Thoughts on my 1/4" impact driver situation

[biscuit141]

So I have managed to so far live all my life without ever using a 1/4" driver. Tonight I am in the midst of a big outdoor picnic table build and about 20 minutes in I am tired of switching my driill from a phillips bit to a drill dit not to mention the half dozen stripped out philips head screws. After cusing up a storm I headed to Sears to pick up the 19.2v cordless impact. I already had the drill and the florescent work light so it seemed like the logical choice. DAMN! That thing driver screws like a dream compared to just using the drill. I feel like such an idiot for not getting one sooner.

While there, the DeWalt 12v MAX drill and driver caught my eye for $170. I still purchased the Craftsman 19.2 but now I am reevaluating my situation.

I am looking for feedback on the DeWalt 12v MAX versus my current set up of Cman 19.2. The issues I am debating are that my drill and batteries are over 6 years old, and while they all work fine I do believe my battery run time is decreasing and I am wondering how much more life they have left. Also the 19.2 stuff has always met my needs but it is also big and heavy compared to the 12v. I am wondering if the 12v will have enough power to meet my needs, but comparing specs to Cmans 19.2 drill and driver power seems close. I paid roughly $60 for just the impact driver tonight and the register printed me off some coupons, 20% off a power tool purchase over $100 and $15 in SYWR points on another tool purchase. I am wondering if those coupons can be used to help lower the DeWalt price even more.

So please what are your thoughts on my situation? Should I just stick with the Cman stuff and buy me batteries when mine finally jump the shark? Or should I use this as an opportunity to upgrade? My only criteria would be that I buy from Sears because I have roughly $120 in gift cards that I can use there.

Here is the kit I am referring to:
http://www.sears.com/dewalt-12-v-max-combo-kit/p-00931071000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

 

[Holt]

My thoughts are now you have one you will use it all the time. My first impact was a 19.2 cman and then I upgraded to a 12v bosch now a m12 milwaukee. The cman has older nicads while the 12 v lines are all lit ion. My 12v last longer, charge quicker, have more power. I would upgrade. I know you memtioned dewalt and I have no experience with it but put your money down on milwaukee as they have a huge line of tools and are continually expanding the product line. Not sure if sears sells milwaukee but if all your interested in drill and impactdriver the dewalt should be fine

 

[raceman17]

If you want another option go into Home Depot and look at their RIGID brand of power tools. They sell a nice lithiumn ion combo kit that comes with a drill and 1/4" impact driver for under 200$. The best part... If you register the warranty correctly everything has a lifetime warranty including the batteries. How can you go wrong! I know for a fact that the impact driver is bad A$$. I used those two drill/drivers to build my shop. I probabaly drove over 10000 sheetmetal screws and drywall screws with that driver and it never missed a beat. It still is as strong as the day I bought it.

 

[Nikon_RH50]

I have the Dewalt 12v max set you are talking about. I just love them especially the impact driver and can drive 4" screws like butter. It's awesome for automotive work too with the use of adapters for sockets. But my favorite is the ergonomic. They are well balance and just feels good in the hands.

 

[lilscorpion]

I bought one 12v dewalt and ended up getting a second (to prevent switching bits), then the drill, then the 1/4-inch hex driver, then the 3/8-inch impact...and that's after having a mess of the 18v stuff. I use them all the time. Top 10 most used tools I the shop, top 1 in the house, and one even lives in my truck. No brainer.

 

[Tripp2012]

I would look at the Dewalt 20V set with the 1/2" chuck drill. I bought this set from Mikita and like you I don't know how I lived without the impact. I like the Mikita because it turns the LED light one whe you hit the trigger and keeps it on for 10 seconds after you let off the trigger.

http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=LCT200W

 

[Tx308]

Little background - I am a truck driver. Tore my rotator cuff about 2 1/2 months ago and since then have been on light duty helping out around the shop where I can. I personally own several of the 19.2 craftsman tools and have just upgraded to the li-on batteries and here's why. Sitting around the shop I get to watch the mechanics a lot (honestly there ain't a lot of lite duty in a big truck shop). We've got all the 'name brand' cordless tools represented in the shop. The favorite by far is the craftsman 19.2 volt with li-on's. Several of the mechanics have invested big bucks in Milwaukee and Dewalt (can't remember the other brands off hand) and use them happily around the shop but when they get a road call everyone of them borrows Georges craftsman with the XCP li-on battery. Best answer I got when I asked one why was that battery life was better on "that ugly piece of crapsman".
They may not be as small or as ergonomic or come in more stylish (read that - look at how much money I spent) colors. But they work. My next 19.2 is going to be the 3/8 drive impact and another of the bigger XCP batts. Drop your gift cards on the big battery and see how you like it. Can't hurt to try. It's a lot cheaper than "upgrading" to a supposedly better brand.
Just my .02.

