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Dewalt because it matches all my batteries. (12 count)
But it has not let me down.
I even bought a new motor for it after I blew all the cooling fins off of it on a job that needed done - haven't had to install it yet.
Bought a whole new 9 tool kit because I felt that all my tools were getting alittle long in the tooth - haven't opened the package yet because they just keep going.
I know it's not popular around here to have success with DW but I have had great performance from them.
I am sure that there may be better engineered feel when they are new, but I have worked the hell out of DW/ BD over the past 20 years and had great performance.
I just dropped my impact off a two story roof again today (again) picked it up and went back to work. It just won't quit.
Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
I own a Dewalt 12 & 18 impact drivers, and have the Makita 12 volt. I liked all three, but the 12 volt Makita keeps getting jammed with square bit drivers. I have had NO problem with the dewalts. Any impact driver is better than anyone's drill/driver...
I have a Mak. 14.4, love it. It is the daily driver, And a 12V Hitachi, pretty good for the shop use it sees.
I like the 18V Mak. my buddy Dale has the Lith-ion one, but being a new battery sys and all, I have not had to go there yet.
I AM getting the new DeWalt Batts when they arrive, so I just might have to get an 18V DW, justto get a deal on a charger and a pair of batts.
Did you get the pics I sent last night?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
The Hitachi 12v wins hands down for my type of work, handyman and remodeling. The weight to power ratio is perfect for most tasks and the adj. hook is very handy when your hanging off a ladder driving in a screw.Also, when you need new batteries you just buy there 12v drill kit and you get 2 batteries, a charger and a light duty drill for $79.The only time I found it under powered was for driving tap-cons into concrete, and I have a Dewalt 18v for that. But whenever I have the option it’s the Hitachi, hands down. The dewalt rpms are higher so its good for decks and such but the higher rpm s tend to make it cam out, stripping a lot more screws.Dan
I have not invested in a nice one yet but bought 5 ryobis when they came out. $60 a piece. Not too slick but work great!
>>Not too slick but work great!<<
My opinion also, I only have two Ryobi impacts though.
Saw an ad on AccuWeather.com - 18v Lithium Ion batteries are coming - will fit any of the older 18v Ryobi tools, although I can't really complain about the duty cycle of the regular batteries.
New Lith Ion combo kits are in the local HD, no replacement batteries yet. No problem, I would not buy them until my 4 old batteries die.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
gotta ask, why 5 Roybis?
Different trucks, different jobs lots of guys. It's funny I buy the best of every other tool in triplicate but these disposable impacts work great. A $60 tool that can outperform a $400 drill for driving is amazing in my book. I have been thinking about buying 1 nice one so this thread will probably be useful.
Thanks,
jk
Did you get the pics I sent last night?
Yes, thank you! I thought I emailed you back. Stupid Hotmail....
Mine are DW or Makita. I like the Hitachi, but the handle is too short for my meat hook hands.
My Makita 14.4- Great tool
Yet another vote for the makita 14.4vIt is even a great tool for when you have to go get parts off of the parts car, way back in the 'back 40'...=0)
Yeh... That'll work.
BTW: as for using it as an impact wrench in mechanical use...It's great when you don't have enough air hose, or don't want to run air all the way out to the car.As far as power...It's no surprise it isn't as powerful as a 1/2" air impact. But it has more power than the 3/8" air ratchet. And it does have the impact function, so with a bit of patience, it will remove just about any rusted bolt.Also, it's compact enough to get into anyplace you are going to be able to get that 1/2" air impact...
Yeh... That'll work.
Makita 18v Lithium...really the best thing going.
What Basswood said
95294.8 in reply to 95294.1
Makita 18v Lithium...really the best thing going.
What Jagwah said, Definately. ;o)I wonder how many people giving the other impacts the nod, have actually used the 18v. Mak Li-ion? The others are "also rans," IMO
What you said.
