Hello everyone,
I am new to this site and new to forums, but I enjoy DIY projects. Recently, while remodeling a room in my home I left the garage door open b/c of the heat and came back to find my Dewalt 18V drill sprouted wheels and drove itself out of the garage never to return.
So, now I am in the market for a new drill/driver. I’ve read some good articles about impact driver and want to purchase one, but want to know if I can also drill with them. Can I and are there any that stand out above the rest?
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I have used mine for drilling, in some specific applications, with great success.
It's been great for boring wood, using the Irwin Speed-bor max auger/spade bits.
For holing sheet metal, it drives a unibit with great control.
I have 1/4" bits for those plastic anchors.
I do have a chuck that can take ordinary bits - but be sure to get a keyed chuck! A keyless chuck will spin freely - making removing bits a bit of a challenge.
Thank you for your thoughts on the impact driver. It is good to know that you can drill with them for several different types of applications. I also appreciate the information about the keyless chuck. Which brands do you recommend?
Actually, Ryobi makes a superior impact driver. I know its durable, as when I was redoing my garage roof I dropped it onto the concrete slab about twice a week, for months on end.
BUT... if you were looking at a really good tool system to get into, look at the Bosch 10.8v sets. Lightweight, and their battery is always up and ready for use when you pull it out for that 10 minute project. Batts recharge from dead in less than 20 minutes too. Very small and lightweight too, handy for those over the head projects.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
Use one once, and you will never go back to a cordless drill. I own a 12V Hitachi, and will probably be purchasing a Makita Lithium next. You can't beat thaT 15 minute charge. I like that Bosch pocket impact driver as well, and Makita just came out with its competition for slightly less. The DeWalt XRP impacts seem to be local favorites, and after using one today, I can see why. Its a bit faster than the ones I mentioned above.
Where can I pick up a keyed chuck for my impact?
I understand why they use a hex chuck on impacts but a fair amount of the time I want a good chuck.
On those small 10.8 drills I'd rather have a keyless chuck.
Edited 8/28/2008 1:18 pm ET by popawheelie
I found my keyed chuck - with a 1/4" hex shank - at my local tool house. It's made by Makita. Otherwise ... I see in this thread some confusion as to impact drivers.
The voltage of the tool has absolutely nothing the do with the "power" of the driver. That is determined by the mechanism inside the tool.
Looking at various product lines, you will find little difference in torque between different voltage units. This means they drive just as hard.
A larger battery, though, does mean more holes between charges. Personally, I get on just fine with a 9.6v unit; it easily outperforms my 14.4v drills. I have no particular brand preference. I chose mine because:
a) I wanted to be able to use my existing chargers; and,
b) I wanted to have a lighter, smaller tool to lug up ladders and fit into tight spaces. Now, similar weight savings, with more power, are available with the new LiIon batteries. One thing I really would appreciate is a driver with an LED light in the nose.
The desire for some sort of hook, that would let me hang the driver from a ladder top, or on my belt while climbing, also has its' appeal.
Well......sort of. Ah (Amp-hour) has more to do with power than voltage, just like amperage on a corded tool dictates power. And usually, the higher voltages have higher amp-hours......it really depends on the type of battery cell and how many are in the tool's battery.
That's the big difference between an impact driver and a drill ... there is no direct connection between the chuck and the motor. It all goes through the impact mechanism. It is the torque setting in that mechanism that delivers the blow - and it can deliver but one size blow. A larger battery - however measured - will only allow more blows between charges. It can't make the blows any harder. Faster, maybe - but not harder. This drive mechanism is also the reason why the operator feels NO counter-torque in the wrist.
HD has the Makita chuck for about $22. I've seen smaller simple ones perfect for just drill bits at HF.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
Northern tool used to carry a small hex shaft Jacobs type chuck for the small bits. DW, Makita, and most of the biggies make a larger heavier duty version.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/attachment_detail.asp?productID=15049
http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=accessory_tbl&tag=acc_drill_chucks&cat_tag=103&tbl=2&f
For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I have also used my impact driver to drill holes, but it wouldn't be my first choice for drilling. Whatever drill bit you wanted to use would have to have the type of hex fitting on it that would fit the quick-release of the impact driver. For spade bits, that really isn't a problem. But for other, smaller types of bits it would be quite limiting.
I like the Ridgid tools at Home Depot. If you register them within 90 days (which is free to do), you get a lifetime service agreement that includes free parts and labor. It also includes free replacement batteries for life. Of course, if a tweeker snatches it out of your garage, you're out of luck!
I have both the 18v NiCad and 24v lithium Ridgid impact drivers. Both are very powerful, and the 24v one has an LED light that can come in handy.
A contractor I know likes Makita's 18v impact driver with the lightweight battery. If you are going to use it a lot, the weight probably becomes pretty important. For me it's not an issue.
