underdog]

DeWalt 18v for me...

+2......

 

[bobcatdan]

12 years ago when I got my first makita impact driver, I got a chuck for it from makita. It was the first ratching chuck I ever saw. I used it as a drill since I was first starting out and spend a pretty penny for it. It drilled metal awesome and I never broke a drill bit. The 1/4" hex on the chuck did snap off after a couple of years and I finally bought a matching drill. That said, for what that 12 volt cost then, You can find a combo with drill and impact for less than what I paid. Milwaukee, dewalt, makita are all good, buy good. You can tell a cheap drill from a pro tool.

 

[blue dog]

Makita LXT Drill/ Impact combo.

x2, the impact flat out rocks.

 

[nato]

I've also just recently invested in a Bosch 12v. Lith. PS-40 'Impactor' impact driver w/ a claimed 930. in/lbs. I used it today on some small body screws & engine fasteners and it performed without any issues. I'm going to get a 1/4" hex to 3/8" square drive adapter soon to see what its' limits actually are w/ true measured torque. I really like the redesign of the PS-40....it has a spring loaded impact mechanism so it doesn't jerk your wrist like a normal impact driver would once you build up the energy.
I was able to pick the kit up, NEW, through ebay for $125 shipped. Driver, 2 batteries and charger. 3 year warranty on the driver and 2 years on the batteries & charger. 1 yr. uncondition on entire packge.

 

[ducati]

Makita LXT Drill/ Impact combo.

x2, the impact flat out rocks.

X3 I used to be a Dewalt fan and ran the 18v Dewalt stuff, I actually ran the 14.4 Dewalt tools before the 18 volt. I now run the LXT 18 Makita's and they are 3 steps above Dewalt in my book. I use the **** out of them on a daily basis

 

[simplec6]

I have an 18v Dewalt with the XPR batteries. It's a beast, and the batteries are going strong.

 

[shampoop]

X3 I used to be a Dewalt fan and ran the 18v Dewalt stuff, I actually ran the 14.4 Dewalt tools before the 18 volt. I now run the LXT 18 Makita's and they are 3 steps above Dewalt in my book. I use the **** out of them on a daily basis

X4. Only good for relatively light duty drilling though, which is perfect for my uses anyway. If you end up doing a lot of drilling and need a dedicated one, they sell a drill as well. Adding the bare tools to your collection is cheap. It's initially buying the kits that are expensive.

 

[usdemt]

I have this set and love it, its compact but just as poweful as the bigger LXT version with the hammer drill which I also have. I have used and abused the **** out of mine with absolutely no problems.

 

[redline9k]

cool - thanks for the info.

I think im going to track down the Makita LXT combo kit impact/drill-driver

Does anyone happen to know the difference in the two drivers offered in combo kit 211 vs 218? The impact is the same model, but driver is 452Z or 454Z.....any major improvement that warrants the extra $60?

Thanks

Doug

 

[JeremyManning]

x2 rigid 12 V 89.99 home depot small but powerful

 

[bdkruger1]

I love my Bosch driver.

 

[mastiff0]

I think for home use only a 12V cordless is needed for driving/impact driving. The extra power in an 18+V setup is really only needed for drilling, especially if you get a 12V impact driver. An honestly, when your really needing power for drilling, a corded drill works much better than 18V anyway.

I think a great setup would be one of the 12V screwdriver/impact driver combos that Milwauki, Bosch, Dewalt, Makita sells along with corded drill for when you really need power for drilling.

 

[54FordPanel]

I love my Milwaukee set. I thought the little lights by the trigger to light the work area was a gimmick, but man-oh-man, does that light lighting up when you pull the trigger a nice thing.

*Edit: I looked at the Makita after I posted this, and they have a little light too.

 

[SARG]

I was able to pick up this Ridgid 18v lithium 1/2" drill/driver early 2010 from Home Depot's after-Xmas sale for only $89.99 (REDICULOUS!). It only sees homeowner use, but for the price and even though it only came with one battery, I couldn't pass it up seeing as I up until then, only had corded drills. So far, it's been very nice. Balanced well, has the power and the battery slightly resembles a Ryobi lithium. It holds a charge forever but I do still charge them once a month if out of continual use.

Make sure you take the time to register the tool with Ridgid to obtain their LIFETIME warranty on everything INCLUDING the battery. When the battery goes bad you just take it to a local service center and they replace it on the spot. ( Really... No joke)

http://www.ridgid.com/Manuals/RidgidLSA.pdf

 

[HDNewf]

Hey redline9k, I work for The Home Depot in the Chicago area, usually in the Hardware department.
Impact drivers do not work as drills, so if you want one you will also need a drill to go with it. This leads me to suggest a combo kit to fit your needs. Brand is a tricky subject, since as woody 73 said, you will get a vote for every tool on the market. That being said, there is a big advantage to Ridgid tools if you register them for the lifetime warranty. This covers batteries as well; a big expense that will occur eventually. Currently Ridgid’s combo kit is a 5 pc set at double what you want to spend. Drats.

Beyond that, I personally bought a Christmas special version of this Makita set which has the 1.5 Ah batteries. It is the same setup that usdemt pictured in post #22. The closest set to this that’s currently available is an LCT200W. Home Depot does not stock this anymore, but it is still shown as available at the Makita.com website. http://v.gd/gpsRJS You can special order this from any Home Depot store today for $258.83 and get it in 7-10 days. The special order sku is 714-287, model# LCT200W.

Change the color from white to green, add a hammer function to the drill, swap in full size 3.0 Ah batteries and you have the LXT211. These are also great tools: http://v.gd/4AXAc9

Closer to your budget range and still including both tools @ 18v is this Dewalt set:

Dewalt DCK265L: http://v.gd/m4VDT9

I hope this helps,


HDNewf

 

[BlindViper]

+whatever number its at
My makita lxt set is the best I have ever used. My impact to a fall from 25 it landed on to concrete and all it did was crack the battery case a little! Its also been in a 5gal bucket of water!

 

[cashishift]

An impact driver would be ideal if you are able to deal with the fact you will only able to use drill bits with a hex shank. It would be okay with wood drilling but not metal (not as well at least). I use my impact driver as a drill all the time with wood with no problems. I love the fact that I can use the same impact driver to install a screw/lagbolt over my head 90 degree angle with just one hand.

All the major brands are good. You just need to know what weight/size you can live with. 12v, 18v, or 18v compact.

Incorrect buddy...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKWLE8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[usdemt]

cool - thanks for the info.

I think im going to track down the Makita LXT combo kit impact/drill-driver

Does anyone happen to know the difference in the two drivers offered in combo kit 211 vs 218? The impact is the same model, but driver is 452Z or 454Z.....any major improvement that warrants the extra $60?

Thanks

Doug

The biggest difference I see is that the 454 has the space for the right angle handle, but according to Makita the 452 is the more powerful one. I have the 454 and love it. It is a bit heavier but I think the hammer drill works better on it. If it were me though the 452 isnt worth the $60 unless you do a lot of concrete drilling. But then again I also have the smaller non hammer drill too so they both have their uses for me.

Also just to let you know the "z" at the end of the model number just denotes that it is the drill only and not batteries or charger. They list them in the combo kits that was because the batteries and chargers are also listed.

 

[BlindViper]

Incorrect buddy...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKWLE8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have one of those I find that if the impact "impacts" it loosens the jaws on the chuck.