Best cordless impact driver???

[vpd66]

I want to buy a cordless impact driver for taking things apart and for driving in self tapping screws. I want a cordless for mobility. I've used Dewalts and they seem good. I know there are alot of brands out there (Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, Panasonic, Porter Cable, and etc) I want a quality one and I'm looking for the most bang for the buck. Please give me your feedback and experience on your cordless impact driver so I can make a decision on which too buy. I did do a search in this forum and found alot of info, but no one brand stood out. Thank you

 

[RKA]

What do you need, a 12V or 18V? Kinda seems like from your description, 12V would suffice. I have a Bosch PS41-2A that I love. Plenty of punch, light (compared to my 18V), would recommend.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I really like my 18V DeWalt. A bit heavy, but really drives long screws well.

 

[wchamberlain]

It really depends on your app, impact/drill driver, I have Matco 1/4, 3/8, 14.4 volt drill/driver and 19.2 volt drill/driver and Snappy 1/2 impact.

All are great, but really depends on usage and cost analysis for what your looking for. Dewalt/ Milwaukee/ IR/ Makita make great cordless tools.

 

[dwm]

For 18V, I'd choose the Makita BTD144. 3 max speed settings set it apart from many others.

For 12V, my only experience is with the Bosch PS41-2A, and like RKA I love mine.

 

[smogtech]

I only have experience on makita. But whatever you get I would gey li-ion style. You can get 18v power out of a 12v size gun and is light as hell.

 

[claymont]

I've got an 18v Dewalt, done everything I've required of it. Do most 1/2" bolts and drives 3/8 lag bolts easily.

 

[chewy7]

milwaukee m18, lithium power, battery gauge, charge it anytime, charge holds for a long time unlike your very crappy nicad and nimh battery pack equipped tools.

 

[CamarosRus]

PLEASE use the SEARCH Function...........This exact subject has at least 5 or 6 past threads with many pages of the SAME info OP asks about.

It all comes down to BOSCH or MILWAUKIE 18V !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Racr350]

milwaukee m18, lithium power, battery gauge, charge it anytime, charge holds for a long time unlike your very crappy nicad and nimh battery pack equipped tools.

x2 Milwaukee has great battery life and loads of power. All my cordless electric tools have been swapped for Mil's.

 

[TozziWelding]

I LOVE!!!! My Makita compact lithium ion, it will run a 4" 3/8 lag in to PT like butter, and it weighs less than a full beer.

 

[5lima30]

I recently bought the 12v Li-Ion Hitachi impact driver and drill driver kit w/ tool bag from Lowes. I love it! Its small and light but has the nuts to drive 3" screws in a split locust rail fence I've been building. Locust is harder than oak to drive screws IMHO. YMMV.

 

[wheats71]

ordered a 12v max dewalt should have on monday
i will see how it compares to my 18 v dewalt
i have the 3/8" impact in the 12 v ine and i works really well

 

[ncfh]

Another vote for Milwaukee.

I've had plenty of other cordless tool brands over the years, Makita, DeWalt...

Makitas have been good, but from what I've seen the newest generations are pretty fragile. Seen several blow apart from not-so-high falls and many others with cracked handles.

My DeWalts were always very good, but you could count on them to need service every few months. Got tired of back and forth with the local DeWalt service center. Good tools, when they work.

But these new Milwaukee M18 tools are great. Strong. Dependable. Great batteries, even better now with red lithium.

.02

 

[ChrisF250]

18v Hitachi, LOVE it, works longer and harder than any of the dewalts Ive seen. I really cannot explain what an irreplaceable tool it has been to me. I have always bought name brand stuff so this was a bit of a first but I have been very happy with this decision. The fact that it costs significantly less than the other brands is just a bonus.

 

[SCscoutguy]

18v Hitachi, LOVE it, works longer and harder than any of the dewalts Ive seen. I really cannot explain what an irreplaceable tool it has been to me. I have always bought name brand stuff so this was a bit of a first but I have been very happy with this decision. The fact that it costs significantly less than the other brands is just a bonus.

I have to second this. I have the Hitachi 18v and that thing is AWESOME. My brother in law has the Milwaukee 18v and the Hitachi beats the breaks off of it and this is coming from a person that always owned and like Milwaukee power tools. The Hitachi is one of the best power tools I have ever owned hands down.

 

[MattT]

I've got a V18 Milwaukee and a 7.2v IR IQv. The Milwaukee is insanely powerful for a 1/4" drive. I haven't ran across anything it wouldn't either drive, or destroy something trying, yet. It's also big and heavy.

The IR has moderate power. Not really up to heavier construction work but handles mechanical work just fine. If 40 ft lb ain't enough you should be using 3/8" drive. The gun is way smaller and lighter than the Milwaukee and sees way more use. I only bring out the V18 for driving large screws.

I've not used one but I suspect the 12v guns would be the best for general use. More power than my IR without the excessive bulk and weight of the 18v tools.

 

[BWdiver]

you said you want to take things apart and drive self tappers. two different machines.
for running screws and such I use my big Milwaukee driver/hammer drill in cordless.
but I really like the small lithium ion Makitas in drill and impact flavor and they have 15 min charge times, watched the roofers who installed my metal roof drive thousands of large screws with no problem, so good enough for them good enough for me.
Now for the big impact, big Snappy is the way to go. I love mine, 600+ ft lbs I use it every week to change tires on the highways and it does the job.
Today I used it to remove some old rusted lug nuts that had almost fused to the studs with with rust. I had to use a lug nut extractor from SO, and they work great!!

 

[GoBlue]

I LOVE!!!! My Makita compact lithium ion, it will run a 4" 3/8 lag in to PT like butter, and it weighs less than a full beer.

I second this

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm happy with my Dewalt 18V impact driver.

My question to you is this, do you have any other cordless tools ? If so, you want to consider buying the same brand/voltage, for the sake of battery swapping.

 

[cdncowboy]

Makita or Bosch. Period.

 

[Rocklim]

Best Cordless Impact Driver is Bosch 26618-01 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Drill/Driver Kit , It can used to drill and to drive screw

 

[greybeard]

I ran across this link today.
http://www.bestcovery.com/best-12-18v-li-ion-impact-wrench

 

[bmcdowell40]

I have a Dewalt 12V Li-ion Impact that I use for driving all types and lengths of screws. It works great, long battery life, quick charges and great built in LED lights. Compact size, loads of power and very lightweight.

I haven't used it on anything larger than a 1/4" lag, 1/4" is the largest I've had to put in since I've had it. For bigger lags (3/8 & 1/2"), in the past, I've used my 18V Dewalt HammerDrill on hammer mode, it seems to work great. Anything bigger than 1/2", I use a corded Porter Cable right angle drill with a socket adapter.

 

[LB-1911]

Spammers - bumping 5 + year old threads don't have a long shelf life around here.

****, culane is Gone

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=327784