Cordless impact driver with clutch

[manac]

Looking to replace a Dewalt DCF610 12V Cordless Screwdriver. I’d call it a 1/4” impact driver today. Nice thing about it is that it has a clutch you can set for driving screws.

I have a large Makita 18V hex impact driver now but it ***** for driving screws.

Looking at the Makita CX203SYB set but the driver doesn't have any torque adjustment.

Are people just putting hex bits in the screwdriver now or should I be looking at a cordless drywall driver?

 

[M635_Guy]

My old impact driver seemed like it was trying to prove something, and was terrible unless I was driving lags or big decking screws. (while being loud and buzzy). I hated it, and only used it when my drill couldn't cut it. My drill did 97% of driving fasteners.

Then I got the M12 Surge. It has modes instead of a clutch. For fasteners that need a gentle touch, Mode 1 is great - the tool seems to sense how much force is needed and progressively applies power. If you need more grump, it's mode 2 and judicious feathering of the trigger. Mode 3 is enough for the decking and lags I do these days. The tool is really quiet compared to 'normal' impact drivers, and not buzzy at all. I've built all kinds of stuff with it. I suppose if I was doing a big decking project I'd get a full-on grumpy regular impact driver, but I'll worry about that if it ever happens. For day to day stuff, my Surge is the first thing I grab. It's a decent basic-duty drill, too. My real drill (M18) sits waiting to drill holes - I literally have never used it for driving screws.

It seems like I've seen a Makita impact driver that has the fluid-drive system - the one in this review might be what I'm thinking of.

 

[dscheidt]

impact drivers and power screwdrivers are not the same thing. with some skill and a good impact, you can get a certain amount of finesse from an impact, but it's really better suited for construction or mechanical stuff.

Milwaukee make a couple m12 cordless scredrivers. They are basically a small drill, complete with clutch, but instead of a drill chuck, they have a 1/4" hex drive. I have this one, but there is also a fuel version. I've never found the regular one lacking in speed or power, given what it's for. (It's capable of sinking a 3" deck screw into PT wood, but not if you're in a hurry.) I have it attached to the leg of my bench, and use it a lot to zip stuff apart and sometimes back together. It's also excellent for flat pack furniture assembly and electrical device wiring. I bought it as a bit of a lark five or six years ago, because it was deeply discounted for a holiday, and I've used it much more than I ever thought I would.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I purchased the Dewalt DCF815 12V impact driver eleven years ago as part of a kit (DCK211S2) and it is without question one of the best investments ever. I use it almost daily, it's a perfect balance of light weight and power. I was putting up another set of cabinets last night and realized how perfectly suited it was, as it's light enough to grab with one hand while holding the cabinet (or whatever) up against the wall with the other. I also realized I haven't had to buy replacement batteries yet, I have two that I rotate from the charger to the driver and they're still going strong after eleven years of use.

12V MAX* Cordless Li-Ion Drill/Driver / Impact Driver Combo Kit | DEWALT

The DCK211S2 12V MAX* Cordless Li-Ion Drill/Driver / Impact Driver Combo Kit features a two-speed transmission and LED lights for working in dark spaces.

www.dewalt.ca

 

[Steel_Rain]

I have a large Makita 18V hex impact driver now but it ***** for driving screws.

Looking at the Makita CX203SYB set but the driver doesn't have any torque adjustment.

It seems like I've seen a Makita impact driver that has the fluid-drive system - the one in this review might be what I'm thinking of.

+1 for Makita.

3 LXT (18v) Makita's I'd suggest would be:

Makita XST01Z- This is a "oil impulse" impact driver and is very quiet in comparison to a regular impact driver. Adjustable power settings, but no clutch. That said, I've dialed mine in perfectly over the last year and I love this tool for light/mild work. Might be overkill for you as a dedicated screw runner. The oil impulse units from Makita are favored by many because of lack of noise they generate indoors on job sites. If you have ever had your head burred inside hanging cabinets all day with a regular impact, you will love this tool. It's also very, very smooth.

Makita XPT02Z - This tool gets hate for being underpowered for an impact driver, but I argue it's perfect for 99% of homeowner needs. There is plenty of adjustability for this to be your go-to screw gun and more. There are very few other options in this tool space, but this is a do it all type of tool, with a screw gun, impact driver, drill and hammer drill all in one tool. I love mine and it's my go-to for general purpose repairs around the house. It's not a cheap tool (made in Japan) but unless your looking to do construction work with it day in and day out, it's a good buy.

Makita DDF083Z - This is probably your best option, but not easy to get in the USA. It's basically an LXT 18v, brushless 1/4" hex screw gun with a clutch. I had to get mine from eBay (from the UK) and it was about $200 shipped (bare tool). Makita makes another version of this for the US market but it's not brushless. If I just need a screw gun and maybe some light drilling (1/4" hex drive drill bits), this is the tool. It's light, fast and the battery lasts forever. It's way powerful for a screw gun, but the clutch settings are easy to use and adjust.

The above are all gun style drivers. Makita makes several "pen-type" drivers as well, even an impact rated one.

 

[manac]

We have a winner the DDF083Z is what I’m looking for.
Brushless 40 Nm.

Not as much torque as my XTD13 @ 170 Nm but it’s fine for screws In wood.

and it’s from the right house.

 

[KnurledNut]

Makita DDF083Z - This is probably your best option, but not easy to get in the USA. It's basically an LXT 18v, brushless 1/4" hex screw gun with a clutch. I had to get mine from eBay (from the UK) and it was about $200 shipped (bare tool). Makita makes another version of this for the US market but it's not brushless. If I just need a screw gun and maybe some light drilling (1/4" hex drive drill bits), this is the tool. It's light, fast and the battery lasts forever. It's way powerful for a screw gun, but the clutch settings are easy to use and adjust.

Makita XFD11 18v brushless sub-compact drill. Swap in the hex chuck assembly (123869-6) from the DDF083. Thats what I did.

 

[tjansson]

Every cordless drill I've seen has a adjustable clutch and usually enough grunt to drive screws.

Tough thing is that torque is not super consistent if you are aiming for a consistent head depth or rubber washer compression. I think impact drivers can do a decent job at setting screws to a certain depth because the impacts give you a chance to observe and let go of the trigger.

What do metal, screw down roof pros use? Last time I did one I used a cordless drill, but I didn't own an impact at the time.

 

[M635_Guy]

Every cordless drill I've seen has a adjustable clutch and usually enough grunt to drive screws.

Well sure, but do they do it well? (the answer is 'No' - at least compared to a good impact driver. It's an accommodation as much as anything.

What do metal, screw down roof pros use? Last time I did one I used a cordless drill, but I didn't own an impact at the time.

Mainly it seems to be impact drivers from what I've seen.

IMHO, a drill is a crappy driver, but a good driver can be at least a decent drill (for general-purpose stuff).

 

[manac]

“Makita XFD11 18v brushless sub-compact drill. Swap in the hex chuck assembly (123869-6) from the DDF083. Thats what I did.”
Nice, I like it.

All ready ordered the DDF083Z. $155 all up off fleabay.

 

[Steel_Rain]

All ready ordered the DDF083Z. $155 all up off fleabay.

You will love it:

 

[manac]

Makita XFD11 18v brushless sub-compact drill. Swap in the hex chuck assembly (123869-6) from the DDF083. Thats what I did.

Will the 123869-6 fit the Sub-Compact Brushless Impact Driver XDT18ZB? The CX203SYB set is pretty cheap right now $170 but I don’t want another clutch-less impact driver.