Home Use Impact Driver

[wacomme]

I have a fairly new Black & Decker 20V drill/driver. It's ok (great battery life), but I hate the chuck (slips on drill bits/ bit comes loose when removing screws). Anyway, since most of my home use involves adding and removing screws from wood I thought an impact driver would be a good tool to buy. I'm not a heavy user, but I like it when the tool makes the job easy.

This Bosch driver/drill/impact sounds wonderful (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HIWR12/?tag=atomicindus08-20), but it's pricey and probably overkill for my home use needs. However, I like the versatility of one tool doing it all.

I've been reading through the thread on impact drills, but can't decide on what I want/need.

Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[mlittle29]

Milwaukee stuff is excellent for the price and Has a 5 year warranty too.

One of the downsides to impacts is the come in the quick lock church or square chuck. This makes compatibility with drill bits limited. Here are a few options though.

Thy this one if you like the quick lok chuck
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2650-21-18-Volt-Compact-Impact/dp/B001F7BIL2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330378525&sr=8-3

This one for a a combo with a drill and driver that are great around the house.
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2497-22-12-Volt-Cordless-Lithium-Ion/dp/B0052ZG3I6/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1330378893&sr=1-1

 

[wacomme]

Milwaukee stuff is excellent for the price and Has a 5 year warranty too.

One of the downsides to impacts is the come in the quick lock church or square chuck. This makes compatibility with drill bits limited. Here are a few options though.

Thy this one if you like the quick lok chuck
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2650-21-18-Volt-Compact-Impact/dp/B001F7BIL2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330378525&sr=8-3

This one for a a combo with a drill and driver that are great around the house.
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2650-21-18-Volt-Compact-Impact/dp/B001F7BIL2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330378525&sr=8-3

The link is for the same item.

No worries about drill bits. My bits are cheap and worn. I need new ones anyway. If I buy a combo I'd just buy 1/4" hex drill bits I suppose.

 

[bte0816]

Check this recon kit out from Makita. I picked it up a few weeks ago for about $15 cheaper than they have it now. Lots of power and everything was in good shape when I got it. Only one little scratch on the driver that I barely noticed. I am extremely impressed with the power of the drill and driver and feel that I got a super nice kit for what I paid.

http://www.toolking.com/makita-lct3...ordless-compact-lithium-ion-3-piece-combo-kit

also if you look around you can probably find a free shipping coupon code. I found one right after I ordered it.

 

[mlittle29]

The link is for the same item.

No worries about drill bits. My bits are cheap and worn. I need new ones anyway. If I buy a combo I'd just buy 1/4" hex drill bits I suppose.

Sorry. Link is now corrected.

 

[monster1]

I've never been disappointed in a ryobi product. I love my impact driver. Can't believe I ever lived without it!

 

[trboxman]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q1TRDC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$120, 10 year tool warranty, 2 year battery warranty. I bought a reconditioned one of these for $45.00 back in Oct and wouldn't hesitate to purchase a new one at full price if this one dies prematurely. I've probably driven around 6 or 7,000 screws with it and haven't had any issues.

 

[Syndicate]

I have used makita most of my life. Here are my two precious ones now.
Picked them up on sale @ HD around time. I paid 169 normally they are 229.

 

[Greatbear]

I have the Bosch 26618 and it's a great tool. Advantage is that you have the a dual-range variable speed drill/driver and an impactor in the same tool. Disadvantage is there is no adjustable clutch for the drill, and there is no conventional chuck. I use a DeWalt conversion chuck in mine, and it makes for my go-to tool when I want to have a drill and an impactor yet only want to carry one tool. It is also very powerful for its size. A bit pricey, yes, but IMO worth it.

 

[canuckian]

I have milwaukee's 18 and 12 volt impact drivers. Both solid units. I am, however eyeing the new Dewalt 20 volt stuff. May have to try it if it ever goes on sale in my neck of the woods.

 

[kippieland]

Check this recon kit out from Makita. I picked it up a few weeks ago for about $15 cheaper than they have it now. Lots of power and everything was in good shape when I got it. Only one little scratch on the driver that I barely noticed. I am extremely impressed with the power of the drill and driver and feel that I got a super nice kit for what I paid.

http://www.toolking.com/makita-lct3...ordless-compact-lithium-ion-3-piece-combo-kit

also if you look around you can probably find a free shipping coupon code. I found one right after I ordered it.

I have that set as well. My first impact driver. I love both of them. The drill is powerful and fast enough for any project. The impact is light and easy to use. Its not the fastest or strongest impact out there, but for home use it is more then enough as great for working on mechanic stuff as well. Mine only light ***** about this set is the batteries don't last as long as LXT models. But you aren't paying the big $$ as the LXT either. Great set.