While I haven't used the other lessor brands my partner has the Makita 18 but it's not lithium. Side by side while screwing down a Trex deck my batteries way outlasted his. The difference was quite amazing. He was the reason I got mine but I chose to step up to the Lithium. I got the BD model impact and the hammer screw gun combo with charger and 2 batteries in a bag online for $320. This is HD's price for just the impact!
Another vote for the Makita Lithium Ion, I got my set a few months ago and have been impressed with it.
One battery lasted all day running in 2" hex head barn screws, in my impact.
I looked at the Milwaukee Lithium Impact yesterday, my rep had one in his van. It is a tank, probably weighs 2-3 times what the Makita does. Not that thats a bad thing. Just first observation I had, it's also bigger, close to twice the size.
My rep had the Makita white Lithium drill/driver set on sale yesterday. $220 for the two drills two batteries, charger and a case. Pretty good deal.
I got my blue set on sale for $300 Drill,Impact, Circular Saw, Flashlight, two batteries, charger and case. I since added another battery and their radio.
Matt
The Mak Li-ion batteries last so long that it causes problems...I forget about the charger and leave it at a job site...then a week or so and three jobs later, I discover that I don't have the charger and can't even remember where I left it.
I've bench tested the Mak 18v li Ion against the Panasonic 14.4v Li Ion and there is absolutely nothing in it for power. The Panasonic is lighter.
I have no affiliation with either of these companies.
Cheers Richard
I did not understand your comment about the power differance between the Makita and the Panasonic. Please explain. Thanks,Wood is Good
Adam Greisz<!----><!----><!---->
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Yeah, I'm a little confused by that myself. Which one is better?
Max torque generated by the 14.4 v Li-ion Panasonic (1330 in.lbs) is 4% higher than the Makita 18v Li-Ion, that much I will give you. You are also correct that the 3.0 Amp/hr. version of the Makita 18v Impact is 0.2 lbs heavier (a 6% difference).Those differences are very minor IMO, the real difference is in run time and the Makita will run 25% longer between charges. I also really like the LED light on the Mak...which the Panasonic lacks.If weight is a big deal, Makita also has a slim 18v Li-ion that is even lighter than the Panasonic 14.4v for about $100 less.Cheers to you too ;o)BW
Basswood,The Makita 3.0 Ah Li-ion driver is virtually identical in performance to the Li-ion Panasonic, except for the Makita's better runtime, correct? I wonder why Panasonic deleted the LED. I have their 2nd generation 12 volt impact (7201) and the LED is marvelous. It surprises me that Makita wins on runtime, since Panasonic has so often ruled in that department up to now. Probably because they make the batteries.What are your thoughts about the ergonomics of the two tools compared to one another? I am thinking about getting another impact, and any lithium tool wins me a new battery platform, so the Makita selection of compatible tools looks attractive. Thanks.Bill
Bill,The price, weight, and performance are virtually identical and since the amp hours are the same the volt difference is what give Makita the longer run time (Amp hours x volts = run).It really is not a fair comparison (Panasonic 14.4 vs. Makita 18v), I don't know if Panasonic makes an 18v impact, but if they do...it is probably more expensive and heavier. I have not used the Panasonic (I own the Mak and the Bosch), but the Mak ergonomics, run time, and the LED seem hard to beat...all the other criteria seem similar.I have the 4 pc. Mak 18v Li-Ion kit...all good (a year and a half and counting).
Like someone else said except for me Milwaukee, I have Milwaukee 14.4 drills and the convenience of one battery style/size for all the drills. I'm not convinced the Milwaukee is any better just more convenient. I don't want to have to deal with different brand batteries and drills.
We have one of those little pocket Bosch drivers in the shop and I like that thing quite a bit too.
Doug
You pretty much nailed it in a nutshell. Once you buy into a battery set/brand you're pretty much locked in until all the tools fail and fail within a few weeks of each other.
I've got DW 18v. Do I swear by them? Nope. Are they terrible? Nope, they get the job done.
