Looking to buy an imoact driver. I’ve heard great things, but I’m torn between Hitachi’s 12 volt and Makita’s 14.4.
Any suggestions?
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Everyone and their mother that I know, swears by the Makita. I`ve not been blown away by it in the two years since I purchased it.
Battery life seems a big problem. While it`ll go quite a while on a full charge, it seems to deplete rapidly when not used for any period of time.
Love its weight and balance.....but it doesn`t do anything my cordless drill wasn`t doing before I bought it. And the drill (Dewalt) is always ready to go....even after weeks of inactivity.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Interesting JD.
Having learned about the impact driver on this forum and subsequently bought one,I find a difference of say 30 nm of torque compared with impacts 135 nm noticeably makes a difference.??
In fact can't wait to use,he he .
Having learned about the impact driver on this forum and subsequently bought one,I find a difference of say 30 nm of torque compared with impacts 135 nm noticeably makes a difference.??
I`m assuming the two question marks at the end are there because you don`t understand what you said either?
Ya lost me brotha.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
No,the question marks indicated that I was surprised that you didn't find any difference between a normal cordless drill and an impact driver.
.A cordless drill has a torque of about 30nm and a impact driver has a torque of 135nm,one hopes that is plain enough.
Much clearer.....your initial run-on sentence had me cornfused.
Its not that I don`t notice a difference.....the impact driver is certainly more appropriate for the task of driving.....but I`ve never met a screw that the drill was unable to sink. Just food for thought for those considering the purchase. Another tool to lug, another battery to charge.
As opposed to so many of the other tools I own, I don`t know that I couldn`t live without the impact driver.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Here's another for the Mak 14.4....I believe Amazon's still running the buy the ID, get a free drill deal.
My guys RAVE about this thing and I'm buying another soon when I have to rebuild a screwed-down deck.
We've even loosened lug nuts on the trailer with it, and we regularly use it to tighten anchor bolts down.
Amazing tool!Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Thanks to everyone for their input. Everyone seems to like the Makita.
Funny that the Hitachi sells more on Amazon.I like the Hitachi tools that I have, Makita has been disappoointing in the recent past, but it looks like I'm going that way.Just starting out on my own a little, so there isn't much money to but new tools. Don't want to regret a purchse.And since I'm buying a newer van (one that will do more than 25 mph up an incline) the wife might not be too happy!So I don't think I'll be informing her.Thank you, gentlemen.
For a time, I thought all the talk about impact drivers was just hype -- fueled by a group (construction types) inflicted with tool mania and the constant need for tax deductions. Then I tried one. Then I bought one. Now, I am not ashamed to say I will never willingly drive a screw again with anything but an impact driver. They are particularly useful whenever you have to drive screws above your head or in awkward positions -- anytime it is difficult to get some muscle behind it.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
speed and ease. impacts just do it so much better
I beleive that Panasonic has a deal until the end of the month (act fast) where if you buy their impact driver, you can get a drill body free.
Hurry!
I've had the Makita 12v for over a year, and have been very happy with it. I use it daily, and haven't had any problems.
I have the Makita 12 volt (the newer model) and love it. Torqe to spare, nice balance, and decent battery life on a charge. It's had a hard life and shows no sign of quitting. My FIL dropped it off my 1.5 storey roof onto the roof of the neighbour's car then to the asphalt and it suffered no ill effects (fortunately the neighbour's great and allowed me to fix the dents in her car roof myself, otherwise my FIL would have worked out to be pretty costly help for that day!)
Only one downside: battery DEATH. I got mine in a kit with two NiMH batteries, a charger and a rebate/new 12V drill in the mail- super deal. Unfortunately one of the NiMH batteries has kakked already, and replacement cost is almost 1/2 what I paid for the whole kit! Trick with NiMH batteries apparently is to top them up at the end of each day rather than running them down until you lose power. Guess I might start doing that someday when I've got the time to putz around with batteries rather than grabbing a tool and going with it.
Ridgid's apparently giving a lifetime guarantee on their batteries. Dunno if they make an impact unit yet, but if they did I'd be thinking about them for that reason alone. Bet there's lots of others here who have stacks of cordless tools they don't have the heart to throw out or the bucks to buy new batteries for.
