Putting together the railings, battery will probably last another hour and spare is at the beach house. Perfect time to buy the impact driver you guys said I need in my arsenal, just which one. HD guy was pushing Ryobi, says they are much better than years ago, warranty is real good, any problem and get an exchange at store with receipt. Lowes has a 15% sale going on for power tools, don’t carry Ryobi.
Any Suggestions?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The FHB Podcast crew takes a closer look at an interesting roof.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I like the 18 volt Makita LXT with the lithium ion battery.
IMO The Makita 18v Li-Ion Impact driver is the best on the market. Great power, ergonomics, runtime, and in lightweight 3.0 AmpHr. and ultra lightweight 1.5 AmpHr. models.
More money than Ryobi, but well as a former Ryobi cordless owner...well worth the extra $$.
No question Makita.
If you can hold out a month or two there may be a FHB article on impact drivers....
Ryobis are better than they used to be, but beware the Home Depot return policy...it's not always as they say it is when you buy. I've gotten burned several times in the recent past on tools there.
can't wait, and Makita getting high marks, so...
Hard to go wrong with Makita.
The 18v makita lightweight combo with drill and impact for $250 is hard to beat, but the batteries are only 1.5 amp hour or something like that. However, if you want the 3 amp hour batteries fork over the $225 for just the normal impact.
I have yet to hear anyone in the trades who has the combo and doesn't love it. Since picking it up I've retired the 12v makitas used for finish work and the 18v Dewalt rarely comes out. I'll soon replace the 18v Dewalt with the heavy duty version of the Makita 18v that comes with the larger batteries.
As with many things Makita, they are lighter and can't take the punishment of the Dewalt.
As for Ryobi, they make good Christmas gifts for DIY'ers, but not a serious tool.
Enjoy!
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
"As for Ryobi, they make good Christmas gifts for DIY'ers, but not a serious tool."LOLThats what I was thinking when I bought it, gave my BIL a black and decker combo kit for Christmas years ago, when he and his wife bought their first house. Perfect for him since he does hardly any typical DIY work, let alone the stuff you guys do.
Since you did buy the Ryobi let us know how long they last and how good they are.
I still have my first Makita cordless a 7.2 and it still works. I use it in the shop for small repair work. This drill would be about 15 years in the running and still going.
"I still have my first Makita cordless a 7.2"as do I - I bought one right when they came out - maybe '81-'82? - - I got the 9.6 a little later (still have that too) and the 7.2 went in a kit that resided in my wife's science classroom for several years - then retired as the batteries crapped out - last year I pulled it out, bought a new battery and gave it to my daughter with a kit of bits and screws and such - I've serviced it once (disassemble/clean/lube) - anyway - I bought a 12v makita impact this winter - haven't used it much, got it mainly for the batteries that fit the little 12v chainsaw I've been using as I prune orchard - when I have used it, I've been breaking phillips tips very handily - sure is nice with sockets tho - "there's enough for everyone"
A Ryobi fan here (impact driver anyway). I have 3 of the 18v impact drivers and they get used hard daily. I've never had a problem with the driver and the batteries have given me as much life as the far more expensive Makitas or DeWalt. I like using good quality tools and equip my 6 man shop with the best I can afford, the Ryobi impact driver being the exception. You can get a 2 pack of Ryobi batteries at HD for around 40 bucks instead of spending over 50 for one DeWalt or Milwaukee.
I've used it for about two weeks now, overall satisfied, but don't see it as any easier than my cordless drill.
You gots to really test the darn thing.
Go find a 5" lag and drive that. Then try it with your drill.
The biggest difference I noticed right away is that under heavy torque, the impact driver does not try to break your wrist. You can still hold it with a minimum of effort compared to the drill.
you driving without predrilling the hole?
If galv, then you sometimes have to.
If newer, slicker, "ledger lock" lags......NO.
I only pre-drill if I am concerned about splitting, not about the driver being able to send it in.
I have the Makita 14.4 NiMH set. Like it but if I was starting from scratch I'd go with the Makita Li-ION 18v. Already had a Makita 14.4 NiMH drill set- I wanted to stay with same battery type and one charger. Having 4 batteries and an extra drill on the jobsite has proven helpful but when these bite dust it will be LiION. No appreciable difference to me in power between the NiMH and LiION impacts, the drills are a different story- to me the LiION drill is noticeably more powerful.
Maybe I'm not up to date but as far as I'm concerned Ryobi battery tools are no better than homeowner duty... That's OK for some people...
