Cordless Impact Drivers....

[chaotik]

I have seen these and think it would be a great addition to my tool collection. There are plenty of times I wish I had a little more torque than my 18v drill/ driver could give. Plus, with these you get the torque...but not excessive rpm, thus helping from stripping fastners, etc.

I have heard the Makita is nice, but I know Dewalt doesnt make crappy tools either!! Then you also have the Craftsman one and, of course, the Ryobi.

Anybody have one and could give some feedback on likes/dislikes, etc??

MIKE

 

[danski0224]

I have a Makita 12v, I do not own any DeWalt stuff.

If you drive plenty of screws or lags, an impact driver is probably the best tool for the job. Very little torque reaction to your wrist from the tool.

A friend of mine has the DeWalt 18v version, and it is much heavier than my Makita 12v. Bit more akward in the drill holster, too.

Mine drives 3 inch deck screws with ease, but if you were doing that all day or quite often, more power than 12v would be nice, but not necessary... only because the batteries might last longer. Long lag screws in high numbers without a pilot hole would be a workout for my Makita.

 

[GearHead_1]

I just received a 1/2" 18 volt impact from DeWalt last week. I've only used it a couple of times but can tell you it has a lot of torque. It pulls lawn mower blades in the blink of an eye. It's a little on the heavy side but I've found all electric impacts to be on the heavy side. What can I say? It was free, I guess I'll keep it.

 

[chaotik]

Thanks for the info....its about the same as I have heard. Doesnt makita make an 18v version also?

 

[danski0224]

Thanks for the info....its about the same as I have heard. Doesnt makita make an 18v version also?

I am sure that they do, a quick check on their website will tell...

Another thing is that impact drivers, at least in my experience, are not good for drilling holes. Mine is only good for about a 1/4 inch hole. I eventually destroyed the $35 Makita chuck adapter for their impact drills, and do not use the impact tool to drill holes anymore.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Nesco makes a pretty nice one, although I think the Makita is better. Personally, mine is Snap-on, but I didn't have time to shop around and the Snap-on guy was there. I like the Makita one better.

 

[TuckinToyz]

A guy I work with just got the 18v Dewalt version. That thing is pretty awesome. It has a real compact sized head/motor section, the only think big or bulky and heavy is the 18v battery really. It's on my new tool list!

 

[Barnaby]

Newbie here, but thought I would add to this. I have been using a Milwaukee 18v cordless impact to swap tires at the track for a couple of years now. I feel this is one of those tools that you wonder how you ever did without after you get it.

 

[kgwld1]

I have the snap on and the dewalt and I feel the dewalt has more torque and a better overall feel.


Kevin

 

[avsfan733]

I have the dewalt and did about 4 sets of tire changes at the track and it didn't seem to be battery hungry ata ll...part of the reason its heavy is because dewalts are ridiculously overbuilt. When i was an electrician, one of the guys had a dewalt drill that he used that was half ducttape on the case but still ran like new. Kid at our school co-oped for dewalt and said its funny to watch them test stuff by literally just going up to the roof tossing it off and then testing it

 

[fred d]

I have the Dewalt 18v a Bosch 12v I also had the 18v Hitachi

The dewalt is a beast it gets the job done with out question. It is heavy, but if you use it with the Lithium battery instead of the Nicad it helps with the weight

The Hitachi was a great tool, the reason I got rid of it was because I have mostly Dewalt 18v and did not want to have the extra batteries and charger

The Bosch is my favorite even though it is a 12v it has a great amount of torque, plus it is light and it just feels good in my hand

 

[Muffduster]

I have a RIDGID brand. Currently you can get a 18v lithium drill and impact driver with charger and 2 batteries for $179.

 

[powertrip]

Are we taking about 1/4" hex drive or 1/2" square drive.

 

[cderalow]

I've got the Ryobi 18V new version, and it's a beast. Also had the older version of the ryobi and it was just as good as the newer dayglo green lithium one.

 

[Big-Foot]

Makita LXT version here for more than a year and it outshines all the DeWalt, Bosch and Ryobi versions I've owned by a substantial margin. Battery life is great with a 30 min charge cycle. Torque! Even with only 1/2 charge, this impact will shatter even the best #2 philips screwdriver bit when stalled on a good deck screw..

 

[Morrisman]

Are we taking about 1/4" hex drive or 1/2" square drive.

Sounds like they're talking about both.

Makita LXT version here for more than a year ........

This is the 1/4 hex drive, I thiink.
I used one of these for a week or so, until both of the brand new batteries died, but the driver was a great tool. It is really small and light, yet delivers a hell of a punch.