Ok. I just signed up for this and haven't been to the WT in several years (By the way, how do you get to the WD now?), but-What is a FIL?
FIL = father-in-law
and if you want access to the Woodshed Tavern, ya gotta ask now. Look for the thread "access to the tavern" in the General Discussions folder.
and wear yer hip boots. It gets pretty deep in there sometimes.
Just got the 12V Makita, haven't really tried it out yet.
Hey metalguy, how is it going? Is your addition dry-in yet?
Had a busy summer, got to drop by someday to check on progress.
How is the new addition doing? Baby I mean.
Hey Tom- long time no speak! You SHOULD come by sometime- you might be surprised how much it's changed since your last visit! I've managed to keep pace with most of the professional projects in my neighbourhood, which is surprising because it's been pretty near 100% me as you know and I still haven't quit my day job. There've been lots of compliments on the design from passersby and the neighbours, which is really gratifying. I've even had to turn down some job offers!
Both the addition and the garage are framed and have passed framing inspection. We'll be putting in windows and doors on Monday and the roofs are on. Only a little more Typar to go on- getting to know how a one-armed paper hanger feels! No brick (for the front) until spring- it's going to take a long time to clean all those salvaged bricks. The siding's bought, but wasn't available in my colour so I'll have to paint it, so I'm not sure whether I'll start before the winter or not.
I'll drop by tomorrow afternoon if I have a chance.
How many coffee?
Love the Makita 14.4 impact driver. Have used it for 3 months and I'll never go back. One of the comments to your post mentions short battery life. One of mine crapped out also, but I checked with my tool supplier today and he told me they are guaranteed for one year. I'll return the bad one next week. The impacts have way more driving power than the drill drivers, but the real advantage is no screw tear-out. I also find them very easy to set screw depth, even when using on sheetrock. I bought it on a Makita deal. Got a free 14.4 driver drill with the 14.4 impact for $209.00. Check on line to see if the deal is still on. Home depot had the same combo but on the 12Volt.
I'm going on what, year 3 with the Panasonic? I dunno. Love that drill. I almost dont even touch the others anymore. I can't say that the other options arent good, I don't know that either. I just know a lot of people here back when said get the Panasonic, I did, and I haven't ever regretted that.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
From what I can see any of the major brands will do just fine.
The difference seems to be with the batteries. There seem to be a lot of complaints about batteries dying prematurely, and my impression is that Panasonic is the only company that has managed to get it right. They are apparently the only outfit that manufacturers their own batteries, and whatever it is they do, the batteries seem to last a long time.
I use 15.6v Panasonics (drills and impact drivers), and I use them hard and often, and yet I have NiMH batteries that are doing fine even though they are 3-4 years old.
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I picked a 12V Hitachi at Lowe's almost two years ago. 170 beans. It's not the one Gary Katz raves about. I just got another on for 130 bucks. No problem with battery life or power. Probably the best damned tools I have for the money. Buy as many as you can<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
I've got a Milwaukee, not that its any better then any of the others but I have Milwaukee 14.4 drills so it only made sense to me to get the same battery config.
Doug
I am a remodeler and specialize in kitchens and cabinet installations. I have both the Makita and the panasonic digital with the 3.5 amp hour battery. I don't even pick up the Makita anymore but I loved it until I bought a Panasonic. I know the Panasonic is pricy at $289 +- but the added features make it a superb tool for all my screw driving. The batteries last so long I forget to charge them. I used to automatically remove a battery at each break and at lunch etc. I can use the panasonic all day. Also, I haven't used a cordless drill to drive a screw in ages. the digital torgue adjustment is handy but the real great feature is the quarter turn countersink feature. I thought the light was gimicky but is actually very usefull - A superb tool I didn't want ANOTHER battery charger to bang about the job so - I just ganged together three battery chargers - Dewalt-Makita-Panasonic - in a little box with one plug to plug them all in
You guys just added to my indecision. Have wanted to try the Panasonic cordless drill, but, even though I here negatives about the Dewalt, my 14.4 is actually a great tool. not so much with battery charge life.Now I have to consider the Panasonic impact.Woe is me. Too many choices. And opinions.Thanks for your input.
