Cordless Impact & Drill - help!

[tecster]

So I'm in need of a cordless drill & a cordless impact, the drill will be needed for different stuff around the house & for doing some stuff on the rat rod. I will need the impact for stuff on the rat rod... Looking to get both at once with batteries & charger, I found this one but I'm not sure if it's the best buy for my money...

I'd like to not spend much over $150.00

 

[Jack Olsen]

There have been many threads on this. I recommend the Ridgid kit from Home Depot because it includes free batteries for life as part of its warranty. Otherwise, Li-Ion batteries have a 3-4 year lifespan, used or not.

 

[tecster]

There have been many threads on this. I recommend the Ridgid kit from Home Depot because it includes free batteries for life as part of its warranty. Otherwise, Li-Ion batteries have a 3-4 year lifespan, used or not.

I like that idea of a lifetime warranty on batteries, but I'm a little confused on the Ryobi site they show the 1/2in Impact with a impact driver adapter, is that how they all come? For instance if I buy the kit like this one can I pull the impact driver head off and use it as a automotive impact?

 

[Jack Olsen]

No. An impact wrench and an impact driver are different tools, with limited overlap in what they do. I have a cordless impact wrench I use on lug nuts. An impact driver is better for smaller fasteners. (It's at its best driving screws into wood.) An impact wrench's torque is measured in foort-pounds, while an impact driver's is measured in inch-pounds.

I have a 1/4" hex adapter for my 1/2" impact wrench -- but can't imagine what I would use it for in automotive work. The nice thing about an impact driver is how it fits into small places. Putting an impact wrench with an adapter kind of defeats that.

 

[shoturtle]

For what you want to use it for the Craftsman, Ryobi or Ridgid would work find. Get the 1/2" impact and get a 8 dollar 1/2" to 1/4" hex. Lowes has a dewalt one, think HD has the Milwaukee one. No need to spend big dollars for Bosch, Dewalt or Mikita, or Milwaukee for what you listed as your propose.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Personally, I would steer clear of the Cman battery tools. They always seem to be changing the design and batteries every 4-5 years.

I myself have Dewalt 18V stuff and have used the **** out of it. While it may have been more money up front, I will have it for years. Even though they are making some 20Vstuff right now, I'm not worried about finding 18V batteries for them as I believe there is enough stuff out there that they will be around for awhile.

The Rigid stuff Jack mentions would probably work well for you.

 

[tecster]

Personally, I would steer clear of the Cman battery tools. They always seem to be changing the design and batteries every 4-5 years.

I myself have Dewalt 18V stuff and have used the **** out of it. While it may have been more money up front, I will have it for years. Even though they are making some 20Vstuff right now, I'm not worried about finding 18V batteries for them as I believe there is enough stuff out there that they will be around for awhile.

The Rigid stuff Jack mentions would probably work well for you.

Thanks, I'll have to look into the Dewalt... I want something that is going to last for awhile. Do they make a 1/2 in Impact Gun & Drill Combo?

 

[shoturtle]

Dewalt has change form the 18v to the new 18v aka 20v battery. So all brands change up battery time to time. Bosch has bluecore battery, now the have the slide packs. Milwaukee has changed as well. So the change in battery happens to all brands. The Craftsman C3 had NiCad battery, when they upgraded to LiIon, they kept the same battery design and just made them into LiIon with a new charger. Same as dewalt with their 18v LiIon.

Also consider that you are not going to be using the tool allot, Li Ion only last for about 4 years before you need to replace. You might want to consider which is less expensive to replace over time.

Ridgid warranty their kit battery for life. So it has a price advantage if you register them. But the fat pack are not included in the kit. And adding the longer lasting fat pack will not be life time warranty.

 

[DIC]

I have the Ryobi 18volt Li-Ion. It don't want to take off wheel lugs. I wish I waited and bought a better one.

 

[j p smith]

I have the Dewalt 18v ni cad and have been very happy with it I have used the heck out of it. The batteries are starting to go and a new battery is 90.00 bucks. I am thinking about the Rigid set with the Led light driver & impact driver in a bag for 190.00 because of the lifetime battery warranty. Any one using the Rigid set? Had any issues? Is it as tough as the Dewalt? Thanks, Jeff

 

[Lumpy102]

I've got the dewalt 18v tools and wouldn't swap them, they've been good tome. The batteries have lasted 4yrs and I've just bought another set from the big orange box, 2 for $99, not because the others died but because I needed them (building decks etc.) watch the sales both big boxes put them and the tools on sale from time to time

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks, I'll have to look into the Dewalt... I want something that is going to last for awhile. Do they make a 1/2 in Impact Gun & Drill Combo?

After a quick search, they do have a combo with a 3/8 impact. (I realize you want 1/2") Here's a link to the page for it.
http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless-combo-packs-18-volt-combo-packs-dck273l.aspx

It takes you directly to the Dewalt site you you can look at all of them for yourself and do some actual reading on them.

