1/4" drill drivers

[BrokeEF]

OK my tool obsessed brethren, I want to pick up a 1/4" drill driver for some general use around the garage and at the track. I don't even know where to start with these as I don't follow power tools very much. What I mean by that is who makes good cordless tools now-a-days? I keep coming back to the Milwaukee M12 but I have heard bad things about the batteries with Milwaukee. Well lets hear what everyone thinks, pros, cons, personal experiences etc.


THANKS!!!
Sean

 

[mrshaun]

well for small applications the cts561 works well as does the cts561cl. i have sold about 500 of both combined over the last 2-3 years. I use it weekly at home.

 

[nissan_crawler]

bosch gets my vote. I have 5 pieces of the 12v line, and love them. Don't like the snappys due to single speed, no clutch (believe this changed with the new one), longer charge time, less power, less run time.

 

[BrokeEF]

OK I have been looking around since I made my first post and here is what I came up with. I cannot decide if I want the drill, or if I want impacting as well. I have a drill, so I wont be actually drilling with it. The main use will be to pop off smaller fasteners on the car mainly at the track (Valve covers, Intercooler piping etc) so I feel the impact may come in handy if I need a lil extra power instead of breaking it loose by hand first. As I was looking I really like the Milwaukee (battery indicator, one hand chuck, 12v) but for the price of just the impact I can get this. I like makita as a brand just fine, I like that it has both tools so I can have them both handy (I KNOW that one of them will get more use than the other but I don't know which one yet) they are smaller and lighter, but only 10.8v (yes its close to 12 but its not 12). I am not sold on Bosh, but it was coming up as I was looking around. Lets hear some reasons to give them a look. Also can anyone tell me where the three brands I am looking at are made? I really appreciate all the help, and I am sorry I am a little vague. I have never had a tool like this so I don't really know what features I want/need.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've probably driven/removed 50,000 screws with my bosch ps20, not a lick of trouble. My other ps20 has only seen garage use, but no trouble. The ps40 has had some garage use, no trouble. My ps30 has had quite a bit of use at work, no issue from that either. It has surprising torque for what it is.

 

[BrokeEF]

So on the Bosch end I would be looking to get the PS20-2A (drill) and the PS40-2A (impact) correct? Does anybody know if these two come in a kit together?

Sean

 

[t100]

I have 2 of the lithium battery Milwaukee M12 drills, both have been working very well, light and good on tight spots. but it lacks in power, I would qualify it as a screwdriver.

I also have the V18 1/4" impact, great on power. it also shares the same lithium batteries with the 18V hammer drills. I don't like the new M18 series from Milwaukee, M18 drills just have too much plastic.

 

[speed bump]

When I was doing HVAC I used the heck out of a bosch I-driver and it was a darn good tool. If I was going to buy one now it would probably be the Bosch impactor with whatever was rather cheap coming in second.

 

[krehmkej]

I have the M12 and V18 Milwaulees. The M12 has become my "go to" tools for lots of work. This weeks jobs included transmission pan bolts r&r, several drilling jobs, Several 2" wood screws driven. Battery started at 3/4 and is still there. The companion flashlight (free) is also great. It gets used mush more than the much larger V12 one. Batteries charge in about 1/2 hour. All good, knock on wood!

 

[nissan_crawler]

So on the Bosch end I would be looking to get the PS20-2A (drill) and the PS40-2A (impact) correct? Does anybody know if these two come in a kit together?

Sean

the ps30 is the drill, ps20 is the driver, ps40 is the impact.

 

[mrshaun]

snap on has a clutch and at the end of the year we will have a 3/8 impact that takes the same battery. also you can get the led light that goes with it. good fur under the dash work.
cts561cl = clutch 60 inlbs
cts561 = no clutch 60 inlbs
ct561 = 3/8 impact 90inlbs of torque

 

[mattwgrizwald]

I have this milwaukee driver and its the baddest little driver on the planet the bosch one is good also I use this driver every day at work and have driven thousands of screws and I use nut driver attachments to drive small bolts . Mainly I drive alot of tek srews with 1/4', 5/16" , 3/8" heads and It will unfasten 1/4" and 5/16" bolts anything more than that and you'll need more power

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WI9CIG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

as far as the batterys they have lots of power last quite awhile the charger is a quick 30 min charger

 

[Monte]

i would got with the Bosch. Lots of different tools to choose from. Milwaukee also has a good lineup, but their drivers are too bulky imho. The 12 volt is a fake, just marketing AFAIK litium cells usually are 3,6 volt each so either you have 7,2 or 10,8 or 14,4 volt (etc.). (Hitachi for example says 10.8 V - 12 V "peak" )
Other companies only offer only a limited amount of tools (Makita, snap on etc.) have less voltage (snapon) and are overpriced for Made in China or the battery is not inside of the handle (Hitachi) which makes them bulky too.

