Impact and Drill Combo - What's your choice?

[BuickBoy]

I'm interested in a drill/impact combo. I will be doing everything from home improvement to full automotive. I have a corded 1\2" drive impact for the hard stuff but excited thinking of the time saving possibilities with a 1\4" cordless. I also would be using the combo for remodeling my basement.

This isn't for everyday use, but reliability is at the top of the list.

I like the Dewalt 20v combo and the Porter Cable competitor. Looking to keep price around $200-$250.

Opinions on battery size?

Other suggestions? Comments?

 

[Farmall450]

DeWalt

 

[qwik]

I got the bosch 18v LI and love it.

 

[lukedwag]

I personally love Milwaukee. I just bough the drill/driver 18v fuel kit with the 4ah batteries. It was 300 with a trade in of some broken stuff.

To me the dewalt stuff just isnt as good as it used to be. They got bought by Stanley (who also just recently purchased Porter-Cable hence they now offer the 20v).

The big batteries obviously last longer but for what your doing it doesnt really matter. I dont think you can go wrong with either.

The other one you might want to check out is the new brushless makita kits. with the big batteries they run 300 or 329

 

[Alex in Canada]

I got the bosch 18v LI and love it.

+1, Bosch makes some truly great stuff

But, the Milwaukee is pretty good too.

 

[BuickBoy]

Thanks guys! Great info on Dewalt! I'm stuck between Bosch and Makita! The LCT200W kit looks very promising!

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[BuickBoy]

The two batteries and 15min charge time is tempting. I understand that at 1.5mah its not ideal for someone to use it all day every day. The batteries aren't designed for that. I think for my use it would be perfect. Everywhere I looked the Makita reviews seem to edge Milwaukee and Bosch, but not by much!

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[BuickBoy]

Darn it. Now I'm torn! Makita 3.0mah LXT kit with circular saw for $350?? Gah!!!!!

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[Farmall450]

DeWalt is also assembled in America...

Edit:
And they're nearly indestructible. I had 5 or 6 different ones submerged in a flood...they all still work. Saws, hammer drills, drivers...

 

[Nagiom]

I love my Rockwell combo, but do yourself a favor and buy from someone that makes more than two 18 volt tools.

 

[MatBirch]

We have around 90 guys at my shop that hammer away on cordless impacters all day every day. The boss is a makita guy, and keeps the sets in stock for employee purchase. On the recommendation of my supervisor, I went with Dewalt when I started. I have had lots of cordless drills over the years, but had never had an impacter. Over five years HARD use and my original two batteries show no signs of age or performance dropping off. I've dropped it from ladders too many times, ran it in -24F weather, run it in the rain WAY too many times... Still running like a champ!
To add to the abuse, I added a quick change keyless chuck to my bag, so For about 3 years now, I've rarely pulled the drill out of the toolbox. Opting instead for the convenience of one tool on the ladder, under the genset, or wherever I'm stuck working. The drilling adds a ton of hours use to my impacter.

However, the shop repairman has a PILE of probably close to 80 makita batteries on the back of his bench that have failed on one guy or another. Guys love them other than that. On a good note, Makita has warranteed most of them though. I'd still rather have it with me and working properly when I need it, not waiting on a replacement, free or not.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm using bosch 12 volt nicad drills and impact . for what I do they're great
I just bough 4 nos batteries on ebay for $50 so I'm good

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have numerous Craftsman C3 19.2 volt cordless tools. I love mine. I am a hobbyist with a race car. Don't use them everyday. The Craftsman have never let me down. I'm still working on the Ni-Cad batteries I started with in 2006. When they die I'll go with the 2nd generation Craftsman Li-Ion. All the tools are reasonably priced. I have only ONE type of battery to charge! The 1/2" impact works great on the NASCAR type lug nuts on the race car.

 

[BuickBoy]

I am leary of Dewalt. I have been for a while. Most of our guys in the shop use them, and I use the communal 20v dewalt regularly. They seem to always be ready to go.

I do not, however, want to struggle with batteries or wobbly chucks.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Two months ago I bought the Milwaukee M18 kit, exactly as you describe. They are $184 shipped on Ebay. It is NOT the "FUEL" brushless ones, but they are GREAT, and half the price. They are perfect for my uses, which is very similar to what you describe. I couldn't be more pleased with them.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I have a Dewalt 18v impact for the bigger stuff (when no air available), but my go to drill and driver are Milwaukee M12. Also have the 1/4" Impact Wrench on the way, and will be investing in the ratchet and 3/8" impact wrench with larger batteries in the future. I always stuck with the "bigger is better" attitude, but I can get them into cramped spaces, and they are yet to let me down. Much better than trying to fight that heavy 18v battery into a small space.