I bought and returned the Bosch 10.8v impact driver. I liked the feel of it, and the 3 LED lights, but it was nowhere near as powerful as the 18 and 24v Ridgids I own (the Bosch took much longer to drive the same screw into the same material). And it was very noisy (they all are). For something that size, given that I wouldn't need the impact action for what I'd be using it for, I decided I'd be happier with a power screwdriver that didn't make so much noise. I'm not sure it would be powerful enough for you to be happy using it as a drill.
Edited 8/28/2008 2:39 am ET by JDLee
"I bought and returned the Bosch 10.8v impact driver. I liked the feel of it, and the 3 LED lights, but it was nowhere near as powerful as the 18 and 24v Ridgids"
Ya think? I told my sister I did not want to drive her Tracker, it just could not carry as much as my Tahoe, I can not understand it.
I took my 18 and 24 v stuff back, told them I could not figure out why they would not fit in my bag or pocket like my 10.8 Bosch stuff. Could not figure out why they weighed so much either.
<grin grin> For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Yeah, that was just me trying to be diplomatic. People get really upset if they feel the tools they like are being maligned.
The fact is that I found the 10.8 Bosch impact driver to be very, very slow, and very noisy. For the things that I would use an impact driver for, it is too slow. For the things that I would want something that portable for, it is way too noisy. But I'm sure for some applications it is great. And it is certainly ergonomic and handy.
I am sure you know I was pimping you. My first impact was a 12v DW. I saw a DW rep at l Lowes and he was putting out the literature about it, came home and there was an e-mail from DW announcing it, the next e-mail was an offer from Amazon with a good bunch off. I figured the stars were aligned and pulled the trigger.
I got a 12v Makita ( this was at least 4 yrs ago) and did not like it, I divested myself of my Makita stock, 14.4 volt big combo and the impact to a customer who liked it.
I got the deal on DW 14.4 impact and drill for about $199. I bought one of the cheapie Firestorm ones v when they came out for $29. I use it on furniture assy.
I got the 10.8 I-driver and then added the impact. I share your evaluation but it fits my need for a lot of tasks. Would like to have scored the driver to go with it. It is slow and noisy. Enjoying the LED lights though.
I bought these tools, did not marry, or father them so I am not that attached. I never have a problem with someone saying they do not like something and giving reasonable explainations of why. A lot of it is style, use, and maybe brand loyalty, always fairly reasonable reasons for choice.
I have sort of gravitated to Bosch from DW. Did not really have that much against the Makita, they just did not fit my hand that well. The later ones are much better from what I see.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
interesting. i think makita has the best grip followed by dewalt then bosch. i dont have big hands and the bosch requires a larger grip. i dont go w. cheap tools... not engineered as well. did have to buy 18v batteries for the dewalt... lasted me four years though and the tools are still tickin'. i do think makita tools are the most thought out and have the best/latest technology.
Remember that this was about four years ago, when they first came out with the impacts, and had that big hardcase combo. The newer ones have the overmold and seem great.
I always try to be fair, this was when they first came out with the Ni-mh batteries also. I was just trying to show the transition of these things.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
As others have mentioned - yes you can drill with an impact driver.
I use my impact for drilling more than my drill. I just buy the bits with the 1/4" hex shanks - don't have a regular chuck.
As for brands - I like the 18volt Makita Lithium Ion. Good power, light weight, well placed light, lots of tools in that line.
HomeyD has a good deal on the new Makita 10.8v LiON tools, an impact driver and 2 speed drill for $180. Worth checking out. If I were to go bigger than the 10.8V tools, I'd probably pick up the white Makita impactor (18V lion I think?). It has the half size batteries, but you can use it with the full size batteries as well...
Look for ones with a trigger activated LED light that is on/near the chuck. It's way more useful than you'd expect.
Z
I buy "throw-away" or "walk-away" cordless drills, usually Craftsman.
Replacement batteries for most cordless tools are so expensive that it makes more sense to me to buy a lesser quality drill at a bargain price and get a new one when it's OEM batteries are cooked.
Check out this current deal on a new 18V. $40 bucks with battery and charger, at your local Sears store...through Sat 8/30.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911437000P?vName=Tools&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Drills
Edit: I stopped at Sears and got one of these today. Nicely designed, fits my hand well, runs very smooth, plenty of power. I'm happy to have it.
BTW, my last Craftsman 14V drill lasted for about eight years of regular use. It was still working fine when both it's batteries had died.
I've previously owned several Makita cordless drills. They had some problems which required $$ service. They were expensive tools and didn't perform nearly as well as my last Craftsman cordless drill did. This new 18V is a more compact design and seems to be better quality than my last Craftsman.
Granted, these are the only Craftsman power tools I own but they fit my needs and have the "throw-away-walk-away" advantage.