 

[BrokeEF]

OK so it looks like its between Bosch and Milwaukee, just out of curisoity why no love for the Makita's? I was thinking about it and I believe we have the Bosch and the Snap-On at work out in the factory. I should go check them out and see how they have been holding up. Does anybody know where these are made, are any of them US made? Thanks again for all the help.

Sean

 

[Stuey]

So on the Bosch end I would be looking to get the PS20-2A (drill) and the PS40-2A (impact) correct? Does anybody know if these two come in a kit together?

Sean

They do, and it currently sells for about $150 or less at Lowes.

i would got with the Bosch. Lots of different tools to choose from. Milwaukee also has a good lineup, but their drivers are too bulky imho. The 12 volt is a fake, just marketing AFAIK litium cells usually are 3,6 volt each so either you have 7,2 or 10,8 or 14,4 volt (etc.). (Hitachi for example says 10.8 V - 12 V "peak" )
Other companies only offer only a limited amount of tools (Makita, snap on etc.) have less voltage (snapon) and are overpriced for Made in China or the battery is not inside of the handle (Hitachi) which makes them bulky too.

Bosch started off marketing their tools as 10.8V, but since then all other brands marketed theirs as 12V, so Bosch had to do the same to avoid being hurt too badly by consumer naivety.

 

[BrokeEF]

I found the Bosch set at lowes here. Ill have to go over there and check them out.

Sean

 

[The Muffin Man]

I also highly recommend Bosch's PS20 and PS40. I've been using both of mine daily for almost a year now and they are holding up perfectly. Both the driver and impact are very well balanced too

 

[mrshaun]

main thing is get what you want and what will work the best for you. we can all make recommendations , but you are the one that has to use them.


good luck

 

[BrokeEF]

main thing is get what you want and what will work the best for you. we can all make recommendations , but you are the one that has to use them.


good luck

I understand that, just looking for insight into the quality of the different offerings. It seems that the Bosch has a good following and they are the cheapest. I am still very interested in the Makita because to me they have always been a quality name for power tools. BUT nobody seems to have them or recommend them for whatever reason. I also really like the Milwaukee (best set of features in my eyes) but also double the cost and not as well liked as the Bosch. It looks like the Bosch will most likely win out, but I will make the rounds to the stores and get my hands on them all first to see what I think. I will let you guys know what I come home with in a couple weeks when I get them.

Sean

 

[IRMan]

I have been using this for over 2 years now and love it! The best thing about it in my opinion is that it can be used for delicate applications with the variable speed switch or hammered down for crazy torque! Over 2 years and both batteries are still in great shape and holding a charge. Its amazing how capable this thing is for a 12v. If you got a little extra I would go to their 18v.

but hitachi wins for me hands down. I work in a tool repair shop and get hundreds of bosch, makita, and milwaukee drivers/impacts with bad switches and motors/modules.. I think we have gotten 1 of these hitachi impacts back for repair work.

Hitachi also has one of the best warranties out there next to metabo

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H4YI8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[truckdriver]

I've had the Bosch impactor for over 2yrs and I love it. I use it alot. Get yourself some good bits to use with it. I broke both the bits that come with it.

 

[CamarosRus]

EVERYONE, Please comment about the small 1.3 Ah Bosch batteries. This sounds problematic, as the 1.5 Ah Makita batteries were poorly reviewed at AMAZON............

 

[CamarosRus]

IR Man, Was your AMAZON link to a Hitachi Impact Driver with NiCad batteries intentional or an error.

I would think that most of would be wanting Lithion-Ion batteries given all the long term
advantages.

WE have a member above that works at a Tool Repair shop. Claims HITACHI has seen fewest problems. Is this discussion over ?????

For amatuer (non contractor) users is the 1.5 AH batteries "good enough" or shall we opt for 3.0 Ah batteries

Thanks for the education...........

 

[Stuey]

Regarding the Bosch, if you start off with two charged batteries and drain one completely, if you pop it on the charger when you swap, it should be fresh and ready to go by the time you drain the second one.

 

[walrus]

I've been putting up OSB all weekend with 12v Milwaukee, battery charges before I use up the one in the drill or in the impact. I have 18v and 28v Milwaukee drivers, the 12v rules as its so light. HD is having a Milwaukee day next friday, can't wait to go get some more 12v stuff

 

[CamarosRus]

Stuey and Walrus...........You guys talking about 18V, 12, 28 Volt (???) Lithion-Ion or Ni-Metal Hi....
I'm NOT trying to impersonate a jerk, but if you'd be more specific with your posts, it would help us amatuer shoppers, find/buy what it is your recommending.

There are so many options, choices without specifics model and part #'s many of us are lost....

Thanks for your consideration.............