Hilti... I just love it. It is the best 12v impact driver I have used to date... lo/hi, led light, light weight, and lets not forget the great hilti customer service... I had a battery read defective 13 months after purchase, went in to buy another and was just handed a brand new one.
james
I have lots of favorites.
My 14.4 Milwaukee with the half-inch driver for lag bolts that get impacted for decks railings & the like. I gave my daughter the 14.4V drill.
I have a full 18V Milwaukee set, so no loss there.
Got a new drill & impacter from Makita, and it's wonderful because I can use it to drive screws while I use the Mil to pre-drill the holes, and the other kid is setting rails with the 18v Makita.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Panasonic.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Panasonic! Agreed! No dobt! Nuf said!
Makita 14.4 - light, compact, decent run time and the built in light has proven real helpful during hardware installs. If i was starting from scratch, I'd probrably go to Mak's 18v lithium ion.
Another vote for Panasonic here. Light, batteries last forever. I am really impressed with the Li-Ion batteries. Driver gets used every day. Haven't found any negatives yet after 6 months
Makita 14.4 for most stuff.
Got a Bosch 10.8 volt pocket driver now too. Man those are cool! Keep it in my toolbelt 95% of the time. Not quite the speed or power of the bigger ones, but pretty handy to always have it there.
Mike
I started with a Makita 12V and use it - a lot. At the start of a big project about a year ago, HD had a DW 14.4V on sale for about a hundred bucks. Couldn't pass it up since it was cheap and I figured it would be a good idea to have two tools for the project and at that price, I wouldn't feel bad if I toasted it on the project.
Both are good tools. Never had any problem with either. But, for some reason, if the two are sitting side-by-side when I need one, I pick up the DW -- despite myself <G>. It just feels better in my hand. It's a little quicker to drive a screw -- but not much -- I suppose due to the extra voltage. Between the two, if I had to choose a replacement, I'd base it on my battery & charger situation. The difference between the tools is too close to call.
That said, if both were stolen, I'd probably buy a Bosch. Mainly 'cause I LOVE my Bosch CD/radio/charger, so I need some tools and batteries to go with it! ;-)
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Another vote for Ryobi. It seems made to be bounced off concrete.
Right now they have a combo pack with driver, radio, 2 batteries, charger, and nylon carry bag for $140. Their new LiIon battas are coming Nov 1 if you want to add long run and low weight
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 had a makita 9volt till it broke , Went to home depot to buy a new one, They had a sale a ridged with drill for 130 bucks, I bought it and i like it, I only had the makita to compare it with but it works just fine
Makita 14.4
Forrest
I stopped in Black and decker outlet store, 12 volt impact 39 bucks with 2 batteries, Before everyone thinks im cheap, i drop a lotta tools and my good ones seem to get stolen, Im gonna buy that, At least if my boys borrow it its a cheap one, They seem to"forget" its dads
My first one was a 12v DW used it for years 'til I gave it to my main contractor.. he loves it.
Second was 18v DW, nice but a little too heavy for most of my work, used it to augment the DW 12v. This one stays in the shop for the most part.
Both DW's are NiCd
Third is a Makita 18v Li Ion, my main squeeze, this thing weighs about the same as, if not lighter than, the DW 12v, but with 18v gumption.
This driver is the reason I gave away the 12v DW.
The light, belt hook and power in a compact tool does it for me. The kit I bought included a good case, two batteries and a hammer drill for about $350
I also use a 10.8 Bosch pocket driver, very handy for the piddlin' stuff.
Edited 10/3/2007 5:15 pm ET by TomE
I have all 14.4 DW cordless, so when these came out, I was unhappy that they did not have the 14.4 initially. therefore, I bot the 12V. It works great. It has a better variable speed control than the 14.4 I ended up getting when they came out. I use them both, but I end up grabbing the 14.4. Once in a while it overwhelms the job, but not generally."The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program" -Ronald Reagan
For my DIY use I've been happy with my Craftsman 19.2 volt.