 

[Monte]

maybe wait for the new Bosch brushless tools....
the "hybrid" impact looks interesting:

 

[BlindViper]

I am a makita guy I love the amount of tools available for one battery. The circular saw works better then any cordless saw I have tried. I have 2 impacts, 3 drills, circular saw, sawsall, grinder, mulitool, led flashlight. I have 12 batteries and only one has failed. I work construction so they all get plenty of use. So makita lxt gets my vote.

 

[trailmix]

I have an 18 volt makita at work and have it in my hand pretty much all day. Batteries hold a charge all day and charge quick. Id buy another in a heart beat.

 

[Stuey]

Bosch. The drill is a little on the weak side but overall I love the combo.

 

[stonesfan68]

Another vote for the Makita set. My batteries are beginning to show some degradation after 7-years of ownership. I am going to buy new batteries for them. I have the small batteries at present and have found them to be more than adequate for homeowner use- and I like the lighter weight.


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[kngelv]

The DeWalt 20V is top notch.

James

 

[BuickBoy]

Thank you for the replies everyone! I'm still stuck between Makita and Bosch. I do like the 5 year coverage with Milwaukee though!

I like the ability to add tools as needed with the LXT. Like I said, the circular saw would be a big asset as I get closer to remodeling the basement.

 

[Trey T]

If you like Milwaukee extended line of accessories, get on board with m18 fuel driver and drill kit. Milwaukee offers tools like no other brands

 

[Farmall450]

If you like Milwaukee extended line of accessories, get on board with m18 fuel driver and drill kit. Milwaukee offers tools like no other brands

I would agree on Milwaukee and DeWalt having the most options.

Thank you for the replies everyone! I'm still stuck between Makita and Bosch. I do like the 5 year coverage with Milwaukee though!

I like the ability to add tools as needed with the LXT. Like I said, the circular saw would be a big asset as I get closer to remodeling the basement.

Why won't you consider DeWalt?
Many people have spoke up about the abuse theirs have taken...and they keep on going. Awesome locking chucks too btw.
And the circular saw rocks. Definitely worth buying.

 

[BuickBoy]

Guys,

The thought above about squeezing the impact into tight places is important to me! I looked at the 12v kits. I'm impressed by this guy, for half the price as mentioned above.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...-Cordless-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCT209W/202945283#

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[crewchief888]

i have a ridgid 18v drill and 1/4" hex impactor, as well as a ridgid 12v drill at home.
my old ryobi drill didnt survive being dropped from the roof onto the concrete, but the circular saw still works.

i have a milwaukee 18v fuel 3/8" impact, 12v drill and led flashlight in my service truck.

 

[Jeffksf]

Hitachi, love my 18V L-Ion set
check out Bigskytool.com

 

[Monte]

Guys,

The thought above about squeezing the impact into tight places is important to me! I looked at the 12v kits. I'm impressed by this guy, for half the price as mentioned above.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...-Cordless-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCT209W/202945283#

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Makita 12 volt tools don´t have battery protection, no overload protection, no discharge protection....only 1.3AH...Bosch + Milwaukee 2AH...
Milwaukee + Bosch also offer 12 volt brushless tools.
Bosch tools are also more compact and lighter than anybody else (drill 169mm long, impact 137mm, Makita drill 189mm, Makita impact 155mm, Milwaukee drill 185mm, Milwaukee impact 165mm)
Makita battery warranty 1 year, Bosch + Milwaukee 2 years.
Bosch and Milwaukee also have more power (Makita impact 95NM, Bosch 105NM, Milwaukee 135NM)

 

[MattPersman]

First you gotta decide 12 or 18 volt platform

 

[pauls_workshop]

No votes for Ryobi so for best value, I'll throw in Ryoby drill + 1/4 impact driver 18v combo. They work great all day long. Same basic tools as Craftsman C3 mentioned. - Paul

 

[BuickBoy]

Makita 12 volt tools don´t have battery protection, no overload protection, no discharge protection....only 1.3AH...Bosch + Milwaukee 2AH...
Milwaukee + Bosch also offer 12 volt brushless tools.
Bosch tools are also more compact and lighter than anybody else (drill 169mm long, impact 137mm, Makita drill 189mm, Makita impact 155mm, Milwaukee drill 185mm, Milwaukee impact 165mm)
Makita battery warranty 1 year, Bosch + Milwaukee 2 years.
Bosch and Milwaukee also have more power (Makita impact 95NM, Bosch 105NM, Milwaukee 135NM)

Daaannggg it! Back to researching! ThNk you for the info!