 

[walrus]

12v Milwaukee is Lithium Ion, and I believe its the only 1/4 drill/driver they make. I mentioned the others as I use all sizes and the 12v Milwaukee stuff has been top shelf for me
Here's the lineup of 12v stuff from Milwaukee
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...=aps&hvadid=3932009721&ref=pd_sl_3juygt2bso_b

 

[IRMan]

IR Man, Was your AMAZON link to a Hitachi Impact Driver with NiCad batteries intentional or an error.

I would think that most of would be wanting Lithion-Ion batteries given all the long term
advantages.

WE have a member above that works at a Tool Repair shop. Claims HITACHI has seen fewest problems. Is this discussion over ?????

For amatuer (non contractor) users is the 1.5 AH batteries "good enough" or shall we opt for 3.0 Ah batteries

Thanks for the education...........

Yes the link works for me - Hitachi WH12DMR 12-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Impact Driver

At our shop I notice that the bulk of the tools we repair are Dewalt tools. We have one full time tech that does only Dewalt. Lots of bad transmissions, motors, and switches.

I primarily work on pneumatic tools but they are only 20% of the tools we get in so I get my hands in electric also. We don't see too much Hitachi coming in. Except for the giant miter saws that come in looking like they were in a mine being used everyday for 20 years even though its only a year old. You would be surprised at what some people do to/with their tools.

Someone sent in a IR 2135TiMax where someone had superglued the speed regulator to the slowest postion. lol

 

[Hip2u77]

I've got both the Bosch PS20 & 40 and the Milwaukee M12 Driver and Impactor.

In my non-scientific tests driving lag screws the Milwaukee impactor beat the Bosch, but the 3 LED's on nose of the Bosch make it better for dark areas.

I don't really notice a difference in the drivers.

Maybe it's just me, but imo the impactors are only good for times when you don't want the screw head stripped out. On numerous occasions I've had lag bolts, or 3" deck screws hit a knot and stop the drivers dead in their their tracks only to think "the impactors are supposed to be more powerful so I'll grab them and they'll do nothing but rattle. In all cases I ended up using either my 12v full size Ridgid, or my 14v Milwaukee to run the screws / bolts the rest of the way in. They've been great for taking things apart and especially for use with flat head / rusted screws, but for driving power I'm not impressed at all.

(On a side note I've had the same experience with a brand new Ridgid right angle impact driver. It's rated at 700 in/lb, but was stopped dead driving 5" x 1/4" lag bolts through 2x4's only to grab the 350" in/lb Ridgid drill and finish the job with little strain.)



Anyway, I bought the Bosch tools first, but I'm moving more to the Milwaukee M12 line now since they offer so many more tools.

Popular Mechanics just tested 7 of the smaller 10.8 /12 max size drills. They picked the Milwaukee as the overall winner, though the Bosch drove more screws.


Milwaukee M12 Line

Bosch 12v Max Line

 

[CamarosRus]

Hip2U77,

What a great helpful informative post.............

GOOD on you

Can you TEACH ME one more thing.........When you link any other web page as you done
HOW do you change the word that you had appear
MILWAUKIE M12 Line versus whatever it actually was ??????????

 

[The Motts]

Can you TEACH ME one more thing.........When you link any other web page as you done
HOW do you change the word that you had appear
MILWAUKIE M12 Line versus whatever it actually was ??????????

Check out this link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/misc.php?do=bbcode#url

 

[Stuey]

Stuey and Walrus...........You guys talking about 18V, 12, 28 Volt (???) Lithion-Ion or Ni-Metal Hi....
I'm NOT trying to impersonate a jerk, but if you'd be more specific with your posts, it would help us amatuer shoppers, find/buy what it is your recommending.

There are so many options, choices without specifics model and part #'s many of us are lost....

Thanks for your consideration.............

Sorry about that. Since you mentioned exact amp-hr capacities, I had assumed you were talking about the Bosch 12V Max series of tools.

My response was very general for a reason. Most compact cordless battery systems are designed to recharge very quickly with 30min chargerging times being the norm these days.

I wasn't recommending any particular system since I'm relatively neutral-minded when it comes to the several major brand offerings.

There are many options and choices and part numbers, but for the most part without specific preferences or requirements, it's difficult to recommend one particular system over another.

Milwaukee's M12 series is by far the most versatile with the largest tool selection, Bosch's 12V Max series has a very solid and reputable core tool offering, Makita's 10.8/12V tools are becoming increasingly popular, Hitachi's 12V offering is cost-effective without sacrificing quality, Craftsman's offerings are considered average or "value" centric, Ridgid's 12V line is often heavily discounted at Home Depot, with the occasional "buy one get one free" sale.

We're not talking about conventional 12V or 18V tools here either.

Can you TEACH ME one more thing.........When you link any other web page as you done
HOW do you change the word that you had appear
MILWAUKIE M12 Line versus whatever it actually was ??????????