Got the set with the driver, 1/2" drill, 5-1/2" circ. saw, sawzall & light for something like 189 on sale. So far, seems to be doing well, and most of the tools feel pretty solid.
Not sure about long term professional use, however.
Don
Thanks guys. I'm going to be doing a review of them for FHB. Just trying to find out what's out there.
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1500&articleID=501071
doing a deck at the moment about 800 sq ft multi level
have to drive about 3000 3 1/2 " screws
have a ridget id but bought a bosch 14 v also my assistant says the bosch is the best one and he does most of the screwing of the composite and is predrilling each hole
Just saw the Ryobi Impact/radio pack I mentioned for $99. Add their new LiIon set for $259 and you have a full cordless set, 2 LiIion batteries and 2 Nicad batts for $360.
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 have the first generation 12 volt Panasonic (EY6506) , the second generation 12 volt Panasonic (EY7201) , and the Bosch 18 volt (23618).
Just got the Makita 18 volt LXT (BTD140) in the 7 piece combo kit.
The Makita is my new favorite. Nice feel, good power, light is actually handy, better belt hook than my others.
The Bosch is heavier and a little awkward, and I really don't like Bosch batteries. Sucks too as I have the Bosch impact driver, jig saw, planer, hammer drill, flashlight, circular saw, and recip saw.
Really liked the Panasonics. Considered getting their Litium Ion, but, not many tools in their line that take the same batteries.
So far I am very impressed with the Makita kit, but, like I said, only had it a week or two.
I like my DeWalt 18v cordless
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Hammer :)
Rock......the original impact driver. <g>
I've been using my first impact driver -DW 9.6 - for a few weeks now, and I am well impressed. Using Irwin "Speedbor MAX" bits (the ones with lead screws and three flutes), it bores through lumber and LVL's like a drill press. Chips really fly. Each battery charge is equal to about 24" of drilling 1" holes. It also drives screws -into metal or wood - much better than my 14.4 DW. Downside? Unlike the Panasonic and Makita, this one lacks the LED light ... a real boon in dark attics. My other cordless tools are 14.4. Why did I get the 9.6, even though the guy at the tool store looked at me strange? Because FH did a review a few years back, and the author found little advantage to the bigger batteries. The longer run time was more than canceled out by the extra size and weight. My experience confirms that 9.6 is plenty. As far as brands go .... I chose DW because I am set up for DW. I don't want to haul a separate charger, and spare battery, for every tool. DW does have some cordless tools that others do no offer. Yet, I am often left feeling disappointed ... as if I've got a Chevy, and not at least an Oldsmobile.
For my corded tools, all bets are off. I agree with the Makita fans; they seem to have more user-friendly tools. There is also the matter of respect. Whenever I go to a tool expo, DW has the biggest, fanciest trailer ... and no one to be found. Or, the DW reps are huddled off in a corner, doing their best to stay away from you. meanwhile, the Makita booth is staffed by friendly folks, who want to show you their stuff.
I will not soon forget one such expo. It was a cold, wet march day, and an outdoor show. Not a DW guy in sight ... or to be found; they must have found a good place to hide. Meanwhile, like a real trooper, "Miss Makita" was outside, in the slop, right next to the rep.
I will not be surprised if, in twenty years, you will only find DW tools at the "Antique Roadshow."
I've used the 12v Makita extensively, and really like it. I now own the 18v Makita Li-Ion impact, and it's even better.
I've used the 14.4v Dewalt and Milwaukee's a little bit, but don't care for them as much as any Makita I've used, for a variety of reasons.
That said, any impact driver is better than no impact driver.
"favorite" is kinda loaded, but I do like my Dewalt 18v.
My uses are more driving nuts & bolts verses driving screws.
We use a 14.4 on the job with a 5/16 bit to set no-hub bands, I prefer the 18v for setting quick bolts into concrete.