 

[biscuit141]

My thoughts Cman 19.2 li-ion batteries are damn they are expensive. A set on compact batteries is $72 or one full size li-ion is $72. Plus I am assuming I would need a new charger to charge the li-ion batteries, correct? Can the new charger also barge the Ni-cad batteries or will I need two chargers going?

 

[dmeadow]

I recently bought the similar 1/4" 20v Li-on DeWalt driver. I really dig this thing. I was using a Craftsman driver before and it was heavy, awkward and the battery was ALWAYS dead when I needed it. I can't complain too much, because it was in a drill/driver set that cost about half of what you are thinking of spending. Those things look like toys compared to the DeWalt.

Anyway, it is light, compact, has the same LEDs someone mentioned for a Makita and it holds a charge a long time. If I didn't already have an older XRP drill that is working fine, I would buy the 20v Li-on drill, too. Just can't justify the purchase.

 

[Tx308]

Yes you will need a new charger. I picked up the charger and on of the cheaper small li-on batteries in a package set. (can't remember how much, sorry) then grabbed one of the big XCP's. Yes the li-on charger will charge the ni-cads as well. Just FYI I went and looked at one of Georges old style large craftsman 19.2 li-on's, he dates them when he buys them. 1-09 was what he had it marked. Worth the money in my opinion. If you try the XCP and don't like it let me know. I had 6 of the ni-cads that crapped out in less than 1 year I had been considering changing brands til I saw the XCP's in the real world. Now if I can just get through with physical therapy so I can get to using my arm again I will put mine through its paces. Lots of projects stacking up since I got hurt.

 

[biscuit141]

I can't complain about my ni-cads. I bought my drill in 2007 and both batteries still hold a charge. Granted I use them as a homeowner would not a pro but I still use them quite a bit.

 

[98ssuck]

A lack of impact driver is only half your problem. Robertson screws instead of Phillips will reduce stripping.

 

[mayday0017]

Have the 12v dewalt set and love it, I use the impact driver constantly working on automotive things. It is also nice to leave the drill setup with a drill bit and use the impact for driving screws so you dont' have to switch back and forth. The little 12v lithium set is all I reach for these days, and the optional flash light you can buy to use with the batteries is the best "drill battery" flash light I have ever used. Love the set

 

['71 VW 1302]

I built a couple hundred feet of fence with a friend last year. The available 1/4" impacts were:

Milwaukee 12V - did the job, but batteries not up to it. The drain time exceeded the recharge time. You need 3 batteries and two chargers to keep up.

Hitachi 14V - No problem, great tool for the job.

DeWalt 18v - No problem, great tool for the job.

I had the Dewalt in my hand all day, my friend - the Hitachi. My arm was sooooo tired after holding up the 18V all day, (12 hour days).

My experience is now....if you are going to be holding/carrying the tool for many hours, use the lightest weight tool that is up to the task. Your body will thank you for it.

Paul

 

[biscuit141]

A lack of impact driver is only half your problem. Robertson screws instead of Phillips will reduce stripping.

I left that part out ofthe story. I also picked up a box of square drive screws which I now learned are called Robertson screws. They worked great. Too bad I have an *** ton of Philips head screws.

 

[biscuit141]

Just stopped at Menards to buy more screws. They have a 3 piece Hitachi 12v set regular priced at $160. Not sure of the quality. However my main piont of shopping sears is $120 in gift cards and coupons.

 

[454ragtop]

I have the Dewalt 12V LI stuff, love it. Started with the impact driver and drill combo, on the advice of my buddy who owns a large body shop, all his techs have them, and love them. Then found in the classifieds here the flashlight, screwdriver, and 3/8 impact, all with bats, and another charger. This stuff is awesome, use it every day. If you need the power of a 20 volt, might not be the best, but I'm constantly amazed at what they can do, and they are so light and compact.
HTH, Jim

 

[ihateminimumwage]

You can't go wrong with the Dewalt 12v MAX stuff. Used my coworker's 12v 3/8" impact last week, and it was so much easier to lug around and get into spaces than my 18v Dewalt impact. I was thoroughly impressed by the power and light weight.

Because of a sale at HD, I went the Milwaukee route (Bought a drill set and got a free hex bit impact, $130 out the door total). I'll be picking up some more tools in that lineup (especially a 3/8" impact and the larger batteries).

 

[hell_fish_65]

My thoughts Cman 19.2 li-ion batteries are damn they are expensive. A set on compact batteries is $72 or one full size li-ion is $72. Plus I am assuming I would need a new charger to charge the li-ion batteries, correct? Can the new charger also barge the Ni-cad batteries or will I need two chargers going?

The new chargers charge both ni-cad and li-ion.

I just bought a 19.2v drill and li-ion battery set and charger for $70 on ebay. Cheaper than a li-ion batt and charger set new. My charger died, so I figured I would upgrade a battery at the same time. You can find them cheaper from time to time on ebay. If you have the cash, drop the $99 on the XCP monster and buy a charger on ebay for about $25.