I have Makita 18v lithium ion and Dewalt 14.4 nicad. The Makita is much hyped but I find it disappointing because the batteries do not work well in the cold... much below 50 degrees and they get very sluggish. They are decent tools otherwise. The cordless angle grinder is a real standout, we keep a thin cutting wheel on that and it gets used constantly.
gotta be the Bosch....
keep in mind the Li batteries don't do well in the cold...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
My vote is for the 18v Bosch.
I had the makita li-ion impact for about a week, although it was the white one you get with compact drill too I think its not the same tool? Anyways I wasnt impressed
I love the bosch- what he said about the cold too.
I cheaped out and bought the Ryobi, 18 volt nicad 2 batteries, charger and bag for $99. I haven't used it today, have some timberlok screws from a project some years ago and I'll try it on a few of those. used to put 6x6's together without predrilling. I just could't see spending 215 to 300 on a tool I'll be using less than most here. Guy at HD told me impact drivers need pressure against tip to work, like a framing nailer. This ryobi spins as soon as you hit the trigger, is the HD guy wrong? Also you can see flashing light at the back of the thing, where the slots are there for cooling I guess.Starting to have second thoughts.
needs light to moderate pressure to engage the hammer mode....
that "I'll be using less than most here" thing won't last after move to lags after screws to drilling to............
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
that "I'll be using less than most here" thing won't last after move to lags after screws to drilling to............
and yep to that
Get a Peach full,easy feelin'.
to Rez and IMERC,What about the part about it not spinning unless there's pressure on the tip?What else can you use it for? Do you guys drive everything with threads using the impact, no more drywall gun, etc?
Edited 3/30/2008 10:27 pm ET by dockelly
some spin and others don't without pressure but IIRC they all need to have pressure on the tip to engage the impact mode....
if it has theads... drive it....
works well as a drill too.....
way too slow for a DW gun... unless yur using 3" + piffins on yur structure or cabs....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Can you tell me a brand that won't spin without pressure on the tip?
I've never heard of such a thing - seems I must be missing something here
milwaukee is one I am sure of...
it's fully clutched...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Interesting. I have only ever seen that on my old corded drywall screw gun.
Learn every day.
I use it on drywall but I'm never a race to the finish in new construction style as in a McMansion player
instead using it in renovations where usually detailed attention is given to the placement of each screw
and tho' not as fast as a zip gun can get the job done efficiently enough.
Same with drilling pilot holes and the like
it can get 'er done ok if not needing a set-up for a larger scale enterprise.
Get a Peach full,easy feelin'.
Guy at HD told me impact drivers need pressure against tip to work, like a framing nailer.
No, you need only apply enough pressure to keep the tip from stripping the screw head.
Also you can see flashing light at the back of the thing, where the slots are there for cooling I guess.
Those are the contact brushes on the motor shaft. Nothing to worry about. All elec motors have them, some are better hidden than others.
"is the HD guy wrong?"
Oh..they never wrong at HD ;)
I had to tell HD guy that yes Rigid does make a cordless saw that is both NiCad and Lithium compatible with both 18 and 24 volt batteries. View Image View Image
The impact driver will spin like a drill until it hits a certain resistance, then the internal hammers begin hitting and giving those torque bursts that make the "Impact" in the driver.
I've run the Ryobi Impact for years now, I'm a fairly advanced DIY. I frame everything with screws, so I've used it ALOT. I've dropped it alot too - onto concrete - from the roof. Only thing that ever happened was the battery popped off. I put it back in, replaced the tip if was bent, and went back to work. I've done this HUNDREDS of times. Never a hiccup.
That driver is very rugged, and has all the power you will ever need. It's not as small and light as other drivers - but the batteries are readily available, and cheap, and you can go Li Ion if you want.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
I also have the Ryobi impact driver. It was mainly the price of the batteries ($20 each when you buy the twin pack) that proved irresistible. If it were a tool I used every day, I would have been more particular.
So far, I have nothing negative to say about any of the Ryobi tools that I've bought including the impact driver. That does not mean that they are the equal of a tool that costs 3 - 4 times as much, but they are a better value.
Unlike many others who can't find enough uses for their impact driver, I actually find it's uses to be somewhat limited. It's GREAT for driving deck screws and such, especially when using square drive screws, but I always turn to my drill/driver for a few drywall screws and my screwgun for when I have several. The impact driver doesn't give the fine control over screw depth like the drill/driver does when it set to slow speed. Also, if the impact driver jumps out of the screw, it usually results in damage to the workpiece. The fault is mine for not maintaining proper pressure, but it's easy to do in a moment of inattentiveness... or maybe it's because I've just gotten so used to the drill/driver that I haven't learned to modify my technique.
Kevin, don't regret the Ryobi decision. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. As a professional, I'm not exactly "proud" when others see me pull out a Ryobi, but they really do get the job done.