Dewalt has change form the 18v to the new 18v aka 20v battery. So all brands change up battery time to time.

Dewalt is still making their 18V line along with newer 20V stuff. They carry Li-Ion 18V batteries and the older style XRP batteries. There is a difference between the 18s & 20s so they are not the same and will not interchange between the tools.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have the Dewalt 18v ni cad and have been very happy with it I have used the heck out of it. The batteries are starting to go and a new battery is 90.00 bucks. I am thinking about the Rigid set with the Led light driver & impact driver in a bag for 190.00 because of the lifetime battery warranty. Any one using the Rigid set? Had any issues? Is it as tough as the Dewalt? Thanks, Jeff

JP, if you purchase a new battery for your Dewalt, buy the twin pack. It's not much more but a way better value.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

I have ryobi cordless tools, I was young and broke, just needed a set of cordless tools so I figured why not , tools are great ive added a few as time goes on, but the batteries ****.

They just wear out to quick, 6-9 months of use and they dont charge well .
Even the new high dollar lithiums aren't so great. A general dewalt batt will still outlast it on a comparable tool.

I'll be going with ridged aswell next once my ryobi tools die or my wife is very generous on Christmas .

I also have a beat HF impact kicking around thats often handi . But its more like a spare.

 

[tecster]

I have ryobi cordless tools, I was young and broke, just needed a set of cordless tools so I figured why not , tools are great ive added a few as time goes on, but the batteries ****.

They just wear out to quick, 6-9 months of use and they dont charge well .
Even the new high dollar lithiums aren't so great. A general dewalt batt will still outlast it on a comparable tool.

I'll be going with ridged aswell next once my ryobi tools die or my wife is very generous on Christmas .

I also have a beat HF impact kicking around thats often handi . But its more like a spare.

Sounds like maybe I need to go Rigid?


By the way, small fricken world - if your the same kid I think you are then you must know me... 2002 Pearl White Nissan Maxima 6spd that was slammed on TSW's in CT, was "sickmax"'s

 

[j p smith]

Thanks Nuttsgt, I will check them out.

 

[sxk122]

I'll throw this in the mix.....

I am primarily a "weekend warrior" when it comes to fixing stuff. I know battery tools are constantly improving, but it always seems I have a dead battery, a weak battery, or a battery with short life by the time I need it. I have plenty of plugs in my house and garage, and a 100' extension cord on a reel. I never have to charge tools anymore, and corded tools generally are cheaper..... just my 2 cents...


As far as the impact wrench goes, I have the electric 1/2" impact from Harbor Freight, and it works well at getting lugs off, but it is heavy and cumbersome. I much prefer the air powered impact, in fact, I haven't used the electric impact since I bought the air one.....

The impact driver I have is a plug-in Craftsman unit I picked up on sale for under $50, and I love it. In fact, was using it today to unbolt a section of the wood fence and gate to raise/ level and repair....

 

[chipper]

I have the Dewalt 18v ni cad and have been very happy with it I have used the heck out of it. The batteries are starting to go and a new battery is 90.00 bucks. I am thinking about the Rigid set with the Led light driver & impact driver in a bag for 190.00 because of the lifetime battery warranty. Any one using the Rigid set? Had any issues? Is it as tough as the Dewalt? Thanks, Jeff

I have the rigid set for about 2 years now i love it never any issues and the last time i was at hd the rigid set also included a compact radio its a pretty good deal

 

[zcar751]

I have had a set of Craftsman cordless tools for about 8 years now but no impact as they were not out available at the time and I had several air impacts. Li was just coming out and expensive so I opted for the ni cad and they have worked great, I even picked up a couple of extra batteries to deal with battery life issues. My first nicad battery had finally quit so now I have an option of replacing the ni cad which they still sell, or buying a Li and charger because the tools accept and work with the Li as well.

I would also +1 sxk120's post about the 100' extension cord. When I'm working on my car or most other big projects in the shop I break out the corded tools and the air tools. My Rigid corded drill is one of my primary go to tools.

 

[rockchucker]

I am really liking my DeWalt stuff. I have been using the 14.4v and the 18v stuff for YEARS. I still have my first 14.4 Drill that I bought back in 96-97. With the 12v, 20v and the 36v Impacts I am sold. They function great and pull their weight in the shop just fine.

I need to take some pics of all the old vs new DeWalt stuff I have collected over the years.

 

[BillK]

Ok,
I am going to throw out a totally different opinion. My 12V DeWalt has served me very well for probably 15 years. I have bought a couple of batteries over that time. So ... the one remaining battery that i have is just about shot and new ones are $70 each.

So ...... I am seriously thinking about forgetting about the cordless tools and going back to a good old fashioned drill that you plug into the wall outlet. The only time I can think of over the last 20 years that the cordless drill was really an advantage was when I replaced all of the fascia on the house. Other than that, I am always a few feet from a plug. Most corded drills can be had in the $70 range and you will never have to buy a battery Same with the impact driver.

