On the cover of Tool Crib’s latest catalog (#502, March ’05), upper left, they are offering the Makita 14.4V cordless impact driver, $259 includes a thrown-in 14.4V MForce drill/driver, take $25 off deal, brings it down to $234, free shipping.
Looks like a good deal, although I already have a Dewalt drill/driver 14.4V.
I thought if I got this deal, I would also get an additional Makita 14.4V charger, and give the drill/driver and charger to my son.
The Dewalt 14.4V impact driver goes for $214, net with the $25 off deal, also free shipping. Getting that one would give me good battery and charger interchangeablility.
There are way too many choices in impact drivers, for me. Wow, there’s Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Porter-Cable, Hitachi, Panasonic, Milwaukee, and each seems to have them in various battery configs. Too much information!
I’ll have a lot of lags to drive, bolting top flange and web wood blocking onto structural steel. Will a 14.4 work just fine?
Replies
I'll have a lot of lags to drive, bolting top flange and web wood blocking onto structural steel. Will a 14.4 work just fine?
how many is 'a lot'? - - thinking that if it's as many as I consider it to be, I'd want a plug-in impact....
Or for a LOT less money, a pneumatic impact wrench.
They last forever, zero maintenance, no plastic to break when you drop it & they're made for driving bolts. If you have a constant use for driving lags, it would be my first choice.
I have a B&D 1/2" that is over 30 years old, only maintenance has been a drop of oil about once a year if I think of it.
Joe H
would a compresser of the sort used for nail guns work an air impact? - I've had one I use in the shop - gotta stop and wait on air on occasion -
"there's enough for everyone"
Your thinking of an impact wrench. The deal is for one of those little impact drivers. The wrench uses sockets, the drivers are only 3 lbs and use quick release screw/driver bits.
You can use an impact wrench on a smaller compressor but the wrench will use up a good bit of air. You will end up waiting for the compressor to catch up before you can drive more lags or whatever. The air wrenches are more for auto shops and industrial setups where they have $10,000 compressors that have very high cfms. For smaller home use, a 30 or more gallon compressor with 5 or more cfm's will work for a do it yourselfer.
"drivers are only 3 lbs and use quick release screw/driver bits."
My 12v Makita was never told that....unwittingly, I've driven several thousand 1/4 X 3" hex-head SDS lag screws with it, in addition to hex-headed tapcons.
It never complained.
:-)
True enuff, you will have to wait for air if you're using it constantly.
But, if you're driving that many lags I think your battery is gonna need a charge on a regular basis too.
For all around handy thing to have, the Makita is probably a better toy to own, the impact is better suited for driving large numbers of lags, bolts or whatevers.
The electric impacts are pricey, the air tools are cheaper, and you've already got a compressor that will run it.
Joe H
...I think your battery is gonna need a charge on a regular basis...
ya - I think we are all talking around the same points - - I've never used one of these new-fangled cordless impacts, I assume they work on the same principle as the air tools -
I'd venture that numbers and size of the lags is the key here, lots of difference in driving effort between 1/4"X3" and 1/2" X6" - -
"there's enough for everyone"
I've got the 14v milwaukee and its a real workhorse, drove 3/8 x 6 lags and it never stopped driving, when it slowed down I just switched out battery and started again. Milwaukee also has a 18v impact, but I wanted something a little lighter and more versatile for my needs.
If you go air you need a compressor to keep up and it needs to be a big one.
Since I bought the 14v impact my 18v volt milwaukee drill with hammer action, is starting to feel like a redheaded stepchild.
The one thing that you will like about the impact their is no torque on your wrist.
I went with milwaukee, cuz in my opinion they make the best drills corded or cordless. And if one of my charger decides to take a crap I still am able to interchange them.
I've have heard that mikta and panasonic are also top shelf
What ever one you get you won't be sorry you will just wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.
P.S. they are also killer on tapcons