Impact and Drill Combo - What's your choice?

[Hopalong604]

I have a dewalt 18v drill/driver duo at work and the exact same combo at home. I beat on them all day at work. Had both for 5yrs.

 

[O RLY]

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...

We had a dewalt drill that we use to mix epoxy fully submerged in a 5 gal bucket of grey garage floor epoxy resin. Cleaned up and kept on working with out a hiccup.

At home I have both Makita 18v and Milwaukee 12v with no complaints!

 

[pauls_workshop]

I think worth mentioning for this thread, today it is pretty easy for just about anyone to make a decent drill that is durable and pretty powerful. Same also now goes for a 1/4" impact. Very very few companies can manage to make a bad drill now. So folks that like the cheaper options like Ryobi or maybe Harbor Freight even really are pretty happy with them. What you get in the more pro brands are more torque, sometimes but not always extended run time before needing recharges (but not any more with 4 amp hour Ryobi batteries out now), usually lighter weight, and sometimes more options. You don't necessarily get longer durability/life out of the tool anymore though. You may get a tougher design that can handle being dropped off a roof better, but again not necessarily so.

Where I think you start to see more differences between brands is when you want to go to the lighter 12 v lithium style, where the better tools do the job mostly with those even in a small package relative to the 18 or 20 v versions of tools. The less premium brands can't quite match that yet as the pro brands. Or when you really need alot of torque. Milwaukee are torque kings and have been as long as I can remember for instance. So for ultra light or ultra torque, I think the more pro brands have the edge.

I also like the Op's idea of using a corded 1/2" impact for his needs and opting for the lighter but still get the job done 12 v lithium style, in this case with Bosch. He is smart and making a good choice for his needs. I think many of us could learn from this OP! Power hoarding or Torque hoarding or Tool hoarding may not be the right choice for everyone! Just some thoughts to share about cordless these days. This is a really good thread! - Paul

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

I'm in the same market, been browsing these cordless tool debates. One thing I am interested in besides a drill and driver is a cordless finish nailer for molding/trim work since I don't have an air compressor currently. I know a little pancake compressor and finish nailer can be had cheap, but if I went a route with one available in my cordless setup, that's just that much easier.

Is ryobi about the only brand with one though? My holdup with ryobi is that I've bad a drill of theirs not even last through one stair banister job for me. I'm not using it professionally, just as homeowner. But I am going to be putting up a fence that I plan on completely screwing together so I need it to last beyond my first large project.

Am I missing and brands that offer a cordless nailer? I planned on going the 18 volt route, but not stuck on anything, nor am I looking at brushless.

Is ryobi better than it used to be? My experience was probably 8 years ago.

 

[scarney1988]

Congrats to the OP for making a decision. I just wanted to add the following for future considerations of others:

12 volt is nice because you can create a car battery adapter to improve portability. Makes them convenient for roadside, parking lot repairs, when your batteries have died (or charger is unavailable at the moment). It is then no longer a cordless solution, but it does add versatility and less wrist fatigue during extended operation.

Just a thought for the masses.

 

[Natsfan]

Yep corded for the big stuff. 12v L-ion for the 90%. Personally went with Porter Cable. It was on sale, pretty good so far, drill chuck kinda *****.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Hey t1sn, modern Ryobi 18v line is generally very good. I've used their drills many years and never had a problem except one with the hammer drill chuck not holding bits well. You get more torque and lighter with the pro brands, but otherwise, these are good for diy homeowner use, and many contractors do use Ryobi day in and out too. The new 4 amp hour lithium batteries rock. Ryobi has a 1.25 inch long 18 gage brad nailer/stapler on closeout now at HD. Got one for $18. They have a more powerful new nailer I think up to 2" brad out now and a separate new stapler. Worth checking out. As any line, some tools are better than others in the line. Best I've found with Ryobi after using many years with success!:

regular drills, esp the higher torque rated ones (not all the same)
1/4" impact driver
sawsall
super dremel rotating tool
mini router/trimmer
bush hedger
mini blower, useful but about 1/2 the power of a corded one

Others I've used but OK not super:

Hand vacuum
lights, incandescent type, just ok not bright
weedwhacker, but I had one break on me, fairly cheap design
hammer drill is awesome but mine slips bits in the chuck and needs new chuck. I have the older 3 speed version of it.
Older Garden sprayer - works a little but not too good, they discontinued (they will do that with anything people don't like much)

Things I'm thinking about getting maybe:

1/2" impact driver (people like but pretty low torque really, only about 30% more than the 1/4" impact driver can do, which I've used well up to 1/2" bolts already!)
LED lantern light (people like but only 1 watt output)
New multitool that can use Rigid heads on it. (I would look at the impact for that and use it for drilling and driving uses for tight spaces and not buy a separate close quarters 90" degree drill that way. Today I use the little 1/4" impact driver as a drill also for tight quarters, but still much bigger than a 90 degree type close quarters drill. Maybe the auto hammer attachment too. I just have a corded multitool now in Performax and HF brands. Would be nice to have cordless as I use these all the time for something or other!)