Edited 8/28/2008 9:15 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
My first semi serious set was a Craftsman 19.2 and I was really surprised at it's performance. The 5 3/8 saw is identical to my 14.4 DW. The batteries finally gave up and I probably should resurrect them. But I have so much other cordless stuff it is not worth the effort.
Many of us have become tool snobs in my opinion. I do feel I have a little more street cred with my multimaster and Fein Vac than my old Ryobi sander and $30 Craftsman (tornado sound) vac.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Many of us have become tool snobs in my opinion.
I'll always buy the best tools when there's a big difference in quality, no matter the cost. But when the quality is very similar and there's a big difference in cost, I'll go for the bargain everytime.
So I'd like to be a tool snob but logic makes me too practical for that.
This 18V Craftsman drill is a perfect example. $40 is a half-off loss leader for Sears on this tool or it's a close out, one or the other. In any case this is a solid tool which won't cause me any anxiety when it's battery gives up the ghost, or it gets dropped and dies or whatever.
By that time there'll be many more Li Ion tools around, at reasonable prices.
Cordless tools have been an evolving technology so investing in the latest $$ tool doesn't make sense to me, not when there are so many companies competing in that large market.
Edited 8/29/2008 6:35 am by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I think the "tool snob" attitude is one based either on ignorance, or someone else buying the tools. If nothing else, "best" can be a slippery concept, and one that doesn't always lend itself to things you can measure. For example, the hammer I use is hardly 'top of the line,' yet it has one saving grace over several others: I manage to be able to hit the nail more often - especially when laying on my back in a crawl space. As a certain firearms instructor has said, "only hits count." I left a job in a machine shop to enter the trades. Imagine my amusement when someone advised me to get rid of my "no name, POS" Starrett tools, and replace them with quality Craftsman! Too bad I wasn't able to take him to the machine shop - that would have been fun. Apart from the "name" on a tool, there are a few other points worth considering.
Availability is one. SK makes fine ratchets, and Metabo has several fine tools. Try finding either in Reno. Hilti likewise has several availability issues. Another factor is that not every tool from a prime manufacturer is of the same stellar quality. Skil is one firm that comes to mind ... they hit a home run with the ever-popular "SkilSaw" ... and have done a lot of bunting since. Even when they try to make great stuff, nobody makes everything. Think back to those years when the only decent cordless tools were blue ...
Which, of course, brings up another factor ... who wants to carry a completely different set of support equipment and accessories for every tool? There is a value to being able to use the same batteries, chargers, and attachments. In previous posts, I've also described the 'learning curve' every tool has. That is, you don't really know what factors matter to you until you use it several times. In my case, it was the angle grinder where this really mattered - I much prefer a 'paddle' to a 'switch.' Would have been a pity to start off with a $240 switched unit that I would only learn to hate.
For this purpose alone, cheap import tools have value; they generally perform adequately, long enough for you to put together a wish list.
Good philosophical discussion! Guess we are stiil on track and not really hijacked.
I am not sure I agree with your previous post about battery size and impacts. Sure you did not mean that the dif voltages but were talking about the dif between say a 2AH and a 3AH rated battery. Then I would agree except that the 3 would certainly maintain the power level longer.
I could tell the difference in my 12v and 14.4v impacts but it was not a really big spread, would bet an 18v would really show up the spread. I know my 24v drill will just about throw you off a ladder if it gets hung up.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Throw you off the ladder? A drill sure will! An impact will not. That's the real blessing. Higher voltage models do tend to have the torque setting of the mechanism set slightly higher; as you've noticed, it's not a big spread. The higher voltage batteries, like the greater amp-hour batteries, will simply make more holes on a charge. Personally, I consider the cordless impact driver to be the most revolutionary thing to happen to the trades since the corded drill came out.
True about the difference in drill and impact, I used a poor comparison/example. I was going on the stated torque ratings on the impacts (the older ones like I have). The comparison of new like series DW 9.6-18 shows a smaller spread in torque than I expected, 80-111 ft-lbs.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/Tool_Detail_Compare.aspFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I've got the Makita 18vLion and the Bosch 10.8v impact/driver. Both are excellent tools. Got the Bosch at HD on clearance for $99 w/ acc. Check out tylertool.com, they have pretty good deals on the Makitas, paid around $250 for the 4pc combo. As for which one to go for, it depends on the job. I use the both equally,but the Bosch fits in my belt.
For many tasks, you really need both a drill and driver. I strongly recommend buying a combo.
Mr Wolf,
Why settle... Makita just released their new Model BTP140 It's an 18V Hybrid Imact/Hammer/Driver/Drill. Of course it's the most expensive drill I've ever seen at >$400.
That said, has anyone actually picked up or used the new Makita 10.8V Impact or Drill/Driver? I've seen the box at Home Depot, but nothing has been on display.