Must be something to do with the impact bit as there is no violent torque or twist coming back through the handle. It simply spins a small screw in, but once it gets tighter it loads up and starts rattling the screw in, very effective on bigger screws.

 

[davesnothere]

Are we taking about 1/4" hex drive or 1/2" square drive.

Pretty sure OP was talking 1/4" hex drive. I think some people are confused.

 

[malibu101]

I got a Milwaukee M12 impact driver a few months ago.
I am simply amazed by the driving power this small package has!

An 18V must come close an air impact gun.

 

[Big-Foot]

Sounds like they're talking about both.


This is the 1/4 hex drive, I thiink.
I used one of these for a week or so, until both of the brand new batteries died, but the driver was a great tool. It is really small and light, yet delivers a hell of a punch.

Must be something to do with the impact bit as there is no violent torque or twist coming back through the handle. It simply spins a small screw in, but once it gets tighter it loads up and starts rattling the screw in, very effective on bigger screws.

Your experience with the batteries in the LXT series is inconsistent with my experience and most everything else I have read about them. It may well be that your charger had a problem since both of your batteries crapped out..

Yes, the impact chatter will start as the resistance level comes up and it will shatter the bit's tip if left stalled for a moment. I have started painting a line with a paint marker on the bit so I can tell when it is no longer turning..

 

[Brownsfan]

Pretty sure OP was talking 1/4" hex drive. I think some people are confused.

I hope he figured it out in 7 years?

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ good eye, raising the dead

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I got a Milwaukee M12 impact driver a few months ago.
I am simply amazed by the driving power this small package has!

An 18V must come close an air impact gun.

An impact driver won't have near the torque of an air impact wrench - impact drivers are normally rated in in-lb (normally 1000-1200in-ft that I've seen), while impact guns are rated in ft-lb. I love my Hitachi impact driver for long screws, lags, and that sort of thing, but it simply doesn't make enough torque for most automotive stuff.

 

[Morrisman]

Your experience with the batteries in the LXT series is inconsistent with my experience and most everything else I have read about them. It may well be that your charger had a problem since both of your batteries crapped out..

I just ordered a pair of new batteries AND a new charger, from Amazon, and looking at that particular 'review' list on the items, 11 of the 46 replies were pertaining to batteries.

Most people only voice out when they have a complaint but a swift Google does bring up an awful lot of stories about these batteries.

I shall reserve final judgement until I get the new ones. I must admit the Makita tools do work pretty well, so I decided to persevere on with them rather than buy cheaper alternatives with conventional batteries.

 

[Morrisman]

I hope he figured it out in 7 years?

He only made ten posts in total, so I doubt it.

 

[Big-Foot]

I just ordered a pair of new batteries AND a new charger, from Amazon, and looking at that particular 'review' list on the items, 11 of the 46 replies were pertaining to batteries.

Most people only voice out when they have a complaint but a swift Google does bring up an awful lot of stories about these batteries.

I shall reserve final judgement until I get the new ones. I must admit the Makita tools do work pretty well, so I decided to persevere on with them rather than buy cheaper alternatives with conventional batteries.

I hope you have better luck this time around... FWIW, I did have one battery go into a fault condition on the charger. I put it in one of my tools and ran it for about 30 seconds and then back on the charger. It charged up fine and has been through a number of charge / use cycles since.. I have marked that battery so will keep an eye on it going forward.

One thing I try to do is to not wait until the battery is way way down before I allow it to cool and then put on the charger. Also, once charged, I try to remember to remove the battery from the charger even though Makita doesn't tell you specifically to do that ( at least not that I have read ) ...

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

i have a porter cable and i wanted one of these since i first seen one. i rarely use my drill anymore and they dont snap off screw heads as easy as a drill will. i love it, best tool since the cordless drill imo. i wish they made a 1/2 in drive impact though for auto work.

 

[Justin1776]

I own two 18 volt Makita LXT impacts in 1/4 hex. Its my favorite job site tool.
I also own a 19.2 volt Craftsman, I never use it, its like holding up a brick compared to the Makita. I have used nearly all of the impacts on the market, and the Makita is my favorite.

Edit: Holy old thread batman

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

i have a porter cable and i wanted one of these since i first seen one. i rarely use my drill anymore and they dont snap off screw heads as easy as a drill will. i love it, best tool since the cordless drill imo. i wish they made a 1/2 in drive impact though for auto work.