Just another option to keep in mind Do you really need a cordless drill ??

That being said, if I was to buy another one it would probably be a DeWalt, strictly based on the life of the one I have now.

 

[Anglia Guy]

No offense, but I won't buy cordless tools anymore. I like tools with cords. They're a lot cheaper and the batteries won't run down. Every time I go to use a battery powered tool, the battery goes dead. Then you have to charge the battery or go out and buy more batteries when they go bad. I'd rather spend $10.00 on an extension cord and have a tool that never quits on you. But that's just me.

 

[Angelfire]

My 14.4 Makita impact and drill have served me well. I will eventually upgrade to the 18V or higher stuff but for now, they are still working very well. I did rebuild one battery pack and have the batteries ready to rebuild the 2nd one when it finally dies. Much cheaper than buying replacements! I think I spent a total of $30-40 for the cells to rebuild both batteries.

 

[BillK]

No offense, but I won't buy cordless tools anymore. I like tools with cords. They're a lot cheaper and the batteries won't run down.

Glad I wasn't the only one that feels this way

 

[aka rotten]

I have a dewalt dc926,xrp1/2 drill driver/hammer drill18 volt,love it cept its heavy as hell for this old guy,also have craftsman 18 volt i use for lighter stuff,does ok for that but not half of dewalt.i also use corded tools a lot inside shop but aint worth a darn 50 yards away.Thanks,Paul

 

[shoturtle]

Dewalt is still making their 18V line along with newer 20V stuff. They carry Li-Ion 18V batteries and the older style XRP batteries. There is a difference between the 18s & 20s so they are not the same and will not interchange between the tools.

Very true, it is similar to the craftsman c3 stuff. The older NiCad is still available but the new LiIon packs are out there for the C3. But those packs only work with the C3 tools and not the new 20v tools.

 

[Mr_Snips]

Don't go with Ryobi if you plan on consistent use. It's good for occasional light duty work. Rigids battery replacement changed a few years ago so stores no longer are supposed to just trade batteries. I'd suggest Milwaukee if you can swing it. M18 fuel is the way to go.

 

[anthony42hat]

Don't go with Ryobi if you plan on consistent use. It's good for occasional light duty work. Rigids battery replacement changed a few years ago so stores no longer are supposed to just trade batteries. I'd suggest Milwaukee if you can swing it. M18 fuel is the way to go.

This^^

 

[theoldwizard1]

Dewalt fan. They started the cordless trend many years ago and are still popular.

Even their little "panel" circular saw will cut "2 by" lumber well with a carbide tips blade.

I would stick with the 18 volt size although they seem to be pushing the 20 volt stuff. Most popular. Knock off batteries are available in NiCad, NiMh and Lit-Ion at big discounts. You need at least 2 batteries.

 

[fastjohnny]

Picked up 4 pack of dewalt drill driver, impact driver, sawzaw, flashlight and 2 batteries last week at lowes for 199.

 

[shoturtle]

To the OP, the sears set will do what you are looking for it to do. And you can use the cheaper NiCad batteries as well with it. The impactor will take off lug nuts. It has more power then my compact bosch 1/2 with 133ft/lb that I do lugs nuts with on my cars. I have tried a friends c3 set up, and the 200ft/lb had no problem removing the lugs nuts. You can spend more and get something form the big 4, but with your plan uses. You will not really notice a difference.

You will get a ton of answer on here for more expensive models. From people that use them day in and day out. But unless you really plan on doing that with your tools. You are really just spending more money on them. But I would get 18v base system if you are planning to use it on you car. 12v will not have enough power to pull off lug nuts.

The rigid, craftsman c3 and ryobi are all good consumer grade tools. Personally I would go with the c3 or the rigid over ryobi. But that is form personal preference.

 

[D.J.]

Ok this is from a satisfied Ryobi owner, weekend warrior type. I am very pleased with my Drill driver / circular saw combo I've had for a couple of years. Just befor Fathers day Home Depot had the drill driver / impacts with two batteries and the charger on sale with the one plus Li- Ion batteries for I think it was 99 or 119.00.

 

[bigguns69]

I have a preference for the 19.2V and 12v craftsman battery pack tools. I have had them for years. I have built several buildings and basement additions. They work well, easy to get the different variety of tools, and the batteries are about half the cost of Dewalt and the others. Battery cost is the key in choosing which brand to go with. All the tools are very similar in operation and capabilities. The shop where I work out of, build prototype ag equipment, has a mix of Dewalt and Craftsman battery tools. I can't tell the difference in operation between the (2) brands. Sure can when it comes to replacing batteries $$$$$. The craftsman brands are as stable as the Dewalt/Milwaukee. All the others change their design every 3-4 years. This has been my experience.

 

[vjlobel]

Just to clarify the lifetime warranty on the Ridgid- they don't hand you another battery at the store, but you do get one in the mail within a week or two. I'm impressed with the drill/drivers we have at work, but my 10 year old DeWalt 18v set just won't die!