To do it manually type:

[***URL="http://link.com"]this is where you write the link name[/URL***]

but without the ***.

To do it manually, click the earth/paperclick icon, insert a URL/web address, and right afterwards there will be a selected highlighted where you can type the name you want. Or type out a name, highlight/select the text, and then hit the earth/paperclick icon which is used for inserting links.

 

[t100]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WI9CIG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$99.00 FREE SH Milwaukee 2401-22 12V 12-Volt Li-ion Sub-Compact Driver Kit

 

[CamarosRus]

Bump to the top for more informative comments

 

[krehmkej]

HD Milwaukee Day??

HD is having a Milwaukee day next friday, can't wait to go get some more 12v stuff

How did I miss this? Tell me more. LOVE my M12 driver, looking to add a drill and impact wrench.

 

[CamarosRus]

Before I pull the trigger can somebody explain why/how 12V (1.5 Li-Ion Amp Hour battery)Milwaukie system is enough power, versus the more powerful, more bulky 18Volt Lition-Ion 3Ah batteries.

Also I'm still not clear on when/where/how people use the 1/4" impact driver VERSUS the Milwaukie 12V (???Chuck) Cordless Drill with clutch, etc etc

Somebody mentioned a MILWAUKIE Day at Home Depot this coming Friday. I couldnt find anything on GOOGLE regarding this. Any info on this event and special pricing ???

Thanks,

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

I have a few of the tools that fit that 12 milwauke battery. Here are my comments.
The 1/4 hex Impact driver is awesome. It will drive screws great and I even have used it on lag bolts its a little slow on lag bolts but it will drive them as far as my 18v dewalt drill, driver.
The screw gun is not for me only one speed, slow. It needs two speeds or a faster speed and just use the trigger to slow it down.
Tubing cutter is great! I have been using is every day for a few weeks now and have cut a lot of tubing. Works great is a small space as you do not need to swing a tubing cutter around the pipe.
Sawzall is good. Will fit in a smaller space than my 18v dewalt. Like all Sawzalls it eats battery's a little faster than a drill.
Plumb laser. My fault I got one and took it back. It is just for Plumb and not for level. I needed a laser level and why you would only have plumb on the tool beats me. Too specialized.
I would really like to try the Sub-Scanner but the ones at Home Depot never have battery's and for the price I would hate to buy it with out trying it. I will have to wait for a Milwaukee tool rep.

 

[LoneGunman]

I'm up to just over a year on my PS40, I'd be lost without it now. I use it every day at work as an electrician, it gets used hard. Batteries still hold a charge like new. I LOVE it for ladder work, using an 18v dewalt hammer drill on an extension ladder while wearing a toolbelt gets to be a chore aster a while, the PS40 gets stuck in my back pocket when I need to use another tool on the ladder.

 

[Stuey]

Before I pull the trigger can somebody explain why/how 12V (1.5 Li-Ion Amp Hour battery)Milwaukie system is enough power, versus the more powerful, more bulky 18Volt Lition-Ion 3Ah batteries.

Also I'm still not clear on when/where/how people use the 1/4" impact driver VERSUS the Milwaukie 12V (???Chuck) Cordless Drill with clutch, etc etc

Somebody mentioned a MILWAUKIE Day at Home Depot this coming Friday. I couldnt find anything on GOOGLE regarding this. Any info on this event and special pricing ???

Thanks,

12V compact cordless tools can NOT be directly compared to 18V tools, especially those with 3Ah batteries.

12V compact cordless - easy to carry, lightweight, charges quickly, enough power for simple driving or light drilling needs.

18V cordless = powerhouses, great for when you need more power, more features, greater torque, and greater durability.

Cordless driver = 1/4" hex chuck for driving bits. Sometimes have variable torque clutch.
Impact driver = can provide greater torque and quicker/easier driving of long or larger fasteners. These don't have clutches.
3/8" chuck drivers = offer the ability to pop drill bits in. You lose the built-in hex bit holder, but you won't find more compact 3/8" drills than these. They're for light-duty drilling, but should suffice for most easier tasks.

What it comes down to is what do you want, what are you looking to use the tool for, and what type or size of cordless drill/driver do you already own?

 

[CamarosRus]

Still reading, learning deciding.............

I have a Snap-On Cordless 12Volt, 3/8" Impact Wrench #CT3110HT
Tool says 0-2100 (I assume RPM)
This S.O. impact uses a 12V Ni-Cad battery of unknown Ah

HOW do the above 12V Li-Ion BOSCH and./or MILWAUKIE 12V Li-Ion Impact DRIVER compare (when equipped with adapter to hold 3/8" Drive Socket) with the type of 12Volt Impact WRENCH that Snap On (and others??) mfg. Are these completely different animals ????

Thanks for explaining..........Slowly!!!!!!!!!