Makita recently released a new line of lithium ion tools onto the Japanese market. I don't see them mentioned here, so maybe they are not available in North America yet. The top of the line 14.4 impact, the TS130DRFX, runs upward of $400.
View Image
Another very sexy tool is their little lithium ion SS540DRF worm drive saw, which is similarly expensive:
View Image
These lithium ion batteries are about $100 apiece.
On the subject of battery life, I recently learned that Ridgid has instituted a lifetime limited warranty on consummables in its power tools, including cordless, and including batteries. Postings on the Ridgid forum indicate that are indeed replacing dead batteries. Although their tools are not as sexy as Makita or Hitachi, and are Chinese made rather than Japanese made, still this seems to be a sensible alternative for occasional users like myself that do not require bleeding edge performance.
What is the story with Lithium Iron batteries?,never heard of them.
I have the Ryobi 18v,cost $330 NZ,the 12v Makita is $550 and the Hitachi 14.4v is $620.
I am assured that the pro grade Ryobi in question has Panasonic batteries.
What are the advantages of the worm drive skil saw.?
Lithium ion is the best and most expensive type of battery on the market. Laptops, for instance, come with them.They are lightweight, powerful, long-lived, and don't suffer from memory effect the way that Nicad batteries do. Up to now, Panasonic was the only one that offered LiOn batteries in a 14.4 V impact driver, and this is one of reasons people love the Panasonic tools. AFAIK, Ryobi does not have Lithium Ion tools--they may use Panasonic batteries, but the batteries are probably NicadAs for the Lithium Ion worm drive, actually I think it's another mechanism beside worm drive in there, I forget what they call it. Anyway, this is the same saw that's been on the market for years now, I guess it's the best little cordless, and it's updated here for Lithium Ion, which means lighter and more powerful and longer lasting.
Milwaukee just introduced their cordless L-I battery tool set.
Waiting to see if I can afford to change up.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
I love my Makita 12v. I bought one after reading about them in FWW several years ago. I'd like to try the newer models with electronic controls, but can't justify it right now. The only downside to using an impact driver to install cabinets is the noise. Be sure to wear earplugs and have aspirin available for others on the jobsite.
<<"Panasonic was the only one that offered LiOn batteries in a 14.4 V impact driver...">> You must be confusing Panasonic with somebody else. They don't offer a 14.4 v battery, and so far they have not jumped on the Lithium bandwagon. Milwaukee's 28v lithium line is just now starting to ship, and I had a chance to work with their circ and recip saw just yesterday. One day is not much of a test, but they were sweet (but very expensive). As far as I know, Milwaukee is the only outfit with Lithium bats on the American market, although I heard today that Makita wil be launching an 18v system in the US, but I don't know when. As you pointed out earlier, they are already selling the Lithium system in Japan. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Edited 10/4/2005 7:39 pm ET by nikkiwood
Gee, looks like you got me there. Nickel hydride?I wonder why it's taken them so long to go to Lithium Ion. Laptops have had it for some time now. It's obviously better.
It appears that Hitachi has also announced JDM Lithium Ion impact drivers. http://www.super-impact.com
Apparently the two major battery manufacturers, Sanyo and Panasonic, have held back on their commitment to Lithium batteries (for tools). The question is why. At least two Japanese outfits (Makita and Hitachi) are selling them in Japan, and it is curious they have not introduced them here as well. Certainly their cost is high, but I wonder if there is still not some technical glitch that needs to be worked out. I don't think it will too long before they sweep the market, just as NiMH have pretty much displaced Nicads. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Did you see the panasonic with three torque settings and a digital do da that stops the screw flush?$333.
Be $800 here in NZ I would guess.
The question is why.
Prolly the same reason they withold much of their new electronics technology. Wait until market is saturated, then release the new and improved version. Make twice the money selling the same (yet upgraded) product.
FREE NEWF
and SPHERE
and anyone else ya got in there, dammit!!
the saw you reproduced does not look to be a worm drive as the motor (indicated by the changable carbon bushes is to the left of the blade) wish it was a worm drive though.
