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I need a compact driver

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stevenhs

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FigureItOut

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I have the Bosch ps21 on my belt most of the day. I keep trying to break it or wear it out so I can order the brushless, but it won't die. I haven't tried the others you linked to but I swear by the Bosch.

It's comfortable and intuitive, which is relative to the user of course. The light is well placed and effective, the clutch is done well, with a wide range and consistent gradations between the twenty settings. In full torque drill mode, it'll drive surprisingly hard, with very little perceived reactive torque.

Edit, I forgot to mention battery life. Mine is the same as the one you linked to, but not brushless, and it'll go all day on 2AH. The brushless version will last more than long enough.
 
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Mastermind

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I love my snap on 7.2 nicads and 7.2/14.4 lithium. Only reason I got the lithium was the impact. That thing is awesome. My original nicad is 10 yrs old. I replaced a Sun gear I broke because of abuse. I was breaking loose 14mm bolts with it. My fault. Batteries are starting to get tired, but they are nicads that are ten yrs old. And it's only $30 for a new one.
 
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purplezr2

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I have the m12 . I really like it especially with the xc battery that allows it to stand up easily.

I use to have the bosch one at work, it is also great
 
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ihateminimumwage

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I have all Milwaukee for cordless at work and love it.

That said, I'd go with Bosch or the Snap-On with the rocker switch. The M12 non-impact driver is just too damn long for what it is.
 
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liam.fenemore

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Nov 10, 2015
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Of those three, Milwaukee sounds the best because of the amount of other tools in the 12v line.
I have a DeWalt and like it. Feels better in my hand and I think it was a little shorter than the Milwaukee. Plus you can put the really small bits in it if you don't have much room.
 
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mykvr6

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Bosch. I have the ps32 drill version. Love it. I do however like the way the dewalt feels in my hand. I almost bought it, very well balanced.
 
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firebox40dash5

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Ign said:
If he's just doing assembly and/or delicate work an impact is too much. No feel for torque
Click to expand...

I can say that's not really true of at least the M12 Fuel. It doesn't give the physical wrist-twist feel you get with a driver, but the trigger gives a lot of modulation. The low-power setting is also good for a lot of applications, I used to use it to start A/T pan bolts in ****** positions because it couldn't cross thread the bolts.

But a driver does give you a lot more repeatable settings, rather than just a few, so if you nees to do the same few things over and over, I can see the appeal. I prefer the impact personally for the versatility, it works "good enough" for all sorts of things rather than really well for just a few.
 
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ngk22r

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I have the impact M12 and it has a speed setting that allows for delicate work and have yet to damage anything in that setting.
 
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Sal Bandini

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I love my new Bosch PS21. It's the most compact driver and has lots of power.

Here is comparison pic with older Makita driver.
 

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Ruahrc

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May 17, 2015
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Of the three you listed definitely the Bosch. I have the PS22 and it is my favorite 12v tool I have just because it is fun to use and feels great in the hand. Especially if you are looking for compact the PS22 is the smallest and lightest driver I know of (short of the tiny 4v ones but those have much less power).

Contrary to the other posters above in my experience compared to using it vs an impact driver (in my case also the M12 fuel) I find I have MUCH more control with small and delicate fasteners which ends up being the majority of my driving needs. I actually use the driver more than the impact.

But it you already have a set up of M12 tools or you intend to get other tools then maybe consider the M12 FUEL driver as well to consolidate on battery platforms. But I have to admit I could not decide and got both systems anyways because i liked the size of the bosch PS22 and PS32 so much.

I find the PS22 so handy that I thought about getting the M12 fuel driver too to keep in the garage with my other M12 tools so I don't have to walk upstairs to get it when I need a screwdriver in the garage =).
 
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rustyjames

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Bosch PS21 gets my vote. I'm really impressed with the 12v line of cordless they have. I've also have the drill, vacuum, hacksaw and LED flashlight.
 
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tarbellb

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Im invested in Milwaukee, but I have to say the non Fuel stuff *****. And that particular driver linked felt pretty crappy when I gave it a test run.

The Bosch looks like the best of the three. Brushless + Lith-ion is amazing!
 
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TEXACMAN

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I have the Bosch ps21 and the battery life is great , it has done all types of things and holds up great. I have the Milwaukee (cant remember model#) at work and I like it quite well also.
 
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BikerDad

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I'll throw my vote behind the Bosch. I have both a PS20 and PS21, they don't get a lot of use, but they are my "go to" when doing delicate work.
 
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ttpete

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I have the Milwaukee. I use it for motorcycle work, and it works well for bodywork and side covers. I run a screw in until it's snug and then apply final torque by just giving the whole tool a twist by hand.
 
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rice rocket

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Bosch PS22 for sure.

It's way smaller and lighter than anything else, save for a 4.8v or 7.2v driver, it's over an inch shorter than the Milwaukee.

The clutch is really quiet too, which makes for a much more pleasing experience when doing lots of assembly work.
 
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Kay_poops

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Sep 25, 2012
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I vote for the Bosch as well. I have the PS21 and it works great. Really light weight when compared to the Milwaukee M12 offering. I own both the Bosch and the Milwaukee, I use the Bosch more as it is lighter and easier to carry around in my tool bag.
 
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K-Dog

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Millersville Maryland
stevenhs said:
I'm not using it for drilling. Most is torx and phllips. I need it for everyday use, so has to be reliable. Battery life is a plus. No impacts

I have narrowed my choices. Which one is better?


Makita
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CR6D2G/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Click to expand...

I have the Makita. I have had it for three years now give or take and it is used every day.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tool. Compact, handles well. Strong enough for 90% of the fasteners I use it on. If and when it ever dies I will replace it with the same thing.
 
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