The impact driver doesn't give the fine control over screw depth like the drill/driver does when it set to slow speed.
Must be that model. I had a 12v Makita, and I could feather the trigger and get it to turn screws a fraction of a revolution. I could take a drywall screw that was not perfectly flush, and easily set it down another 1/4 turn."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
ya, same thing here with a bosch except I was good for a drywall screw that was not perfectly flush, and easily set it down another 1/8 turn!
be snorKed*
Get a Peach full,easy feelin'.
My 12v Panasonic impact gives similar control on all but the smallest screws.
I am considering a 12 V Impact wrench - buy on Craig's List, Panasonic EY 7202. Is that what you have? Is it a good tool, How do the batteries hold up? Deal is impact wrench, drill( EY 6409), light, and two batteries, for $100. What do you think?
Thanks, Al
Ajs,I have the 7201. The 7202 is also good, but has more gizmos on it. The batteries are the same, 3.5 A-hr NiMH. Very good batteries indeed. If the kit is in good shape, the price is a steal.Bill
I had a 12v Makita, and I could feather the trigger and get it to turn screws a fraction of a revolution. I could take a drywall screw that was not perfectly flush, and easily set it down another 1/4 turn.
Ditto.
I use 2 12v Makitas, and 1 14v dewalt. The first one I grab is the newer 12v Mak w/ the light, and belt clip. That darn thing spends at least one hour a day in my hand.
Was doing a house down the shore last fall and had a contractor actually ask me what the impact driver was, and how it was different fromhis drill. I whipped out the little 12v and proceeded to countersink a 3/8" by 6" lag into solid framing.
So he bought one.
The guy bewildered me. If you build homes for a living, do you not owe it to yourself to know about all the best tools and techniques to get the job done?
Edited 4/4/2008 4:58 pm ET by pickings
Used the Ryobi today, got to say I'm not impressed. The square drive bit kept falling out, the thing has no setting for varying the torque, and I just thought my firestorm drill from black and decker did as good, if not better, of a job. The B&D has a removable chuck, the bit sits underneath it so you can predrill, remove chuck and screw the thing in. With the SS screws I'm using, self tapping, no need to predrill, especially for a soft wood like SYP. Think I'll return it.
Most impact drivers work differently than typical quick change bit holders. Whereas you push back on a typical bit holder to insert the bit, on impact drivers...you pull out the collar to insert the bit and lock it in.If you just put the bits in, they would not be locked in and would fall out.
read your post and tried it, works fine! would of helped if I read the instructions :) A case of AOADD (adult onset attention deficit disorder)
Doc,I found it took some getting used to--that kind of bit holder. Impact drivers have their own learning curve, but it is a fairly short curve.Carry on,Bass
I'm going to complete the railings tomorrow, I'll give it another chance. Thanks!
So now that you know how to use the bit retention collar, how do you like the impact driver?
I know what you mean about no torque setting. Whenever I'm driving screws for thinks like curtain rod hooks (where snug is more than good enough), I prefer the drill/driver because I can just set the torque and let it spin until it starts to slip with a very satisfying "brrrrrrip".
I quit for the day, I'll let you know tomorrow. Hey, you want to paint my house, outside, not big, I'll prep it for you. Bought a used paint shaver and I can't wait to use it. I'll give you a prime week at the shore! I pay for materials.
Thanks for the offer, but I don't really do exterior painting. I'm not very good on ladders at even moderate heights.
Is'nt that what he did?
Sure is.
Just surprised that a guy in const business today did not even know what an impact driver is.
I sympathize with the cheaped out decision. My first impact driver years ago was a $50 B&D unit that worked great for all of about 15 screws. NiCd batteries/12 volt... need I say more. That held me for a while.
With all due respect to the Makita lovers, I thought the Makita ID motor whined like a banshee, so I recently bought the Hitachi 18V LiON. I love it, and have learned to ignore the green graphics. I picked it up with the matching drill in a kit for around $300.
Hopefully your Ryobi does the job for you as the price is right.
i have a 12 volt Hitachi,$129.00 at Lowes, very light wieght, it drives 6" timberlocks in a heartbeat.
You mention battery but dont say who made the battery. I wont say that any company has a monopoly on quality cordless but it may make sense to stay with one cordless company. I have all dewalt and have been pretty happy with them.
IMO it just seems easier to not have twenty different chargers in the truck.
If your homeowner that is only going to use it here and there, the ryobi will serve you well. If your a contractor you need something that will stand up to the punishment. I use the Makita lithium ion. Good tool. You will get better bang for your buck if you buy a package deal. The Makita Lithium tools arent cheap.