Porter-Cable doesn't, but there are battery-op 1/2" impact guns out there. Not cheap, although compared to the tool price baseline around here - a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver - you'd probably only be able to get two pink screwdrivers for one IR W7150, so it's a pretty good value.

 

[bobbar]

I have the 19.2 craftsman impact. And it works good for me. Interior i have the craftsmans nextec 12v r.a.i.d and the raid is awesome. Great deal for $50 including the drill/driver

 

[woody 73]

I have the Dewalt and it is a very nice tool. If I could leave you with a piece of advice and trust me on this one; if you start with one brand stick with it because it gets so confusing with all the different chargers and different batteries.

Sign me been there done that!

 

[woody 73]

Boy that post caught me off the beaten path 03/06/05 did they even have cordless in the dark ages???

 

[bobbar]

Haha

 

[gmwelder86]

Used my makita 18v to build an overhang at my dads house last weekend. Drilled all the 5/8 holes though wet redwood 6x6 and 2x12s off two batteries. So figure 16 holes through a hole lot of wet wood. Never had an issue with them. Use and abuse them all the time at work and have yet to have one fail. I've gotten the 3/8 impact do hot you needed a glove to hold it, one multiple occasions and it still runs strong to this day.

 

[Hoyer Motorsports]

Go DW all the way. I have two 18v impacts. One with 1/4" hex and one with the 1/2" square drive.
I have a 12vMAX lith-Ion impact and a 20vMAX lith-ION.
I rarely use a ratchet anymore unless space is an issue or tightening is crutial. It will strip smaller bolts very quickly.
The 18volt versions are heavy but full of power. I have one at work and one in the racecar trailer. Ive changed hundereds and hudered of bead lock wheels with these. Never gives up. Makes repairs 3-4 times faster.
I use the 12vMAX to hang pictures and shelves with at home. Super light weight and still plenty of power and LOVE the belt hook.
I use the 20vMAX in the shop. Hands down the best version. I swear its the best tool I've ever bought. It's light weight and more powerful than the 18v. I use a 1/4" hex with a 3/8" drive on it. I've had it for six months and only charged the battery 3 times.
Belt hook is so handy. Totally awesome tool.
Highly highly recommended.

 

[Morrisman]

Boy that post caught me off the beaten path 03/06/05 did they even have cordless in the dark ages???

I had my first 'battery drill' in 1990 when I worked as a yacht mechanic. I thought it was the work of the devil and much preferred to carry my old bit and brace when I went out on the water to repair a boat. I soon got used to it though, but made sure I always had my spare 7 volt battery with me.

And now, some 22 years later, cordless drills are probably one of my favorite, most useful, tools of all.

 

[MattPersman]

after trying a few Bosch tools, I am disappointed, and am sticking with Dewalt for now

 

[mikefromme]

I just ordered a pair of new batteries AND a new charger, from Amazon, and looking at that particular 'review' list on the items, 11 of the 46 replies were pertaining to batteries.

Most people only voice out when they have a complaint but a swift Google does bring up an awful lot of stories about these batteries.

I shall reserve final judgement until I get the new ones. I must admit the Makita tools do work pretty well, so I decided to persevere on with them rather than buy cheaper alternatives with conventional batteries.

I have the m12 Milwaukee. Both batteries died just after the warranty ended.

Instead of buying new batteries I bought the rigid 12 volt. Definitely a step down in power and speed plus it does feel quite right in my hand. But lifetime free battery replacement won me over.

 

[Muffduster]

I have the m12 Milwaukee. Both batteries died just after the warranty ended.

Instead of buying new batteries I bought the rigid 12 volt. Definitely a step down in power and speed plus it does feel quite right in my hand. But lifetime free battery replacement won me over.

Ridgid.

 

[Morrisman]

I have the m12 Milwaukee. Both batteries died just after the warranty ended.

Instead of buying new batteries I bought the rigid 12 volt. Definitely a step down in power and speed plus it does feel quite right in my hand. But lifetime free battery replacement won me over.

I went back and forth, whether to buy the new Makita batteries, or buy a complete new Porter Cable drill set for half the price. But, I'm buying the stuff with 'safety points' we get at work so it doesn't actually come out of my own pocket, and it seemed sensible to get the batteries to suit the almost new tools I still have.

If these batteries are duff, I swear I will never, ever buy Makita again.

 

[kerryt1]

I would have bought the DeWalt, but I already had a bunch of Craftsman 19.2V stuff. So I bought the Craftsman impact driver...which is the most used tool in my possesion, likely. I also have the cordless impact wrench and love it.