 

[darkzero]

I got the Dewalt 20v Max hammer drill & impact nut driver combo on sale at Lowes a few weeks ago to replace my tired 18v XRP hammer drill. I never used a impact nut driver & I would never have bought one individually but I'm really glad I got this combo. Didn't think it would be that useful for me but I love using it & it surprised me how powerful it is. Now I use it as much as I can.

If you're looking to buy just the nut driver alone, if you can wait till June or so Dewalt is coming out with a 20v brushless motor impact nut driver. It will have three speeds/torque settings, a push button release chuck, & will come with the new batteries that have the power gauge. Looks very nice, I just might have to sell mine & buy the tool only.

http://www.dewalt.com/brushless

Only a matter of time before they come out with brushless motor drills too.

 

[wacomme]

Are there any all-in-one devices like the Bosch 26618 that doesn't cost over $200?

 

[SMKS]

I bought this one for $75 shipped and I've been very happy with it. You may not have heard of the brand Flex, but it's a European tool company.

It's smaller and lighter than the ones others have been recommending. But, if the OP is only driving screws like he says, then some of the ones listed will be overkill.

Mine drives and removes 3" deck screws with ease. It also has plenty of torque for smaller bolts and other automotive fasteners.

http://www.toolbarn.com/flex-ali108s.html

Here's a thread I made with more pics and info on the one I bought.
Link to pics and video of Flex impact.

 

[wacomme]

The Hitachi and Flex top my list for impact drivers (based on price). It seems that 10-12V is all I need for home use needs.

I'll ask again: does anyone other than Bosch make a combo drill/driver/impact all-in-one unit?

 

[txusa03]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q1TRDC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$120, 10 year tool warranty, 2 year battery warranty. I bought a reconditioned one of these for $45.00 back in Oct and wouldn't hesitate to purchase a new one at full price if this one dies prematurely. I've probably driven around 6 or 7,000 screws with it and haven't had any issues.

I bought this 2 years ago (so older version) with 10 yrs warranty. Not a problems used it to install 2 Larsons storm doors, a garage door opener, and a bunch of lag screws on my shed hardware/handle and hinges. I bought the combo with the drill, flash light, 2 lithium batt, and a charger for $189 brand new with Lowes 10% off. Very light weight and feels great for me.

That flex above looks very impressive for a 10v.

 

[powertrip]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0045JK3GI


Porter cable 12V. 3 year warranty (same as bosch)and one of the most powerful impact torque ratings in its class 950 in. lbs. (More than bosch) You get a drill, impact and 2 batteries/charger and bag. Best value and performance on 12 volt. At a cheaper price than bosch combo 12 v kit.

 

[Conor]

I HIGHLY recommend Bosch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0046ZRYPE/ref=mp_s_a_4?qid=1330462431&sr=8-4

I have just the impact driver which I paid around this price for 2 years ago. BEST purchase I've made for home tool use.

I love it, it is compact, light weight and the power of this tool rocks!

I have a hitachi 18v set but 99% of the time I'm reaching for the 12v impact as it weights much less and still gets the job done!

The porter cable kit that power trip posted looks good too.

 

[The Motts]

I'll ask again: does anyone other than Bosch make a combo drill/driver/impact all-in-one unit?

The Rockwell 3Rill is similar to the Bosch. Rockwell 3Rill

 

[wacomme]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. While I want the impact driver for home use, my current consideration is whether to get a 12V or 18/20V driver. Except for more speed, when is 18/20V driver needed compared to a 12V unit?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Consider what you plan on doing inthe future. I have a Dewalt 18V impact driver, probably my favorite tool. If it broke today, I'd stop what I was doing and go buy a new one. I have a set of Dewalt stuff, it makes battery swaps easier and life easier.

 

[shoturtle]

I have that bosch you are looking at, it is pretty good, but the transmission selector is a bit tricky sometime. But there is allot of power, and you have high and low speed when not needing impact. You can find a deal on a factory refurb at cpotools.

 

[SMKS]

my current consideration is whether to get a 12V or 18/20V driver. Except for more speed, when is 18/20V driver needed compared to a 12V unit?

Well, an 18v/20v will be heavier and larger, but will be able to remove larger bolts. If you'll be driving screws mostly (which you indicated in the first post), then the 10v/12v will be more than enough and easier to use. My small Flex impact is also good for automotive interior work and smaller underhood and body bolts.

The heavier impacts would probably work well for larger bolts found in jobs like suspension work.

It all depends what you want to do. If lighter duty work is what you'll be doing, I don't see the point in getting the larger, heavier and more expensive 18v models.

 

[smithred67]

I bought an 18v dewalt on CL for $75. I like the dewalts, I have had my drill for about 14 years and no problems. Just had to get new batteries a few years ago.

 

[shoturtle]

with the 18v and higher, if you are working with screws mainly. You need to be a little careful. The 18v stuff will snap the screw head off if the screw jams allot quicker then a 12v.