Impact driver info

[dolfans]

I am thinking about getting one and know nothing about them. So can you guys help me out? If i get one it will be a cheaper for now. I have looked at the ones online at HF for $59.00 and it is 2 of them #62421 and 68853,Walmart has a Black and decker in the store $68.00. Also Walmart online has some online that is refurbish. The reason i am thinking about getting one bc i am thinking about building a storage building thanks

 

[skippy24]

Great tool. You will wonder how you did any screw bolt driving use before. I don't know about those two but I had a Porter Cable NiCad for 6-7 years that gave me no issues until the battery started to die. I have since upgraded to a Lithium Makita and have been happy.

 

[gdocktor3]

If I were in the market for a "cheap" cordless tool, I'd go Ryobi. Their 18 volt line is so extensive you can use the batteries in everything from weedwackers, to drills and saws, flashlights, etc. For only $10 more you get a better tool IMO. Plus you can probably find some on eBay or other sites for cheaper with promo/discount codes. http://m.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-...xoA5LCFHq5IYGftOfzcVwaAtzi8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

Craftsman C3 is also inexpensive (and I believe they're made by Ryobi) but works quite well for what I use it for. If you already have any other cordless tools, just pick up a bare tool that uses the same battery that you already have.

 

[ku17]

I've had the opportunity to use a few of the impact drivers out there, so I'll share my thoughts:
Craftsman C3: My dad's impact, good power and good battery life. Still a fairly new tool so I can't comment on durability and longevity.
Milwaukee M18: My impact that I've owned for about a year. It isn't the fuel, but I have been able to drive lag screws up to 1/2"x6" with a socket adapter. It also isn't brushless which is my greatest regret. This tool gets hot and it chews through low Amp/hour batteries fairly fast. I still really enjoy it and it's one of my most used power tools.
Porter Cable 20v Max: my friends impact, maybe a touch light on power so it isn't ideal for larger lags but you'll never notice it if you use normal deck screws or smaller timberlok fasteners. Overall a pretty average tool but the real highlight is that you can get this tool extremely cheap at Lowe's during holiday periods.
Dewalt 18v NiCd: I used this one at my carpentry shop at work. It was never better than "good enough". It did get loaned out and abused a lot. The battery naturally made it very heavy and the life on it was rubbish. Struggled to drive 1/4"x6" lag screws through treated lumber. I'm fairly certain that Dewalt has made major steps forward with their impacts since this tool but it was the only one I could get at work so I had to deal with it.

 

[gdocktor3]

Well to add to the prior post I've used the following 1/4" impact drivers
Ridgid 18v - runs and works as good as any other I've used. Batteries seem to go a bit quicker than Dewalt 18v and the drill itself got a little hot. It is lighter than others I've used.
Dewalt 18v - great tool with no complaints other than it is heavier than others. Tons of power, a bit bigger because of the battery.
Makita 18v - another very good tool. Not as strong as Dewalt 20v, but a nice drill. Well balanced.
Dewalt 20v - this is by far the best. It is the lightest, smallest, most powerful I've used.
I have briefly used a Milwaukee 18v fuel at work and while it is strong, it is bulkier than the 20v Dewalt. I also know a reputable mechanic/trucking company owner who uses the Craftsman C3 line for his smaller stuff and has been super impressed.

 

[Whiplash316]

I have the Dewalt 20V Max brushless and couldn't live without it. If I were in the market for a more affordable impact driver, I would probably look at the Rigid first. If that is above your budget then I'd recommend the Ryobi. You'll find plenty of ways to use it, so I wouldn't recommend a bottom dollar one personally.

 

[dolfans]

Is it having higher V means more power?

 

[bcradio]

Is it having higher V means more power?

Higher V?

 

[gdocktor3]

Is it having higher V means more power?

Higher volts? Yes, more volts means more power, but Dewalts 20v line is in fact just 18v. So, all 18v/20v tools are similarly powered, but definitely more powerful than 12v. Dewalt and Milwaukee lead the pack in power when it comes to big box brands.

 

[FigureItOut]

I've owned the Dewalt 20v brushless, Milwaukee 18v Fuel and Bosch 12v impact drivers. Between the Dewalt and Milwaukee, the Fuel has noticeably more power and is of course a little more expensive. Both are heavy. The Bosch 12v is powerful for its size. I don't think it'd match an M12 but I can put 1/4" lags into pine without much trouble, and it's very light and comfortable to use.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[dolfans]

Thanks everyone

 

[zendriver]

For $60 try the HF and if you don't like it, take it back. The are mostly very good, for the money. Use a 20% off coupon for even more joy.

I have the Cman 1/4 and 1/2, that I like, but I already had the cordless drills , so I can use the same batteries.

They are for sure, more expensive.

 

[bcradio]

Thanks everyone

Higher V?

 

[MrGiggles]

I have had the HF 18v Nicad impact for almost two years now and it still works fine. Battery life wasn't the best, but it has always worked fine for me. I also have the 1/2" cordless impact, and it is pretty damn good for the money.

I have had a couple others over the years, and now I will only buy Milwaukee. The extra cost is worth it, batteries are easy to get, and there is a huge lineup of tools that fit a single battery.

119.99, impact, drill, and two batteries. Factory reconditioned with a 1 year warranty.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...aukee-m12-tools&prefn1=condition&prefv1=recon

Or if you wanted to step up to 18v tools for 40 bucks more. They are more powerful and the batteries last longer, at the cost of weight, size, and cost.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...r2691-82,default,pd.html?xsell=milr2691-82--1

Or just the impact driver.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...drivers-and-wrenches&prefn1=series&prefv1=M18

There's a reason impacts are so popular.