How did I ever live without an impact driver?

[coma13]

I picked up an 18v dewalt impact driver today and holy ****! I never thought they could be thaaaat much better than a regular twist drill. Pulled out a bunch of 2.5" wood screws whose heads were so stripped I thought they were done for.

Zapped screws into hard old wood like it was nothing too. I can't wait to use this to pull old engines apart.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Welcome to happiness. I never realized how badly I needed one until I finally had it. The jobs I did by hand or with a drill/driver back in the day that time could've been cut in half...

You'll be happy with that 18v Dewalt, I have beat the hell out of mine (had to warranty it once, they don't like 3/4" rusted bolts on tractors day after day...) Still holding strong now though.

 

[rsanter]

The impact driver was my favorite dewalt tool...until I bought the 1/2 drive impact

Bob

 

[Hopalong604]

I have 3 sets of the 18v drill/driver combo. 1 for work, 1 for home and I just received my 3rd set for Xmas. Absolutely love it!

 

[Ign]

Feel the same way

 

[OccupantRJ]

My son was helping his brother get moved in to his home, and had been working more than his share at it. He used my impact to drive some screws and was very impressed, so I bought him one for helping me and his non- handy brother so diligently. He absolutely loves it. Yesterday I was on an 8 foot ladder working up between trusses on a project, adding plywood scab plates to the trusses. I was driving square drive screws off to the left side horizontally, in the direction I was facing, at arms reach, with no problem at all. No way would this have been done without the impactor, as I am right handed. One of the best tools I ever bought. I was also running 3" screws into doubled oak 2x4 with ease. The bare tool is $76 with free shipping on Amazon right now, for those interested.

Link. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RT7K4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[welder4956]

I got the 20V Dewalt drill/impact driver set for Christmas. Can't wait to use them on something.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Feel the same way

Me 4 or 5. I was always like "What's the big deal about these things?" Then I got one. Just wow.

 

[woody 73]

oh how I wish that they had come out back in the 70's...but I am still glad they were made now and not 50 years from now; All my Dewalt tools have paid for themselves.

 

[BJ42LX]

Me 4 or 5. I was always like "What's the big deal about these things?" Then I got one. Just wow.

Ok, you guys are killing me....

 

[jayoldschool]

Me too. Favourite tool. Can't believe how much I use it.

 

[OccupantRJ]

If you really want to make driving screws a pleasure, get yourself some square drive screws. You can put one on a driver bit and hold it out in mid air to start the screw without it falling off. I have a custom 6 inch extension I made. Yesterday I added another 4 inch to it with a square drive bit to reach a really difficult spot in the rafters of the shop, as my welding vent hood was in the way. I stood on a ladder reaching across the hood and was easily able to drive 13 screws horizontally from over 3 feet away.

 

[whyNick?]

I just had the same reaction when I got my 12v Bosch impact. I already had the pocket driver and thought the impact might be handy. Talk about an understatement, 3" deck screws just disappear into lumber!

 

[coma13]

I'm glad I'm not alone! Always a late adopter...

 

[unslow1]

I just bought the Dewalt 18V combo at Home Depot. They had it on sale for $130. I went to get a new battery and driver. It was actually cheaper for the drill, driver, 2 batteries, bag and charger set.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Yep. I put in a hardwood deck this spring. My ridgid impact driver made it a breeze. More muscle. Less tendency to strip out fasteners. It's a game changer.

 

[Farmall450]

I have 3 sets of the 18v drill/driver combo. 1 for work, 1 for home and I just received my 3rd set for Xmas. Absolutely love it!

They're the sh!t!!

My uncle rips on them, he's a carpenter, and is a big makita fan...says they're all big & heavy...yet they'll hammer through concrete and anything else, and are quieter than his makita's.

 

[Blazin8556]

i have a porter cable for screw bits, snap on 1/4 snap on 3/8 and an IR 1/2. i was hesitant on the IR for a while until someone i worked with was putting in a chunk in a big truck and it broke the bolt off. i bought one and mine has claimed some bolts as well.

 

[OccupantRJ]

My son wanted to use my shop while I was at work today to put valve cover gaskets and thermostat on his Caddy. When I got home, the Dewalt impact driver I had given him was laying in the engine compartment. He saw me looking at it and enthusiastically declared "That thing's the BOMB!"

 

[Responder]

I got a Makita 18V impact driver the first year they came out (that has to be about 8 or more years ago!!) and it is still the one I pick up the most. I have a Milwaukee one as well but still prefer the old Makita.

That being said, regardless of brand, they are awesome!!

 

[SMKS]

An impact driver is one of the tools I didn't think I'd use that much, but like the OP I will never go back to driving or removing screws with a drill.

Since I wasn't sure about them, I bought a low-priced Flex brand. It's still working pretty well, but I won't hesitate to cough up some coin for a Makita, Dewalt, Hitachi, etc. when the Flex dies.

Here's a short review I posted of the flex when I bought it 2.5 years ago.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104446

 

[diggerrick]

I'm another "better late to the party than never". I was happy with the 18v Craftsman drill/driver I got Black Friday last year and used the snot out of it building my pool deck last summer. Then I bought the M18 combo kit and wish I woulda spent the money a lot sooner. It's great for a lot of car work too. I doubt I'll be using as many air tools now as I add to my M18 collection.

 

[rick carpenter]

I just had the same reaction when I got my 12v Bosch impact. I already had the pocket driver and thought the impact might be handy. Talk about an understatement, 3" deck screws just disappear into lumber!

I really like my Bosch 18v. Got it three years ago and the Slimpack batteries are just now showing their age. I've been wanting the 12v for a while.