Deciding between 12v and 18v is a struggle right now.

 

[TerryH]

I got the bosch 18v LI and love it.

^^ This ^^

Had them for a year. Use them all the timea and I love them.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Deciding between 12v and 18v is a struggle right now.

I think most of us have been there when first diving into the cordless market. It's hard to pull the trigger and know you're making the right investment.

I had a really hard time going to 12v, since I'd only had my Dewalt 18v tools before. Pulling all the junk off the top of truck transmissions with the older XRP battery on it was a chore (but still better than getting an air line caught on everything). After using my cordless, a coworker decided to buy a 12v Dewalt 3/8" impact wrench. I borrowed that from him and loved it (the whole tool felt like it weighed the same as just my battery).

I couldn't decide between the Dewalt (all my carpentry tools have always been yellow & black) and the Milwaukee M12 line. I went with the M12 stuff just because of the tool lineup and the price (Home Depot promotion that I got the impact for free after buying the drill set). Love all the tools (and radio) so far. I do think Dewalt is doing it right including the larger batteries in sets though (not cheap for the extended M12 batteries).

Take your time deciding, but overall, you'll be happy with whatever route you go. There's a reason all the tools everyone has recommended are in such strong competition with each other.

 

[BuickBoy]

I think most of us have been there when first diving into the cordless market. It's hard to pull the trigger and know you're making the right investment.

I had a really hard time going to 12v, since I'd only had my Dewalt 18v tools before. Pulling all the junk off the top of truck transmissions with the older XRP battery on it was a chore (but still better than getting an air line caught on everything). After using my cordless, a coworker decided to buy a 12v Dewalt 3/8" impact wrench. I borrowed that from him and loved it (the whole tool felt like it weighed the same as just my battery).

I couldn't decide between the Dewalt (all my carpentry tools have always been yellow & black) and the Milwaukee M12 line. I went with the M12 stuff just because of the tool lineup and the price (Home Depot promotion that I got the impact for free after buying the drill set). Love all the tools (and radio) so far. I do think Dewalt is doing it right including the larger batteries in sets though (not cheap for the extended M12 batteries).

Take your time deciding, but overall, you'll be happy with whatever route you go. There's a reason all the tools everyone has recommended are in such strong competition with each other.

Thank you! It is a hard decision!

I was just eyeing the Milwaukee set. $70 greater cost than Makita... I will have to see what other tools are available in the m12 lineup as you mention.

 

[mebuildit]

I have a Milwaukee 28v drill / hammer drill and love it

 

[Monte]

Deciding between 12v and 18v is a struggle right now.

That´s easy

BOTH

12 volt for light to medium duty tasks and 18 volt for medium to heavy duty work...

 

[Farmall450]

I did forget to mention, as another pointed out, DeWalt includes the big bad batteries, so you don't have to spend a small fortune updating them. Thy have great charges too, they recondition the battery as it charges.

 

[BuickBoy]

That´s easy

BOTH

12 volt for light to medium duty tasks and 18 volt for medium to heavy duty work...

That's what the devil on my shoulder is saying!! Gahhhh.

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[BuickBoy]

Well fellas, I made a decision!

I decided after reading some posts on this forum from as far back as 2011 that 18v would be too much for my intended use. I have a 1/2" corded impact and multiple length breaker bars. I don't need air, and I shouldn't need a super powerful impact in 1/4" drive. I'll mainly be using the impact to save time on calipers, sway bars, and other small bolts. I plan to safely break them free then zip them in/out with this little guy. For suspension components I can just get out the big 1/2" drive impact.

My decision I think is pretty cool. I found individual Bosch tools on sale $40 off each, with a longer extended warranty. I'll be receiving 4 batters, 2 chargers, and two cases.

Impact: Click Here.

Drill: Click Here.

These seem to have the highest and best reviews I could find. I love the working depth of the impact, being 1.5" shorter than some of the competition. I'm very excited to get these, Merry Christmas to me!

Thank you for all the feedback and thoughts. You all made it a lot easier for me to make my decision.

A big thank you to Qwik for a great offer and good conversation.