Actually, I think that is a hypoid gear drive saw. Claimed to be better than worm drive as gears are maintenance free.
I got the DeWalt 14.4 impact driver about two years ago because I already had the batteries for my drills. It has worked great, and can drive in the small square-head stainless steel screws without snapping when my regular cordless drill couldn't.
On the other hand, Ridgid temporarily has their 14.4 impact driver paired with their 14.4 drill and two batteries as a kit for $199 at my local H.D. They've got a life-time service offer going on the batteries and tools. I can't say how it compares though.
D&L
Quick question: I've read that it's very difficult to strip a screw with an impact driver. I find that I use my drill/driver for driving screws about 90% of the time. So...what is it about an impact driver that makes it so hard to strip a screw?
I'll let anyone who knows the science of it go ahead of me. But there is something about the impact driver switching to the sideways hammer action when it starts to bind that keeps the screw head from stripping for me. I don't know why - - maybe that alternating "punch then rest then punch" process works better than just applying more torque to a stubborn screw like what the drill does? I do know that I can drive the soft stainless square drive screws into composite deck ballusters with better success with the impact driver than with the drill using the same batteries. Not every screw would go in, but more of them do.
And the impact driver is smaller and less strain on my wrists.
Just my 2 cents,
D&L
we're not talking stripping the screw (thread), we're talking about reeming out the socket head, robertson (philips, for you backward yanks). The reason it is unlikely is because the the bit is impicated into the head at the same time it turns so that the bit is less likely to torque out of and damage the head ..
Sorry, I meant the screw head as well. I actually made the plunge last night and bought the Makita 14.4v impact driver/drill-driver/flashlight promotional kit at Home Depot. It was $229 - 10% coupon. Can't beat that deal.The impact driver has a light on it that illuminates the work area. Didn't realize that so it kind of surprised me when I took it for a test run. The driver is loud as a lot of people alluded to due to the impacts. I guess I'll get used to it. I did a test to see if I can strip the screw head. I tested driving a 3 inch deck screw (phillips head) into a 2x4. I repeated screwed and unscrewed the screw. The head was flawless. This feature is going to be great to have. I always seem to strip these deck screws. My next test will be with brass hinge screws. I have to be so careful with them that its annoying. I usually will drill a pilot hole and then drive one 3" screw into the framing for each hinge. The cost was more than I wanted to spend but it was a great deal and I'm sure I'll get my money's worth.
One more vote for the Panasonics. I have the first and second generation 12 volt impact drivers (EY6506 , EY7201). As others have mentioned the batteries are the best in the business. Also find the hook and light on the 7201 to be very usefull.
Have not had the chance to try the new Digital (EY7202) that Chileab mentions, but, I am sure it is great - It's a Panasonic.
I find the collet type quick drive drill bit adapters quite handy and have added them to my impact kits. Break a bit and just replace 'em with std drill bits.
Here's one set.
http://www.mcfeelys.com/product.asp?productID=MS-0020
The only downside with the panasonics is their low speed control, it's not much better than a dewalt's.
I bought a couple of Makita impact drivers (12v) last year....like them a lot for about 90-95% of stuff. I have found that in some situations, where I want the screw to pull tow pieces together, can't get the ID's to do it as well as I'd like. I've been doing this a good while, thought I knew most of the tricks.....just can't make them work. In those situations, I've switched back to a drill, and everything snugs up just like I want. Anyway, bottom line for me is I'd always want to have both an ID and a drill available.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
What model have you had problems with low speed control?
As stated above, I have the first (EY6506) and second (EY7202) generation of 12 volt impact drivers. I also have three different models of 12 volt drills, and have never noticed a problem with speed control at all. I know what you speak of, have experienced it with other brands, but, never noticed it with my Panasonics.
Now I will have to test them out on Monday.
the second gen is an improvement, its just hard to make them go really slow. At least thats been my experience. If you look at the latest 14.4 mak, as I've got, you can make it turn at almost 0 rpm which is good when you just want to put that screw or whatever in that little bit more. I don't know if the digital clutch on the latest panasonics solves this or not. I've also a 12v dewalt that is unusable for sensitive work because of this same characteristic. Not that I like to compare apples with oranges.