I am looking for an impact drill / driver and am considering the Bosch 14.4 Cordless Bluecore Impactor 1/4″ Fastening Driver” and was wondering how any of you have liked / disliked it.
Thanks.
“Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about.”
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I have the 18v and it kicks butt....
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!!!
Do they have a litium out yet?
All I've seen is the NiCad.
yup.....
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!!!
i had it i got rid of it. went for the makita lxt. wish i went for the 14.4v panasonic
Stan,
I have both the Bosch Impactor (18v NiCad) and the Makita XLT (18v Li-Ion). I much prefer the Makita. The Makita is lighter, better erogonomics, and has much longer run times.
Bass
I also have the 18V Bosch kit. Although I like it (it does the job), I am not completely happy. Here is why:
1.) it is heavy...too heavy. After a day of constant use, your arms are useless and rubbery.
2.) it is unbalanced. The battery pack is about 1.5x heavier than the head. makes it difficult to line up on screwheads. falls out of tool belt when stashed there.
3.) it shoots sparks! every so often it will shoot a spark about 1"-3" out from the vent holes in the head. I have never had a problem because of this but when one shoots past my eye I get a little nervous.
4.) it's light is not so useful. The light is on top of the battery clip but below your hand so it easily gets covered. But the worst part about the light is the orange color. It sometimes makes it harder to see things in dim light.
5.) it's beltclip is totally worthless. It came with a cheap plastic belt clip that doesn't work. If you try to carry the gun around using it's belt clip it will fall and bend your bit...guaranteed. Fortunately it detaches so I could throw it in the garbage.
The Makita set has better ergonomics, balance, less weight, and smaller design for tight spaces, stays put in a toolbelt, has a useable belt clip, and bright/useable/well placed light. FYI: the Makita hammerdrill included in most kits is a POS. The Bosch hammerdrill doesn't hammerdrill worth a darn but it will hawg holes almost as good as a 1/2" corded drill.
gk
I use dewalt because I have about 30 differant cordless tools with 20 batteries. But if I was going to buy just an impact, I would buy the Makita hands down.
Mikita seems to be more durable than most others plus the batteries hold longer..
I like the 18 volts for 2 reasons..
1 most of my stuff is 18 volts and 2 it has more power for those kick butt situations.. you can always trigger the trottle down if you don't need that much power..
It's a little heavier but with an impact driver that's a good thing.. your wrists and hands don't take so much abuse.
I've got the Hilti 14.4v Li-ion - 2 speeds and 3 LEDs at the front, perfect balance and light overall weight, it is the best tool ever built IMO...My cousin has been helping me build my house, he's got the Ryobi from HD and it is weak and batteries need charged more often. Nice light tool thoughHe also has the 18v Dewalt nicad - heavy POSFramers had a Makita 18v Li-ion - good tool, almost as good as the Hilti. It gets really hot to the touch after extended use and he has had battery problems but were all covered under warranty.I would reccomend a Li-ion tool of lesser voltage over a ni-cad any day. A two-speed switch is nice for drilling and driving fasteners that tend to strip. I've done everything on my house from ICF foundation to installing standing seam panels with all these tools and so far the Hilti is everyone's favorite.
The Hilti's are good, but wow are they spendy and replacement batteries? off forget it!
Dewalt sells replacement batteries for 40% off list on sale and I've seen similar prices on Mikita batteries,, not so with others!
Like it or not you will need replacement batteries..
I've still got a old Mikita drill from a couple of decades ago.. still use it regularly!
I have the first generation of the Makita impact, a 12v. and it's been good. I'd love an excuse to get the new 18v Li, I've heard nothing but raves about it.
I love the little LED light they put on tools now.