The above would also apply to Craftsman C3 line, as the tools are about the same mostly. - Paul

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

Hey t1sn, modern Ryobi 18v line is generally very good. I've used their drills many years and never had a problem except one with the hammer drill chuck not holding bits well. You get more torque and lighter with the pro brands, but otherwise, these are good for diy homeowner use, and many contractors do use Ryobi day in and out too. The new 4 amp hour lithium batteries rock. Ryobi has a 1.25 inch long 18 gage brad nailer/stapler on closeout now at HD. Got one for $18. They have a more powerful new nailer I think up to 2" brad out now and a separate new stapler. Worth checking out. As any line, some tools are better than others in the line. Best I've found with Ryobi after using many years with success!:

regular drills, esp the higher torque rated ones (not all the same)
1/4" impact driver
sawsall
super dremel rotating tool
mini router/trimmer
bush hedger
mini blower, useful but about 1/2 the power of a corded one

Others I've used but OK not super:

Hand vacuum
lights, incandescent type, just ok not bright
weedwhacker, but I had one break on me, fairly cheap design
hammer drill is awesome but mine slips bits in the chuck and needs new chuck. I have the older 3 speed version of it.
Older Garden sprayer - works a little but not too good, they discontinued (they will do that with anything people don't like much)

Things I'm thinking about getting maybe:

1/2" impact driver (people like but pretty low torque really, only about 30% more than the 1/4" impact driver can do, which I've used well up to 1/2" bolts already!)
LED lantern light (people like but only 1 watt output)
New multitool that can use Rigid heads on it. (I would look at the impact for that and use it for drilling and driving uses for tight spaces and not buy a separate close quarters 90" degree drill that way. Today I use the little 1/4" impact driver as a drill also for tight quarters, but still much bigger than a 90 degree type close quarters drill. Maybe the auto hammer attachment too. I just have a corded multitool now in Performax and HF brands. Would be nice to have cordless as I use these all the time for something or other!)

The above would also apply to Craftsman C3 line, as the tools are about the same mostly. - Paul

I have some c3 stuff so if they're comparable maybe I should just upgrade to lithium. Didn't know if that'd be enough of a difference to make me happy with the c3 stuff again. That's for your response!

 

[pauls_workshop]

Lithium from Ni Cad for Ryobi makes a huge difference. Move from regular 2.4 amp hour Lithium to new 4 amp hour "Lithium Plus One Plus" is another huge move. Makes a world of difference! - Paul

 

[t1snwbrdr12]

I started comparing costs of a nailer, lithium batteries, and what I'd want from craftsman vs a whole new setup from ryobi or rigid. Whatever makes the most sense at the time I buy is what I'll do I guess. I hate how it makes more sense to start over than to spend so much on batteries, but that's seemingly how it is.

I'm going to hung for the closeout nailer you speak of. Don't happen to have a product number do you? Doesn't come up on hd site.

 

[the.wong.kid]

Always been a fan of makita brand. Dropped by home depot and saw makita finally released the brushless motor lxt 18v, I only have the regular 18v lxt. Ive compared dewalt and ryobi electric impact guns that co workers have and it seems they cant take certain bolts out like seats bolted to body of a car like a makita. That torque capability is definitely one keep factor imo. Ryobi's lithium batteries also give no sign when it needs to be charged, youll use the gun and then stops working, theres no indicator like losing torque or power where as the makita does. Youll be unbolting something out or drillinf a hole and u can feel the motor not at full strength due to the battery. Milwaukee on the other hand, Ive only tested there 1/2 cordless gun and I can say that thing will pull lugnuts out no problem

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[Jack Olsen]

Li-Ion batteries have a 4-5 year lifespan, whether you use them or not. Ridgid from Home Depot gets you free batteries for life. That was all I needed to hear.

 

[dbonne]

Li-Ion batteries have a 4-5 year lifespan, whether you use them or not. Ridgid from Home Depot gets you free batteries for life. That was all I needed to hear.

I went with the rigid combo from HD in 2008. I just had my first "free" batteries shipped to me last week. Rigid backed up their batteries in about a week. Sure makes my combo pack worthwhile to me. My vote for Rigid!

 

[doan]

I went with the rigid combo from HD in 2008. I just had my first "free" batteries shipped to me last week. Rigid backed up their batteries in about a week. Sure makes my combo pack worthwhile to me. My vote for Rigid!

do they ever offer the rigid combo with the big batteries? Their LSA does not cover batteries bought separately from the kit.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Yeah, I think of Rigid like "super Ryobi". It is really just Ryobi made to a little higher level of capability for more "pro" level of use. Nothing wrong at all going that way!

Only thing is, there are more than a few tools that Ryobi has that Rigid doesn't, like the yard stuff, mini router, super dremel, blower, cheaper nailer, really about 3/4 of my tools they don't make in Rigid, so that wouldn't work for me exclusively at least. I have been tempted by a few of those Rigid tools though. Their version of a 1/2" impact has about 50% more torque than the similar Ryobi version does. Their little 1/4" impact though is only about 15-20% more torque than the Ryobi one, so not as great a difference there. - Paul

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Dewalt dcf826 impact and dcd760 drill. The set is dck265l. Everyone has there preference with these impacts. I have had a bunch and this is the one that has stayed with me. I absolutely love it.

 

[Banjorear]

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.

This is good to know for you can get the Sears set up for around $160 if you catch the sale right.

This is for a bare tool, charger and battery.

 

[Monte]

my choice in 18 volt:



my choice in 10,8 volt: